Authors and intel­li­gence offi­cers may seem like pro­fes­sions that are worlds apart, but they share more sim­i­lar­i­ties than one might think.

For the upcoming release of the English translation of his book, Yariv Inbar (pseudonym) says he took much inspiration from operations and experiences he had during his 15 years in the intelligence services.

Operation Bethlehem is entertaining, intriguing, and very readable, and Yariv Inbar – whatever his real identity is – positions himself among the best thriller novelists writing in Hebrew.

In a thriller that introduces the reader to the world of undercover intelligence, an ex-Mossad field agent goes on a private mission under a fake identity. As the book unfolds, the tensions between homeland security considerations and values and national and personal redemption ricochet to breaking point.

On Opening The Day, Yariv was interviewed about writing bestsellers without revealing his real identity, how his family handled it, his role as an intelligence officer, and how it influenced his writing.

An overview of Israel's secret shadow units, their methods of operation, and what happens when they are exposed. Insights from Yariv Inbar and other experts.

On Friday Morning, Yariv covers the inspiration behind Operation Bethlehem and the links between reality and spy fiction.

After 15 years in the Israeli intelligence community serving in sensitive positions, Yariv Inbar, whose real identity cannot be revealed, decided to become an author and write novels inspired by the dangerous operations in which he participated. Now, upon the publication of his second book, Operation Bethlehem, he provides a glimpse into his time in secret service and talks about both writing and covert operations, such as the daring raid on Iran's nuclear archives. "The adrenaline in moments like that is sky-high, but you have to think about the before and after."

Channel 2 invited Yariv for an in-depth interview about The End Justifies. Yariv talks about his service in Israeli intelligence and what led him to write his bestseller debut.

He was in Israeli intelligence operations and had access to the most sensitive places. Now he has published a novel on what happens behind the scenes in the secret shadow world and sheds some light on the complex relations between politicians and intelligence officers. And yes, the name Yariv Inbar is a pen name, by order of military censorship.