6. Crossdressing For the Sake of Revenge
Unfortunately, civil unrest led to tragedy in Munich in the 1970’s, when Palestinian forces took the lives of Israeli athletes in a deadly ambush. By 1973, Israel launched Operation Spring of Youth, hoping to target the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in a plan for revenge. For the operation targeting PLO leaders living in Lebanon to succeed, the Israelis had to focus on being very stealthy.
Carrying out assassinations without looking suspicious on the way in would require great skill and ample planning – unless, of course, you come up with a ridiculous plan that requires none of that. And that’s just what the Israelis decided to do: turn to crossdressing.
After reaching the shores of the Lebanese coast on April 9, 1973, Israeli commandos embraced their feminine sides by donning dresses and wigs. They even pretended to be in a loving relationships with their fellow soldiers who weren’t in drag, pairing up with some of the other commandos to appear inconspicuous.
Just as Mossad agents allowed them into the area, the commandos immediately blasted through doors and descended on the houses of their targets. Meanwhile, other commandos were on guard outside of the homes, still dressed as women. The disguise proved successful, as the operation was completed with the loss of only two Israeli commandos.