(PMO), Sacha Baron Cohen as Israeli spy Eli Cohen in The Spy (YouTube screenshot), Mossad spy Eli Cohen, executed in Syria in 1965. [22], It is claimed that the intelligence that Cohen gathered before his arrest was an important factor in Israel's success in the Six-Day War,[23] although some intelligence experts have argued that the information he provided about the Golan Heights fortifications was also readily available from ground and aerial reconnaissance. Cohen expressed fear of discovery to the Mossad on his last secret visit to Israel in November 1964, and he stated that he wished to terminate his assignment in Syria. After weeks of surveillance, he was finalized and was put to training. The Spy alternates between Cohens risky schemes with Nadias far more ordinary life. - From Eli Cohen's last letter to his wife Nadia and his children, written an hour before his execution in Damascus. On July 5, 2018, media channels announced that Elis wristwatch had been retrieved from Syria, which was later given back to Eli's family by 'Mossad' in a ceremony. He wasnt even drafted into regular service but was placed in a reserve Israeli Air Force formation as a logistics clerk. Perhaps he wasnt allowed into the security service due to his Military Intelligence evaluation some years before. For the next two years, he worked as a filing clerk in a Tel Aviv insurance office. But Sophie was born without seeing his father. Ben-Dor was pessimistic that Israel would soon be able to retrieve her fathers body from Syria. Today, one can see the former Syrian bunkers that remain on the Golan Heights from 1967 (as well as the tanks from 1973). The agency concluded that Cohen had a high IQ, great bravery, a phenomenal memory, and the ability to keep a secret; but the tests also showed that in spite of his modest appearance, he has an exaggerated sense of self-importance, and a lot of internal tension. Cohen, the results indicated, does not always evaluate danger correctly, and is liable to assume risks beyond those which are necessary.. "Soon after, my commanding officers summoned me to my base and informed me that Eli had spoken to them about the phone number incident. Please try again or choose an option below. The Syrian officer readily agreed and Eli immediately passed the information onto Israel. She had no idea about Elis secret mission and thus did not see the threats and risks involved. Egypt has the strongest of the Arab countries and sworn enamy if Israel with the decision to evacuate Egypt, modern bases, airfield, and huge stores of equipment and war material would fall into the Egyptian army. On 18 May 1965, Eli cohen was woken by the jailer and fastened the noose, and hang up, the huge poster was fastened on his chest where his sentence was written in Arabic. His fathers name was Amin Taabet, and his mothers Saadia Ibrahim. This version contradicts that of Israel's secret service. Eli's handlers were continually persuading him to return. I think as long as Bashar Assad is in power I dont see the word progress,' she said, referring to Syrias dictator. Learn more. He also held parties at his home for high-placed Syrian ministers, businessmen, and others. Israel desperately tried to have his sentence commuted, and despite requests from world leaders and Pope Paul VI for clemency, Cohen was hanged publicly in May of that year. Likud MK Eli Cohen Federation of Local Authorities conference in Tel Aviv, December 8, 2022. The Arabs would have none of it and decided to divert the sources of the Jordan River which originated in Arab-held territory. In this way, the Arabs hoped to deprive Israel of the waters she would need for her national growth. Cohen would then send intelligence back to Israel using a hidden radio transmitter. Syria tortures him but he was still lying, his face was covered with wounds, his nail was pulled out. He reminded me of my father sometimes, she added. Eli Cohen was born in Alexandria, Egypt, on December 26, 1924, the second of eight children in a family of orthodox Jews. Eli Cohen was an Egyptian-born Israeli spy best known for his espionage work in the 1960s in Syria, where it was alleged he developed close relationships with the Syrian political and military. According to al-Gamal's version, he saw a photograph in an Arab newspaper at a newspaper stand in Frankfurt's train station that showed Amin Kamel Thabet touring fortifications on the Golan Heights with Syrian officers. On September 20, 2016, an unknown Syrian group named 'Syrian Art Treasures' posted a 'Facebook' video showing Eli's body after his execution. Various reports say that Biton was unveiled and offered the option of becoming a double agent. [27] Syrian authorities have repeatedly denied family requests for the remains. Eli Cohen (pictured, at center) was born in Egypt in 1924 to Jewish parents who had immigrated to Alexandria from Aleppo, Syria. Al-Hafidh claims he was in negotiations with the Mossad to reveal the information, but wanted $1million for his services which the intelligence agency refused to pay. Unlike other news outlets, we havent put up a paywall. The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the. But changes were taking place in the Syrian Government that alarmed Eli. he goes abroad for business and meets Nadia and Sophie in Bat Yam. Nadia Majald, and together they had three children. His successes couldn't be vocally shared with his family, however. The husband hunters among the Damascus rich and influential flocked to the handsome Taabet, hoping that their almond eyes, Byzantine beauty, and olive skin would secure a future of wealth and power: He became the most sought-after bachelor in the Syrian capital. had succeeded in friending a Saudi entrepreneur who had been contracted to plan and dig canals, the name was his friend was bin Laden, little Osama's father. The condom was used as a timing tool for mixed chemicals and produce a minor burst of fire. The purposes of that visit were to pass on intelligence and to enable him to witness the birth of his third child. At Kfar Habad, on July 29, 1977, at the joint Bar Mitzvah for 100 fatherless boys, in the presence of Prime Minister. Nadia and Eli Cohen pictured in the 1960s The 41-year-old was brutally hanged in Marjeh Square in Damascus in front of a crowd of 10,000 people, in May 1965 - and despite his last request to have his body returned to Israel, the Syrian authorities have to this day never disclosed the whereabouts of his remains. Cohen went undercover in Syria as Kamel Amin Thaabet in the early 1960s, aligned himself with key military and government personnel and fed intel back to Israel. Nadia Cohen attempted to appeal for clemency at the Syrian Embassy in Paris but was turned away. "Concentrate on yourself; look forward to a better future!". Scheffeldt said that her husband never revealed his true identity, and she learned of it only after a television series aired in Egypt that described him as a national hero. Israel could not survive without Jordan's water. The Syrians have consistently refused to do so. [16][17] Mossad had carefully planned the tactics that he was to use in building relationships with high-ranking Syrian politicians, military officials, influential public figures, and the diplomatic community. The Syrians and their Russian advisers were alarmed by the intelligence that was seeping out of the country. But he refused). The next day he comes to Hassan's office and admitted that he is sick and tired to live in Argentina, he wanted to go back to Syria, could he help him with a letter of recommendation? Israel's minister of defense Pinhas Lavon and colonel Benyamin Gibli head of military intelligence, concocted a dangerous and foolish plan if several terrorist bombings were swept Egypt, the British will return to its former bases and concluded that Egypt's couldn't maintain law and order. His family is now settled in Bat Yam. Eli's first instructor Yitzhak learned to memorize things, he throws a dozen objects on the table and Eli observe them for a second and described them. He carefully cultivated contacts with the Baath leadership, which included the Syrian military attach in Argentina, General Amin al-Hafaz. Do you rely on The Times of Israel for accurate and insightful news on Israel and the Jewish world? But in 2018, Cohens watch was retrieved in a secret Mossad scheme. He made friends with many of the guests and ended up receiving classified military briefings and visiting Syrian military sites. Eli Cohen was first sent to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to establish his cover as a Syrian emigre. "I have passed your response to our partners and am waiting for a reply," said the agent. The Spy, which was released Friday, tells the story of Cohen, who spied for Israel in Syria during the 1960s, providing valuable intelligence that was said to have greatly assisted the Israeli military in the 1967 Six Day War. Due to this information, the Israeli Air Force was able to obliterate the Syrian plans for the diversion scheme by shelling and bombing the bulldozers and other equipment used for the scheme in early 1964. One of the ministrys directors entered the room unannounced. I am begging you my dear Nadia not to spend your time in weeping about some thing already passed. I give you my blessing. He had three brothers. Two of them were Abraham and Maurice. Out of fear of being caught, Eli expressed his wish to visit Israel in November 1964, to pass on information and also witness the birth of his third child. ", "Sacha Baron Cohen To Star As Eli Cohen in Netflix Limited Series 'The Spy', Cohen's widow asks for his remains to be returned, PM's speech at the ceremony marking 40 years since the death of Eli Cohen, Our man in Damascus: Eli Cohen of blessed memory, Exhibition in the IDF & Defense Establishment Archives, Eli Cohen, moments after the execution (part 1), Eli Cohen, moments after the execution (part 2), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eli_Cohen&oldid=1140124388, Egyptian people convicted of spying for Israel, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles having same image on Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 18 February 2023, at 15:41. Israel could not survive without Jordan's water. Eli was arrested but soon released due to a lack of evidence. They married in 1959, a month after meeting, and had three children together. Eli, after all, was born in an Arab country, had oriental features, was known to be selfless and fearless in pursuit of a cause, and had knowledge of Arabic, English, and French. [34], The Israeli settlement Eliad on the Golan Heights is named for him.[35]. Spy Eli Cohen Wife Love Story, American History Has Been Whitewashed, But, Black Teen Girls On TV Are A Mess Finally. Text messages sent from an NZSIS agent called "Carl" appear to show him brokering a deal. The three major tributaries of the upper Jordan River the Dan, the Baniyas, and the Hatzbani all originate in the Golan. Military Stories site will provide you the latest News related to military. The drunk guests would often end up blabbing about their work to Cohen, who was sober but would pretend to be intoxicated. I understand and respect [it], she said in a separate interview earlier Sunday with the network. The Spy, a six-part Netflix miniseries about Cohen's life, showcases the legendary Mossad agent's relationship with his wife, Nadia (Hadar Ratzon Rotem). Cohen immigrated to Israel in 1957 and was recruited by Military Intelligence, to a unit that later became part of the Mossad. This helped the army win the Six-Day War and capture the Golan Heights. But the series did not give al-Gamal enough credit, she said, and this led her to reveal his memoirs, which he wrote in secret and deposited with a lawyer for safekeeping. The execution was broadcast on Syrian television. The Baath party was rising to power and Eli Cohen wanted to be there when it took power. Nine months later, in late 1961, Eli came back to Israel for a visit with his wife Nadia. In Episode 5, Maurice puts the clues together when he covers for the regular analyst that communicates with Cohen using Morse code. Earlier communication between the alleged son and the intelligence agency reveals Al-Hafidh was adamant on receiving the money. [31] A memorial stone has been erected to Cohen in the Garden of the Missing Soldiers in Mount Herzl, Jerusalem. She has pleaded for years and is still waiting to receive Eli's body. He had seventeen lovers in Syria, all dazzling beauties with a fair degree of family power. Eli hoped as did Israeli Intelligence that these women would help him escape in time of crisis.. But his knowledge of. Despite this, however, Israeli intelligence asked him to return to Syria one more time. Its unfamiliar to me, this form of expression in a global television series. He even trained at the same facility that had served as home to his doomed Susannah compatriots in 1953. He returned to Egypt in 1956 but was suspected immediately and was placed under surveillance. Their youngest child, Shai, was only 21 days old then. He died in 2009. Syrian counterintelligence eventually uncovered the spy conspiracy and convicted Cohen under pre-war martial law, sentencing him to death and hanging him publicly in 1965. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/nadia-cohen-46980.php. Cohen wrote in his final letter on 15 May 1965:[7]. But within a month he had lost his Tel Aviv-based accountancy job. Diplomats, prime ministers, parliamentarians, and Pope Paul VI tried to intercede. later he handed with Syrian passport in name of kamal Amin tabet, he advised to open a bank account in that name and start visiting Arab restaurants, the cinema where Arab movies are shown, and political club. After Hafez became Prime Minister, Eli was even considered to be named the Syrian Deputy Minister of Defense. This material may not be republished without the permission of the copyright owner. Last Friday marked the 53rd anniversary of the execution of Eli Cohen, the Egyptian-born Israeli spy who burrowed his way so deep into the Syrian state apparatus he nearly came to head it. Given their history of a paper trail, its fitting but heartbreaking to learn that their final exchange also took place over written correspondence. you lived with your uncle and worked as a travel agency, later were very successful. He was interrogated and tortured. His widow mentioned that the watch was up for sale months earlier, and Mossad managed to capture it. Nadia Cohen, widow of executed Israeli spy Eli Cohen, speaks to Channel 2 on September 20, 2016 after Syrian opposition forces release new video showing moments after he was hanged in. They observed a period of radio silence, in the hope that any illegal transmissions could be identified. In March 1963, General Hafez, Eli's friend was appointed minister of defense in salah Al-Birat's cabinet. On May 18, 1965, Eli was publicly hanged at the Marjeh Square in Damascus, Syria. Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. While Eli was not directly involved with the Operation Susannah spies, he was involved with pro-Israel activity, and he was brutally questioned by Egypts Intelligence Services. Years later, in February 2007, a Turkish official confirmed that the government had agreed to look into the matter of returning Eli's remains to his family. Eli told Nadia that he got a job with a company that works with defense and foreign ministries, he needs to travel to Europe to buy tools and equipment, and materials for Israel's military. Nadia, understandably, has remained fixated on her loss. In November 1964, Tel Dan Syria open fire on Israel tractors in the demilitarized zone. Eli was, however, taken in by 'Mossad' when Director-General Meir Amit was in search of a special agent to infiltrate the Syrian government. Concentrate on yourself; look forward to a better future! However, running a double agent is considered to be one of the most complex missions in intelligence work. Cohen accepted the calling. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the Israeli ambassador, Itzhak Gerberg, would not comment on the report. Look after them, raise them up and educate them well, and don't deprive them or yourself of anything. He returned home to his family only a few times during his mission. As depicted in Episodes 4 and 5 of The Spy, Cohen aligns with Hafiz and the Ba'ath political party to overthrow the reigning government of Syria in March 1963. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. They were caught spying for Israel in 1953 and some of them were hanged. they let him see fortification and the bunkers, weapon concentrated in the area, and their offensive plans.l lieutenant. Over the years, Nadia has made several efforts to seek a bit of mercy from Syrian officials. Cohen wasnt allowed tell anyone of the plans and told his wife that he was working abroad for Israels Defense Ministry. . By Lianne Back. In 1961, Eli was sent to Buenos Aires in the guise of a Syrian textile businessman. If so, please join The Times of Israel Community. They had three children, Sophie, Irit, and Shai. For four years, Cohen posed as a Syrian textile businessman named Kamal Amin Thabet, first in Argentina and later in Damascus. "Suddenly something changed there toward us. Eliyahu Ben-Shaul Cohen (Hebrew: , Arabic: ; 6 December 1924 18 May 1965), commonly known as Eli Cohen, was an Egyptian-born Israeli spy. That is, until Meir Dagan took over as chief. What is perhaps most amazing about Eli Cohen is that he was genuinely liked even loved by so many of the top Syrian leaders. The complete trust Cohen enjoyed among his unwitting informants is illustrated by the following incident, which might have serious consequences for the Israeli agents. This article was originally published in May 2005 and republished to coincide with the release of "The Spy" - a Netflix series about Eli Cohen's life. Israel has had a quiet northern border on the Golan with the exception of some occasional fallout from the Syrian civil war for more than 40years. Cohen was convicted of espionage. On August 31, 1959, he married a beautiful Iraqi-born Jew, Nadia Majald. Monthir Maosily, a former bureau chief for Syrian president Hafez al-Assad, claimed in 2007 that Hafiz and Cohen were not as close as was made out and that stories of Cohen infiltrating the very top of Syrian politics "had been exaggerated to undermine Syria, as if he was a spy who had transmitted Syria's deepest secrets.". Despite being away from home for months at a time, he fathered three children, Sophie, Irit and Shai. Before he was executed, Cohen met with a rabbi, as per his request, and sent his wife a letter. His training was extensive and exhaustive. "He began writing the number but stopped abruptly and, looking flushed and flustered, mumbled under his breath about needing to run out to the supermarket before it closed. The leading figure in the break-in was the head of Syrian Intelligence, Colonel Ahmed Suedani Elis nemesis. As depicted in Episodes 4 and 5 of The Spy, Cohen aligns with Hafiz and the Ba'ath political party to overthrow the reigning government of Syria in March 1963. In an interview with Newshub, Al-Hafidh now says he is willing to reveal the information without the financial reward, as long as the Cohen's relatives finally have their peace. The border with Syria was heating up as well. After his execution, a white parchment filled with anti-Zionist writing was put on his body, and he was left hanging for six hours. In 1967, the Israelis were able to conquer the Golan Heights in two days in part due to the intelligence he provided. This coincided with the continuance of Palestinian terrorist infiltrators arriving from the Syrian border, along with a continual flow of Soviet technical assistance to Syria. However, Eli's loyalty was scrutinized, and he faced harassment by the 'Muslim Brotherhood.' Syria has not even disclosed the location of Eli's grave. [8], Israel's secret police recruited a sabotage unit of Jewish Egyptian citizens in 1955 which attempted to undermine Egypt's relationships with western powers in the "Lavon Affair". It was hard to see the distance from the truth in some parts of the series, Sophie Ben-Dor said in an interview with Channel 12 news. The Israeli government and Cohens widow have for many years sought the return of Elis body. Despite her criticism of the series, Ben-Dor said she understood why the shows creators took artistic license with her fathers story. While working as an intelligence officer offer him a job with high pay, Eli didn't say no and become a secret agent. Were they not interested? Eli Cohen was born in Alexandria, Egypt, on December 26, 1924. They warned me not to discuss the issue with Eli anymore and to share his secret with no one.". This is adefinitive andfinal verdict. children: Irit Cohen, Shai Cohen, Sophie Cohen Born Country: Egypt Spies Israeli Men Died on: May 18, 1965 place of death: Al Marjeh Square, Damascus, Syria Notable Alumni: Cairo Farouk University Cause of Death: Executed By Hanging City: Alexandria, Egypt More Facts Recommended Lists: Israeli Celebrities Male Spies Israeli Spies Capricorn Men He set up a travel agency in Tel Aviv and developed ties with the upper echelons of Israeli society, including politicians. One day they took Eli to visit the Syrian positions along Israel's border. [7], In January 1965, Syrian officials, who used Soviet-made tracking equipment and were assisted by Soviet experts, increased their efforts to find a high-level spy. Since 1992, the Golan has been up for discussion in the peace talks, but it strikes a very emotional chord among Israelis due to its historic and strategic significance, in addition to its natural beauty. One of them was Colonel Amin al-Hafaz, a supporter of the secular-leftist Baath party. Eventually, they had three children: Sophie Ben-Dor, Irit Peleg, and Shai Cohen. ", "Former Assad aide: Eli Cohen's burial site unknown],mm", "New footage emerges of Eli Cohen on the gallows", "Mossad Brings Home Watch of Israeli Spy Executed in Syria; Netanyahu Hails 'Brave' Op", "Watch of famed Israeli spy Eli Cohen recovered by Mossad", "The saga of Eli Cohen, Israel's greatest spy", "Will Assad's Ouster Free Body of Israel Spy? Elis larger-than-life persona has attracted many filmmakers, who have then used his story for their projects. A year later, in 1965, Cohen was caught transmitting over the radio back to Tel Aviv. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. The Syrian project to divert water from the headwaters of the Jordan away from Israel was mentioned already in the above introduction.
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