Jews are famously self-deprecating. When we write stories about ourselves, we are depicted as the schlemiels of Chelm. When others write about us, we are mystical demigods and secret agents that put James Bond to shame.

This is especially true when it comes to Israeli technology. In season four of the finance drama Billions, the main firm wants to spy on the competition. The CEO’s “fixer” shows up with a camera that can see through privacy glass. As he opens the case to show the spy camera to his boss, he says simply, “It’s Israeli.” What more would anyone need to know?

As pagers all over Lebanon exploded yesterday simultaneously, and the apparent facts came to light, there were two reactions: What have the Israelis done? and What are the Israelis about to do?