A new book by Swiss intelligence scholar Dr. Aviva Guttmann, set for release this summer, uncovers startling details about the collaboration between Western European intelligence agencies and Israel’s Mossad during the 1970s and 1980s. The book, Operation Wrath of God: The Secret History of European Intelligence and the Mossad’s Assassination Campaign, delves into the hidden cooperation that enabled Mossad to carry out a covert killing spree across Europe, following the Munich Olympics massacre of 1972.
Guttmann, who had unprecedented access to secret archives, reveals how European intelligence services, including those from Switzerland, West Germany, France, and the UK, provided crucial information that helped Mossad track and eliminate Palestinian operatives suspected of involvement in the Munich killings. The book sheds new light on the Berne Club, a little-known intelligence alliance formed in 1969, which included services from several European countries and was instrumental in Mossad’s operations.
The Assassination of Wael Zwaiter: The First Target
The campaign, known as Operation Wrath of God, began with the assassination of Wael Zwaiter, a Libyan diplomat in Rome, just a month after the Munich massacre. This killing was symbolic, with Zwaiter believed to have ties to the Palestinian terrorists responsible for the attack. Despite the fact that Mossad did not yet have a formal special operations unit at the time, they were able to locate and kill Zwaiter within a month, thanks in part to intelligence shared by the Berne Club, including flight records and hotel bills.
Zwaiter’s death was just the beginning of a string of targeted assassinations that would take place over the next two decades, as Mossad sought to dismantle the Palestinian terrorist infrastructure operating in Europe. Guttmann’s research reveals that Mossad heavily relied on intelligence from the Berne Club, which provided crucial information about the suspects’ whereabouts and activities, enabling the agency to carry out its operations.
A Dark Alliance: Mossad and European Intelligence
Guttmann’s book also uncovers how the Berne Club operated a secure communication network, known as Kilowatt, through which Mossad communicated with European agencies. This alliance, which included countries such as Italy, Luxembourg, and Belgium, allowed Mossad to track suspects, gather information, and coordinate operations. In exchange, European intelligence agencies gained valuable insights into Palestinian groups operating within their borders, particularly those carrying out bombings and plane hijackings.
The book challenges the myth of Mossad as an omnipotent force, emphasizing the significant role European intelligence played in the agency’s covert operations. According to Dr. Guttmann, Mossad’s operations were far from flawless, and many of the assassinations were carried out through trial and error. The creation of Mossad’s elite Kidon unit, dedicated to special operations, came after a major failure in Lillehammer, Norway, in 1973, where agents mistakenly killed an innocent man, further highlighting the complex dynamics behind the campaign.
The Legacy of Operation Wrath of God
Guttmann’s research offers a fresh perspective on the motivations behind Operation Wrath of God. While many have viewed the operation as a revenge campaign for the Munich massacre, Guttmann suggests that it was driven by a broader strategic goal: to dismantle the Palestinian militant network in Europe and prevent future attacks. This view is echoed by Mossad’s former head Zvi Zamir, who has stated that the campaign was aimed at disrupting the PLO’s European infrastructure, not merely avenging the deaths of the Israeli athletes.
However, the book also raises critical questions about the ethics of extrajudicial killings, especially given the tacit support Mossad received from European intelligence agencies. Guttmann reveals that while European governments publicly condemned Israel’s actions, they quietly facilitated Mossad’s operations, recognizing the need for strong counterterrorism measures in the face of growing Palestinian violence.
A New Chapter in Intelligence History
The release of Dr. Guttmann’s book is expected to spark significant debate on the role of Western intelligence in supporting Mossad’s operations and the broader implications for modern-day intelligence cooperation. In an interview with Haaretz, Guttmann suggests that similar covert intelligence-sharing arrangements may still exist today, especially in relation to modern Israeli counterterrorism efforts.
The book also raises questions about the future of intelligence collaboration, particularly in light of recent events and ongoing covert operations. Dr. Guttmann’s research provides a compelling account of the shadowy world of espionage, shedding light on the intricate and often controversial relationships between intelligence agencies, and the complex moral and political issues that arise from their covert actions.
