Book details

  • Genre:history
  • Sub-genre:Middle East / Israel & Palestine
  • Language:English
  • Pages:236
  • eBook ISBN:9798350997354
  • Paperback ISBN:9798350997347

Embracing the Enemy: The Inside Story of Israel’s Secret Humanitarian Mission to Rescue Syrian Civilians from Civil War

Overview

Between the years 2013-2018, the Israel Defense Forces ("IDF") carried out the largest humanitarian operation in its history and one of the largest that any army has ever carried out. The operation, called the "Good Neighbor" saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of Syrian citizens who suffered from the civil war raging in their country, either by providing care to their children in Israeli hospitals, or through the supply of hundreds of thousands of tons of humanitarian food and equipment. In the book, the author describes his experiences with the hundreds of meetings with the Syrian citizens and aid organizations; how the unit was established under conditions of uncertainty and a significant lack of information; how trust was built with the various players involved in the project; the essence of partnership; why you should never rest on your "laurels"; and, what is the meaning of thinking "outside the box".
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Description

Between the years 2013-2018, the Israel Defense Forces ("IDF") carried out the largest humanitarian operation in its history and one of the largest that any army has ever carried out. The operation, called the "Good Neighbor" saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of Syrian citizens who suffered from the civil war raging in their country, either by providing care to their children in Israeli hospitals, or through the supply of hundreds of thousands of tons of humanitarian food and equipment. In the book, the author describes his experiences with the hundreds of meetings with the Syrian citizens and aid organizations; how the unit was established under conditions of uncertainty and a significant lack of information; how trust was built with the various players involved in the project; the essence of partnership; why you should never rest on your "laurels"; and, what is the meaning of thinking "outside the box".
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About The Author

Lt. Col. (Res.) Eyal Dror served 24 years in the Israel Defense Forces in coordination and liaison roles in the Palestinian arena and as commander of the "Good Neighbor" operation in the Golan Heights. He is a doctoral student at Haifa University in the Department of Education and Leadership and an international lecturer on Middle East issues, humanitarian aid, cooperation and trust building.
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Book Reviews

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Michal
A Personal / National Stoy In his book, Eyal Dror takes us on a unique journey as observers of a secret military operation. The beauty of the book is that it tells the story from a personal perspective - that of a man whose sensitivity, respect and value of life are at his core. Eyal Dror is the embodiment of what we seek to see in all of our IDF soldiers. The book is a must read for those who want to learn about the Israeli military. And it is sure to make any reader feel pride in Israel and the IDF leadership. Kol Hakavod Eyal! Read more
Eyal
A Powerful Testament to Humanity and Leadership Embracing the Enemy by Eyal Dror is more than just a book — it's a profound journey into the heart of one of the most inspiring humanitarian missions in modern history. Through clear, honest, and deeply human storytelling, Dror brings to life the untold story of the “Good Neighbor” operation, Israel’s largest humanitarian effort during the Syrian civil war. What makes this book so impactful is not only the scale of the mission, but the empathy and moral courage that shine through on every page. Dror doesn’t shy away from complexities — instead, he embraces them with the same integrity and clarity that guided his work in the field. As a reader, I was moved, inspired, and reminded of the power of individual leadership in times of crisis. This book is a must-read for anyone who believes in the possibility of compassion even in the darkest of times. Thank you, Eyal, for your service, your courage, and for sharing this incredible story with the world. Read more
Paushali
An absolute eye opener In 'Embracing the Enemy', Lt. Col. Eyal Dror tells the inspiring story of Israel's Operation Good Neighbor, a humanitarian mission that helped over 250,000 Syrians during the brutal civil war. Through Dror’s leadership, the IDF bridged decades of hostility by providing medical aid, food, and supplies to Syrian civilians, demonstrating that empathy and security can coexist. This book highlights Israel’s role as a beacon of compassion in a region marked by conflict, showing that even those once seen as enemies can become allies in humanity. Dror’s story is a powerful reminder of the light Israel offers its neighbors, even when the world refuses to see it. Read more
Eric
The greatest humanitarian mission of all time! If you love to read true stories about people or missions that have made the world a better place, then you want to read Embracing the Enemy. Once you read this book, you’ll ask yourself - how have I not heard about this before? Did Eyal or the IDF win a Nobel Prize? There’s a lot of negativity, hate, and division going on in the world today. Read this book and have your hope in humanity restored. The book is well written and easy to follow. It will also provide knowledge on the complexities of life in the Middle East but will also dispel a lot of the myths. This is a book that you’ll read and then say, you know, they need to make it into a movie! Read more