Fiyaz Mughal,Eli Cohens body must be returned to Israel, The JC, (Undated). Using Biton, Israel "fed" Egypt with false intelligence that reportedly contributed to the Six Day War victory. In 1963, during a business trip to Germany, he met Weltrude Scheffeldt, a divorcee, then 22 and with a small child, and married her. He was eventually exposed and captured by Syrian Intelligence in 1965, sentenced to death and hung at Damascus' main square. Eli was friends with two highly placed Army officers, Colonels Hatoum and Dali, who were fully informed about the scheme. In 1951, he was arrested and interrogated over his Jewish and Zionist activities that he was carrying out under the tutelage of Alexandria's chief rabbi. He had also participated in various Israeli furtive operations in the country during the 1950s. 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. Israeli foreign minister Golda Meir led a campaign urging Damascus to consider the consequences of hanging him. In 1957, Eli joined the Israel Defense Forces as a counterintelligence analyst and later applied for the Israeli intelligence agency 'Mossad,' which rejected him. 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. 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. But in 2018, Cohens watch was retrieved in a secret Mossad scheme. He was sentenced to death. 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. After three months, Eli spoke passable Spanish, knew Buenos Aires well, dressed, and behaved like thousands of Arab immigrants living in Buenos Aires. Eli Cohen's daughter Sofia Ben-Dor was excited about it because that is all they have. He also requested her to remarry so that their children would have a father and she would have a partner. . [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. He lasted until just July that year when he resigned in protest of the Ba'ath military committee executing dissenting rivals who tried to stage a coup for power. Al-Gamal, for his part, adopted the Jewish identity of Jacques Biton and immigrated to Israel from France on the orders of Egyptian intelligence. [8] His most famous achievement was the tour of the Golan Heights in which he collected intelligence on the Syrian fortifications there. After weeks of surveillance, he was finalized and was put to training. Israel could not survive without Jordan's water. I am writing you these last words, minutes before my end, with the hope that you stay together forever. Meanwhile, every few days he transmitted important information to his Israeli handlers via a radio transmitter he had hidden in his room. 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. Israel could not survive without Jordan's water. In February 1961 one man handed him an Israeli passport in his real name and a plane ticket to Zurich.on his arrival, Eli was met by a white-haired man who gave him a passport from another name, that passport carried an entry visa to chile and a transit visa to Argentina. At these parties, Cohen "dispensed free-flowing liquor and prostitutes",[1] and highly placed officials would openly discuss their work and army plans. It hurt. One of them was Colonel Amin al-Hafaz, a supporter of the secular-leftist Baath party. Eli kept transmitting reports of a military character, top military orders, reports on new weapons to Israel. "It works with a range of international intelligence agencies,'' the NZSIS said in response. He was sent to Argentina, where he took on the guise of a businessman, scion of a Syrian family. She has pleaded for years and is still waiting to receive Eli's body. The Syrian project to divert water from the headwaters of the Jordan away from Israel was mentioned already in the above introduction. Eli, who would feign intoxication, remained sober and listened carefully., In addition to providing loans to government officials and acting as an avid host, he was asked for advice by government officials, who were often intoxicated by the alcohol he freely provided. He genuinely fit into life in the Syrian capital, and he was never suspected of being a spy until almost the very end. It was approved by, The head of the presidency council on 17/5/1965, Top 10 Weakest Militaries in the World | The Bahamas, Central African Republic, The Gambia,Barbados, Somalia, Luxembourg military power, MiG-29 vs. Su-27: The Soviet Union's Two Top Fighters Went Head to Head in an East African Air War, Ravindra Kaushik RAW Agent ( Black Tiger) Wife, son, Death reason, | Facts about Ravindra Kaushik | Ravindra Kaushik Movie, Israel's Iron Dome Vs S-400 Russian Comparison, Price, Success Rate | Iron Dome vs S400 which is better, Top amazing facts about RAW and Agent : History, Foundation, Joining , Department of RAW, Eli Cohen Wife, Children | Israeli Spy biography | Last Letter to his wife and Children | Eli Cohen death writing translation | george seif syria. Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Chief of Staff Mordechai Gur, Defense Minister Ezer Weizmann, and many Mossad officials attended Eli's son's bar mitzvah in 1977. "Suddenly something changed there toward us. For 19 years, Jewish settlements in the north were under constant threat of Syrian guns. 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.". On May 18, 1965, Eli was publicly hanged at the Marjeh Square in Damascus, Syria. Cohen's astonishing undercover career lasted for four years. At this time the Ba'ath Party was illegal in Syria but the party seized power in 1963. Nadia, understandably, has remained fixated on her loss. 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. It doesnt fit our story but I understand the situation. The news spread everywhere that the Syrian leader is a spy, a president friend, a millionaire. Employment was not always steady, and he soon had to rely more on Nadia to help support their marriage, which would quickly lead to children. He would also lend money to government officials, and many came to him for advice. They had a son, Daniel, and after the Six Day War they celebrated his bar mitzvah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. He sent intelligence to Israel by radio, secret letters, and occasionally in person; he secretly traveled to Israel three times. Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. What is perhaps most amazing about Eli Cohen is that he was genuinely liked even loved by so many of the top Syrian leaders. In the 1970s, they left Israel for Germany and in 1982, al-Gamal, alias Jacques Biton, died of an illness. Syria brought hydraulic engineers and diversion equipment to actualize the scheme. Instead, he joined the Egyptian merchant marine and was involved in a number of scams, which resulted in his arrest by the Egyptian secret service in 1952. Warning: This article contains spoilers for all six episodes of The Spy. In January 1965, Syrian government officials announced that Eli is an Israeli spy. With senior staff officers acting as guides, Eli Cohen was provided an in-depth intelligence briefing of monumental proportions. They even photographed Eli on the Golan Heights, looking over into Israel, alongside the most high-ranking Syrian officers. Concentrate on yourself; look forward to a better future! After Hafez became Prime Minister, Eli was even considered to be named the Syrian Deputy Minister of Defense. Hafiz ordered Cohen's execution after he was convicted of espionage in 1965. To establish his cover, Cohen moved to Buenos Aires in 1961. The Spy's Widow // After many decades, Nadia Cohen is keeping the "Concentrate on yourself; look forward to a better future!". The following year, Syria found out about Cohen by tracing his intelligence transmissions to Israel. Cohen's widow, Nadia, said that following the report she appealed directly to Mossad chief Yossi Cohen, demanding answers as to why the deal did not go through. (PMO), Sacha Baron Cohen as Israeli spy Eli Cohen in The Spy (YouTube screenshot), Mossad spy Eli Cohen, executed in Syria in 1965. One of the most difficult tasks for Eli Cohen was to learn the intricate and unmistakable phonetic tune of Syrian Arabic; prior to his intelligence training, his Egyptian accent was undeniable. His trainer was an Iraqi-born Jew who had extensive experience training operatives in speaking Arabic and the traditions and Muslim customs. One of the ministrys directors entered the room unannounced. He took on the name Kamel Amin Thaabet and went to live in Argentina for some time to build a name for himself in the Syrian expat community. Concentrate on yourself; look forward to a better future!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 motherPlease pray for my soul. China Offering Cutting Edge Type 052D Destroyers For Export: Are Algeria and Russia its Most lIkely Clients? [9], In 1959, he married Nadia Majald, born circa 1935,[10] an Iraqi-Jewish immigrant and the sister of author Sami Michael. Based on the eucalyptus trees, Israel knew exactly where the Syrian fortifications were. Cohen later. their chief noticed that their decision taken by the government was broadcast to Israel. It was after Atassi resigned on July 27 that Hafiz was named president. Earlier communication between the alleged son and the intelligence agency reveals Al-Hafidh was adamant on receiving the money. 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. The six-part drama about Israeli spy Eli Cohen has gripped viewers and critics alike with its pulse-racing tale of espionage and a deceptively good dramatic performance by Sacha Baron Cohen, better known for his comedy work, as the Mossad agent. World leaders, wealthy individuals, the Israeli government, the pope, and others all intervened on his behalf. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/nadia-cohen-46980.php. Already a member? 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. Eli Cohen provided an incredible amount of intelligence data to the Israeli Army over a period of three years. Cohen was caught and eventually executed by Syrian authorities in 1965. In 1959, he married Nadia Majald, born circa 1935, [10] an Iraqi-Jewish immigrant and the sister of author Sami Michael. Altogether, he returned to Israel three times between 1962 and 1965. The president was ousted from power a year later in 1966. Periodically Eli would return to Israel to speak with his Israeli handlers and visit his wife and small children. Again, I. 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). It takes just a few seconds. Nadia, widow of Israeli spy Eli Cohen, reacts during an interview with Reuters in Herzliya, Israel October 6, 2019. . For a while, Cohen tried his hand at civilian life. Israel has for decades worked to retrieve his remains. He reminded me of my father sometimes, she added. Eli Cohen | My Jewish Learning This is adefinitive andfinal verdict. He became a confidante of George Saif, high up in the Ministry of Information. Eventually, they had three children: Sophie Ben-Dor, Irit Peleg, and Shai Cohen. Once registered, youll receive our Daily Edition email for free. 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 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.. Sacha Baron Cohen, the Mossad and Netflix. "I beg you my dear Nadia do not spend your life weeping for what has past," his final letter read. . For four years, Cohen posed as a Syrian textile businessman named Kamal Amin Thabet, first in Argentina and later in Damascus. A devout Jew, Cohen wore tefillin during prayer, in his youth he planned of becoming a Rabbi with the backup of Moise Ventura (1893-1978), Chief Rabbi of Alexandria but the Rabbinical School closed down. 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. Before leaving, Cohen assured his wife it would be his last trip before he returned home permanently. Cohen was then informed that Mossad had decided to recruit him and underwent an intensive six-month course at the Mossad training school. 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. Still Ben-Dor, who was four years old when her father was killed, said she was pleasantly surprised by actor Cohens portrayal. "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 Syria's Jewish community, in particular." Military Stories site will provide you the latest News related to military. Qudsi was ousted from power as a result of the March 8 coup, but Hafiz did not take power until months later. The watch is now on display at the 'Mossad' headquarters. 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. [18], Cohen made repeated visits to the southern frontier zone, providing photographs and sketches of Syrian positions. Before he was executed, Cohen met with a rabbi, as per his request, and sent his wife a letter. The condom was used as a timing tool for mixed chemicals and produce a minor burst of fire. Every morning, Eli would leave home and head for the Aman training center. In 1967, the Israelis were able to conquer the Golan Heights in two days in part due to the intelligence he provided. But he refused). 'The Spy' Creator Gideon Raff on the True, 'Heartbreaking' Love Story Eliyahu Ben-Shaul Cohen (Hebrew: , Arabic: ; 6 December 1924 18 May 1965), commonly known as Eli Cohen, was an Egyptian-born Israeli spy. 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. In 1954, Egyptian authorities arrested Eli for being a terror suspect. He was interrogated and tortured. Nadia Cohen - Life Story of Widow of Israeli Spy Eli Cohen - Facts Ninja become close friends. In the fifties, Israel had launched a project of huge pipeline and canals that would carry a part of the jorden river water to the arid Negev region. Nadia was told that Eli was working for the ministry of defense and would be completely safe. Al-Gamal rushed to inform his superiors that Thabet was none other than Eli Cohen, the Alexandrian Jew. 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. 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. he supplies Eli with inside information about the political and military situation. According to Scheffeldt, Cohen and al-Gamal were arrested together in 1954 and released shortly after. Thus, he wished to terminate his assignment in Syria. [15], Cohen moved to Damascus in February 1962 under the alias Kamel Amin Thaabet (Arabic: ). Eli Cohen was first sent to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to establish his cover as a Syrian emigre. In the name of the Syrian Arab people, The Military court has decided in its meeting which was held on Muharram 7th, 1385 - May 8th, 1965 to sentence Eliyahu Ben-Shaul Cohen, a resident of Tel Aviv in Occupied Palestine, to death for committing the following crimes: The crime of disguised entry into a military location. They warned me not to discuss the issue with Eli anymore and to share his secret with no one.". Nevertheless, Kamal Amin Taabet (Eli Cohen) succeeded in visiting every position. In February 2007, the Turkish government offered to act as a mediator for their return. She was told he would be completely safe, and she believed that until his capture in 1965. His successes couldn't be vocally shared with his family, however. Despite her criticism of the series, Ben-Dor said she understood why the shows creators took artistic license with her fathers story. [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.
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