Shin Bet is Israel’s “unseen shield.” This elite group of intelligence operatives has been led by twelve former Directors since their inception in 1948. The Gatekeepers bring together all six of the surviving former directors for an intense, in-depth discussion on security, settlements and strategy. This intimate glimpse into the minds that shaped Israel’s premier intelligence agency is engrossing.
Shin Bet has adapted to new threats over the years, adjusting to an ever-changing set of circumstances in the relatively young nation of Israel. From the Six Days War through the intifidas, suicide bombers and domestic threats, Shin Bet has learned many lessons the hard way. Among these lessons was the threat of religious extremists who successfully pulled off the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin. These former leaders of the Shin Bet discuss several sensitive and controversial issues as well as promoting a variety of viewpoints regarding the keys to security and strategy.
The Gatekeepers we meet are:
Avraham Shalom (1981-1986)
Yaakov Peri (1988-1994)
Carmi Gillon (1995-1996)
Ami Ayalon (1996-2000)
Avi Dichter (2000-2005)
Yuval Diskin (2005-2011)
These intelligence heavy-hitters address tough questions from Director Dror Moreh. Moreh asks questions about the Bus 300 incident, which happened under Shalom’s watch. While there is a certain degree of measurement in the response of each man, Shalom gives a rather blunt response regarding the two terrorists who were captured during this incident and later beaten to death. He hedges the responsibility of Shin Bet, transferring most of the responsibility for the beating of these terrorists to the Army. But Shalom does take responsibility for the final “blow” to these terrorists stating “I didn’t want to see another terrorist in court.” This seemingly callous response helps solidify our understanding of this threat.
While there is heavy subject matter discussed, there is also a degree of levity in the interviews. An example being the census conducted in the occupied territories by the Army. These young soldiers were taught to knock on the door and announce that they were here to “count you” in Arabic. However, the accent on the word count was often mispronounced, changing the meaning to “we are here to castrate you.”
Dror’s viewpoint is evident in the way he pieces his interviews together. He is apparently against the Jewish settlements and believes peace must be achieved through a valid two-state solution. He relies heavily on Ayalon to project his viewpoint through the words of these Directors. Other points seem to hinge on the natural defensive statements that some of the men make when confronted with incidents that happened under their watch. I am not sure that the majority of these men agree with the overall tenor of the film, although there did seem to be some consensus regarding the specific issue of settlements. The film also addresses targeted assassinations and “collateral damage” which is obviously rooted in the successes and failures of each administration. Those who had success with precise assassinations naturally embrace them. However, that is an impossible standard to set as the “norm.” The failures of this type of policy are evident in the attempted bombing of a terrorist “dream team” when a 2000 pound bomb is downgraded to a 500 pounder in an effort to minimize innocent bystanders. However, the bomb fails miserably, penetrating only the top floor of the building, allowing all of the terrorists to escape unscathed.
In addition to the interviews, we are treated to some stock footage of important events. This is supplemented by reenactments projected on 3-D photographs from the era. The approach to recreating these scenes was a little bit choppy, but unique and intriguing. By entering the frame of historic photographs, we are moved around within the action. It was a surprisingly effective technique that did not feel gimmicky. Kudos on using technology to help enhance an already fascinating documentary.
Manhunt was another defense-oriented documentary that was released in 2012 outlining the real operatives that tracked Osama Bin Laden to his lair in Abbottabad. I watched that film for many of the same reasons that The Gatekeepers appealed to me. While there was some dissent among the men that have led Shin Bet, the picture they paint en masse provides incredible access into the minds that shape the realm of counter-intelligence. I found the reenactments to be original and interesting, the subject matter gripping and the presentation polished. The Gatekeepers is an excellent documentary worth seeing. If you can find it streaming, add it to the queue. 8/10.