Author
Nitsana Darshan-Leitner
Nitsana Darshan-Leitner is an Israeli activist and attorney. As the founder and director of the Israel Law Center, Shurat HaDin, based outside Tel Aviv, she has represented hundreds of terror victims in lawsuits.
The book · Grand Central Publishing
Harpoon
Inside the Covert War Against Terrorism's Money Masters
“A thrill ride with one of the most important Israeli start-ups of them all.”Tamir Pardo, Director of the Mossad (2011-2016)
The Harpoon doctrine
Follow the money.Target the money.Kill the money.
About the book
The covert war on terror’s money
A revelatory account of the cloak-and-dagger Israeli campaign to target the finances fueling terror organizations–an effort that became the blueprint for U.S. efforts to combat threats like ISIS and drug cartels.
"Harpoon," the creation of Mossad legend Meir Dagan, directed spies, soldiers, and attorneys to disrupt and destroy money pipelines and financial institutions that paid for the bloodshed perpetrated by Hamas, Hezbollah, and other groups.
Description from the publisher, Hachette Book Group.
By the numbers
- 415Legal Actions
- 70,000Plaintiffs Represented
- 600Legal War Room Lawyers
- 350Intern Students
From the page to the courtroom
Follow the money, in court
Harpoon was written by an attorney who worked with Harpoon: Shurat HaDin’s founder, Nitsana Darshan-Leitner. Bankrupting terrorism, one lawsuit at a time. Shurat HaDin works with intelligence and law enforcement agencies to target the terror groups, their leadership and patrons, leading the private sector's war on terrorism.
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2025 · Recent result
Supreme Court Decision Against the PA
Enabling lawsuits against terrorism funders.
Reuters
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2025 · Recent result
Crushing Hamas Funders
Including cryptocurrency platforms, UNRWA, and even the Red Cross.
Ynet
Reviews
Praise for Harpoon
From Tamir Pardo, R. James Woolsey and Prof. Alan Dershowitz.
Money drives terrorism. If funding is cut, terrorism is reduced. A groundbreaking look at how spies, soldiers, statesmen, and lawyers waged a relentless campaign to dry up the financial streams that funded terrorism against Israel and the United States. A great read about a compelling issue.
The riveting and untold story of the intelligence task force that launched a dynamic new front in the war on terror. A thrill ride with one of the most important Israeli start-ups of them all.
It's a cliché after Watergate that the key investigation in most circumstances is to 'follow the money' (in the words of Deep Throat). This is the story of how Mossad led this movement and substantially effected investigations of terrorism and similarly important matters and how this influenced the CIA's later work in the same field. Bravo Mossad! Thanks for leading the way.
In the press
“Harpoon reads like a fast-paced thriller novel.... Harpoon superbly outlines how Israel became the preeminent authority in fighting terrorism by attacking its sources of income.... This book must be considered required reading for anyone considering a career in counter-terrorism—or for anyone wanting real insight into how our world works, and what can be done about it.”
“This book is Start Up Nation all over again, only this time the ingenuity, innovation and flexibility of mind is not about technology but about fighting terror.”
Jewish Journal“Harpoon is interesting and insightful. It is a deep dive into the world of espionage and covert operations that takes the reader from the streets of Israel to the finance district of New York City. One of Harpoon's best aspects is giving us a look at the leaders inside the unit. Instead of simply reading about the incidents, we get to feel connected to the men and women who put their lives on the line in the battle against radical Islam.”
DailyWire
“Gripping.... This fascinating book about the intelligence and legal war against terror is a must-read.”
Jewish Press“Highly revealing.... One of the best books on best practices in countering terrorists.”
Washington Times“A fascinating read.”
The Tower
The authors
An attorney and a bestselling journalist
Co-author
Samuel M. Katz
Samuel M. Katz is the co-author of the New York Times bestseller Under Fire: The Untold Story of the Attack in Benghazi and author of The Ghost Warriors. He is based in New York.
- Under Fire: The Untold Story of the Attack in BenghaziCo-author · New York Times bestseller
- The Ghost WarriorsAuthor
Author notes from the publisher, Hachette Book Group.
Get the book
Buy Harpoon
In hardcover, ebook and unabridged audiobook, from Grand Central Publishing.
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