On his tenth birthday, Rafi Hantman (later Eitan) watched with his mother the first movie of his life - "Fruilein Doctor", which was dedicated to the exploits of a spy who was decorated with the highest badge of honor in the German army. On the way home, the boy said to his mother: "When I grow up, I want to be a spy for the benefit of the Land of Israel." Back in Palmach, when he was about 18 years old, Eitan stood out for his courage, his intelligence, his planning and execution skills, and not least - his ability to keep a secret. During the following decades, in which he held the most senior positions in the Shin Bet and the Mossad, Eitan became a legend. He participated in the most secret and daring operations in the country's history, such as the exposure of the pro-Soviet network that operated in the security services in the early 1950s, the exposure of the spy Israel Bar, the pursuit of the German scientists who tried to establish a missile industry in Egypt, the aid to the "Dimona Project", the fight against terrorist organizations throughout Europe after the Six Day War and of course - his standing at the head of the team that captured Adolf Eichmann in Argentina and brought him to trial in Israel. Over the years, Eitan got to know the heads of the Mossad and the Shin Bet closely, including the "founding father" Isser Harel - who recruited him to the security services as early as 1949, while he was a captain in the IDF, Meir Amit, Zvi Zamir, Yitzhak ("Hakka") Hofi and others . In Ish Hasod, Eitan tells about his complex relationship with them and does not refrain from direct and frank criticism. He also knew closely, served and advised the heads of the state, starting with David Ben-Gurion, going through Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Rabin and ending with Ariel Sharon, with whom he had a long-standing friendship that also included moments of trust. The Secret Man is the personal story of a fascinating man who, although his life and activities were mostly kept a secret, will forever be intertwined in Israel's history. Rafi Eitan (1926-2019) was born in Ein Harod. In the Shin Bet he became the head of the operational staff. He studied economics at the University of London, and upon his return was transferred to the Mossad. After Eichmann's capture, he was appointed head of the Mossad's "Europe Center". Upon his retirement, he began a successful business career, and among other things, he established and managed businesses in Cuba, where he befriended the ruler Fidel Castro In 2006 he led the Pensioners' Party to an impressive achievement of seven mandates and was appointed Minister of Pensioners' Affairs. He was married to Miriam and father of three.
