ISRAEL INTELLIGENCE HERITAGE & COMMEMORATION CENTER (IICC) IICC Perspectives

To our readers,

'IICC Perspectives' is a new platform of selected articles in English, translated from'Mabat-Malam' - the Israel Intelligence Heritage and Commemoration Center's quarterly journal.

As is only appropriate for the IICC, whose focus is on preserving and strengthening the legacy of the Israeli intelligence community, most of the articles in 'Mabat-Malam' analyze events in the history of Israeli intelligence, but some deal with current events. Most of them are written by retired members of the community and sometimes also by other guest contributors.

The journal does not have academic, or even semi-academic pretensions. We let each contributor tell his or her story, which to be published must meet the following criteria: the content is not personally offensive, it is reliable, interesting, professional and contains new material. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IICC staff or its members.

We hope you find it interesting and await your comments here, at IICC email - [email protected]. We also hope you read future articles, as they appear.

Enjoy your reading,

Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dr. Yossi Ben-Ari

Editor in chief, 'Mabat Malam'

The Concept of Security in Light of October 7, 2023 – "A bone stuck in Israel's throat..." Brigadier General (Ret.) Dr. Yossi Ben Ari

The Israeli Concept of National Security, was formulated in the early 1950s by David Ben-Gurion, who determined its three elements: deterrence, early warning and decision. Substantially, nothing dramatic about it was changed during the last seven centuries, up to these days. This article suggests that the terrible event of October 7 2023, force us to do so, and formulate a new doctrine, based on a new tripod table: defense, offense, and moderation. This really deserve deep thinking, that hopefully will take place soon, at the highest level of decision taking.

The Political Department of the Jewish Agency for Palestine

The new Quarterly Journal of 'Mabat-Malam' (number 97, November 2023), focuses on the birth of the Israeli Intelligence Community, before, during and after the declaration of independence.
Here, Shulamit Binah tells the story of The Political Department of the Jewish Agency for: Palestine Intelligence and Diplomacy in the Crossroad to Statehood

Dr. (B.G. retired) Joseph (Yossi) Ben ari - abstract of his doctorate work.

We all aware to the fact that most of the blame for not having intelligence early warning towards the Yom Kippur war back in 1973, was put on the intelligence community, and particularly on AMAN (IDF's Directorate of Military Intelligence).
But, was it only AMAN to be blamed? Dr. Yossi Ben ari thinks differently: In his Ph.D. thesis, he draws light on other elements that were involved, and mainly – on academic experts.
Here is the English abstract of his doctorate work.

Sorrow and Hope War Memoir

"Sorrow and Hope" is a War Memoir written by Shimi Talmi, an NCO case worker who served in Unit 848 (later – 8200) during the Yom Kippur War, back in October 1973. Shimi, a nineteen years old young soldier, was appointed by the Unit Commander, Colonel Yoel Ben Port, to be in touch with the families whose dear ones were taken by Syrian commando soldiers as POWs, during the battle of the Hermon Mountain, on the first day of the war.

Fifty Years in Retrospect

Shabtai Shavit, former director of the Mossad, and head of its operations department in 1973, tells his story of Yom Kippur War, in 50 years of retrospect. He focuses on the critical question of intelligence early warning towards what considers to be, the greatest surprise Israel faced since its establishment, back in 1948.

A LETTER TO HENRY

Alex Mendelson, Father of the late Israel Mendelson, who fell in the battle of Suez in the Yom Kippur War, wrote a letter to his class-mate, Dr. Henry Kissinger, requesting him to help look for his MIA son, while meeting with the Egyptian President, Anwar Sadat. Captain Mendelson served as a military intelligence officer, POWs interrogator.

On the Bank of The Suez Canal War Diary Sergeant Major (Ret.) David Kanaan

50 years ago, back in October 1973, Israel faced a truly existential threat, when the Arab Armies launched a surprise attack against our state, which was completely unready to face it.

Diaspora leaders take deep dive into Israeli intelligence world

US. Jewish leaders engaged firsthand with experts from the Israeli intelligence community recently during a six-day seminar hosted by the American Friends of the Israel Intelligence Heritage and Commemoration Center.

Ten Days in West Beirut The Untold Story

This unique article was written by Maj. (res.) Shai Lachman, who was one of a POW interrogation officer, at the headquarters of the 906 th infantry battalion (828 th brigade, of the 91 st division), who took part in taking over West Beirut, back in September 1982. Using uncompromised and determined negotiation mechanism Vi-Sa-Vi Mourabitoun militia leaders, Shai was able to accept their surrender, and by that save plenty of casualties and dozens of lives on both sides.

The Birth of Hezbollah

The first article to appear in 'IICC Perspectives' was written by Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dr. Shimon Shapira. He challenges the conventional wisdom regarding what led to the birth of 'Hezbollah' in Lebanon, and when it was founded.