The actor and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has a . Thats when he met Nadia Majald, an Iraqi-born Jewish woman who lived near his brother and his wife. By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. he supplies Eli with inside information about the political and military situation. Despite being away from home for months at a time, he fathered three children, Sophie, Irit and Shai. you lived with your uncle and worked as a travel agency, later were very successful. He continued his social life, spending a lot of time in cafes listening to political gossip. After several days, Eli got a new identity as Kamal Amin Tablet, son of Syrian parents, born in Beirut. Israel attacked the project serval time later they abandon the project in 1965. He made friends who moved in highly influential Syrian circles, transmitting his findings back to Israel via radio. [6] Cohen spoke five languages fluently. 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 Cohen: The Untold Story of the wife of Eli Cohen 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 daughter of legendary Israeli spy Eli Cohen said Sunday it hurt to watch the new Netflix series about her fathers life and execution in Syria, lamenting some historical inaccuracies in the adaptation but praising Sacha Baron Cohens performance. Eli Cohen was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and moved to Israel in 1957. Cohen was arrested in January 1965 while transmitting to his handlers. Warning: This post contains spoilers for The Spy. 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. They married in 1959, a month after meeting, and had three children together. The leading figure in the break-in was the head of Syrian Intelligence, Colonel Ahmed Suedani Elis nemesis. (Haim Zach/GPO). 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. He sent intelligence to Israel by radio, secret letters, and occasionally in person; he secretly traveled to Israel three times. In 1954, Egyptian authorities arrested Eli for being a terror suspect. The information he had been providing them for years was too good to forego. During their exchange, Cohen signs off by asking, "Did N get the Singer?" HERZLIYA, Israel (Reuters) - A Netflix drama about Israeli spy Eli Cohen, who infiltrated the Syrian government in the 1960s and was later executed, has received a . Based on the eucalyptus trees, Israel knew exactly where the Syrian fortifications were. 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. [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. . Eli Cohen was first sent to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to establish his cover as a Syrian emigre. Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Defense Minister Ezer Weizmann, Chief of Staff Mordechai Gur, and several Mossad operatives all attended his son's Bar Mitzvah in 1977. They even started to organize a ceremony for Eli at the 'Mossad' headquarters in Glilot. 'I know where Eli Cohen is buried,' says alleged son of ex - ynetnews The TV film 'The Impossible Spy' (1987) chronicled Eli's life. "Their ages range from four and a half to 32." "You must be very proud," I offer. They had a son, Daniel, and after the Six Day War they celebrated his bar mitzvah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. soon Israel's tanks and cannon riposted with heavy fire, and minutes later mirage pounded the Syrian position and blasted the cannon of Syria that was dug. Eli Cohen, at 29, offered his services to the Israeli Intelligence Services but was rebuked twice. Cohen was born in 1924 in Alexandria, Egypt to a devout Mizrahi Jewish and Zionist family. He had three brothers. [24], Following the 1963 Syrian coup d'tat, newly appointed Syrian Intelligence Colonel Ahmed Suidani disliked Cohen and did not trust figures close to the Second Syrian Republic. In November that year, Nadia, wrote to Syrian politician and former president of Syria (19712000) Hafez al-Assad, asking him to forgive Eli and requesting him to hand over her husbands remains. Cohen accepted the calling. He was convicted in a trial without a defense and sentenced to death. The Spy's Widow // After many decades, Nadia Cohen is keeping the Eli kept transmitting reports of a military character, top military orders, reports on new weapons to Israel. 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. He would entertain high-ranking politicians and military officials at extravagant parties where there would be many women and lots of booze. Cohen heads to Germany to discuss Iran uranium enrichment, IRGC But in 2018, Cohens watch was retrieved in a secret Mossad scheme. In real life, the closeness between Hafiz and Cohen has been disputed by the former president of Syria, who claimed in a 2001 interview with Al Jazeera that they couldn't have met in Buenos Aires because Hafiz was in Moscow until 1962, by which time Cohen had gone undercover as Thaabet in Damascus. His new friends introduced Eli to top government officials, senior army officers, and leaders of the ruling party. His last wish was to see a rabbi. Hence, Nissim Andabo, the elderly chief rabbi of Syria accompanied him to Marjeh Square.. But within a month he had lost his Tel Aviv-based accountancy job. Egyptian authorities uncovered the spy ring and sentenced two of the members to death. Even today Syria refuses to return his body for burial in Israel. Cohen's astonishing undercover career lasted for four years. One day in 1960 Israeli Intelligence approached him about working for them again. Israel has for decades worked to retrieve his remains. He was driven to the airport, where his wife Nadia saw him off. He became a confidante of George Saif, high up in the Ministry of Information. They were caught spying for Israel in 1953 and some of them were hanged. [34], The Israeli settlement Eliad on the Golan Heights is named for him.[35]. Israeli foreign minister Golda Meir led a campaign urging Damascus to consider the consequences of hanging him. Still, Israeli Intelligence asked him to return to Syria one more time. For his loyalties, Hafiz grooms Thaabet to be deputy defense minister in his government. Nevertheless, Kamal Amin Taabet (Eli Cohen) succeeded in visiting every position. 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. Sacha Baron Cohen, the Mossad and Netflix. [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. 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. The Syrians and their Russian advisers were alarmed by the intelligence that was seeping out of the country. In 'The Spy,' Sacha Baron Cohen Gets Serious : NPR It also provides 30% of Israels water sources. He organized several protest campaigns against the British rule. He had been repeatedly interrogated and tortured. 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. These skills were instrumental in ensuring the safety and survival of one Kamal Amin Taabet: Eli Cohens new identity. Eli Cohen was born in Alexandria, Egypt, on December 26, 1924. he soon became a well-known figure in the Arab circle. Its waters flow into the Sea of Galilee (the Kinneret) and south to the Dead Sea. 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. Why Mossad's Retrieval of Eli Cohen's Watch Matters - SOFREP Eli Cohen The Most Successful Name in The History of Espionage For a while, Cohen tried his hand at civilian life. Israeli intelligence was particularly excited about Cohen . To establish his cover, Cohen moved to Buenos Aires in 1961. It takes just a few seconds. As a young adult, he worked within Egypt to secretly assist other Egyptian Jews in emigrating to Israel. He also held parties at his home, which turned into orgies for high-placed Syrian ministers, businessmen, and others, who used Elis apartment for assignations with various women, including Defense Ministry secretaries, airline hostesses, and Syrian singing stars. At these parties such highly-placed officials would talk freely of their work and army plans. 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. For four years, Cohen posed as a Syrian textile businessman named Kamal Amin Thabet, first in Argentina and later in Damascus. 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? He emigrated to Israel with the assistance of the Jewish Agency. After the Israel Independence War In 1954, the British pull out of Egypt completely. Concentrate on yourself; look forward to a better future! Because of that, perhaps he just tired of the whole charade. His wife, Nadia, would be left a widow with three very young children. It was hard to see the distance from the truth in some parts of the series, Sophie Ben-Dor said in an interview with Channel 12 news. The condom was used as a timing tool for mixed chemicals and produce a minor burst of fire. She smiles. ", "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? 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. "We have six grandchildren," she says with pride as she points to a family photo on the wall. children: Irit Cohen, Shai Cohen, Sophie Cohen, place of death: Al Marjeh Square, Damascus, Syria, See the events in life of Eli Cohen in Chronological Order, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubQ6b-9OewI, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ9cUmvkgmg. He became far less careful in his transmissions to Israel, sometimes calling once or even twice a day and almost always at the same time, at 8:30 in the morning. This material may not be republished without the permission of the copyright owner. Following Israel's independence in 1949, when Jewish families were leaving Egypt, Eli stayed back to finish his electronics degree. Israel desperately tried to have his sentence commuted, and despite requests from world leaders and Pope Paul VI for clemency, Cohen was hanged publicly in May of that year. Eli Cohenalso learned to identify the type and age of tanks, aircraft, and cannons. [18], Cohen made repeated visits to the southern frontier zone, providing photographs and sketches of Syrian positions. 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 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. One day they took Eli to visit the Syrian positions along Israel's border. In January 1965, Syrian security officers broke into Elis apartment while he was in the middle of his escape to Israel. I am writing you these last words, minutes before my end, with the hope that you stay together forever. China Offering Cutting Edge Type 052D Destroyers For Export: Are Algeria and Russia its Most lIkely Clients? His graduate report stated that he had all the qualities needed to become a katsa, or field agent. Nadia and 'Mossad' were on bad terms until Meir Dagan was made the agencys chief. The 2019 'Netflix' miniseries 'The Spy' had actor Sacha Baron Cohen portraying Eli. Elis friendship with Amin al-Hafez proved very valuable. For two weeks Cohen was put under surveillance and was judged suitable for recruitment and training. 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. Nadia, however, never remarried. 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. It could not let Syria succeed and planning a response. Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. Qudsi was ousted from power as a result of the March 8 coup, but Hafiz did not take power until months later. In 1963, during a business trip to Germany, he met Weltrude Scheffeldt, a divorcee, then 22 and with a small child, and married her. Unlike other news outlets, we havent put up a paywall. At times before the civil war, the Syrians used Israels northern border with Lebanon to harass Israel the way they used to from the Golan Heights. Eli studied at a local Jewish community school and then attended the 'University of Alexandria' to study electrical engineering. Nadia (born Nadia Majald) is an Iraqi Jew who got married to Eli on August 31, 1959. Nadia Cohen attempted to appeal for clemency at the Syrian Embassy in Paris but was turned away. I beg my wife to forgive me, to take care of herself and our children. But even after four decades, there are still many questions related to the Eli Cohen affair, some minor, others major - among them, the way in which Syrian counterintelligence identified the Israeli spy. Eli Cohen was sent to Syria as an undercover agent, and he turned out to be the greatest spy to date. Eli Cohen's son, Shaul, was only 2 weeks old when he last saw his father. But an interview published in the Cairo Times yesterday with the German-born Weltrude Scheffeldt-Biton suggests that Egyptian intelligence played the most important role in unmasking Cohen. [9], Cohen continued his social life as he had in Argentina, spending time in cafes listening to political gossip. Nadia Cohen - Life Story of Widow of Israeli Spy Eli Cohen - Facts Ninja Later, visiting his sister-in-law, Cohen's wife Nadia, he notices that she has a brand new Singer sewing machine in her home. Eli Cohen Wife, Children | Israeli Spy biography | Last Letter to his The newly appointed Syrian intelligence colonel, Ahmed Su'edani, disliked Eli. [5] He studied at Cairo Farouk University. This week, KAN 11 began broadcasting a documentary series "Lochem 566," (Fighter 566, Cohen's Mossad codename). 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). [29] Mossad director Yossi Cohen presented it to Cohen's family in a ceremony, and it is currently on display at Mossad headquarters. "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. 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. 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. Eli married Iraqi Jewish Nadia Majald, sister of Hebrew author Sami Michael, in 1959. I had gotten under his cover," said Maurice Cohen. 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. 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. 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. By 1960, however, Israeli Intelligence was ready to take another look at Eli Cohen. Al-Hafidh wanted a million dollars for his services, texting: "1M for the minimum for kick start. In the footsteps of a spy: Exploring the Golan's Eli Cohen Trail Revealed: The Plan to Expand the Israeli Knesset by More Than Double, Haaretz Daily Newspaper Ltd. All Rights Reserved. [28] The press announced on 5 July 2018 that Cohen's wristwatch had been retrieved from Syria. 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. Elis larger-than-life persona has attracted many filmmakers, who have then used his story for their projects. He wrote a last letter to his wife before he mounted the scaffold to a seething crowd. Eli found out about Syria's secret plan to attack the Israeli defense forces. Eli expressed his fear and wish to terminate his assignment in Syria during his last visit to Israel in November 1964. Warning: This article contains spoilers for all six episodes of The Spy. One of them was Colonel Amin al-Hafaz, a supporter of the secular-leftist Baath party. 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. Recalling Elis final days, Nadia states he was in Bat Yam, with her and the three babies. Cohen established his contact quickly, his letter of recommendation opened the gates to high society. Despite her criticism of the series, Ben-Dor said she understood why the shows creators took artistic license with her fathers story. I think as long as Bashar Assad is in power I dont see the word progress,' she said, referring to Syrias dictator. 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. Every morning, Eli would leave home and head for the Aman training center. Melita Norwood | longest-serving British spy | Melita Norwood Book, Death, Family, Daughter | melita norwood images. 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. "The Spy" depicts Egyptian-born Cohen - played by Sacha Baron Cohen - as an ambitious, Arabic-speaking immigrant to Israel who is recruited by Mossad and, overcoming his fears and the strains on his family, infiltrates the Damascus high command by posing as a rich scion of the Syrian diaspora. He was sent to Argentina, where he took on the guise of a businessman, scion of a Syrian family. It, however, did not change the situation. 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. I was more worried, Ben-Dor said of hearing that Cohen, who is known for playing comedic figures such as Borat, would star in the series. Since Eli did not have a steady job back then, even though he worked as an accountant, he had to rely more on Nadia to help support the family and their marriage. Fifty-Five Years without Eli Cohen | Tuvia Book | The Blogs 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. Two of them were Abraham and Maurice. become close friends. Unending Agony for Legendary Spy Eli Cohen and His Widow The Israel Defense Forces were alleged to have used the trees as targeting markers during the Six-Day War, which enabled Israel to capture the Golan Heights in two days. Spy Eli Cohen Wife Love Story, American History Has Been Whitewashed, But, Black Teen Girls On TV Are A Mess Finally. Altogether, he returned to Israel three times between 1962 and 1965. [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. Ben-Dor was pessimistic that Israel would soon be able to retrieve her fathers body from Syria. Eli Cohen was the man for the job. [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. I want him (Yossi Cohen) to clarify what hapepned," said the 84-year-old. Thanks". He was taught high-speed evasive driving techniques, Weapons proficiency (especially with a wide variety of small arms), topography, map reading, sabotage, and, most importantly, radio transmissions and cryptography. In February 2007, a Turkish official assured assistance to Eli's family to get back his body. Nadia Cohen, widow of executed Israeli spy Eli Cohen, speaks to Channel 2 on September 20, 2016 after Syrian opposition forces release new video showing moments after he was hanged in. The Arabs would have none of it and decided to divert the sources of the Jordan River which originated in Arab-held territory. In this way, the Arabs hoped to deprive Israel of the waters she would need for her national growth. "There was great excitement because it is essentially the only item of dad that came back, we have nothing. He worked as an accountant and translator. Nadia wishes to be buried beside Elis grave. Meir even appealed to the Soviet Union. Hes a trusted friend.. 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. At Kfar Habad, on July 29, 1977, at the joint Bar Mitzvah for 100 fatherless boys, in the presence of Prime Minister. Daniel Sonnenfeld,55 years after execution in Syria, Israeli spy Eli Cohen makes headlines,Jerusalem Post, February 27, 2021). He also held parties at his home for high-placed Syrian ministers, businessmen, and others. The Syrian officer readily agreed and Eli immediately passed the information onto Israel. It is for these reasons Eli Cohen is known as Israels greatest spy. Eli Cohen - Jewish Virtual Library He was also allowed to write a final letter to his wife. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/nadia-cohen-46980.php. Israel could not survive without Jordan's water. But Sophie was born without seeing his father. Eli Cohen's daughter Sofia Ben-Dor was excited about it because that is all they have. All these years, I remained faithful to him. [15], Cohen moved to Damascus in February 1962 under the alias Kamel Amin Thaabet (Arabic: ).
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