Syria tortures him but he was still lying, his face was covered with wounds, his nail was pulled out. Download our mobile app for on-the-go access to the Jewish Virtual Library, Cohen publicly hanged in the Marjeh Square, The Pedagogic Center, The Department for Jewish Zionist Education, The Jewish Agency for Israel, 1998 - 2023 American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. His fathers name was Amin Taabet, and his mothers Saadia Ibrahim. In 1960, Cohen was recruited to be part of a dangerous mission to Syria. 'I know where Eli Cohen is buried,' says alleged son of ex - ynetnews 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. In January 1965, Syrian security services broke into Eli's apartment, where he was caught while he was escaping to Israel. I beg you my dear Nadia do not spend your life weeping for what has passed. [29] Mossad director Yossi Cohen presented it to Cohen's family in a ceremony, and it is currently on display at Mossad headquarters. Even today Syria refuses to return his body for burial in Israel. In February 2007, a Turkish official assured assistance to Eli's family to get back his body. one evening he met one gentleman, Abdel Latif Hassan, editor in chief of Arab world magazine publish in Argentina. 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. Eli expressed his fear and wish to terminate his assignment in Syria during his last visit to Israel in November 1964. He made friends who moved in highly influential Syrian circles, transmitting his findings back to Israel via radio. 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. The unit bombed unoccupied American and British installations, expecting that this would be considered the work of Egyptians. Eli Cohen, at 29, offered his services to the Israeli Intelligence Services but was rebuked twice. Cohen established his contact quickly, his letter of recommendation opened the gates to high society. "- From Eli Cohen's last letter to his wife Nadia and his children, written an hour before his execution in Damascus. For more than 50 years, Nadia has fought to have her husbands body returned to Israel. One day they took Eli to visit the Syrian positions along Israel's border. The watch is now on display at the 'Mossad' headquarters. Its unfamiliar to me, this form of expression in a global television series. Cohen heads to Germany to discuss Iran uranium enrichment, IRGC Eli Cohen was now a member of the inner circle of power. Hes a trusted friend.. She was told he would be completely safe, and she believed that until his capture in 1965. Nadia Cohen Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life, Achievements 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. 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.. The 2019 'Netflix' miniseries 'The Spy' had actor Sacha Baron Cohen portraying Eli. Eli's second instructor Yehuda taught him how to use a small, sophisticated radio transmitter. - From Eli Cohen's last letter to his wife Nadia and his children, written an hour before his execution in Damascus. He was a legend," I declare. 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 1949, his parents and three brothers moved to Israel while Eli remained in Egypt to coordinate Jewish and Zionist activities there. Israel could not survive without Jordan's water. Meir even appealed to the Soviet Union. They had a son, Daniel, and after the Six Day War they celebrated his bar mitzvah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. It went wrong, really wrong," he said. She understood from him that he would be working for the Ministry of Defense, but she didnt know where or in what capacity. He would entertain high-ranking politicians and military officials at extravagant parties where there would be many women and lots of booze. From 1948 until 1967, Syria firing mortar shells from the Syrian occupied Golan Heights into the Jewish settlements of the Upper Galilee below. they carry out several bombings in Cairo and Alexandria, targeting libraries and cultural centers, cinemas, post offices. But Sophie was born without seeing his father. He ultimately complied. He had three brothers. Elis connections enabled him to be taken to the Golan Heights a major strategic asset for Syria from 1948-67. Concentrate on yourself, looking forward for a better future! Speaking to Cohen's brother, and to Israeli and Syrian intelligence experts, Sputnik has pieced together a new look at the superspy's incredible life story. I understand and respect [it], she said in a separate interview earlier Sunday with the network. On his last visit, in 1964, he told intelligence officers he wanted to come in from the cold because he was concerned a new Syrian intelligence commander did not like him. Still Ben-Dor, who was four years old when her father was killed, said she was pleasantly surprised by actor Cohens portrayal. In real life, Cohen was only able to return to Israel a few times during his mission. 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. Text messages sent from an NZSIS agent called "Carl" appear to show him brokering a deal. The True Story Behind The Spy on Netflix | Time Irit does not know her father. [9], Syria refused to return Cohen's body to his family in Israel, and his wife Nadia sent a letter to Amin al-Hafiz in November 1965 asking his forgiveness for Cohen's actions and requesting his remains. 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. I beg you my dear Nadia do not spend your life weeping for what has passed. The Spy is streaming globally on Netflix. He then underwent a show trial, like the Operation Susannah spies had in Egypt 12 years before., Like them, his verdict was predetermined. Cohen was publicly hanged in the Marjeh Square in Damascus on 18 May 1965. After several days, Eli got a new identity as. . 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. 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. A year later your sister dies.in 1947 all of you arrived in Argentina. You're not alone. Cohen was released because he was not linked with the underground. 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. [19] He also learned of a secret plan to create three successive lines of bunkers and mortars; the Israel Defense Forces would otherwise have expected to encounter only a single line. But what happened next apparently deviates from the way it appears in the show. After three months, Eli spoke passable Spanish, knew Buenos Aires well, dressed, and behaved like thousands of Arab immigrants living in Buenos Aires. Cohen had aided the unit and was implicated, but they found no link between him and the perpetrators. It is for these reasons Eli Cohen is known as Israels greatest spy. Eli was, however, persuaded continuously by Israeli intelligence agencies to return to Syria. 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. [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). She also said she understood and respected the show. In a February 2006 interview with Jewish Magazine, Maurice Cohen said that he informed his brother that he knew he was "our man in Damascus" in an intriguing way, rather than outright confronting him as seen in The Spy. 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. Using Biton, Israel "fed" Egypt with false intelligence that reportedly contributed to the Six Day War victory. For two weeks Cohen was put under surveillance and was judged suitable for recruitment and training. 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. Eli Cohen's daughter Sofia Ben-Dor was excited about it because that is all they have. This is adefinitive andfinal verdict. 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. On 29 December 2022, Cohen was sworn in as Foreign Minister alongside a new government, and will rotate the position with Israel Katz. also learned to identify the type and age of tanks, aircraft, and cannons. It, however, did not change the situation. Syria brought hydraulic engineers and diversion equipment to actualize the scheme. [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. Eli Cohen - Wikipedia Eli was caught in the act and there was nothing he could do. Eli Cohen was sent to Syria as an undercover agent, and he turned out to be the greatest spy to date. But the intelligence officers convinced him to go back one last time. Before leaving, Cohen assured his wife it would be his last trip before he returned home permanently. 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. 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. 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. Sacha Baron Cohen, the Mossad and Netflix. Al-Gamal rushed to inform his superiors that Thabet was none other than Eli Cohen, the Alexandrian Jew. Haaretz.com, the online English edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, gives you breaking news, analyses and opinions about Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World. 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. In January 1947, he was enlisted in the Egyptian army as an alternative to paying the mandatory sum that all young Jews had to pay. Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. Some attributed this to a sense of cockiness (despite the fears he had expressed in November 1964), due to the ability and ease he had moved about in the highest echelons of Syrian power. All these years, I remained faithful to him. She has pleaded for years and is still waiting to receive Eli's body. "Soon after, my commanding officers summoned me to my base and informed me that Eli had spoken to them about the phone number incident. Again, I. Military Stories site will provide you the latest News related to military. But his knowledge of the Arab language and Arab culture, as well as prior work in espionage in Egypt, made him a good candidate for the Mossad. In March 1963, General Hafez, Eli's friend was appointed minister of defense in salah Al-Birat's cabinet. 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. "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." 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. Despite being away from home for months at a time, he fathered three children, Sophie, Irit and Shai. 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. Decades after the Eli Cohen affair there are still many questions, some minor, others major - among them, the way in which Syrian counterintelligence identified the Israeli spy (from the archive). They were caught spying for Israel in 1953 and some of them were hanged. She smiles. After some months, Abdel Latif Hassan introduces Eli to General Amin El-Hafez, the military attache at the embassy. he soon became a well-known figure in the Arab circle. His graduate report stated that he had all the qualities needed to become a katsa, or field agent. 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. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen heads to Germany Tuesday as part of Israel's campaign to halt Iran's . He was interrogated and tortured. In a display of generosity, the tabet contributed some money to build a public kitchen for the poor of Damascus. 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. On September 20, 2016, an unknown Syrian group named 'Syrian Art Treasures' posted a 'Facebook' video showing Eli's body after his execution.