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The Ethics of Intelligence Assassinations: The Israeli Experience

2. Intelligence Assassinations as Tool of Statecraft . Elimination of individuals who pose highest threat levelPolitical and diplomatic considerationsOperational considerations. 3. Macro Level ? Ethical Decision-making. Arrest, capture, kidnap or kill?Targeted killings and DeterrenceSelf-pres

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The Ethics of Intelligence Assassinations: The Israeli Experience

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    1. 1 The Ethics of Intelligence Assassinations: The Israeli Experience Dr. Shlomo Shpiro Department of Political Studies Bar-Ilan University Israel

    2. 2 Intelligence Assassinations as Tool of Statecraft Elimination of individuals who pose highest threat level Political and diplomatic considerations Operational considerations

    3. 3 Macro Level – Ethical Decision-making Arrest, capture, kidnap or kill? Targeted killings and Deterrence Self-preservation of terror leaders as 24-hours a day occupation Influencing internal leadership structure inside terror organisations

    4. 4 Micro Level – Team Ethics Committed operatives, not ‘Rambo-types’ Emphasis on the defensive nature of the action Ethical personal behavior across the board Loyalty to sources: resist excessive risk of exposure (external) or over-exploitation (internal) Ethical behavior: personal morals, personal behavior, team spiritEthical behavior: personal morals, personal behavior, team spirit

    5. 5 Are there ethical means of targeted killings? Last-minute abort capabilities Avoiding collateral casualties Team protection The Verification Cycle: Determination (strategic) Authorization (political) Confirmation (operational) - Last-minute abort capabilities: that you can prevent or terminate the action up until the last minute, due to error, civilians around etc. E.g. letter-bombs or booby traps cannot be stopped- Last-minute abort capabilities: that you can prevent or terminate the action up until the last minute, due to error, civilians around etc. E.g. letter-bombs or booby traps cannot be stopped

    6. 6 Jewish Religious Aspects of Intelligence Ethics “He who comes to kill you, you shall kill him first” – preemptive defense “Thou shall not stand idle while thy friend bleeds” – community social responsibility, taking risks for others “Thou shall make war by cunning” – using intelligence and covert action as legitimate tool of war

    7. 7 Examples 1956 Egyptian General Staff 1970s ‘Black September’ leaders in Europe 1990 Abu Jihad in Tunis 1992 Hezbollah leader Abbas Musawi 1998 Khaled Mashal attempt in Aman 2000-2004 Second Intifada 2009 Gaza War

    8. 8 Conclusions Targeted killings are an extreme form of preemptive self defense In this gray zone, ethics are more important than ever before Intelligence ethics ensure moral behavior even in extreme situations

    9. 9 Thank you for your attention

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