Israeli torturers as heroes. At times like this, I fail to understand the US in which I have lived for more than 21 years. Even Israeli torturers are heroes in this country. In this interview in NYT (excerpted from New Scientist) an Israeli torturer is interviewed. The torturer also reveals himself to be a liar. At one point he says this: "I use only psychology, head to head." At another point, he says this: "Sometimes I'll come in and give him a slap - but only with permission from higher authority."