The six-part drama about Israeli spy Eli Cohen has gripped viewers and critics alike with its pulse-racing tale of espionage and a deceptively good dramatic performance by Sacha Baron Cohen, better known for his comedy work, as the Mossad agent. I want him, here and now, because I've reached the age that I deserve tranquillity. Maurice isn't sure what this means. 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. No film or video was previously known to exist of the execution. So now we have a request. 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. In 1960, he was recruited to join the Mossad for a special mission in which he was to pretend to be a Syrian businessman returning to the country after having lived 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. He was interrogated and tortured. 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. Eventually, they had three children: Sophie Ben-Dor, Irit Peleg, and Shai Cohen. Even today Syria refuses to return his body for burial in Israel. One of his friends found a new job as an accountant, month later he Marty with Nadia, a nurse of Iraqi origin. Eli Cohen was first sent to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to establish his cover as a Syrian emigre. Cohen was released because he was not linked with the underground. A devout Jew, Cohen wore tefillin during prayer, in his youth he planned of becoming a Rabbi with the backup of Moise Ventura (1893-1978), Chief Rabbi of Alexandria but the Rabbinical School closed down. He would entertain high-ranking politicians and military officials at extravagant parties where there would be many women and lots of booze. The unit bombed unoccupied American and British installations, expecting that this would be considered the work of Egyptians. Eli has been honored as an Israeli national hero, and many streets and neighborhoods have been named after him. In 1954, Egyptian authorities arrested Eli for being a terror suspect. Still Ben-Dor, who was four years old when her father was killed, said she was pleasantly surprised by actor Cohens portrayal. Returning to Nadia is Cohens ultimate goal. Eli Cohen (politician born 1972) - Wikipedia In order to capture the Golan Heights during the 1967 Six-Day War, Israeli soldiers had to knock out a number of well-fortified Syrian outposts. For as little as $6/month, you will: Were really pleased that youve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month. Eli married Iraqi Jewish Nadia Majald, sister of Hebrew author Sami Michael, in 1959. Israeli spy's widow 'hurt' by Netflix biopic but hopes it will help Nadia (born Nadia Majald) is an Iraqi Jew who got married to Eli on August 31, 1959. 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. He worked as an accountant and translator. They had three childrenSophie, Irit, and Shaiand the family settled in Bat Yam. A year later your sister dies.in 1947 all of you arrived in Argentina. World leaders, wealthy individuals, the Israeli government, the pope, and others all intervened on his behalf. The Kinneret supplies Israel with most of its water needs. As a young adult, he worked within Egypt to secretly assist other Egyptian Jews in emigrating to Israel. In the footsteps of a spy: Exploring the Golan's Eli Cohen Trail 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. Every morning, Eli would leave home and head for the Aman training center. Eli Cohen was now a member of the inner circle of power. In the short periods he came home he wanted to absorb all the love from his children, he even smelt their scent to stay with him, and he wanted to give all the love possible, like a father to his children. Eli started transmitting his message to Israel daily at 8 a.m. After six months kamal Amin tabet become well known. Do what you must, don't deprive the children of a father. But he refused). 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? 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. Elis connections enabled him to be taken to the Golan Heights a major strategic asset for Syria from 1948-67. Widow of Israeli spy Eli Cohen: 'When he was caught, something died When the Baath took power in 1963, Eli was firmly entrenched in Syrian high society. Daniel Sonnenfeld,55 years after execution in Syria, Israeli spy Eli Cohen makes headlines,Jerusalem Post, February 27, 2021). At Kfar Habad, on July 29, 1977, at the joint Bar Mitzvah for 100 fatherless boys, in the presence of Prime Minister. their chief noticed that their decision taken by the government was broadcast to Israel. Cohen was arrested in January 1965 while transmitting to his handlers. Eli Cohen was sent to Syria as an undercover agent, and he turned out to be the greatest spy to date. [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. Another tutor trained him to speak Arabic. [31] A memorial stone has been erected to Cohen in the Garden of the Missing Soldiers in Mount Herzl, Jerusalem. Intelligence officers who investigated the issue offered two possibilities: The first is that it was Egyptian intelligence that identified Cohen and gave him up to the Syrians; the second, which is considered more probable, is that the demand for information was so great that frequent communications via radio to Mossad headquarters exposed Cohen to Syrian counterintelligence. In 1967, the Israelis were able to conquer the Golan Heights in two days in part due to the intelligence he provided. 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. 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. Eli Cohen | My Jewish Learning Nadia wishes to be buried beside Elis grave. Hes a trusted friend.. 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. Eli did go back to Syria, but his behavior changed. Eli was caught in the act and there was nothing he could do. If indeed Biton was a double agent - and Israeli intelligence prides itself on the quality of his work - then it is difficult to believe that he exposed Cohen. [4], Cohen provided an extensive amount and wide range of intelligence data for the Israeli Army between 1961 and 1965. 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. they carry out several bombings in Cairo and Alexandria, targeting libraries and cultural centers, cinemas, post offices. Unfortunately, Nadia and her family are still waiting to get Elis body and have not made peace with it. In 1965, the Syrian secret service was on high alert. Despite this, however, Israeli intelligence asked him to return to Syria one more time. Eli Cohen's daughter Sofia Ben-Dor was excited about it because that is all they have. Eli seemed to have completed the final stage in establishing his network. Abdel Latif Hassan immediately wrote four letters one to his brother-in-law, two to friends in Beirut, and fourth to his son in Damascus. How is it that you dare allow a stranger to read a classified document? he angrily asked Saif. Cohen was born in 1924 in Alexandria, Egypt to a devout Mizrahi Jewish and Zionist family. [12], He was then given a false identity as a Syrian businessman who was returning to the country after living in Argentina. Eli Cohen, the spy who was larger than life - The Jerusalem Post 4 Min Read. He was sent to Argentina, where he took on the guise of a businessman, scion of a Syrian family. 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. The Syrians and their Russian advisers were alarmed by the intelligence that was seeping out of the country. He worked as an accountant and translator. Sacha Baron Cohen, the Mossad and Netflix. Last year, Israel was able to retrieve Cohens wristwatch from Syria and return it to his family. The location of Cohen's body remains unknown. 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. 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. When Intelligence came by a second time, he jumped at it. They even started to organize a ceremony for Eli at the 'Mossad' headquarters in Glilot. "Suddenly something changed there toward us. 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]. His training was extensive and exhaustive. Please try again or choose an option below. Cohen later. 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.