Only once did Daniel’s tempestuous personality fail the brutal test forced upon him as an Israeli intelligence operative. As a result, he lost everything.

Operation Bethlehem

Winner of The 2023 National Jewish Book Awards for Hebrew Fiction in Translation and a best-selling Israeli espionage thriller that offers a rare glimpse into the secret world of Mossad spies and terrorists, all the while following the journey of a man searching for personal redemption.

Only once did Daniel’s tempestuous personality fail the brutal test forced upon him as an Israeli intelligence operative when he acted in complete contrast to the operational discipline required of him by the Mossad. As a result, he lost everything. Years later, Daniel embarks on a secret operation to redeem himself and restore meaning in his life. He infiltrates hostile territory to uncover a hidden national treasure allegedly buried at a psychiatric hospital. However, the operation quickly becomes complicated as more factions emerge to have a stake in the outcome. Meanwhile, Daniel immersing himself ever more in deep undercover work, all the while searching for his personal and national identity, finds himself in grave danger as he walks a tightrope to reassure his new community’s misgivings, ensuring his real identity is kept hidden.

Operation Bethlehem is not only a thrilling read, but it also explores existential questions and the tough decisions faced by those responsible for Israel’s security. The gripping plot is full of twists and turns, documenting the human reality behind the James Bond acts of espionage, and will leave you pondering the complex issues it raises long after you have turned the final page.

This propulsive thriller will not only have you on the edge of your seat but also force you to stay up way past your bedtime turning pages.

Lisa Barr, New York Times bestselling author of Woman On Fire, 08/20/2023

Readers with an interest in espionage fiction will be presented with a rare and fascinating introduction to the secret, life, and death world of Mossad spies and terrorists.

The Midwest Book Review, 09/13/2023

Yariv writes with great expertise. He successfully draws us into the spy world, creating a sense of authenticity without falling into the trap of too many tedious details.

Jonathan de Shalit, Makor Rishon, 1/17/2019

Yariv Inbar – whatever his real identity is – positions himself among the best thriller novelists writing in Hebrew.

Guy Horowitz, Haaretz, 04/25/2019

The End Justifies is a fun read, a political and operational thriller that offers an interesting glimpse into the dark world of case officers.

Jonathan de Shalit, Makor Rishon, 12/02/2016

Inbar, in his first book, proves that he is an author able to present highly developed complexities that are usually absent in debut novels, and especially in the thriller and espionage genres.

Alit Karp, Haaretz, 02/12/2016

The End Justifies is one of the best books in this genre I’ve read in recent years.

Yoav Limor, Channel 12, 05/12/2016

Yariv Inbar is the pseudonym of an Israeli novelist whose real identity has been banned from publication by the Israeli authorities. With a wealth of experience from many years of serving in sensitive positions within the Israeli intelligence community, Yariv brings a unique authenticity to his writing. He is a devoted family man, married with three children, and still serves as a lieutenant colonel reserve. In 2016, Yariv burst onto the spy fiction scene with the publication of his novels published in Hebrew, which quickly earned bestseller status in Israel and received high praise from critics and readers alike.

Coming soon: An award-winning best-selling Israeli suspense novel exploring the murky world of spies, politicians, and personal dilemmas, and how far one should go for a noble cause.

Coming soon: After dozens of successful covert operations, Irit, a skilled Mossad agent, faces a problematic situation involving Noor, the wife of a senior Syrian security figure.