The Gatekeepers

The Gatekeepers is an Israeli documentary essay from 2012 directed by Dror Moreh. It showcases the experiences of six individuals surveyed over the course of history in the Israeli Secret Service, the Shin Bet. The central characters are the agency’s own chiefs, who candidly reflect on their actions - and decisions – conjuring an unprecedented analysis of the strategies used in Israel’s war against terrorism.

These characters are none other than Avraham Shalom, Yaakov Peri, Carmi Gillon, Ami Ayalon, Avi Dichter, and Yuval Diskin. Representing some of Israel's most influential and historically significant figures, they offer their recollection of the modus operandi, the morals that guide the Shin Bet, and delve into Israel's security dilemma from the inside out.

Amid the dramatic and graphic real-life footage, Dror Moreh unfolds their insider perspective on various events over a period of half a century, from the Six Day War in 1967 to the present. The viewer is offered insights into the organization's counterterrorism operations, counterinsurgency strategies, prisoner management, and intelligence gathering. The former heads discuss the ethical and logistical challenges faced by the service, the controversial decisions they took, the victories and failures they encountered, and the lessons they learned from their tenure.

The Gatekeepers effectively blends the narrative into the broader socio-political context – discussing the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict sharply. From suicide bombings to political assassinations, these former directors of Shin Bet delve into the tactics and effects of these harrowing aspects of society and politics. The viewer is prodded into understanding the grueling real-life enactment of the ‘theory of the ticking bomb.’

One of the key themes that shine through The Gatekeepers is the conflict between morals, pragmatism, and survival premise. The protagonists grapple with the reality of sometimes having to carry out morally questionable activities in order to ensure the security of their nation. The frank discussions and analysis promote a thorough understanding of the dilemmas faced by those who are entrusted with national security.

Another signature aspect of the film is the complexity it highlights around decision making in sensitive, high-stakes environments – the proverbial playing chess with human lives. It’s an introspection into the heart of an intelligence agency, something rare given the high levels of secrecy around such organizations.

The Gatekeepers has an engaging narrative that has a profound effect on the audience, encouraging deep thought and discussion about administrations, their counter-terrorism methods, and the personal and professional implications of their decisions. The interviewees reveal not only the extreme stress they experienced but the manner in which they went about making life-altering decisions under such circumstances.

Despite being firmly rooted in its Israeli context, the film's themes are universal - exploring how societies grapple with their values in the face of threats, how safety often means the violation of another’s rights, and how political compromise is seen as a weakness in a nation driven by divisive politics.

Finally, at its core, The Gatekeepers is a cinematic endeavor that seeks to stimulate thought, to drive its viewers to question and reassess the validity of hard stances on complex issues. The revelations by the ex-chiefs, their remorse, regret, and defensiveness combined with real-footage, imagery, and graphical elements create a haunting sense of authenticity that ensures this film resonates long after viewing.

This is a harsh, critical exploration of modern counter-terrorism operations, told first-hand by those at the center. The Gatekeepers successfully combines history, politics, ethics, and psychology into an enthralling and informative documentary which chillingly sheds light on seldom-seen perspectives in an ongoing, complex and deadly conflict.