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. 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. Eliyahu (Eli) Cohen, an Egyptian Jew, was born in Alexandria in 1924. But within a month he had lost his Tel Aviv-based accountancy job. The watch is now on display at the 'Mossad' headquarters. But he spent most of his time in Tel Aviv perfecting his cover and being briefed on Amans requirements of him in Syria, as well as last-minute intelligence data needed for his mission. His success in effectively penetrating the Syrian social and political/diplomatic/military strata already wildly exceeded Amans expectations of him, Cohen arrived in Damascus in February 1962, posing as a businessman from Argentina who had returned to his native land. As we saw, the Syrians continually harassed Israels northern settlements from 1948-67. But it . 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? The new Ba'ath government initially installed Lu'ay al-Atassi as president in March 1963. Eli did go back to Syria, but his behavior changed. "I am the son of the only person on this planet who knows where the remains are buried," he told Newshub in an interview. This is adefinitive andfinal verdict. At Kfar Habad, on July 29, 1977, at the joint Bar Mitzvah for 100 fatherless boys, in the presence of Prime Minister. 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. It, however, did not change the situation. try to make as many friends as possible, and establish contact with Arab leaders. Eli was, however, taken in by 'Mossad' when Director-General Meir Amit was in search of a special agent to infiltrate the Syrian government. At the age of 41, Cohen was hanged in Damascus in front of a crowd of 10,000. 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.. Cohen was released because he was not linked with the underground. I understand and respect [it], she said in a separate interview earlier Sunday with the network. Thank you, David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel, 2023 The Times of Israel , All Rights Reserved, Sophie Ben-Dor (Screen capture: Channel 12 News), This undated photo shows Israeli spy Eli Cohen in Syria wearing a wristwatch recovered by the Mossad in 2018. 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. "I have passed your response to our partners and am waiting for a reply," said the agent. Concentrate on yourself, looking forward for a better future! Israel could not survive without Jordan's water. 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. Still, the memory of those domestic joys sustains Cohen while hes away. 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. 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. 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 cooperation brings significant benefits to New Zealand's national security, we help them (Mossad), and they help us," they added. 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.. Al-Gamal was born in 1927 and aspired to become an actor. "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." [29] Mossad director Yossi Cohen presented it to Cohen's family in a ceremony, and it is currently on display at Mossad headquarters. For two weeks Cohen was put under surveillance and was judged suitable for recruitment and training. 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 could watch the entrance to the Syrian government officials' guest house. Look after them, raise them up and educate them well, and don't deprive them or yourself of anythingDo what you must, don't deprive the children of a father. The transmissions became longer as well. Cohen wasnt allowed tell anyone of the plans and told his wife that he was working abroad for Israels Defense Ministry. In January 1965, Syrian security services broke into Eli's apartment, where he was caught while he was escaping to Israel. In the 1987 TV movie 'The Impossible Spy,' Michal Bat-Adam portrayed Nadia, while in the 2019 'Netflix' series 'The Spy,' Hadar Ratzon-Rotem played her, with Sacha Baron Cohen as Eli. Spy Eli Cohen Wife Love Story, American History Has Been Whitewashed, But, Black Teen Girls On TV Are A Mess Finally. Show creator Gideon Raff's limited series has brought renewed attention to the life and work of Eli Cohen. He also held parties at his home for high-placed Syrian ministers, businessmen, and others. Eli Cohen was the man for the job. 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. In exchange for his freedom, he agreed to work for Egypt's intelligence service. 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. But what happened next apparently deviates from the way it appears in the show. Do you rely on The Times of Israel for accurate and insightful news on Israel and the Jewish world? On April 15, 2019, a few Israeli news agencies published unconfirmed reports of Eli's remains being recovered in Syria and stated that the remains were with a Russian delegation. In February 1962, Cohen moved to Damascus. 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. 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. 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. [12][16], In 2016, a Syrian group calling itself "Syrian art treasures" posted a video on Facebook showing Cohen's body after his execution. As the Syrian Army officer explained to Eli the fortifications the Syrian Army had built, Eli suggested that the Syrians plant trees there to deceive the Israelis into thinking it was unfortified, as well as to provide shade and beauty for the soldiers stationed there. 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. The news spread everywhere that the Syrian leader is a spy, a president friend, a millionaire. Today, one can see the former Syrian bunkers that remain on the Golan Heights from 1967 (as well as the tanks from 1973). They married in 1959, a month after meeting, and had three children together. 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. After some months, Abdel Latif Hassan introduces Eli to General Amin El-Hafez, the military attache at the embassy. It went wrong, really wrong," he said. 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. [7] Cohen is married, has four children and lives in Holon. 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. What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Eli was brutally tortured and interrogated before he was publicly hanged on May 18, 1965, at the Marjeh Square in Damascus. Elis friendship with Amin al-Hafez proved very valuable. Altogether, he returned to Israel three times between 1962 and 1965. 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.Even today Syria refuses to return his body for burial in Israel. 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. Eli Cohen was born in Egypt in 1924 to Jewish parents, who had migrated to Alexandria from Syria. He says the spies wanted him to try and talk to his father's close friends or provide insight. they let him see fortification and the bunkers, weapon concentrated in the area, and their offensive plans.l lieutenant. 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. [30], Cohen has become a national hero in Israel, and many streets and neighborhoods have been named for him. The 2019 'Netflix' miniseries 'The Spy' had actor Sacha Baron Cohen portraying Eli. [2], A 2018 article published in Newsweek by Ronen Bergman excerpted from Bergman's book Rise and Kill First, says that Eli Cohen located Alois Brunner, a Nazi scientist suspected of living in Syria, and relayed the information to an Israel intelligence unit that later sent letter bombs to Brunner. He did not object, in fact, to the idea of a ladies man reputation. 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. He emigrated to Israel with the assistance of the Jewish Agency. Israel could not survive without Jordan's water. Eli Cohen provided an incredible amount of intelligence data to the Israeli Army over a period of three years. They further said that the use of the term "partner" is generic and is applied to all those agencies with which we have contact. Nadia, however, never remarried. Kamal Amin Taabet (also called Tabas in some sources) was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to Syrian Muslim parents. Fortunately, several were easy to spot, for they . Nine months later, in late 1961, Eli came back to Israel for a visit with his wife Nadia. You're not alone. In 1965, the Syrian secret service was on high alert. Source:The Pedagogic Center, The Department for Jewish Zionist Education, The Jewish Agency for Israel, (c) 1992-2007. In the interview, she said that her husband left behind memoirs, notes and other evidence. His family is now settled in Bat Yam. Nevertheless, Kamal Amin Taabet (Eli Cohen) succeeded in visiting every position. children: Irit Cohen, Shai Cohen, Sophie Cohen, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxhaPGREa74. The daughter of legendary Israeli spy Eli Cohen said Sunday "it hurt" to watch the new Netflix series about her father's life and execution in Syria, lamenting some historical inaccuracies in. Syria brought hydraulic engineers and diversion equipment to actualize the scheme. While there, he gained the trust of Amin al-Hafez, who would later become Syrias president. Cohen would then send intelligence back to Israel using a hidden radio transmitter. I want him (Yossi Cohen) to clarify what hapepned," said the 84-year-old. Later, visiting his sister-in-law, Cohen's wife Nadia, he notices that she has a brand new Singer sewing machine in her home. [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. Once registered, youll receive our Daily Edition email for free. The Golan is not only important for its military significance. I give you my blessing. 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. A memorial stone has been erected in the 'Garden of the Missing Soldiers' in Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, to commemorate him. 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. He was eventually exposed and captured by Syrian Intelligence in 1965, sentenced to death and hung at Damascus' main square. But Sophie was born without seeing his father. After several days, Eli got a new identity as. In his late teens, Cohen became an ardent Zionist and at the same time, as . Saif calmly replied, Theres nothing to worry about. "Sophie's. Cohens contacts, nurtured through a string of lavish dinner parties, social occasions, and friendships with those in high places, led to invitations to visit Damascus and to set up a business venture there. The drunk guests would often end up blabbing about their work to Cohen, who was sober but would pretend to be intoxicated. He became a confidante of George Saif, high up in the Ministry of Information. 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 started transmitting his message to Israel daily at 8 a.m. After six months kamal Amin tabet become well known. They had a son, Daniel, and after the Six Day War they celebrated his bar mitzvah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Ben-Dor was pessimistic that Israel would soon be able to retrieve her fathers body from Syria. Israeli spy who was captured and executed in Syria, that enabled them to destroy the equipment prepared for the task, "Israel's Secret Operation to Recover the Watch of a Legendary Spy", "Rumors fly that body of legendary Israeli spy Eli Cohen was found", "Eli Cohen, notre agent "top secret" Damas", "Mossad's master of deception: the astounding true story of Israeli super-spy Eli Cohen", Widow of Israeli spy Eli Cohen: Netflix drama 'raises my blood pressure', "Unending agony for legendary spy Eli Cohen and his widow", "Israel's secret war against Hitler's scientists", "The History of Elie Cohen: An Egyptian Jew who became Israel's greatest spy", "Will Israel's superspy finally rest in peace? All these years, I remained faithful to him. Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. Cohen later. "I was cooperating with the New Zealand Secret Intelligence Service, in cooperation with the Mossad, in order to help find the remains of the Israeli spy Eli Cohen," he said. Cohen was then informed that Mossad had decided to recruit him and underwent an intensive six-month course at the Mossad training school. Eli Cohenhad 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. Two of them were Abraham and Maurice. If so, please join The Times of Israel Community. 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. In 1954, the British pull out of Egypt completely. Various reports say that Biton was unveiled and offered the option of becoming a double agent. Last year, Israel was able to retrieve Cohens wristwatch from Syria and return it to his family. Israel has for decades worked to retrieve his remains. Intelligence officers who investigated the issue offered two possibilities: The first is that it was Egyptian intelligence that identified Cohen and gave him up to the Syrians; the second, which is considered more probable, is that the demand for information was so great that frequent communications via radio to Mossad headquarters exposed Cohen to Syrian counterintelligence. The agent replied: "Will do, thanks K". They warned me not to discuss the issue with Eli anymore and to share his secret with no one.". Please try again or choose an option below. Abdel Latif Hassan immediately wrote four letters one to his brother-in-law, two to friends in Beirut, and fourth to his son in Damascus. Warning: This post contains spoilers for The Spy. become close friends. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/eli-cohen-16869.php. Eli Cohen was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and moved to Israel in 1957. He worked as an accountant. Cohen had aided the unit and was implicated, but they found no link between him and the perpetrators. click the link in that email to complete your registration. After several days, Eli got a new identity as Kamal Amin Tablet, son of Syrian parents, born in Beirut. What is perhaps most amazing about Eli Cohen is that he was genuinely liked even loved by so many of the top Syrian leaders. Eli was, however, persuaded continuously by Israeli intelligence agencies to return to Syria. One day in 1960 Israeli Intelligence approached him about working for them again. On May 15, 1965, Eli wrote a final letter to Nadia, requesting her not to mourn his death and stating that she should hold her head high, as her husband had done nothing wrong. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the Israeli ambassador, Itzhak Gerberg, would not comment on the report. During their exchange, Cohen signs off by asking, "Did N get the Singer?" While undercover in Argentina in The Spy, Cohen struggles to resist drafting her notes, even if it puts him in danger. Spouse/Ex-: Eli Cohen (m. 1959-1965) children: Irit Cohen, Shai Cohen, Sophie Cohen Born Country: Iraq Family Members Iraqi Female Life with Eli Nadia (born Nadia Majald) is an Iraqi Jew who got married to Eli on August 31, 1959. Syrian security services led by Suidani broke into Cohen's apartment on 24 January and caught him in the middle of a transmission to Israel. 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. Recalling Elis final days, Nadia states he was in Bat Yam, with her and the three babies. He was driven to the airport, where his wife Nadia saw him off. one evening he met one gentleman, Abdel Latif Hassan, editor in chief of Arab world magazine publish in Argentina. 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. you lived with your uncle and worked as a travel agency, later were very successful. He sent intelligence to Israel by radio, secret letters, and occasionally in person; he secretly traveled to Israel three times. In 1957, Eli joined the Israel Defense Forces as a counterintelligence analyst and later applied for the Israeli intelligence agency 'Mossad,' which rejected him. Nadia, understandably, has remained fixated on her loss. 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.". Recruitment into the Mossad. Cohen was caught and eventually executed by Syrian authorities in 1965. 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. He arrived in Israel on February 8, 1957. In February 2007, the Turkish government offered to act as a mediator for their return. 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. 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. 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 had three brothers. . "Concentrate on yourself; look forward to a better future!". Scheffeldt, 63, is the widow of Rifa'at al-Gamal, an Egyptian spy who reportedly operated in Israel for a number of years. Kamal Amin Tabet hosted a glamorous party in Damascus, several ministers, a large number of general and colonel, top leaders of the Baath party, businessmen. 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. 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. 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. Eli Cohen was born in Alexandria, Egypt, on December 26, 1924. [9], In 1959, he married Nadia Majald, born circa 1935,[10] an Iraqi-Jewish immigrant and the sister of author Sami Michael. The TV film 'The Impossible Spy' (1987) chronicled Eli's life. Incorrect password. In early 1961, Chaim Herzog, Chief of Military Intelligence and later president of Israel, signed the document authorizing Cohens use as a spy. Eli Cohen was born in Alexandria, Egypt, on December 26, 1924, the second of eight children in a family of orthodox Jews. [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. At these parties, Cohen "dispensed free-flowing liquor and prostitutes",[1] and highly placed officials would openly discuss their work and army plans.