It is for these reasons Eli Cohen is known as Israels greatest spy. In 1962 Eli cohen was in Damascus with crowded mosques and colorful souks, he rented a luxurious villa in the classy Abu Ramen neighborhood, close to the Syrian embassy. For the next two years, he worked as a filing clerk in a Tel Aviv insurance office. 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. Why Mossad's Retrieval of Eli Cohen's Watch Matters - SOFREP In The Spy, based on the true story of Israeli agent Eli Cohen, comic actor Sacha Baron Cohen takes on a serious role, playing the title character. Nadia Cohen - Life Story of Widow of Israeli Spy Eli Cohen - Facts Ninja Egyptian authorities uncovered the spy ring and sentenced two of the members to death. Eli Cohen provided an incredible amount of intelligence data to the Israeli Army over a period of three years. References ^ Eli Cohen Knesset ^ Eli Cohen Ministry of Economy and Industry ^ Kulanu list Central Elections Committee At the same time, Israeli officials devised escape schemes and appealed to international organizations. It also provides 30% of Israels water sources. [9] The governments of Belgium, Canada, and France tried to persuade the Syrian government to commute the death sentence,[25] but the Syrians refused. Cohen would then send intelligence back to Israel using a hidden radio transmitter. [8] His most famous achievement was the tour of the Golan Heights in which he collected intelligence on the Syrian fortifications there. In exchange for his freedom, he agreed to work for Egypt's intelligence service. I hope, pray, that he will be returned home by the time I die," Nadia told Haaretz in 2010. 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. But even after four decades, there are still many questions related to the Eli Cohen affair, some minor, others major - among them, the way in which Syrian counterintelligence identified the Israeli spy. They successfully detected radio transmissions and were able to triangulate the transmitter. They had a son, Daniel, and after the Six Day War they celebrated his bar mitzvah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. One day in 1960 Israeli Intelligence approached him about working for them again. he transfers all operations to Mossad, Eli was now Mossad agent. Get email notification for articles from Yossi Melman, Reproduction of an Israeli stamp being issued to honour the Mossad intelligence agency spy Eli Cohen who was hanged in Damascus. His widow mentioned that the watch was up for sale months earlier, and Mossad managed to capture it. 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. Eli Cohen (pictured, at center) was born in Egypt in 1924 to Jewish parents who had immigrated to Alexandria from Aleppo, Syria. In addition, the commander of Syrian Intelligence, Colonel Ahmed Suedani trusted no one and disliked Eli. If I wanted something, I called, they put me through to him immediately. In 1960, Cohen was recruited to be part of a dangerous mission to Syria. Nadia, understandably, has remained fixated on her loss. Also in Episode 5, viewers see Hafiz assume power after demanding the resignation of Syria's then-president, Nazim al-Qudsi. 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 hierarchy and became the chief adviser to the country's defense minister. One day they took Eli to visit the Syrian positions along Israel's border. 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. Eli had to conceal the microfilm inexpensive boxes containing backgammon pieces .the music ornament could be dug out of the polished wood and reinserted after microfilm had been placed in the cavity. Eli Cohen The Most Successful Name in The History of Espionage According to Scheffeldt, al-Gamal wrote in his memoirs of his friendship with Marcelle Ninio, who was sentenced to four years in prison for her role in the Jewish Underground, and also about Eli Cohen. The Israel Defense Forces were alleged to have used the trees as targeting markers during the Six-Day War, which enabled Israel to capture the Golan Heights in two days. Eli married Iraqi Jewish Nadia Majald, sister of Hebrew author Sami Michael, in 1959. [5], His parents and three brothers left for Israel in 1949, but he remained to finish a degree in electronics and coordinate Jewish and Zionist activities. Nadia, widow of Israeli spy Eli Cohen, reacts during an interview with Reuters in Herzliya, Israel October 6, 2019. . "Concentrate on yourself; look forward to a better future!". He did not object, in fact, to the idea of a ladies man reputation. He remembered and passed on to Israeli Intelligence the positioning of every Syrian gun, trench, and machine-gun nest in each Golan Heights fortification; tank traps, designed to impede any Israeli attack, were also identified and memorized for future targeting.. they let him see fortification and the bunkers, weapon concentrated in the area, and their offensive plans.l lieutenant. Israel attacked the project serval time later they abandon the project in 1965. Elis connections enabled him to be taken to the Golan Heights a major strategic asset for Syria from 1948-67. Eli was, however, persuaded continuously by Israeli intelligence agencies to return to Syria. Meanwhile, every few days he transmitted important information to his Israeli handlers via a radio transmitter he had hidden in his room. I had gotten under his cover," said Maurice Cohen. Warning: This post contains spoilers for The Spy. Double Agent's Widow Offers New Take on Eli Cohen Affair But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community. In 1954, the British pull out of Egypt completely. While working as an intelligence officer offer him a job with high pay, Eli didn't say no and become a secret agent. [34], The Israeli settlement Eliad on the Golan Heights is named for him.[35]. Recalling Elis final days, Nadia states he was in Bat Yam, with her and the three babies. [13][14] In Buenos Aires he moved among the Arab community, letting it be known he had large amounts of money to put at the disposal of the Syrian Ba'ath Party. He became a confidante of George Saif, high up in the Ministry of Information. The actor and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has a . Eliyahu Ben-Shaul Cohen (Hebrew: , Arabic: ; 6 December 1924 18 May 1965), commonly known as Eli Cohen, was an Egyptian-born Israeli spy. He reminded me of my father sometimes, she added. Eli had lost his friends, in 1957 he immigrates to Israel. tabet sends it to Argentina, where his friend dispatches them to Israel with a diplomatic pouch. In 1967, the Israelis were able to conquer the Golan Heights in two days in part due to the intelligence he provided. From 1961 to 1965, Eli transmitted crucial intelligence data, including that of the Golan Heights, to the Israeli army. In the short periods he came home he wanted to absorb all the love from his children, he even smelt their scent to stay with him, and he wanted to give all the love possible, like a father to his children. There is always the risk that the agent remains loyal to his original handlers and has managed to fool his new bosses. In February 1962, Cohen moved to Damascus. Eli Cohen was now a member of the inner circle of power. On the day of his execution, his last wish to see a rabbi was respected by the prison authorities, and Nissim Indibo, the elderly Chief Rabbi of Syria, accompanied him in the truck. He ultimately complied. As a young adult, he worked within Egypt to secretly assist other Egyptian Jews in emigrating to Israel. The children could not react to Eli's absence. Eli Cohen Wife, Children | Israeli Spy biography | Last Letter to his they suspect on a tablet but they verify the Tibet's transmission two times at 8 am precisely they broke into the tablet home, Eli was caught red-handed in the transmission. This is adefinitive andfinal verdict. In 1960, Cohen was approached by the Mossad for a mission in Syria. His graduate report stated that he had all the qualities needed to become a katsa, or field agent. The following year, Syria found out about Cohen by tracing his intelligence transmissions to Israel. Qudsi was ousted from power as a result of the March 8 coup, but Hafiz did not take power until months later. Two of them were Abraham and Maurice. Elis friendship with Amin al-Hafez proved very valuable. Cohen was born in 1924 in Alexandria, Egypt to a devout Mizrahi Jewish and Zionist family. From the creation of Israel through, the present day, Syria has been one, if not the most, implacable of Israels enemies. Concentrate on yourself; look forward to a better future! Sacha Baron Cohen-led limited series "The Spy" which comes out today on Netflix tells the true story of how famed Israeli Mossad agent Eli Cohen went undercover in 1960s Syria. The unit bombed unoccupied American and British installations, expecting that this would be considered the work of Egyptians. In the footsteps of a spy: Exploring the Golan's Eli Cohen Trail The complete trust Cohen enjoyed among his unwitting informants is illustrated by the following incident, which might have serious consequences for the Israeli agents. He organized several protest campaigns against the British rule. One of the more famous aspects of his spying regarded a trip he took to the Golan Heights. She smiles. [24], Following the 1963 Syrian coup d'tat, newly appointed Syrian Intelligence Colonel Ahmed Suidani disliked Cohen and did not trust figures close to the Second Syrian Republic. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen heads to Germany Tuesday as part of Israel's campaign to halt Iran's . Syria tortures him but he was still lying, his face was covered with wounds, his nail was pulled out. Cohen's training was long and exhausting. He then left the university and continued his studies at home. She understood from him that he would be working for the Ministry of Defense, but she didnt know where or in what capacity. Cohen later. 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. Eli Cohen, the spy who was larger than life - The Jerusalem Post Later, visiting his sister-in-law, Cohen's wife Nadia, he notices that she has a brand new Singer sewing machine in her home. Eli seemed to have completed the final stage in establishing his network. The watch is now on display at the 'Mossad' headquarters. With time he was taken even more into the confidence of the highest echelons of power. I beg you my dear Nadia do not spend your life weeping for what has passed. Warning: This article contains spoilers for all six episodes of The Spy. In 1957, Eli joined the Israel Defense Forces as a counterintelligence analyst and later applied for the Israeli intelligence agency 'Mossad,' which rejected him. [7] Cohen is married, has four children and lives in Holon. thus Israel needed an agent in Damascus (Sami Micheal, Nadia Cohen's brother was recruited. Unlike other news outlets, we havent put up a paywall. According to an unconfirmed but widely believed story, he feigned sympathy for the soldiers exposed to the sun and had trees planted at every position, placed to provide shade. [29] Mossad director Yossi Cohen presented it to Cohen's family in a ceremony, and it is currently on display at Mossad headquarters. Maurice Cohen told his brother he had a new phone line installed in his house and "gave the number of his apartment in Damascus, which I had received in a message just before he'd come home.". you lived with your uncle and worked as a travel agency, later were very successful. For a while, Cohen tried his hand at civilian life. The information he had been providing them for years was too good to forego. 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. 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. Meir even appealed to the Soviet Union. "The moment that they informed me [of the watch's recovery] my mouth went dry and I got the chills," Nadia told Israeli TV. Intelligence created a completely new identity for him. One of his friends found a new job as an accountant, month later he Marty with Nadia, a nurse of Iraqi origin. they made great efforts to locate the secret transmission to Israel with help of Soviet-made equipment, in January 1965 they got success. He was taught high-speed evasive driving techniques, Weapons proficiency (especially with a wide variety of small arms), topography, map reading, sabotage, and, most importantly, radio transmissions and cryptography. His final visit was in 1964. Eli Cohen Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life & Achievements "Their ages range from four and a half to 32." "You must be very proud," I offer. The text messages between Khalid and the NZSIS. Nevertheless, Kamal Amin Taabet (Eli Cohen) succeeded in visiting every position. Look after them, raise them up and educate them well, and don't deprive them or yourself of anything. The Baath party was rising to power and Eli Cohen wanted to be there when it took power. Israel tried to obtain the cooperation of her Arab neighbors for the plan, but the Arabs would not agree, even when the United States tried to use its diplomatic leverage for the furtherance of the plan. 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. His last wish was to see a rabbi. Hence, Nissim Andabo, the elderly chief rabbi of Syria accompanied him to Marjeh Square.. Eli's second instructor Yehuda taught him how to use a small, sophisticated radio transmitter. The goal was to gather intelligence from high-ranking Syrian politicians and military officials. In the 1960s, Israel developed a national water carrier which diverted water from the Kinneret into a pipeline that irrigated much of the country and especially Israels arid south. The True Story Behind The Spy on Netflix | Time Over the years, her relationship with the Mossad and that of her children, Sophie Ben-Dor, Irit Peleg and Shai Cohen, unraveled. Since then, Nadia has always counted on him. Al-Gamal rushed to inform his superiors that Thabet was none other than Eli Cohen, the Alexandrian Jew. A month later, a Syrian officer would say that one of Israel's attack architects had been Eli Cohen, who was in Israel during the battle. In 1960, he was recruited to join the Mossad for a special mission in which he was to pretend to be a Syrian businessman returning to the country after having lived in Argentina. But it . Eli Cohen's son, Shaul, was only 2 weeks old when he last saw his father. Before leaving, Cohen assured his wife it would be his last trip before he returned home permanently. She has pleaded for years and is still waiting to receive Eli's body. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. According to his fictional biography, in 1948 the family moved to Argentina, where they opened a successful textile business. Kamal Amin Taabets (Eli Cohen) return to Syria would ostensibly be the fulfillment of a lifelong patriotic dream. He says the spies wanted him to try and talk to his father's close friends or provide insight. For four years, Cohen posed as a Syrian textile businessman named Kamal Amin Thabet, first in Argentina and later in Damascus. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/nadia-cohen-46980.php. "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. click the link in that email to complete your registration. In the final episode of The Spy, Cohen's brother Maurice, a Mossad analyst, confronts him after discovering he is the secret Agent 88 in Damascus. 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. Using Biton, Israel "fed" Egypt with false intelligence that reportedly contributed to the Six Day War victory. Eli's second instructor Yehuda taught him how to use a small, sophisticated radio transmitter. Nadia (born Nadia Majald) is an Iraqi Jew who got married to Eli on August 31, 1959. He was promised support in any venture he might wish to undertake, and the generous sums of cash which he appeared to possess appealed to the unscrupulous who thought he could provide grease to their financial ambitions, as well as patriotic Syrians who hoped for an infusion of foreign capital into the Syrian state. In the 1970s, they left Israel for Germany and in 1982, al-Gamal, alias Jacques Biton, died of an illness. Its unfamiliar to me, this form of expression in a global television series. Nadia Majald, and together they had three children. After a few months, Eli was visited by George Salem Seif, a radio show host in charge of radio Damascus broadcast for Syrian abord. children: Irit Cohen, Shai Cohen, Sophie Cohen, place of death: Al Marjeh Square, Damascus, Syria, See the events in life of Eli Cohen in Chronological Order, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubQ6b-9OewI, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ9cUmvkgmg. Returning to Nadia is Cohens ultimate goal. [9], Cohen continued his social life as he had in Argentina, spending time in cafes listening to political gossip. Cohen wrote in his final letter on 15 May 1965:[7]. Cohen was arrested in January 1965 while transmitting to his handlers. He also held parties at his home for high-placed Syrian ministers, businessmen, and others. 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. Since Eli did not have a steady job back then, even though he worked as an accountant, he had to rely more on Nadia to help support the family and their marriage.

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