Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations

Rise and Kill First documents Israel's targeted assassination programs from the nation's founding to the present day. Through interviews with intelligence officials and access to classified materials, journalist Ronen Bergman reconstructs decades of covert operations carried out by Mossad, Shin Bet, and military special units. The book examines the decision-making processes behind Israel's targeted killing policy, from mission planning to execution. Bergman presents detailed accounts of operations against terrorists, Nazi war criminals, nuclear scientists, and others deemed threats to national security. The narrative tracks the evolution of assassination techniques alongside advances in technology and changing geopolitical circumstances. Key figures from Israel's intelligence community provide firsthand perspectives on successes, failures, and internal debates about the morality and effectiveness of targeted killings. This investigation raises fundamental questions about the balance between national security and ethical constraints in modern warfare. The history presented here offers insights into how democratic nations navigate extreme measures in response to existential threats.

Readers comment on the depth of research and access to Israeli intelligence sources, with many noting the 1000+ interviews conducted. The book reveals previously unreported operations and internal debates within Mossad. Likes: - Clear chronological structure - Balanced presentation of successes and failures - Details on specific operations and planning - Examination of moral/ethical questions - Integration of historical context Dislikes: - Length and density of content - Too much focus on recent decades - Some readers wanted more on failed operations - Occasional repetition of details - Limited coverage of Palestinian perspective Ratings: Goodreads: 4.39/5 (8,400+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (2,800+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Reads like a thriller but backed by extensive documentation" Several readers noted the book avoids sensationalism while maintaining narrative momentum. Multiple reviewers highlighted the chapter on the Munich Olympics response as particularly compelling.

Ghost Wars by Steve Coll A history of the CIA's covert operations and intelligence gathering in Afghanistan from 1979-2001, detailing spy networks, targeted killings, and international intelligence cooperation.

The Way of the Knife by Mark Mazzetti The transformation of the CIA from an intelligence agency into a paramilitary organization conducting targeted killings and drone warfare after 9/11.

Kill Chain by Andrew Cockburn An examination of the U.S. military's evolution toward high-tech assassination programs, drone warfare, and targeted killing operations.

Lords of Secrecy by Scott Horton A study of the legal and operational frameworks behind modern intelligence agencies' targeted killing programs and covert operations.

The Perfect Kill by Robert Baer A former CIA operative's account of assassination techniques, targeting methods, and real-world operations in the Middle East.

🔹 Despite being one of the most comprehensive books on Israeli intelligence operations, author Ronen Bergman faced significant resistance from Israeli military censors, who initially attempted to block the publication of approximately 20% of the book's content. 🔹 The book's title comes from the Talmudic command "If someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first," which has become an unofficial motto for Israel's intelligence services. 🔹 Bergman conducted over 1,000 interviews with intelligence officers, assassins, and political leaders, including former prime ministers Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert, to compile this account. 🔹 The Israeli intelligence agency Mossad pioneered the use of explosive cell phones for assassinations, with their first successful deployment against Palestinian militant Yahya Ayyash, nicknamed "The Engineer," in 1996. 🔹 The book reveals that Israel has conducted more than 2,700 assassination operations since its founding in 1948, more than any other Western nation in modern history.