The Gatekeepers

Six former heads of Israel's secret service spill the truth

Six former heads of Israel's secret service agency, the Shin Bet, discuss their organization's successes and failures since the Six Day War in 1967. The six men are all surviving former heads of Shin Bet, the Israeli security agency (also known as Shabak) whose activities and membership are closely held state secrets. Legally established in 1949 under the government of David Ben-Gurion, the organization initially focused on internal matters in a fledgling country beset by ideological divisions. Since the 1967 war, however, the biggest part of Shin Bet’s mandate has involved counterterrorism and intelligence gathering in the West Bank and Gaza. “The Gatekeepers” is in part a history of post-’67 Israel, in which familiar events are revisited from an unusual and fascinating perspective. The leaders of Shin Bet, who answer directly to the prime minister, are not part of the country’s military command structure. Nor, because of the clandestine nature of the agency, are they visibly part of the Israeli political establishment, though they sometimes function as public scapegoats when politicians make mistakes. Remarkable figures are included such as the fierce and bullying Avraham Shalom, now elderly, with an old man’s acid clarity and humor, and Yuval Diskin, who was the Shin Bet chief from 2005 until 2011, and has recently become an outspoken opponent of Netanyahu’s policies. These insiders reported directly to the Prime Ministers they served. They are all hyper-patriots who would...

Impact in Action

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"The Gatekeepers" has emerged as a pivotal documentary that sheds light on the complex landscape of Israeli security and its ramifications on society and policy. Through the candid reflections of six former heads of the Shin Bet, the film not only chronicles the agency's historical role but also ignites a crucial dialogue about the ethical implications of counterterrorism and intelligence practices in a politically charged environment.

The film's impact is palpable. It presents a stark contrast between the agency’s initial focus on internal security and its later mandate of counterterrorism following the Six Day War in 1967. As stated in the film, the Shin Bet was established under David Ben-Gurion's government in 1949, a move that laid the groundwork for what would become a highly secretive and influential agency. The documentary reveals that the former heads of Shin Bet, once staunch defenders of state policy, are now openly critical of Israel’s trajectory, with figures like Avraham Shalom and Yuval Diskin warning against the dangers of a state perceived as a colonial power.

With a significant viewership, "The Gatekeepers" has not only garnered critical acclaim but has also influenced public discourse. The film's release has prompted audiences to reconsider the ethics of national security policies, especially as the ex-agents express their fears about the future of Israel, describing it as "dark." This shift in narrative invites citizens and policymakers alike to reflect on the broader implications of security measures on civil liberties and human rights.

In essence, "The Gatekeepers" serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities surrounding national security, urging society to engage in a deeper conversation about the balance between safety and ethical governance.