Raffi Berg

BBC journalist Raffi Berg uncovers the true story of how Israel’s secret service Mossad set up a diving resort on the Red Sea as a cover to smuggle Ethiopian Jews to Israel from inside enemy territory.

Berg explains how the diving centre attracted holidaymakers from around the world. None of them were aware that the staff were really Mossad agents working at night to evacuate by sea and air thousands of Ethiopian Jews from refugee camps in Sudan. Berg had access to agents involved in the mission and his account has been endorsed as the most definitive by the operation leader who went on to become the head of Mossad.

Berg is Middle East editor of the BBC news website. His book was written in collaboration with the Mossad commander behind the operation and who was depicted in the Netflix movie The Red Sea Diving Resort.

This event is part of the festival’s programme of Jewish literature and culture.

This event was originally scheduled for the 2020 festival. Tickets booked for this event remain valid for the new date. If you exchanged your ticket for a credit and still wish to attend, you will need to rebook using your credit. See how to use and claim credits.