In 1962 Harel learned that German scientists were assisting the Egyp-
tians in developing missile technology. According to Reuven Merhav,
a former long-time member of the intelligence community, the technol-
ogy was far inferior to Israel’s and not a threat to its security; never-
theless, Harel believed it was necessary to intimidate Germany. Ben-
Gurion supported the view of Merhav, but Harel at his own initiative
initiated the Damocles Operationto prevent the German scientists
from assisting the Egyptian surface-to-surface missile program. As a re-
sult of irreconcilable differences with the prime minister, Harel resigned
from the Mossad in 1963.
When Isser Harel served as director of the ISA, and later the Mossad,
he was anonymous, known only as Ha’Memuneh, Hebrew for “the man
in charge” or simply “the boss.” Following his career in intelligence,
Harel turned primarily to writing. His best-known book, The House on
Garibaldi Street (1975), recounts the capture of Eichmann.HARKABI, YEHOSHAFAT (1921–1994). Born in Haifa, Israel, and
known by his nickname Fatti, in 1943 Harkabi volunteered for the
British army. During Israel’s 1948–1949 War of Independence, he was
the commander of an army company of enlisted students in Jerusalem.
Soon he joined the Foreign Ministry and was appointed director of the
Asian Department. Harkabi was a member of the Israeli delegation sent
to Rhodes to negotiate the armistice agreements with Arab representa-
tives to end hostilities. He was appointed liaison officer between the Is-
rael Defense Forces (IDF) and the Foreign Ministry. In the early 1950s
Harkabi served as director-general of that ministry for some time, after
which he returned to military service as deputy director of Military In-
telligence(DMI). He went to study in France, and on his return in 1955
he was appointed director of MI, with the rank of major general.
In 1956, before the Sinai Campaign, Harkabi managed to make
contact with his French intelligence counterparts, which resulted in
a permanent Israeli intelligence representative being stationed in
Paris. In that year too Harkabi ordered the sending of letter bombs
to Egyptian officers responsible for the infiltration of terrorists from
the Gaza Strip into Israel (see HAFEZ, MUSTAFA ASSASSINA-
TION). Harkabi was obliged to retire from the MI and the army in
1959 for his part in a mobilization exercise of the army reservists
that went awry—the so-called Night of Ducks.HARKABI, YEHOSHAFAT• 10906-102 (03) H-P.qxd 3/24/06 7:24 AM Page 109