Book Stand Up and Kill First: The Secret History of the Elimination of Israel’s Enemies* | Ronen Bergman

The book Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations is a unique chronicle of the uncompromising struggle of a state for its own survival. Renowned Israeli journalist and security expert Ronen Bergman gives the reader unprecedented access to top-secret operations targeting enemies, planned and executed by the legendary Mossad, Shin Bet, and Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The author takes readers through the hidden history of combat special operations, from the first clandestine acts before the founding of the State of Israel to modern global missions carried out in the world’s most volatile regions—from the Middle East to Europe.

The pages of this book immerse readers in the shadowy side of high politics, where the decision to “neutralize” an enemy is always the result of lengthy discussions, sharp dilemmas, and serious responsibility. Bergman has analyzed a massive archive of materials and conducted exclusive interviews with prime ministers, generals, intelligence operatives, and the direct participants in assassinations. Readers gain personal testimonies that reveal forbidden details and the true cost of preventive violence.

Written in a gripping style reminiscent of the best spy thrillers, the book is not fiction—it is rigorous analysis, dramatic facts, and many conflicting conclusions. The edition will be of interest not only to those studying the history of intelligence or military operations but also to active-duty military personnel, officers in information, analytical, and intelligence services. For commanders making critical decisions under time pressure and changing circumstances, this is a practical guide to decision-making in crisis situations.

Rise and Kill First vividly describes how Israel, in a world of constant danger, must balance effectiveness with moral boundaries, openly addressing mistakes, failures, and tragedies. Each chapter focuses on a separate special operation, illustrating the evolution of tactics, technologies, and human judgment in modern warfare.

This edition is not only a documentary chronicle but also a source of insights for how a commander, analyst, or operative can assess risks, account for objective realities, and choose a course of action in complex crisis situations. The book is a valuable resource for the libraries of officers, candidates for command positions, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of modern tactics, intelligence structures, and the cost of operational decisions.