Part 3, Chapter 15 Summary

Chapter 15, entitled "Secret Police in an Open Society," examines the violent, arbitrary and judiciously unrestrained activities of Mossad and Shin Beth. The former is Israel's main overseas intelligence agency, while the later handles internal police matters. They work hand-in-hand and both report directly to the prime minister.

Shipler begins with the story of a young Palestinian, who for fear of additional torture asked to be called "Gamal." He was seized at Ben-Gurion International Airport after returning from studies in Chicago. The police knew every detail of his time in America, making it clear that Mossad had tailed him. They demanded to know why he had associated with a known PLO sympathizer. After forty-five days of imprisonment and torture, during which time he swore he had merely enjoyed dinner with an old family friend, he was released, but kept on a short...