Book review:
Book:
Mossad the greatest missions of the Israeli secret service
Authors: Michael Bar-Zohar, Nissim
Mishal
Publication: ECCO Publication,2012.
I confess
the moment I finished reading up this book, I am no longer a fan of James bond
like movies. If I was not cognizant of the fact that, this book is collection
of daring & most dangerous missions (at the heart is unbelievable plot-lines
of the missions) by the Mossad- Israel Secret service, the book could have easily
been considered as one of the superb spy novels.
Consider this, on shores of Gaza suddenly boat
appeared which was carrying Palestinians and they were followed by Israeli soldiers
in torpedo boat. Eventually, Palestinians managed to escape from the shore with
some help from local Gazan youngsters. Rescued Palestinians who claimed to be
members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, coming from Tyre
refugee camp in Labanon. Leader of rescued Palestinians requested to the local
Gazan if they can arrange meeting with Popular front commanders of “Beth Lahia”(Terrorist
organization) in Gaza, as they have weapons & other vital information to
share. Very next day, Rescued Palestinians were called in isolated house,
where they met with Popular front commanders of “Beth Lahia”. The moment they
sat facing one another, Leader of rescued Palestinians raised his hand and looked
at watch. It was signal. All rescued Palestinians pulled out handguns and opened
fire, all commanders of “Beth Lahia” in that room were killed. The entire
rescued Palestinians team escaped, only thing was they were not Palestinians (members
of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine). The Leader was Captain
Meir Dagan, Commander of the IDF’s(Israeli Defense Forces) secret Rimmon Commando
unit and others were his team. Adding more spice, now imagine this seemingly “movie
thriller” plot was not played out in today’s ultra-modern spy world but in the
year of 1971. That’s true.
Many other
missions like above is the soul of this book. My favorite parts are Ch.1(King
of Shadows),Ch. 6 (Bring Eichmann Dead or alive), Ch. 10 (“I want MiG-21!”),Ch.11
(Those who will never forget), Ch.12 (The quest for the red prince) and so on, actually
all of the chapters.
One of the
most famous missions, the hunt for the terrorists who were responsible for
attack on Israel athletes during Munich Olympic in 1972, on German soil is
covered in this book. Similarly one of the most secretes and covert operations
of bringing “Adolf Eichmann” the cruelest face of Nazi and the leader who orchestrated
the holocaust, is simply breathtaking as it unfolds. Eichmann was considered to
be responsible for extermination of 6 million Jews.
The chapters
in the book are very much detail-oriented yet crafted like script to keep you
on your toes all the time. Michael Bar-Zohar and Nissim Mishal have taken a
great care by providing sources of information for every chapter, to make it as
nearer to the reality as possible. But in my personal opinion reader is advised
to take content of the book with grain of salt, as veracity of every content in
no way can be validated. Certainly as it happens, there could also be hidden propaganda
of putting Israel into “right frame” in world’s eye, so reader should be wary
of that too.
In my personal opinion…. (Sorry if it
sounds like too patriotic, but then that’s what it is !):
Informative
& daring stories of Mossad and Israel, has certainly one thing to teach our
country India (and Indians, especially those pseudo secularists) that country
itself is responsible for its fate. India should stop begging and crying for
help from other nations when dealing with enemies-terrorists. (as every nation
has its own political agenda and such help is not free of cost). Every Indian
should read this book at least just to understand to what extent the county and
its people goes to stand, fight and defend its sovereign and its people no
matter wherever they are in the world.
