A Knock at the Door

“Ory Slonim’s four decades of volunteering to save Israeli POWs and MIAs, bringing an end to their captivities—or their families' uncertainties—is one of the toughest roles in Israeli life. An amazing story that illustrates the ancient Jewish saying, ‘Whoever saves one life, saves the entire world.’” -- Ehud Barak, former Israeli PM and Defence Minister, and former IDF Chief of Staff
“Ory Slonim’s gripping autobiography is a stunning blend of national and personal history. Throughout our decades-long acquaintance, I have witnessed Ory’s metamorphosis between the private, public, and third sectors—each of which he mastered—and his abilities as a successful high profile criminal attorney led to the introduction to my late father, the sixth President of the State of Israel Chaim Herzog, who mobilized him to the task of redeeming our Missing in Action. He then became the Special Advisor to the Minister of Defense, and an expert in negotiations regarding POWs and MIAs. In his work, Ory presents his life story—a moving statement by a man who intuited the import of authentic interpersonal connection, the power of eye contact, the significance of viewing every individual as an equal. It is also proof of the Ory rule: Don’t complain, don’t explain, let your actionsdo the talking. This is a fascinating piece which I wholeheartedly recommend and endorse in no uncertain terms.” -- Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel
“Ory Slonim’s life story truly deserves to be told all over the world. You have dedicated your mind to the law, your heart to children (Variety International) with special needs, and your soul to Israel’s security and the fate of its missing soldiers. And you have devoted your soul and incredible sensitivity with your unique negotiating skills to securing the release of Israel’s missing and captured soldiers. Truly the face of all that is good and beautiful about Israel, portraying its compassion, morality, and humanity. Your life story is an incredible tapestry of excellence, values, spirit, compassion, and leadership." -- Ambassador Dan Gillerman
“‘In Jewish lore,’ the Israeli attorney Ory Slonim observes, ‘captivity is regarded as the worst fate of all.’ In his new memoir, A Knock at the Door: The Story of My Secret Work with Israeli MIAs and POWs, readers come to understand why and what it means for a society to be guided by this worldview. Slonim worked tirelessly for more than three decades to secure the release of those Israelis, living and dead, who had been taken hostage by Israel’s enemies. No other nation in modern history has been so consistently targeted for annihilation. Few other countries have been so consistently subjected to tragedy. In Israel, the late Irish diplomat Conor Cruise O’Brien once observed that ‘there is always the shadow of a new Holocaust.’” -- Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner
“Slonim details his efforts in a memoir—A Knock at the Door: The Story of My Secret Work With Israeli MIAs and POWs—that was originally published in 2019 in Hebrew. Slonim wants American readers to understand the challenges Israel faces that are different from most other countries, and why it is willing to pay such a disproportionate price in releasing convicted terrorists to bring peace of mind to the families of the missing. Regardless of the humanitarian aspect and the pleading of the compassionate Jewish heart, we have an obligation to free those who were sent to battle on our behalf and in the name of the law. If it were up to these young people, they may well have preferred to go to university or lie on the beach in Thailand instead of serving in the army. But they were sent to war, and they should go with the knowledge that we will do everything it takes to bring them back home.” -- Steven Emerson, The Algemeiner
“Slonim details his efforts in a memoir—A Knock at the Door: The Story of My Secret Work With Israeli MIAs and POWs—that was originally published in 2019 in Hebrew. Slonim wants American readers to understand the challenges Israel faces that are different from most other countries, and why it is willing to pay such a disproportionate price in releasing convicted terrorists to bring peace of mind to the families of the missing. Regardless of the humanitarian aspect and the pleading of the compassionate Jewish heart, we have an obligation to free those who were sent to battle on our behalf and in the name of the law. If it were up to these young people, they may well have preferred to go to university or lie on the beach in Thailand instead of serving in the army. But they were sent to war, and they should go with the knowledge that we will do everything it takes to bring them back home.” -- Steven Emerson, The Algemeiner