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Cohen's training was long and exhausting. Cohen was publicly hanged in the Marjeh Square in Damascus on 18 May 1965. On September 20, 2016, an unknown Syrian group named 'Syrian Art Treasures' posted a 'Facebook' video showing Eli's body after his execution. Al-Hafidh then sent his bank details, but the deal went cold. 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. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen heads to Germany Tuesday as part of Israel's campaign to halt Iran's . He would entertain high-ranking politicians and military officials at extravagant parties where there would be many women and lots of booze. He emigrated to Israel with the assistance of the Jewish Agency. Eli kept transmitting reports of a military character, top military orders, reports on new weapons to Israel. The Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence service, plans to name one of the buildings in its compound after Eli Cohen - its spy in Syria who was caught in Damascus, tried, convicted and executed 40 years ago. [32], John Shea played Cohen in the television film The Impossible Spy (1987),[33] and Sacha Baron Cohen played him in the Netflix miniseries The Spy (2019). Cohen was arrested in January 1965 while transmitting to his handlers. In January 1965, Syrian security services broke into Eli's apartment, where he was caught while he was escaping to Israel. But his knowledge of. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/nadia-cohen-46980.php. Cohen had aided the unit and was implicated, but they found no link between him and the perpetrators. Eli was friends with two highly placed Army officers, Colonels Hatoum and Dali, who were fully informed about the scheme. 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. 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. Even after the blown operation led to the demise of the Operation Susannah spies, Eli Cohen left Egypt for Israel to undergo intensive espionage training in the summer of 1955. Eli could watch the entrance to the Syrian government officials' guest house. Thus, he wished to terminate his assignment in Syria. One day in 1960 Israeli Intelligence approached him about working for them again. Given their history of a paper trail, its fitting but heartbreaking to learn that their final exchange also took place over written correspondence. The purposes of that visit were to pass on intelligence and to enable him to witness the birth of his third child. Meanwhile, every few days he transmitted important information to his Israeli handlers via a radio transmitter he had hidden in his room. Learn more. In 1960, the national intelligence agency of Israel, 'Mossad,' approached Eli for a classified mission in Syria. they let him see fortification and the bunkers, weapon concentrated in the area, and their offensive plans.l lieutenant Zaher Al-Din took Eli to the El Hama military camp, where large quantities of new weapons had been stored. In March 1963, General Hafez, Eli's friend was appointed minister of defense in salah Al-Birat's cabinet. Cohen was born in 1924 in Alexandria, Egypt to a devout Mizrahi Jewish and Zionist family. As we saw, the Syrians continually harassed Israels northern settlements from 1948-67. Once Cohen had established his background, he was inserted into the "target country," Syria, and operated with great success for four years until his capture. By Lianne Back. click the link in that email to complete your registration. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion, Antoni Porowski Talks New Cookbook, Recipes and Tradition in Cooking, Netflix's 'The Spy': Eli Cohen's Remains Still a Mystery, How to Watch True Crime Series 'Unbelievable' on Netflix. Eli Cohen was born in Egypt in 1924 to Jewish parents, who had migrated to Alexandria from Syria. Israel attacked the project serval time later they abandon the project in 1965. Nine months later, in late 1961, Eli came back to Israel for a visit with his wife Nadia. Kamal Amin Taabet (also called Tabas in some sources) was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to Syrian Muslim parents. One of them was Colonel Amin al-Hafaz, a supporter of the secular-leftist Baath party. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. His parents, Syrian Jews from the thriving town of Aleppo, had always instilled in their educationally minded son the traditions of the Jewish people, of Zionism, and of the culture of Syrias Jewish community, in particular.. He had three brothers. Cohen's brothers Abraham and Maurice led a campaign to return his remains; Maurice died in 2006, and Nadia now leads it. In early 1961, Chaim Herzog, Chief of Military Intelligence and later president of Israel, signed the document authorizing Cohens use as a spy. 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. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the Israeli ambassador, Itzhak Gerberg, would not comment on the report. The actor and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has a . They had a son, Daniel, and after the Six Day War they celebrated his bar mitzvah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. If I wanted something, I called, they put me through to him immediately. Despite being away from home for months at a time, he fathered three children, Sophie, Irit and Shai. Nadia (born Nadia Majald) is an Iraqi Jew who got married to Eli on August 31, 1959. Eli Cohenarrived in Buenos Aires and checked into a hotel .a local teacher would get in touch with him and teach him the Spanish language. [8], Cohen was found guilty of espionage by a military tribunal and sentenced to death under martial law. These skills were instrumental in ensuring the safety and survival of one Kamal Amin Taabet: Eli Cohens new identity. [7] He took part in various Israeli covert operations in the country during the 1950s, although the Egyptian government could never prove his involvement in Operation Goshen, an Israeli operation to smuggle Egyptian Jews out of the country and resettle them in Israel due to increasing hostility in Egypt. The Baath party was rising to power and Eli Cohen wanted to be there when it took power. Meir even appealed to the Soviet Union. The Spy sees a friendship blossoming between Eli Cohen and Amin al-Hafiz, the future president of Syria, that begins as Cohen first goes undercover as Thaabet in Buenos Aires and mutually benefits them both for yearsright through to Cohen's discovery as an Israeli spy and subsequent execution. The Kinneret supplies Israel with most of its water needs. The newly appointed Syrian intelligence colonel, Ahmed Su'edani, disliked Eli. He was tortured, but he wouldnt give away any incriminating information about Israel. Earlier communication between the alleged son and the intelligence agency reveals Al-Hafidh was adamant on receiving the money. Today, one can see the former Syrian bunkers that remain on the Golan Heights from 1967 (as well as the tanks from 1973). He was supposed to stay in Buenos Aires as a Syrian migr businessman named Kamal Amin Taabet. become close friends. They had three childrenSophie, Irit, and Shaiand the family settled in Bat Yam. At the age of 41, Cohen was hanged in Damascus in front of a crowd of 10,000. Once registered, youll receive our Daily Edition email for free. He was a legend," I declare. I beg my wife to forgive me, to take care of herself and our children. 4 Min Read. ", "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? 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.". 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. Sign in to stop seeing this, Sara Netanyahu accosted by protesters at Tel Aviv hair salon, extricated by police, Brides joy turns to sorrow after Elan Ganeles killed driving to her wedding, Hiker discovers 2,500-year-old ancient receipt from reign of Purim kings father, Netanyahu compares Tel Aviv protesters to settlers who set fire to Huwara. Another tutor trained him to speak Arabic. Nevertheless, Kamal Amin Taabet (Eli Cohen) succeeded in visiting every position. Eli Cohen was born in Alexandria, Egypt, on December 26, 1924. [11], The Mossad recruited Cohen after Director-General Meir Amit, looking for a special agent to infiltrate the Syrian government, came across his name while looking through the agency's files of rejected candidates, after none of the current candidates seemed suitable for the job. 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. 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. [9], Cohen continued his social life as he had in Argentina, spending time in cafes listening to political gossip. "Soon after, my commanding officers summoned me to my base and informed me that Eli had spoken to them about the phone number incident. It doesnt fit our story but I understand the situation. The text messages between Khalid and the NZSIS. He became a confidante of George Saif, high up in the Ministry of Information. In order to capture the Golan Heights during the 1967 Six-Day War, Israeli soldiers had to knock out a number of well-fortified Syrian outposts. The Spy alternates between Cohens risky schemes with Nadias far more ordinary life. 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. [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. Fiyaz Mughal,Eli Cohens body must be returned to Israel, The JC, (Undated). In Episode 5, Maurice puts the clues together when he covers for the regular analyst that communicates with Cohen using Morse code. This week, KAN 11 began broadcasting a documentary series "Lochem 566," (Fighter 566, Cohen's Mossad codename). For a while, Cohen tried his hand at civilian life. "My darling Nadia, and my dear family,I am writing you these last words, minutes before my end, with the hope that you stay together forever.I beg my wife to forgive me, to take care of herself and our children. Also in Episode 5, viewers see Hafiz assume power after demanding the resignation of Syria's then-president, Nazim al-Qudsi. 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.. Cohen was caught and eventually executed by Syrian authorities in 1965. After a few months, Eli was visited by George Salem Seif, a radio show host in charge of radio Damascus broadcast for Syrian abord. Eli Cohen's son, Shaul, was only 2 weeks old when he last saw his father. A memorial stone has been erected in the 'Garden of the Missing Soldiers' in Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, to commemorate him. In August 2008, Assad's former bureau chief, Monthir Maosily, revealed that Eli had been buried thrice and that Israel would never receive his body. In 1965, the Syrian secret service was on high alert. 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. [7][9] The Israel Defense Forces recruited him in 1957 and placed him in military intelligence, where he became a counter-intelligence analyst. Eli Cohen was born in Alexandria, Egypt, on December 26, 1924. The Syrians have consistently refused to do so. After Hafez became Prime Minister, Eli was even considered to be named the Syrian Deputy Minister of Defense. [5] He studied at Cairo Farouk University. If you've already watched all of The Spy and are curious to know more about Cohen, then these accounts of the real-life Cohen might make for curious reading. I send you my last kisses to you and to the children: Sophie, Irit, and Shaoul, and to the rest of my family, especially my mother. "It works with a range of international intelligence agencies,'' the NZSIS said in response. Periodically Eli would return to Israel to speak with his Israeli handlers and visit his wife and small children. But in 2018, Cohens watch was retrieved in a secret Mossad scheme. He escaped punishment due to lack of evidence. Eli was born Eliyahu Ben-Shaul Cohen, on December 26, 1924, in the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria, Egypt, into a staunch Jewish and Zionist family. He was quickly able to infiltrate the highest levels of Syrian society. [4] His father had moved there from Aleppo in 1914. 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. He has reached the apex of success, and it seems that there is no door he can't open. Its waters flow into the Sea of Galilee (the Kinneret) and south to the Dead Sea. . He soon became accepted, well-liked, and respected, and made contacts with politicians, diplomats and military officials working out of the Syrian Embassy. His new friends introduced Eli to top government officials, senior army officers, and leaders of the ruling party. . The Golan Heights defenses were top-secret and closed only to top military staff. In February 2007, a Turkish official assured assistance to Eli's family to get back his body. Despite this, however, Israeli intelligence asked him to return to Syria one more time. Eli expressed his fear and wish to terminate his assignment in Syria during his last visit to Israel in November 1964. He also held parties at his home for high-placed Syrian ministers, businessmen, and others. We may recall the Egyptian-Jewish spies from the Operation Susannah fiasco. It, however, did not change the situation. Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. Confused, he took the case to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, the official responsible for supervising New Zealand's two main intelligence agencies, telling him he could have solved the 53-year-old mystery. His work bored him and he attempted to join the Mossad, but he was offended when the Mossad rejected him, and he resigned from military counter-intelligence. [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. Over the years, Nadia has made several efforts to seek a bit of mercy from Syrian officials. Others have attributed the carelessness to an almost suicidal tendency perhaps, it was later surmised, he had been in the undercover world too long, but knew he couldnt get out of it. The melting winter snows produce a huge run-off of water which makes the Golan a beautifully verdant area in the late winter and spring and irrigates the Hula and Jordan Valleys below. I beg you my dear Nadia do not spend your life weeping for what has passed. Khalid al-Hafidh, a Syrian migrant living in Auckland, claims to be the son Amin al-Hafiz, a Syrian leader who presided over the country during Cohen's execution and his subsequent secret burial. 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 Look after them, raise them up and educate them well, and don't deprive them or yourself of anything. They had three children, Sophie, Irit, and Shai. This helped the army win the Six-Day War and capture the Golan Heights. Eli was caught in the act and there was nothing he could do. In real life, Cohen was only able to return to Israel a few times during his mission. [12][20][21] Cohen was able to find out that the Syrians planned to divert the Jordan River headwaters in an attempt to deprive Israel of water resources, providing information to Israeli forces that enabled them to destroy the equipment prepared for the task. Nadia still holds a grudge against the 'Mossad' handlers who had sent Eli to Syria, an action that had taken him away from her, forever. Incorrect password. I don't want to go to my death longing for my Eli to rest in the soil of the land that he loved and for which he gave his life. 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. From the creation of Israel through, the present day, Syria has been one, if not the most, implacable of Israels enemies. Fortunately, several were easy to spot, for they . Eli has been honored as an Israeli national hero, and many streets and neighborhoods have been named after him. How is it that you dare allow a stranger to read a classified document? he angrily asked Saif. In 1959, he married Nadia Majald, born circa 1935, [10] an Iraqi-Jewish immigrant and the sister of author Sami Michael. No film or video was previously known to exist of the execution. While there are reports that Cohen hosted parties that would devolve into orgies at his apartment, in order to gain the trust of high-level people in power, there's no concrete evidence that he played a role in the March 1963 coup. One day they took Eli to visit the Syrian positions along Israel's border. Eli Cohen was sent to Syria as an undercover agent, and he turned out to be the greatest spy to date. Concentrate on yourself, looking forward for a better future! Because of that, perhaps he just tired of the whole charade. also learned to identify the type and age of tanks, aircraft, and cannons. 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. At the end of 1961, Syria dissolved its union with Egypt, which had lasted a mere three years. Syria tortures him but he was still lying, his face was covered with wounds, his nail was pulled out. A New Zealander claiming to the son of a former Syrian president, says he knows the whereabouts of the executed Israeli spy's remains, according to a report on New Zealand news service Newshub on Sunday. Eli's wife Nadia, played by Hadar Ratzon Rotem, has to deal with raising two children without her husband, who disappears for up to a year at a time without being allowed to tell her what he's actually doing or even where he is. "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.