After saying Kaddish to the memory of his father, his last wish was to write a farewell letter to his wife and children: Dear Nadia, my dear family, I am writing these last words to you in the hope that you will always remain united. When I asked him what he was doing, he replied: You know Im a curious person. He really was. Could the government cancel elections? You know, when I was growing up, I heard a tremendous amount about your husband. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Using the alias Kamal Amin Thaabet, Cohen made numerous contacts in the Syrian expatriate community in Argentina and soon gained the trust of senior officials working in the Syrian embassy there. What happens to the notes placed in the Kotel? The memories she retains are fresh and vivid, as if the events she describes in great detail occurred yesterday. On January 24, 1965, Syria officially announced the exposure of spy Eli Cohen. I saw a trustworthy reliable man, and I loved his body movements. Requests by Cohen's family for his remains to be returned to Israel have been rejected by the Syrian authorities (as of September 2012). Were really pleased that youve read, Please use the following structure: example@domain.com, Send me The Times of Israel Daily Edition. He knew its leaders and was equipped with letters of recommendation, which would help him penetrate the centers of power in Damascus. Eli Cohen, publicly hanged in Al-Marjeh Square, Damascus on 18 May 1965 After a trial before a military tribunal, he was found guilty of espionage and sentenced to death under 'martial law'. This fallen hero is a maklan a hero whose burial place is unknown. Although most of his loved ones left Egypt in 1949 to live in the newly independent Israel, Cohen stayed. His short trip to Buenos Aires lasted eight months. A monument was placed in his memory at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. Irit currently resides at 2125 East 68 Strt, NY 11234-6011. He worked as a translator and an accountant before once again being recruited by Israeli intelligence in 1960. We dont know where, in what place, in what country. On the day of his execution, Cohen's 'last wish' to see a Rabbi was respected by the prison authorities. The IDF succeeded in thwarting this plot, thanks to the information it provided me. they made great efforts to locate the secret transmission to Israel with help of Soviet-made equipment, in January 1965 they got success. The Mossad released a statement on the recovery of Cohens watch stating: After Eli Cohens execution on May 18, 1965, the wristwatch was held by an enemy state. Screenshot/Channel 2). As a young adult, he worked within Egypt to secretly assist other Egyptian Jews in emigrating to. Summers with Chaim Dovid: The memories of that summer are different Just Ask: A summer gets off to a good start. And my dear Nadia, you are entitled to marry another man to be the father of our children, and on this subject you are completely free, I ask you not to grieve for what happened, but to look at the future, I send you last kisses. Cohen was interrogated, convicted in a military trial, and publicly hanged in May 1965. From this trip to me came a completely different man, Nadia said, with a mustache, he gained weight, he came back with a very high self-confidence and I was Simcha I saw that he loved what he was doing, that he was exhausting his abilities. But as of today, that still hasnt happened. It was over. With the assistance of the Jewish Agency, he emigrated to Israel, arriving in the Israeli port of Haifa in a vessel travelling from Naples, Italy.[3][4]. It remains our obligation to bring Eli home, to bury him in Israel, Pardo said at the event. The Spy, a six-part Netflix miniseries about Cohen's life, showcases the l egendary Mossad agent's relationship. Eli Cohen was born into a family of eight in the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria, Egypt on December 6, 1924. He wrote in encrypted French and used a tiny radio transmitter. The film, called The Impossible Spy, was broadcast on the Al Arabiya network throughout the Middle East. After his request to integrate into a more operational activity was rejected, he chose to try his luck in the civilian market. Title Year Status . Cohens espionage work took on even greater importance when a Bathist junta that included several of his associates from Argentina seized power in Syria in 1963. She even appealed to the Soviet Union. She smiles. Despite Cohens considerable talent for espionage, he displayed a tendency for carelessness, ignoring his Israeli handlers warnings against sending radio transmissions too frequently or always at the same time of day. He later returned to Damascus and continued his mission of infiltration into the Syrian political echelon in March 1962. In August 1961 he left Argentina for me. In January 1947, he chose to enlist in the Egyptian Army as an alternative to paying the prescribed sum all young Jews were supposed to pay, but was declared ineligible on grounds of questionable loyalty. In 2008, a former bureau chief of late Syrian leader Hafez Assad claimed that no one knew where Cohen was buried. A two-minute video posted on Syrian opposition. What does your father do? As I steer the conversation back to her, I realize that although it has been 53 years since her husbands death, the years of sadness and pain have not dimmed her smile as she speaks about her late husband. I am not thirsty for water. We have three children. Any grandchildren? We have six grandchildren, she says with pride as she points to a family photo on the wall. In December 1956, Cohen was forced to leave the country. Those included the Syrian military attach, Amin al-Hafez, who would later serve as president of Syria. I was eleven years younger than him At first I was afraid to enter into a serious relationship, I was afraid of the burden, of the unknown, but Eli reassured me. Nascut a Alexandria, Egipte, de pares jueus sirians d'Alep, va contribuir a activitats . To my dear Nadia and my dear family: I am writing to you these last words, a few minutes before my end, and I would like to beg you to be forever united. He worked as a translator and an accountant before once again being recruited by Israeli intelligence in 1960. After undergoing a series of harsh torture and interrogations lasting about a month, his trial began on 22 February. After his death he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Nadia Cohen is the widow of Israeli spy Eli Cohen, who spied in Syria by posing as a wealthy merchant during the early 1960s before being caught and hanged to death publicly. So while this operation wasnt anything as bold as some of their other operations, it shows that the Israelis have a very long memory and a token as this watch is as important to them as it was over 50 years ago. Look after them thoroughly, bring them up and give them a complete education, dont deprive them or yourself of anything. Read Next: On This Date in 1962, Nazi War Criminal Adolf Eichmann Hanged in Israel. [3], Newly appointed Syrian Intelligence, Colonel Ahmed Su'edani trusted no one and disliked Cohen. His fluency in Arabic, English, and French made him an attractive recruit for Israeli intelligence. Can you share your story with me? I request. The website www.elicohen.org.il provides extensive information about Eli Cohens heritage and the love of Israel. Eliahu (Eli) ben Shaoul Cohen (Hebrew: , 16 December 1924 - 18 May 1965) (Arabic: ) was an Israeli spy. Originally he was in the Spanish parts, where he was taught everything hed need to know, and then he spent time in the citys Syrian neighborhoods, where he began to get acquainted with the right people in order to accomplish his mission., Meeting The Famous Mohammed Saud! "It was exciting," Cohen recounted. During those months, a military coup took place in Syria and the Bath party came to power. He's a trusted friend. There was great excitement because it is essentially the only item of dad that came back, we have nothing else besides that, she said. View the profiles of people named Irit Cohen. At the beginning of September 1964, he was formally appointed to the rank of Major, and was one of the most tense periods in the history of the Syrian-Israeli and Arab-Israeli conflict. [3] The Mossad . [7][8], Cohen (in the middle) at the Golan Heights, Cohen moved to Damascus in February 1962 under the alias Kamel Amin Thaabet . In January 1965 Syrian counterintelligence identified his radio signal and apprehended him in the act of sending a transmission. Oktober 1972 in Cholon) ist ein israelischer Politiker der Partei Likud (seit 2019) und der Partei Kulanu (bis 2019).. Leben. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eli-Cohen, Jewish Virtual Library - Biography of Eli Cohen. Articles with Arabic-language external links, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2014, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, destroy Egyptian relationships with western powers, http://books.google.com/books?id=PkAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA15-IA2&dq=eli+cohen+six+day+war&ei=1brDSryFPKeKlQSOo7zDAw#v=onepage&q=eli%20cohen%20six%20day%20war&f=false, " 1: ", http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3083171,00.html, http://www.elicohen.org/resources/chronology.php, "Unending agony for legendary spy Eli Cohen and his widow", http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/unending-agony-for-legendary-spy-eli-cohen-and-his-widow-1.290294, http://books.google.com/books?id=gKSLDHiWlZoC&pg=PA111&dq=%22eli+cohen%22+1960s&hl=en&ei=bK1STqSECqjC0AGcyvGHBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22eli%20cohen%22%201960s&f=false, http://books.google.com/books?id=pAar3TpYOt4C&pg=PR25&dq=%22eli+cohen%22+1961+argentina&hl=en&ei=m61STu7TD_LC0AGzk9G5Ag&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA, http://books.google.com/books?id=i0FXAAAAMAAJ&q=%22eli+cohen%22+1962+damascus&dq=%22eli+cohen%22+1962+damascus&hl=en&ei=1K1STqqyAuXi0QH2g5WXBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA, http://books.google.com/books?id=IZvTpPDO6ysC&pg=PT384&dq=%22eli+cohen%22+1962+damascus&hl=en&ei=1K1STqqyAuXi0QH2g5WXBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAg, http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Eli_Cohen.html, 13, : , http://books.google.com/books?id=WFm21j2sZBAC&pg=PA227&dq=%22eli+cohen%22+1964+mossad&hl=en&ei=G65STrfmKcW80AH6puSgBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAA, http://books.google.com/books?id=DdAe7si-g2IC&pg=PT24&dq=%22eli+cohen%22+bunkers&hl=en&ei=Vq5STradDfHD0AHyy7mOBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&sqi=2&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAQ, http://books.google.com/books?id=ZYFtAAAAMAAJ&q=%22eli+cohen%22+bunkers+three+lines&dq=%22eli+cohen%22+bunkers+three+lines&hl=en&ei=k65STpPEAaTc0QG1yZmUBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA, The History of Elie Cohen: An Egyptian Jew who became Israel's greatest spy, http://www.jspace.com/news/articles/eli-cohen-legendary-mossad-spy/12192. Eli was born in Alexandria, Egypt. Screenshot from footage showing Israeli spy Eli Cohen placed in a coffin after his execution by hanging in Damascus, Syria on May 18, 1965. Before his execution, he was allowed to meet with Rabbi Nissim Andibu-Cohen, the Chief Rabbi of the Damascus Jewish Community, who strengthened his spirit and prayed with him on the customary prayers. RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight, space and time in the most challenging environments, just add water. The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem: Con Michael Aloni, Irit Kaplan, Swell Ariel Or, Hila Saada. We must reject this feral, anti-Torah approach, and return to tradition, God is not in the earthquake, but in the still silent voice, The idea that suffering is divine punishment doesnt ring true anymore, but focusing on the pain of another allows for a profound take on the problem of evil, The folly of hubris: Bibi, Levin, Rotman and Putin, Had Israels right been less prideful and more strategic, they might have averted the current uproar altogether, There is just one word that I a right-wing, religious voter who supports judicial reform would chant at a protest, Nightmares and pipe dreams: A visit to Huwara, The families told us of their dilemma: stay in their smoke-filled houses or flee and face the hordes rampaging outside. He made an effort to see maps of tiny buildings and some of them to build mosques, buildings, soccer fields, and basketball courts. She discusses what the experience may tell us about Jewish obligation, history and dignity. 1965Documentary film the execution Israeli spy Eli Cohen in 1965, Posted by Syrian art treasures , on Saturday, September 10, 2016, Cohen said she hoped someone would stand up and tell us where Eli is buried, and bring him back. Like Eli, I was a member of Israeli Intelligence, a Mossad agent, now retired. The work he received, in The Central Mashbir, gave him financial security, but he felt that another vocation awaited him. Eliyahu (Eli) Cohen, an Egyptian Jew, was born in Alexandria in 1924. Therefore, in 1960 left this position. Eli Cohen is one of Israel's most famous spies. In February 2007 a Turkish official confirmed that his government was ready to act as a mediator for the return of Cohen's remains to his family from Syria. #14 . Even in death there is jealousy, that [others can] embrace a grave [in mourning] and we dont even have that.. On This Date in 1962, Nazi War Criminal Adolf Eichmann Hanged in Israel, PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States, P.O. 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. During his vacation in Israel his father died, and immediately after the shiva he was forced to leave his family. Eli's widow, Nadia, has since led the campaign.[6][9]. . In March, Nadia Cohen told Israel Radio that the late Mossad chief Meir Dagan had sought the assistance of the United States as late as 2011, after the Syrian civil war broke out, to help bring his remains to Israel for burial. [6][16][17] My soul. Where are you from? , 16 December 1924 18 May 1965) (Arabic: ) was an Israeli spy. Israeli Foreign Minister Golda Meir lead a campaign, demanding the international community to force Damascus to consider the consequences of hanging Cohen. That proved to be his downfall. On his return to Damascus, at one of the new Syrian elite parties, he dubbed the contractor who was in charge of building the diversion facility. 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. View Iris F Cohen results in Texas (TX) including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. Cohen received classified military briefings and was taken on tours of the Syrian fortifications in the Golan Heights. He spent time in two parts of Buenos Aires. In January 1965 Syrian counterintelligence identified his radio signal and apprehended him in the act of sending a transmission. I felt like it was part of his body, that some of his skin and some of his blood was in that watch, she added. Irit was born on 08.21.72. We did not have any property, but we felt we were all equal. The first job I was employed with when I immigrated to Israel was in the framework of one of the IDFs intelligence units, as a translator of Western materials Hebrew. The black-and-white footage shows what appears to be Cohens body being lowered into a coffin after he was hanged in a public square in Damascus over 51 years ago, on May 18 of that year. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. Cohen studierte nach seinem Militrdienst an der Universitt Tel Aviv und an der Open University of Israel Wirtschaftswissenschaften. He got a tour of the Syrian Golan Heights defenses and made notes of everything he saw. At these parties such highly-placed officials would "talk freely of their work and army plans. Because of his friendship with the activists in one of the cells, they asked him to rent a room for them in the city. To my dear Nadia and my dear family: For the purpose of installation and frequency reset, a nationwide wireless shutdown was decided on January 7.