By Way of Deception: An Exhaustive Analysis of a Mossad Insider's Explosive Account

Anton Nieuwenhuizen

May 27, 2025

1. Executive Summary

By Way of Deception: The Making and Unmaking of a Mossad Officer, co-authored by former Mossad case officer Victor Ostrovsky and Canadian journalist Claire Hoy, emerged in 1990 as a controversial and explosive exposé of Israel’s foreign intelligence agency.¹ The book details Ostrovsky’s recruitment, training, and alleged experiences within Mossad, leveling a series of damaging accusations against the agency. These include claims of Mossad foreknowledge of the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing that killed U.S. Marines, involvement in international drug trafficking to fund operations, the utilization of a global network of Jewish civilian helpers (sayanim), spying on allied nations including the United States, and operating as a rogue entity often at odds with Israel’s national interests.²

The Israeli government’s immediate and aggressive attempts to ban the book in multiple countries, a rare instance of a sovereign state seeking to suppress a publication in foreign jurisdictions, inadvertently catapulted it to international bestseller status.¹ This reaction underscored the sensitive nature of the claims and sparked intense debate about their veracity.

Critical reception was sharply polarized. Supporters lauded it as a courageous whistleblower account offering a rare glimpse into the secretive world of espionage, while detractors, including former Mossad officials and some journalists, accused Ostrovsky of fabrications, exaggerations, and acting out of bitterness or for financial gain.⁴ Questions were raised about the extent of Ostrovsky’s knowledge given his relatively short tenure in Mossad.

Despite these controversies, By Way of Deception has maintained a persistent, albeit contested, relevance. It continues to be read and discussed, influencing public perception of Mossad and contributing to the broader discourse on intelligence ethics, covert operations, and state secrecy. The book’s legacy lies not only in its specific allegations, many of which remain uncorroborated or fiercely disputed, but also in the profound questions it raised about the accountability of powerful intelligence organizations and the complex interplay between national security and the public’s right to know.

2. Introduction: The Storm of Controversy

When By Way of Deception: The Making and Unmaking of a Mossad Officer first appeared in September 1990, it did not merely enter the literary marketplace; it detonated, sending shockwaves through intelligence communities and diplomatic circles worldwide.¹ Authored by Victor Ostrovsky, a former case officer (katsa) for Mossad, Israel’s renowned foreign intelligence service, and veteran Canadian journalist Claire Hoy, the book presented an unflattering and often damning portrayal of an agency long shrouded in secrecy and myth.¹ Its pages contained a litany of explosive allegations, ranging from claims of operational incompetence and internal corruption to accusations of Mossad deliberately withholding intelligence from allies and engaging in activities detrimental to global stability.²

The reaction from the Israeli government was swift and severe. In an almost unprecedented move, Israel launched legal efforts to suppress the book’s publication in both the United States and Canada, arguing that its contents would “endanger agents in the field” and violated Ostrovsky’s secrecy agreements.³ This was reportedly the first and, to date, only attempt by a sovereign state to stop a book from being published in the United States on such grounds.³ While a temporary injunction was initially granted in New York and Canada, these were quickly overturned on appeal in North America, though pre-censorship measures were apparently effective within Israel itself.³

The Israeli government’s vigorous attempts at suppression, however, had an effect perhaps unintended by its strategists. As noted by Library Journal at the time, “Intelligence agencies should never try to ban books about themselves”.¹ Much like Peter Wright’s Spycatcher, which faced similar suppression attempts in Britain, the efforts to ban By Way of Deception generated immense publicity and public curiosity.¹ The publisher, St. Martin’s Press, significantly increased its print run from an initial 50,000 copies to 200,000, and the book rapidly climbed bestseller lists, reaching the coveted #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list by October 1990.⁴ This phenomenon, where attempts to hide or censor information lead to its wider dissemination, vividly illustrates the “Streisand Effect,” demonstrating a potential misjudgment in the Israeli government’s approach to managing the fallout from Ostrovsky’s revelations. The legal battles waged across different national jurisdictions also highlighted the varying thresholds and interpretations of national security claims versus the principles of free press and public information, showcasing the international complexities inherent in such disputes.³

This report aims to provide an exhaustive analysis of By Way of Deception, examining its origins, the backgrounds of its authors, its most controversial claims, the intense critical reception it garnered, its current status, and its enduring legacy in the realms of intelligence literature and public discourse.

3. The Authors: A Controversial Insider and a Seasoned Journalist

The narrative of By Way of Deception is primarily driven by the experiences and allegations of Victor Ostrovsky, filtered and structured through the journalistic lens of Claire Hoy. Understanding the backgrounds and motivations of both men is crucial to contextualizing the book and its reception.

Victor Ostrovsky: From Mossad Katsa to Whistleblower

Victor Ostrovsky was born in Canada and raised in Israel.¹ His early career was in the Israeli military, where he reportedly became the youngest officer at the time and eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant commander in charge of naval weapons testing.¹ He served as a Mossad case officer, or katsa, for a period in the 1980s. While his author biographies generally state his Mossad service was from 1982-1986 ¹, other sources suggest a shorter tenure, ranging from 14 months to “barely two years” between 1982 and 1984, or specifically from December 30, 1984, to March 9, 1986.¹⁰ This discrepancy in the reported length of his service became a significant point of contention, with critics arguing that a shorter, more junior tenure would make it less plausible for him to have acquired the extensive, high-level operational knowledge detailed in the book.⁴ The highly compartmentalized nature of intelligence work further fuels such skepticism.⁴

Ostrovsky’s stated motivations for writing By Way of Deception center on disillusionment with Mossad’s methods, its alleged rogue operations, and a desire to bring about reform and oversight within the agency.³ He claimed a “democratic purpose,” aiming to “help Israel” by revealing what he saw as a Mossad that “keeps officials deliberately misinformed” and “justifies violence and inhumanity through deceit”.¹⁶ However, these altruistic claims were met with skepticism. Critics and some reviewers suggested his motivations might include financial gain (he reportedly earned nearly $2 million in royalties from the book ⁴), a desire for notoriety, or a personal vendetta stemming from being scapegoated for a failed operation and his subsequent departure from the agency.³ Some sources refer to him as an “embittered Mossad agent”.¹⁰ After the publication of By Way of Deception, Ostrovsky authored a sequel, The Other Side of Deception, and has since pursued a career as a writer and painter, residing in Scottsdale, Arizona.¹

Claire Hoy: The Journalistic Partner

Claire Hoy was a Canadian journalist with a substantial career, including work as a columnist for the Toronto Sun and as a political columnist for other outlets. He authored several books on Canadian politics and other subjects prior to his collaboration with Ostrovsky.¹⁹ In By Way of Deception, Hoy’s role was that of co-author, responsible for shaping Ostrovsky’s account into a coherent and publishable narrative.¹ The book is often described as being “told to Claire Hoy by former Mossad agent Victor Ostrovsky,” underscoring Hoy’s significant involvement in crafting the final text.¹⁶

Hoy publicly supported Ostrovsky’s credibility, notably by asserting that Ostrovsky igence”.⁵ This claim aimed to preemptively counter criticisms about the detailed nature of Ostrovsky’s recollections, especially given that intelligence operatives typically do not keep extensive written records of their activities.²¹ However, this assertion is somewhat complicated by Ostrovsky’s own admission in the book of having an “imperfect memory for names” ⁵, an inconsistency that could be exploited by critics. The collaboration between an insider providing raw information and a journalist structuring it for public consumption is a common model for whistleblower accounts. It seeks to combine the authority of firsthand experience with the clarity and narrative skill of a professional writer. Nevertheless, this dynamic inherently raises questions about the extent to which the journalist’s interpretation, emphasis, or potential biases might shape the final product, distinct from the insider’s direct testimony. Following the success of By Way of Deception, Hoy reportedly faced personal financial difficulties, including bankruptcy due to ill-fated investments, a matter that became public.²² He identified The New Testament as his moral compass.²²

4. Publication History and Geopolitical Context

By Way of Deception was first launched into a world undergoing significant geopolitical shifts in September 1990. Its initial publishers were St. Martin’s Press in the United States and Stoddart Publishing Co., Ltd. in Canada.¹ The immediate controversy and subsequent high demand led to numerous reprints and translations into languages such as Arabic, German, Farsi, Portuguese, and Dutch.¹³ Wilshire Press Inc. also released an edition in 2002.² Notably, the 1991 Canadian paperback edition published by Stoddart included an additional chapter detailing the legal battles the book had faced.⁹ This inclusion was a shrewd move, further leveraging the notoriety generated by the suppression attempts and framing the authors as champions of free speech battling state censorship, thereby bolstering the narrative of a truth-telling whistleblower.

The geopolitical climate of 1990-1991 was particularly charged, likely amplifying the book’s impact. The Cold War was rapidly drawing to a close, with the Berlin Wall having fallen in November 1989 and the Soviet Union in its final year before dissolution in December 1991.²⁴ This transition was creating a new, unipolar world order dominated by the United States and shifting the focus of international intelligence agencies. Simultaneously, the Middle East was a focal point of global attention. The First Intifada, a sustained Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, had been ongoing since 1987, placing Israeli security policies under intense international scrutiny.

The most acute crisis of the period was the Gulf War. Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 triggered a massive international response, culminating in a US-led coalition launching military operations in January 1991 to liberate Kuwait.²⁵ During this conflict, Iraq fired Scud missiles at Israeli cities, including Haifa and Tel Aviv, in a calculated attempt to provoke Israeli retaliation and thereby fracture the US-Arab coalition.²⁵ The United States exerted considerable pressure on Israel to refrain from military response, a course of action Israel ultimately followed, highlighting both the strategic alignment and underlying complexities in US-Israeli relations.²⁶ The release of a book like By Way of Deception, with its allegations of Mossad misconduct—some directly implicating US interests, such as the Beirut bombing claim ¹—was exceptionally contentious in this atmosphere of delicate regional alliances and heightened global tensions.

The very title of the book, By Way of Deception, was a deliberate and potent choice. It is an English translation of a former motto of the Mossad, derived from the biblical Proverbs 24:6: “be-tahbūlōt ta`aseh lekhā milkhamāh” (Hebrew: בתחבולות תעשה לך מלחמה), meaning “By way of deception you shall engage in war”.³ This selection immediately framed the book’s contents not merely as an account of isolated rogue actions, but as an exposé of what was suggested to be the agency’s foundational, officially sanctioned operational philosophy. It set a critical tone from the outset, implying that the alleged duplicity and unethical conduct described within were intrinsic to Mossad’s institutional character.

5. Inside the Mossad: Core Allegations and Controversial Revelations

By Way of Deception presents a wide array of startling claims about Mossad’s operations, methods, and internal culture. These allegations formed the core of its controversial reputation and sparked intense debate about the nature and conduct of Israeli intelligence.

The following table summarizes the most significant and controversial claims put forth by Victor Ostrovsky:

Table: Summary of Major Controversial Claims in ‘By Way of Deception’

Claim	Ostrovsky’s Core Assertion	Supporting Snippets
1983 Beirut Barracks Bombing Foreknowledge	Mossad possessed specific advance intelligence about the time and location of the planned suicide bombing but only shared general, non-specific information with the United States, contributing to the deaths of 241 U.S. Marines and 58 French paratroopers.	¹
Drug Trafficking for Funding	Mossad agents facilitated or were involved in the international drug trade as a means to finance the agency’s extensive and costly covert operations.	¹
Sayanim Network	Mossad utilizes a global network of sayanim—unpaid Jewish civilian volunteers in the diaspora—who provide logistical support (e.g., renting cars, apartments, front companies) for Mossad operations out of a sense of devotion to Israel.	⁴
Spying on the United States	Mossad actively conducts espionage operations against the United States, its close ally.	¹
Andrew Young Affair	Mossad intervened in secret UN negotiations, which ultimately led to the resignation of U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Andrew Young.	²
Withholding American Hostage Information	Mossad withheld crucial information regarding the whereabouts of American hostages, an action that Ostrovsky claims paved the way for the Iran-Contra scandal.	²
Assassination of PLO Diplomat Khadir	Mossad was responsible for assassinating Khadir, a PLO diplomat reportedly sent by Yasser Arafat to initiate peace negotiations with the Israeli government, allegedly to prevent an Israeli invasion of Lebanon targeting the PLO.	³
Operation Sphinx	Mossad recruited Iraqi nuclear scientists while they were in France to gather intelligence about Iraq’s Osiraq nuclear reactor, which Israel subsequently destroyed in an airstrike in 1981.	³
Arming and Training Diaspora Jewish Communities	Mossad establishes and trains secret “self-defense” units within Jewish communities in the United States, Europe, and South America.	²
Mossad as a Rogue Agency	Mossad has grown dangerously out of control, often pursuing its own agenda and policies, sometimes clashing with or acting contrary to the national interests of the State of Israel, and keeping government officials deliberately misinformed.	¹

Detailed Exploration of Key Allegations

The 1983 Beirut Barracks Bombing:

Ostrovsky’s assertion that Mossad had specific prior intelligence about the truck bomb attack on the U.S. Marine and French paratrooper barracks in Beirut, yet failed to adequately warn American and French authorities, is among the book’s most inflammatory claims.1 The bombing, which killed 241 U.S. servicemen and 58 French personnel, was a pivotal event in the Lebanese Civil War and significantly impacted Western involvement.36 At the time, U.S. Marines were part of a multinational peacekeeping force.36 While Hezbollah, backed by Iran and Syria, is widely suspected of perpetrating the attack, definitive responsibility remains a subject of historical debate.36 Caspar Weinberger, U.S. Secretary of Defense at the time, later stated that the U.S. lacked certain knowledge of the perpetrators.36 Ostrovsky’s claim implies a profound betrayal of an ally, but independent, declassified corroboration of Mossad possessing and withholding such specific, actionable intelligence is not present in the available documentation. The gravity of this accusation, however, ensures its continued discussion, as evidenced by its citation in a 2024 Missouri House testimony.30

Funding Covert Operations: Claims of Mossad involvement in international drug trafficking.

A recurring and highly damaging allegation in By Way of Deception is that Mossad was involved in or facilitated international drug trafficking to finance its far-flung and expensive covert operations.2 This paints a picture of an agency resorting to criminal enterprises to sustain its activities, operating outside legal and ethical boundaries. Historically, intelligence agencies, including the CIA, have faced accusations of involvement with or turning a blind eye to drug trafficking by assets, particularly during the Cold War (e.g., the Contras in Nicaragua).38 However, investigations into such CIA-related allegations, like the one conducted by the Department of Justice Inspector General concerning the “Dark Alliance” series, generally concluded there was no evidence of CIA officials directly engaging in or protecting drug traffickers, though instances of indirect complicity or failure to address information were noted.38 The provided materials do not contain specific independent investigations or reports that substantiate Ostrovsky’s claims about Mossad’s institutional involvement in drug trafficking as a funding mechanism. The assertions rely heavily on Ostrovsky’s testimony.

The Sayanim Network:

Ostrovsky brought the term sayanim (Hebrew for “helpers” or “assistants”) into wider public consciousness.4 He described this as a global network of unpaid Jewish civilians living outside Israel who provide logistical support to Mossad operations out of a sense of devotion to the State of Israel.4 This support can range from renting cars or apartments without the usual paperwork to providing safe houses or facilitating communications.32 Ostrovsky emphasized that sayanim are not typically Israeli citizens and their assistance allows Mossad to operate with a relatively small core staff and budget while extending its global reach.4 The concept itself is not unique to Ostrovsky; historical instances, such as the involvement of Egyptian Jewish sayanim in the Lavon Affair in the 1950s, are documented.33 The implications of such a network are profound, suggesting a widespread support system leveraging diaspora communities, which could raise complex questions of dual loyalty and foreign influence, particularly with claims like Mossad approaching a Jewish aide to a U.S. senator as a sayan.4

Mossad and the United States: Spying and Influence.

The book alleges that Mossad actively conducts espionage against the United States, despite the close alliance between the two nations.1 This claim was, to some extent, echoed by reviewers like David Wise of The New York Times, who wrote that “both countries know that Israel has spied on the United States for years” and that this “general assertion can hardly be challenged,” citing publicly known instances.4 The Jonathan Pollard espionage case of the 1980s stands as a prominent, undeniable example of Israeli spying against the U.S..40 Ostrovsky also detailed Mossad’s alleged intervention in UN negotiations, which he claims led to the resignation of Andrew Young, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN.8 While the general claim of Israeli spying on the U.S. has a basis in documented events, the specific allegation concerning Andrew Young’s resignation due to Mossad machinations remains largely Ostrovsky’s assertion, uncorroborated in the provided materials and notably absent from comparative works like Melman and Raviv’s Every Spy a Prince.34

A Rogue Element?: Mossad operating beyond governmental control.

A central theme in By Way of Deception is the portrayal of Mossad as an agency that has, at times, operated beyond the effective control of the Israeli government, pursuing its own agenda, engaging in internal power struggles, and even implementing policies “completely at odds with the interests of the state of Israel”.1 Ostrovsky suggests that Mossad sometimes works on behalf of its own institutional interests, keeping elected officials “deliberately misinformed”.4 This narrative of a “rogue agency” taps into public anxieties about unchecked secret power and serves Ostrovsky’s stated aim of prompting reform. The inherent secrecy of intelligence organizations makes such claims difficult to definitively substantiate or refute from the outside.41 While the potential for intelligence agencies to exceed their mandates is a recognized concern in democratic societies, the extent to which Ostrovsky’s portrayal accurately reflects Mossad’s command and control structure remains a point of significant debate.

Other Significant Operations:

Beyond these central themes, Ostrovsky details other alleged Mossad activities, including withholding information on American hostages, which he links to the Iran-Contra affair 8; the assassination of PLO diplomat Said Khadir, who was purportedly on a peace mission from Yasser Arafat 3; the “Operation Sphinx” to recruit Iraqi nuclear scientists in France involved with the Osiraq reactor 3; and the controversial claim that Mossad arms and trains Jewish communities in the U.S., Europe, and South America in secret “self-defense” units.2 This latter allegation, concerning the training of diaspora communities, carries particularly sensitive implications for state sovereignty and the relationship between Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, potentially blurring lines of allegiance and creating foreign policy complications for the host nations.

The most sensational claims, particularly those concerning the Beirut bombing intelligence and institutional drug trafficking, rely almost exclusively on Ostrovsky’s testimony within the provided documentation. This makes them primary targets for skepticism. In contrast, allegations such as the existence of a sayanim network or general Israeli espionage against the U.S. find more circumstantial parallels or acknowledgments in other sources, creating a varied landscape of credibility for the book’s wide-ranging assertions.

6. The Fallout: Critical Reception, Accusations, and Defense

The publication of By Way of Deception ignited a firestorm of media attention and public debate, fueled significantly by the Israeli government’s attempts to suppress it.⁴ The book quickly became a #1 New York Times bestseller, demonstrating widespread public interest.¹ However, its reception among critics, experts, and former intelligence personnel was deeply divided.

Table: Overview of Critical Reception of ‘By Way of Deception’

Reviewer/Source	Key Points of Praise/Criticism	Supporting Snippets
Library Journal	Noted bestseller status post-ban attempts; highlighted controversial revelations (e.g., Beirut bombing claim); suggested Dan Raviv and Yossi Melman’s Every Spy a Prince might be more reliable.	¹
*David Wise (New York Times)*	Described the book as reading “like a ‘supermarket tabloid'”; questioned Ostrovsky’s broad knowledge given his brief service, position, and agency compartmentalization; surmised reliance on published sources for some operations; affirmed the general assertion of Israeli spying on the U.S.	⁴
*William B. Quandt (Foreign Affairs)*	Stated the book contained “convincing tidbits about Mossad recruitment methods and operations” but found its overall truthfulness hard to determine; criticized Ostrovsky’s follow-up, The Other Side of Deception, for similar flaws (e.g., extensive quotes from memory); concluded it was difficult to distinguish fact from deception.	⁴
Isser Harel (Former Mossad Chief) & Hirsh Goodman (Journalist)	Accused Victor Ostrovsky of outright fabrications in the book.	⁴
Jerry Sanders (Former Mossad Officer)	Denounced Ostrovsky as a “failed con man” whose objective was to harm Mossad and Israel.	⁴
Washington Report on Middle East Affairs	Supported Ostrovsky’s claims by highlighting his detailed allegations against Mossad and corroborating them with other articles and investigations, painting a critical picture of Israeli intelligence operations.	⁴
*Asa Winstanley (Middle East Monitor, 2017 review)*	Offered a mixed review; questioned how a relatively low-level trainee could access such detailed information; noted the contradiction between Hoy’s claim of Ostrovsky’s “photographic memory” and Ostrovsky’s own admission of an “imperfect memory for names”; questioned Ostrovsky’s motives (genuine whistleblower vs. portraying Mossad as noble but strayed); acknowledged some claims seemed “fantastical” but argued the book couldn’t be dismissed, especially since Israeli lawyers argued in court that it contained real, threatening information.	⁵
Conflict Quarterly (Academic Journal)	Described the book as a “game of truth”; questioned the plausibility of Mossad having only 30-35 katsas worldwide; noted Hoy’s “photographic memory” claim for Ostrovsky but pointed out that Ostrovsky’s memory “fails a basic high school-level test on Israeli politics” regarding Shimon Peres’s political standing in 1987.	¹⁸
*MERIP (Middle East Report)*	Viewed Ostrovsky’s volume as “hardly a model of scholarship” but acknowledged it exposed Mossad activities not found in Every Spy a Prince; questioned if Melman and Raviv published only what the Israeli censor permitted; posed whether there wasn’t a “devastating quotient of truth” in Ostrovsky’s account; highlighted disparities concerning Mossad’s use of American Jews (sayanim) and armed Jewish defense groups, which Melman and Raviv allegedly downplayed or omitted.	³⁴

Praise and Support

Many general readers found By Way of Deception to be a captivating and compelling read, filled with intriguing stories and seemingly firsthand accounts of covert operations.¹ Some praised its perceived realism, describing it as a “high-fidelity look inside the Mossad” or a “refreshing unpolished view of life in the world of shadows”.² Beyond general readership, former U.S. Congressmen Paul Findley and Pete McCloskey lauded Ostrovsky’s courage, even stating that his revelations (from his books generally) had saved the life of former President George H.W. Bush—a claim linked to an alleged assassination plot detailed in Ostrovsky’s subsequent book, The Other Side of Deception.⁸

Skepticism, Denials, and Accusations of Fabrication

Significant skepticism centered on Ostrovsky’s relatively brief tenure in Mossad and his comparatively junior position, leading many to question how he could have gained access to the vast range of sensitive and highly compartmentalized information he presented.⁴ David Wise, in his New York Times review, suggested that the latter half of the book, detailing operations in which Ostrovsky did not directly participate or which occurred before his service, likely relied on already published sources rather than direct knowledge.⁴

Accusations of outright fabrication were leveled by prominent figures, including former Mossad chief Isser Harel and journalist Hirsh Goodman.⁴ The writing style and editing also drew criticism from some readers.² The contradiction between Claire Hoy’s assertion of Ostrovsky’s “photographic memory” ⁵ and Ostrovsky’s own admission of an “imperfect memory for names” ⁵ provided further ammunition for critics.

The Counter-Narrative: Allegations of an Israeli Government-Led Smear Campaign

In response to the book’s damaging claims and unexpected popularity, the Israeli government allegedly orchestrated a significant campaign to discredit Victor Ostrovsky personally and professionally.⁴ Sources indicate that Mossad employees and Israeli government officials collaborated with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency to conduct an “effective smear campaign.” This reportedly involved disseminating false accusations that Ostrovsky possessed an “erratic personality and a vivid imagination,” under direct orders from Mossad agents and government officials.⁴ Such a state-level effort to manage information and discredit a whistleblower, if true, raises serious ethical questions about the use of state power against individual speech and attempts to control narratives.

Ostrovsky’s Rebuttals and Subsequent Work

Victor Ostrovsky consistently defended the veracity of his account. In an epilogue to a later paperback edition of By Way of Deception, he asserted that “not a single specific misstatement of major fact has ever been cited by Mossad spokesmen” and that the book had “withstood intense international scrutiny in countries around the world”.⁴⁴ This defense, while rhetorically effective, does not necessarily confirm the book’s complete accuracy, as intelligence agencies often adhere to a policy of neither confirming nor denying specific allegations to avoid inadvertently revealing sensitive information.³⁰

Ostrovsky followed By Way of Deception with The Other Side of Deception (published in 1994 or 1995), which continued to make controversial claims, including an alleged Mossad plot for the near-assassination of President George H.W. Bush and revelations about the death of Robert Maxwell.¹ He also claimed Mossad was behind a disinformation operation codenamed “Trojan” related to the Lockerbie bombing.⁴⁶ In the author’s note to this second book, Ostrovsky reiterated his confidence in the accuracy of his recollections, stating he had relied on memory and some notes, and had arranged for Mossad to receive a copy prior to publication.²¹

The deeply polarized reception of By Way of Deception underscores the difficulty in objectively assessing its claims. Reviewers’ perspectives often appeared to correlate with their broader views on Israel or their professional backgrounds, making it challenging for the average reader to discern a definitive truth amidst the conflicting narratives.

7. ‘By Way of Deception’ in the 21st Century: Current Status and Enduring Relevance

More than three decades after its tumultuous publication, By Way of Deception continues to cast a long shadow, maintaining a notable presence in discussions about Mossad and the world of intelligence.

Continued Availability and Readership

The book remains in print and is readily available through various online sellers and platforms, in multiple formats including hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions.¹ The existence of numerous used copies, sometimes at high prices for specific editions, suggests ongoing demand and perhaps collector interest.⁴⁷ Platforms like Goodreads host thousands of ratings and hundreds of reader reviews, indicating that new readers continue to discover and engage with the book.¹⁷ Online forums, such as Reddit, feature discussions where By Way of Deception is recommended or mentioned, often with the caveat that its claims should be approached with caution due to Ostrovsky’s perceived biases or the sensational nature of the content.⁴⁹ This demonstrates a persistent, if sometimes skeptical, readership.

Academic and Intelligence Community Perspectives

In academic and intelligence circles, By Way of Deception is often acknowledged, though its status is complex. It appears on intelligence studies reading lists and bibliographies, sometimes cited as an example of human intelligence (HUMINT) tradecraft or as a rare insider’s account of Mossad, albeit one that is now dated to the Cold War and early 1990s context.⁵¹ The book is also used as a source in analyses of specific Mossad operations or related geopolitical topics, though frequently with a degree of critical distance or to illustrate a particular perspective rather than as undisputed fact.³⁴ For instance, one source notes that a copy of By Way of Deception was found in the apartment of El Sayyid Nosair after the assassination of Meir Kahane and that an Al-Qaeda training manual quoted the book.⁵⁵ Academic critiques, such as a review in Conflict Quarterly, have pointed to specific factual inaccuracies or questioned the plausibility of certain claims based on Ostrovsky’s known service record and the political realities of the time.¹⁸

Revisiting Key Claims

Many of the book’s most explosive allegations remain subjects of ongoing debate, largely due to the lack of definitive, independent corroboration or refutation from declassified official records.

Beirut Barracks Bombing: Ostrovsky’s specific allegation that Mossad possessed and deliberately withheld actionable intelligence from the U.S. is not confirmed by publicly available declassified information from U.S. sources.³⁶ However, the claim continues to be cited, as seen in a 2024 Missouri House of Representatives committee testimony regarding U.S.-Israel relations.³⁰
Drug Trafficking: While allegations of intelligence agency involvement in drug trafficking have surfaced in other contexts (primarily concerning the CIA ³⁸), specific, credible, post-2000 investigations that substantiate Ostrovsky’s claims about Mossad’s institutional use of drug money are not evident in the provided materials. The primary sources for this claim remain the book itself and its promotional descriptions.¹
Sayanim Network: The concept of sayanim continues to be discussed, particularly in contexts concerning foreign influence and the nature of diaspora support for Israel.⁴ While the general concept of voluntary civilian assistance to intelligence agencies is plausible, the actual extent, operational impact, and implications of Mossad’s sayanim network as depicted by Ostrovsky remain largely within the realm of his testimony and subsequent analysis that draws upon it.

Influence on Public Perception of Mossad

Undeniably, By Way of Deception has played a significant role in shaping the public’s perception of Mossad. It contributed to an image of the agency as exceptionally effective, audacious, and far-reaching, yet also potentially ruthless, ethically ambiguous, and operating with a degree of autonomy that might even defy its own government’s control.² For some readers, the book confirmed a heroic or anti-heroic mythos surrounding Mossad; for others, it validated suspicions of clandestine and nefarious activities. The “stunning realism” noted by some readers suggests that, regardless of its factual accuracy on all points, the book profoundly influenced their understanding of how intelligence agencies, and Mossad in particular, might operate.²

The continued relevance of By Way of Deception seems to stem from its status as a primary, albeit highly controversial, “insider” narrative. In the absence of comprehensive official disclosures or definitive independent verifications for many of its claims, the book occupies a space where allegation and speculation persist, fueled by Ostrovsky’s insider credentials and the intensity of the Israeli government’s initial reaction. This information vacuum allows its most sensational assertions to endure as points of contention, ensuring the book’s lasting, if debated, place in the literature of espionage. Furthermore, its content, especially regarding the sayanim network and allegations of spying on allied nations, continues to feed into broader, sometimes conspiratorial, discussions about Israeli intelligence influence on global politics.⁴⁰

8. The Lingering Shadow: Legacy and Future Considerations

The publication of By Way of Deception left an indelible mark not only on the public’s understanding of Mossad but also on broader discussions concerning intelligence operations, state secrecy, and ethical boundaries. Its legacy is multifaceted, touching upon issues of accountability, the shaping of historical narratives, and the enduring debate over whistleblower actions.

Impact on Intelligence Agency Accountability and Whistleblower Ethics

Like other significant whistleblower accounts from within the intelligence world, such as Peter Wright’s Spycatcher (to which it was often compared ¹), Ostrovsky’s book fueled the ongoing debate about the appropriate balance between necessary state secrecy for national security and the public’s right to know about the actions of its government and its clandestine agencies.¹⁶ The book inherently raises critical questions about the ethical obligations of former intelligence officers: when, if ever, is it justifiable to expose classified information? What are the potential harms versus the potential benefits of such disclosures in preventing abuse, illegality, or operations that run contrary to democratic principles or national interests?⁴¹

Ostrovsky framed his motivations in terms of a “democratic purpose,” positioning himself as a whistleblower acting to reform an agency he believed had gone astray.¹⁶ This self-portrayal is, of course, contested by those who attribute his actions to financial incentives, personal grievances, or a desire for fame.⁴ The book thus serves as a case study in the complex and often ambiguous nature of whistleblowing in the intelligence domain.

Shaping the Narrative of Mossad’s Operational History

Whether entirely accurate or not, By Way of Deception has significantly contributed to the public and, to some degree, academic narrative of Mossad’s operational history, methods, and ethos.¹⁶ Prior to its publication, much of the information about Mossad was either official, heavily curated, or speculative. Ostrovsky provided a detailed, personal, and seemingly “insider’s account” that, for many, pierced the veil of secrecy. The vivid, often dramatic, portrayal of Mossad’s training, operations, and internal culture has had a lasting impact. Indeed, elements from the book have reportedly seeped into popular culture, influencing depictions of espionage, as allegedly seen in the film ‘Spy Game’.¹⁶ This contribution to the “mythology” of Mossad—a complex blend of verified achievements, alleged transgressions, and public perception—is a key part of its legacy. The book helped solidify an image of Mossad as an agency of almost preternatural capability and moral ambiguity, a perception that can itself be a tool of influence or deterrence.

Potential for Future Re-interpretations

The full veracity of many of Ostrovsky’s claims remains contingent on future revelations, which are unlikely for many highly classified covert operations. However, as historical records are gradually declassified, or as other former insiders come forward, it is possible that some of the assertions in By Way of Deception could be re-evaluated—either further substantiated, definitively debunked, or cast in a more nuanced light. Independent of such future developments, the book itself stands as a significant historical artifact, reflecting the intelligence discourse, the state of US-Israeli relations, and the public’s fascination with espionage in the early 1990s.

The book also serves as a cautionary tale for intelligence agencies regarding the potential for damaging disclosures from disgruntled or ethically conflicted insiders. In an era characterized by increasing demands for transparency and the pervasive power of mass media and online information dissemination, the ability of a single individual to challenge an official narrative and reach a global audience is considerable. This underscores the critical importance of internal agency culture, robust oversight mechanisms, and fair personnel management to mitigate the risks of such “blowback.”

Ultimately, the ethical questions raised by Ostrovsky concerning Mossad’s alleged actions—such as the deliberate withholding of intelligence from allies with fatal consequences, purported involvement in illicit activities like drug trafficking, or misleading its own government—remain profoundly relevant. These allegations resonate with ongoing global discussions about the acceptable limits of covert action, the moral responsibilities of intelligence operatives, and the mechanisms for ensuring the accountability of secret services within democratic frameworks.¹

9. Conclusion: Weighing Truth, Deception, and Impact

By Way of Deception: The Making and Unmaking of a Mossad Officer remains one of the most controversial and impactful books ever written by an intelligence agency insider. It burst onto the scene as a sensational bestseller, fueled by the Israeli government’s attempts to suppress it, and presented a narrative filled with damaging allegations against Mossad, one of the world’s most secretive and mythologized intelligence services. Authored by former katsa Victor Ostrovsky with journalist Claire Hoy, the book painted a picture of an agency capable of extraordinary feats but also mired in ruthless tactics, internal power struggles, and operations that allegedly included spying on allies, involvement in drug trafficking, and even withholding critical intelligence with fatal consequences.¹

The complete veracity of every claim within its pages continues to be, and will likely remain, a subject of intense debate. Skeptics point to Ostrovsky’s relatively short tenure, the compartmentalized nature of intelligence, and the lack of independent corroboration for some of his most extreme allegations.⁴ Supporters, and Ostrovsky himself, argue that the Israeli government’s fierce reaction and alleged smear campaign lend credence to his account, suggesting he revealed uncomfortable truths that the agency desperately wanted to keep hidden.⁴

Regardless of where the precise line between fact and embellishment lies for each specific anecdote, the impact of By Way of Deception is undeniable. It profoundly shaped public perception of Mossad, offering a detailed, if contested, look behind the curtain. It forced a public confrontation with the potentially darker aspects of covert operations and the ethical dilemmas faced by those who conduct them. The book has become a lasting point of reference in discussions about intelligence ethics, whistleblower actions, and the accountability of secret services.

Interestingly, By Way of Deception functions almost as a Rorschach test for its readers. Pre-existing views on Israel, intelligence agencies in general, and the nature of whistleblowing often color interpretations of the book’s credibility. Its very focus on “deception” as a core Mossad tenet, as proclaimed by its title and detailed in its content, creates a paradox: if Mossad operates “by way of deception,” and Ostrovsky was trained by Mossad, critics can argue that his own narrative might be an elaborate piece of disinformation.¹ This makes establishing a definitive “truth” an elusive goal, leaving the reader to weigh the insider’s claims against official denials and the complex context of international espionage.

By Way of Deception stands as a significant and challenging work in the literature of intelligence. It is a testament to the power of an insider’s narrative to disrupt official stories and provoke widespread debate, ensuring its legacy as a controversial yet pivotal account that continues to raise critical questions about power, secrecy, and the often-murky world of international espionage.