Review of "Spies of No Country, Secret Lives At the Birth of Israel," by Matti Friedman

 Review of

Spies of No Country, Secret Lives At the Birth of Israel, by Matti Friedman, ISBN 9781616207229

Five out of five stars

A largely untold side of the birth of Israel

 When the British announced that they were leaving Palestine and the UN published their plan to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab sections, both sides began preparing for battle. Arab states sent armies to fight the Jews, the local Arabs took up arms and the outnumbered Jews did all they could to prepare for the coming war. The battles between the various Arab military groups and the budding Israeli military have been well documented. Less well known are the actions of the Jewish spies that infiltrated the Arab areas.

 In the annals of the history of spying, the people that did the work were some of the most qualified. Raised in areas where Jews and Arabs intermixed, they not only spoke Arabic, but the local dialect that was easily recognized as such. They also knew how to dress, looked Arabic and knew the proper Arab mannerisms. All they had to do to maintain their cover is state their city or area of origin. This book is their story.

 It is a fascinating look back at the birth of Israel and how the nation managed to survive the early months. One topic that is most interesting is the description of the three main populations of people that became the first generation of Israelis. There were the Jews that had lived in the Palestinian area for generations, those that emigrated from Europe, referred to as the Ashkenazi and those that emigrated from Arab countries, known as the Sephardi. The early leadership of Israel were almost exclusively Ashkenazi and there were tensions between the three groups.

 Part history and part autobiographical, this book describes the people that gave up their previous identities in order to immerse themselves at great danger to gather intelligence regarding Arab intentions and plans. Exposure meant almost certain death.

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