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. Eli Cohen was born in Alexandria, Egypt, on December 26, 1924, the second of eight children in a family of orthodox Jews. Israel could be the target of an aggressive attack by a larger, better Egyptian army that wanted to avenge its shameful defect in the Israel Independence War. Before leaving, Cohen assured his wife it would be his last trip before he returned home permanently. Eli Cohen's daughter Sofia Ben-Dor was excited about it because that is all they have. Source:The Pedagogic Center, The Department for Jewish Zionist Education, The Jewish Agency for Israel, (c) 1992-2007. For his loyalties, Hafiz grooms Thaabet to be deputy defense minister in his government. Unlike other news outlets, we havent put up a paywall. 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. also learned to identify the type and age of tanks, aircraft, and cannons. China Offering Cutting Edge Type 052D Destroyers For Export: Are Algeria and Russia its Most lIkely Clients? Israeli intelligence was particularly excited about Cohen . Cohen was publicly hanged in the Marjeh Square in Damascus on 18 May 1965. Unfortunately, Nadia and her family are still waiting to get Elis body and have not made peace with it. They further said that the use of the term "partner" is generic and is applied to all those agencies with which we have contact. The highly vigilant Russian security experts, equipped with very sensitive technical intelligence-gathering equipment, pinpointed the source of the transmissions in the Syrian capital and it was Elis home. 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. 'Disturbing' footage emerges from famed Israeli spy's execution in become close friends. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/nadia-cohen-46980.php. Nadia, however, never remarried. Cohen was born in 1924 in Alexandria, Egypt to a devout Mizrahi Jewish and Zionist family. [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). one after the other 69 people were arrested. 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. At the end of 1961, Syria dissolved its union with Egypt, which had lasted a mere three years. 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. On January 25, 2000, Nadia presented a picture of a new postage stamp with Elis face, to Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, honoring her husband. 'The Spy' Creator Gideon Raff on the True, 'Heartbreaking' Love Story It takes just a few seconds. Israeli foreign minister Golda Meir led a campaign urging Damascus to consider the consequences of hanging him. At the age of 41, Cohen was hanged in Damascus in front of a crowd of 10,000. 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. They even started to organize a ceremony for Eli at the 'Mossad' headquarters in Glilot. [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. 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. They had three children, Sophie, Irit, and Shai. 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 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). one evening he met one gentleman, Abdel Latif Hassan, editor in chief of Arab world magazine publish in Argentina. 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.". Israel has for decades worked to retrieve his remains. This helped the army win the Six-Day War and capture the Golan Heights. Eli Cohen, Israels most famous spy, also happened to be a hopeless romantic. While undercover in Argentina in The Spy, Cohen struggles to resist drafting her notes, even if it puts him in danger. [27] Syrian authorities have repeatedly denied family requests for the remains. [26], Monthir Maosily, the former bureau chief of Hafez Al-Assad, claimed in August 2008 that the Syrians had buried him three times to stop the remains from being taken back to Israel via a special operation. 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. It is for these reasons Eli Cohen is known as Israels greatest spy. Kamal Amin Taabet (also called Tabas in some sources) was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to Syrian Muslim parents. Do you rely on The Times of Israel for accurate and insightful news on Israel and the Jewish world? They observed a period of radio silence, in the hope that any illegal transmissions could be identified. 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. At these parties, Cohen "dispensed free-flowing liquor and prostitutes",[1] and highly placed officials would openly discuss their work and army plans. In 1960, Cohen was approached by the Mossad for a mission in Syria. While Eli was not directly involved with the Operation Susannah spies, he was involved with pro-Israel activity, and he was brutally questioned by Egypts Intelligence Services. He worked as an accountant and translator. At Kfar Habad, on July 29, 1977, at the joint Bar Mitzvah for 100 fatherless boys, in the presence of Prime Minister. Eli himself was not above the spicier part of a spys life either. In 1961, Eli was sent to Buenos Aires in the guise of a Syrian textile businessman. [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. His first assignment was to infiltrate the Jewish community of Alexandria. Various reports say that Biton was unveiled and offered the option of becoming a double agent. For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members. Eli has been honored as an Israeli national hero, and many streets and neighborhoods have been named after him. They had a son, Daniel, and after the Six Day War they celebrated his bar mitzvah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. How is it that you dare allow a stranger to read a classified document? he angrily asked Saif. He is best known for his espionage work in 196165 in Syria, where he developed close relationships with the Syrian political and military hierarchy.[1][2][3]. All these years, I remained faithful to him. Steve Cohen's daughter Sophia splits from fianc - Page Six In the show, Cohenas Thaabetbefriends Hafiz in Buenos Aires and later in Damascus helps Hafiz's Ba'ath party seize power. He escaped punishment due to lack of evidence. Widow of Israeli spy Eli Cohen: 'When he was caught, something died But as with all fictional works that derive from real-life events, The Spy, perhaps for reasons ranging from time constraints to story relevance, omits some points in Cohen's story. Likud MK Eli Cohen Federation of Local Authorities conference in Tel Aviv, December 8, 2022. 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. This is adefinitive andfinal verdict. Eli was caught in the act and there was nothing he could do. Sacha Baron Cohen in 'The Spy' as Eli Cohen. In 1960, the national intelligence agency of Israel, 'Mossad,' approached Eli for a classified mission in Syria. 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. . The Syrians and their Russian advisers were alarmed by the intelligence that was seeping out of the country. He had an input into and an impact on Syrian national defense and was privy to almost all their secrets. your father and uncle opened a textile store, but it went bankrupt your father died in 1956 and six months later your mother died too. 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. Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. he goes abroad for business and meets Nadia and Sophie in Bat Yam. [6] Cohen spoke five languages fluently. The newly appointed Syrian intelligence colonel, Ahmed Su'edani, disliked Eli. Al-Gamal was born in 1927 and aspired to become an actor. Eli's first instructor Yitzhak learned to memorize things, he throws a dozen objects on the table and Eli observe them for a second and described them. Cohen later. Nadia believed it and went to see him off at the airport in 1961. 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. For two weeks Cohen was put under surveillance and was judged suitable for recruitment and training. Warning: This post contains spoilers for The Spy. By Lianne Back. 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. 'I know where Eli Cohen is buried,' says alleged son of ex - ynetnews From 1948 until 1967, Syria firing mortar shells from the Syrian occupied Golan Heights into the Jewish settlements of the Upper Galilee below. 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.". Ben-Dor was pessimistic that Israel would soon be able to retrieve her fathers body from Syria. His training was extensive and exhaustive. On August 31, 1959, he married a beautiful Iraqi-born Jew, Nadia Majald. ", "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? [18], Cohen made repeated visits to the southern frontier zone, providing photographs and sketches of Syrian positions. 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. The purposes of that visit were to pass on intelligence and to enable him to witness the birth of his third child. Eli visited other Arab friends as Abdel Latif Hassan and his briefcase was full of enthusiastic letters of recommendation. He was supposed to stay in Buenos Aires as a Syrian migr businessman named Kamal Amin Taabet. But within a month he had lost his Tel Aviv-based accountancy job. 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. 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. Eli Cohen was first sent to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to establish his cover as a Syrian emigre. [34], The Israeli settlement Eliad on the Golan Heights is named for him.[35]. His new friends introduced Eli to top government officials, senior army officers, and leaders of the ruling party. Last year, Israel was able to retrieve Cohens wristwatch from Syria and return it to his family. Incorrect password. In a display of generosity, the tabet contributed some money to build a public kitchen for the poor of Damascus. Cohen would pretend to be drunk to encourage such conversations, to which he paid close attention. When the Baath took power in 1963, Eli was firmly entrenched in Syrian high society. Double Agent's Widow Offers New Take on Eli Cohen Affair Nadia, understandably, has remained fixated on her loss. [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. The new Ba'ath government initially installed Lu'ay al-Atassi as president in March 1963. Please try again or choose an option below. 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. What Netflix's 'The Spy' Gets Wrong About Eli Cohen