Former IDF Commando Behind Saddam Assassination Plot Now Develops AI Security App for Israeli Cities
Doron Kampl, former deputy commander of the elite IDF unit Sayeret Matkal and leader of the 1992 operation to assassinate Saddam Hussein, has transitioned from military operations to digital security entrepreneurship. Kampl founded Bond, a digital security company offering a personal security agent via an app, currently being marketed to Israeli municipalities to enhance public safety. The app provides immediate assistance by connecting users to trained human agents who can deter threats, communicate with police, and monitor suspicious activity using AI technology.
Kampl’s military background includes participation in covert operations, combat in the Lebanon War, and leadership during the tragic 1992 training accident in which five soldiers died. After leaving the military, he pursued business studies at Harvard and built a successful career in tech, selling two companies for a combined $820 million before founding Bond in 2017. The company has raised $100 million and protects millions of workers globally, including clients like Apple, Walmart, and Nike.
Bond’s app functions as a "digital smoke detector" for crime, alerting users and authorities within seconds to potential threats. It has handled 1.5 million user-reported incidents, including 10,000 emergencies with life-saving outcomes. Israeli cities such as Petah Tikva have adopted the app for residents following high-profile violent crimes, with 60% of exposed residents downloading it, far exceeding typical adoption rates.
Kampl highlights the global rise in crime and the challenges police face post-pandemic, emphasizing the need for rapid deterrence that traditional law enforcement cannot provide alone. He envisions integrating AI and citizen smartphones to detect and prevent crimes before escalation. Bond is also developing drone projects to provide real-time aerial surveillance and personal protection.
Reflecting on his military past, Kampl discusses the 1992 failed assassination attempt on Saddam Hussein and the ongoing geopolitical challenges with Iran. He advocates for targeted strikes on hostile leadership and infrastructure to create deterrence without ground forces. Kampl stresses the importance of rigorous investigation and accountability in security failures, drawing parallels between military discipline and effective civilian security management.
