FLOSSI WANTS TO KNOW: WHERE IS ELI COHEN?
Eli Cohen (1924–1965) was an Israeli spy who had a daring undercover operation in Syria during the 1960s. His remarkable ability to infiltrate Syrian high society and provide crucial intelligence to Israel remains a legendary tale of espionage.
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Early Life and Recruitment:
Eli Cohen was born to Jewish parents of Syrian descent in Alexandria, Egypt.
As a young man, he was deeply influenced by Zionist ideals and supported the creation of the state of Israel.
After being expelled from Egypt during the anti-Jewish sentiment following the Suez Crisis in 1956, Cohen moved to Israel, where he was recruited by Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, in 1960.
His fluency in Arabic, French, and Hebrew, as well as his ability to blend in seamlessly, made him an ideal candidate for covert operations.
Undercover Identity in Syria:
Cohen was given the identity of "Kamel Amin Thaabet," a wealthy Syrian businessman returning to his homeland after living in Argentina. In 1961, he infiltrated Syrian society, quickly gaining the trust of military and political elites.
His charm, intelligence, and generosity allowed him to attend high-level gatherings, where he gathered critical information about Syria's military and political strategies.
Espionage Achievements:
Cohen's intelligence contributions were monumental. He provided detailed reports on Syrian fortifications in the Golan Heights, which proved invaluable during the Six-Day War in 1967.
One famous anecdote describes how Cohen suggested planting eucalyptus trees near Syrian military installations to provide shade for soldiers—a suggestion that allowed Israeli forces to identify and target these locations during the war.
Discovery and Capture:
In 1965, Syrian counterintelligence, with assistance from Soviet experts, detected unusual radio transmissions from Cohen's Damascus apartment. After his capture, Cohen was interrogated, tried in a secretive military court, and sentenced to death. Despite international appeals for clemency, including from Pope Paul VI and French President Charles de Gaulle, Syria executed him by public hanging on May 18, 1965.
Legacy:
Eli Cohen's bravery and sacrifice are deeply honored in Israel. He is remembered as a national hero, and his intelligence work is credited with saving countless lives.
His remains have not been returned to Israel, despite ongoing efforts by Israeli authorities.
His story has been the subject of books, films, and the 2019 Netflix series The Spy, starring Sacha Baron Cohen, which dramatized his life and work.