eli cohen children

"- From Eli Cohen's last letter to his wife Nadia and his children, written an hour before his execution in Damascus. No film or video was previously known to exist of the execution. They had three childrenSophie, Irit, and Shaiand the family settled in Bat Yam. A year later, in 1965, Cohen was caught transmitting over the radio back to Tel Aviv. Concentrate on yourself; look forward to a better future! 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 February 2007, a Turkish official assured assistance to Eli's family to get back his body. It also provides 30% of Israels water sources. In early 1964, Eli was able to radio Tel Aviv that the channel was being dug along the entire length of the Syrian Heights to receive the diverted flow of the Baniyas River - one of the Jordans major sources - and empty into Jordanian territory. Eli carefully spelled out all the details of the project and passed them on to Israeli Intelligence. [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. Eli Cohen was the man for the job. The Spy is streaming globally on Netflix. Eli Cohenbecame certain that Israel had spied in the Syrian government. Look after them, raise them up and educate them well, and don't deprive them or yourself of anything. Returning to Nadia is Cohens ultimate goal. His successes couldn't be vocally shared with his family, however. Employment was not always steady, and he soon had to rely more on Nadia to help support their marriage, which would quickly lead to children. It hurt. Also in Episode 5, viewers see Hafiz assume power after demanding the resignation of Syria's then-president, Nazim al-Qudsi. He had an input into and an impact on Syrian national defense and was privy to almost all their secrets. Sacha Baron Cohen in 'The Spy' as Eli Cohen. A New Zealander claiming to the son of a former Syrian president, says he knows the whereabouts of the executed Israeli spy's remains, according to a report on New Zealand news service Newshub on Sunday. [8] His most famous achievement was the tour of the Golan Heights in which he collected intelligence on the Syrian fortifications there. With senior staff officers acting as guides, Eli Cohen was provided an in-depth intelligence briefing of monumental proportions. They even photographed Eli on the Golan Heights, looking over into Israel, alongside the most high-ranking Syrian officers. In 1960, the national intelligence agency of Israel, 'Mossad,' approached Eli for a classified mission in Syria. Nadia was told that Eli was working for the ministry of defense and would be completely safe. The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the. Nadia, widow of Israeli spy Eli Cohen, reacts during an interview with Reuters in Herzliya, Israel October 6, 2019. . Eli's second instructor Yehuda taught him how to use a small, sophisticated radio transmitter. 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. Eli Cohen, at 29, offered his services to the Israeli Intelligence Services but was rebuked twice. 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 . [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. Did you spend your weekend binge-watching Netflix's taut thriller, The Spy? In exchange for his freedom, he agreed to work for Egypt's intelligence service. The execution was broadcast on Syrian television. . He organized several protest campaigns against the British rule. In February 1961 one man handed him an Israeli passport in his real name and a plane ticket to Zurich.on his arrival, Eli was met by a white-haired man who gave him a passport from another name, that passport carried an entry visa to chile and a transit visa to Argentina. Already a member? Learn more. Israel has had a quiet northern border on the Golan with the exception of some occasional fallout from the Syrian civil war for more than 40years. Nadia Cohen attempted to appeal for clemency at the Syrian Embassy in Paris but was turned away. 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 hierarchy and became the chief adviser to the country's defense minister. Cohen was released because he was not linked with the underground. one after the other 69 people were arrested. It, however, did not change the situation. 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. Various reports say that Biton was unveiled and offered the option of becoming a double agent. Al-Hafidh then sent his bank details, but the deal went cold. Scheffeldt, 63, is the widow of Rifa'at al-Gamal, an Egyptian spy who reportedly operated in Israel for a number of years. In 2016, Nadia told 'Israel Radio' that former 'Mossad' chief Meir Dagan had asked the US officials to help bring Elis remains. Israels defense planners urgently needed reliable intelligence on the scope of the water diversion project engineering plans, diagrams, maps, and other data and up-to-the-minute assessments of Soviet influence in the Syrian capital, as well as detailed information on plans for the modernization, equipping, and retraining of Syrian forces. Eli Cohen was the man for the job. What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Al-Hafidh wanted a million dollars for his services, texting: "1M for the minimum for kick start. The execution was recorded on 35mm film. He continued his social life, spending a lot of time in cafes listening to political gossip. China Offering Cutting Edge Type 052D Destroyers For Export: Are Algeria and Russia its Most lIkely Clients? After Hafez became Prime Minister, Eli was even considered to be named the Syrian Deputy Minister of Defense. click the link in that email to complete your registration. I am writing you these last words, minutes before my end, with the hope that you stay together forever. [27] Syrian authorities have repeatedly denied family requests for the remains. [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. There is always the risk that the agent remains loyal to his original handlers and has managed to fool his new bosses. Eli studied at a local Jewish community school and then attended the 'University of Alexandria' to study electrical engineering. The actor and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has a . 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 Cohen's son, Shaul, was only 2 weeks old when he last saw his father. Sacha Baron Cohen-led limited series "The Spy" which comes out today on Netflix tells the true story of how famed Israeli Mossad agent Eli Cohen went undercover in 1960s Syria. Spouse/Ex-: Eli Cohen (m. 1959-1965) children: Irit Cohen, Shai Cohen, Sophie Cohen Born Country: Iraq Family Members Iraqi Female Life with Eli Nadia (born Nadia Majald) is an Iraqi Jew who got married to Eli on August 31, 1959. They warned me not to discuss the issue with Eli anymore and to share his secret with no one.". [4], Cohen provided an extensive amount and wide range of intelligence data for the Israeli Army between 1961 and 1965. When Intelligence came by a second time, he jumped at it. Al-Gamal rushed to inform his superiors that Thabet was none other than Eli Cohen, the Alexandrian Jew. I beg my wife to forgive me, to take care of herself and our children. [11] Start with Mossad [ edit] While working as an intelligence officer offer him a job with high pay, Eli didn't say no and become a secret agent. Thank you, David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel, 2023 The Times of Israel , All Rights Reserved, Sophie Ben-Dor (Screen capture: Channel 12 News), This undated photo shows Israeli spy Eli Cohen in Syria wearing a wristwatch recovered by the Mossad in 2018. Thats when he met Nadia Majald, an Iraqi-born Jewish woman who lived near his brother and his wife. Eliyahu (Eli) Cohen, an Egyptian Jew, was born in Alexandria in 1924. Last year, Israel was able to retrieve Cohens wristwatch from Syria and return it to his family. Periodically Eli would return to Israel to speak with his Israeli handlers and visit his wife and small children. At first, he refused. In real life, Cohen was only able to return to Israel a few times during his mission. Eli expressed his fear and wish to terminate his assignment in Syria during his last visit to Israel in November 1964. Based on the eucalyptus trees, Israel knew exactly where the Syrian fortifications were. [22], It is claimed that the intelligence that Cohen gathered before his arrest was an important factor in Israel's success in the Six-Day War,[23] although some intelligence experts have argued that the information he provided about the Golan Heights fortifications was also readily available from ground and aerial reconnaissance. Over the years, Nadia has made several efforts to seek a bit of mercy from Syrian officials. 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. They married in 1959, a month after meeting, and had three children together. To establish his cover, Cohen moved to Buenos Aires in 1961. World leaders, wealthy individuals, the Israeli government, the pope, and others all intervened on his behalf. In 1954, the British pull out of Egypt completely. he supplies Eli with inside information about the political and military situation. 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. [34], The Israeli settlement Eliad on the Golan Heights is named for him.[35]. All these years, I remained faithful to him. [12][16], In 2016, a Syrian group calling itself "Syrian art treasures" posted a video on Facebook showing Cohen's body after his execution. Israeli spy who was captured and executed in Syria, that enabled them to destroy the equipment prepared for the task, "Israel's Secret Operation to Recover the Watch of a Legendary Spy", "Rumors fly that body of legendary Israeli spy Eli Cohen was found", "Eli Cohen, notre agent "top secret" Damas", "Mossad's master of deception: the astounding true story of Israeli super-spy Eli Cohen", Widow of Israeli spy Eli Cohen: Netflix drama 'raises my blood pressure', "Unending agony for legendary spy Eli Cohen and his widow", "Israel's secret war against Hitler's scientists", "The History of Elie Cohen: An Egyptian Jew who became Israel's greatest spy", "Will Israel's superspy finally rest in peace? 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. By Lianne Back. The Syrian project to divert water from the headwaters of the Jordan away from Israel was mentioned already in the above introduction. The president was ousted from power a year later in 1966. His final visit was in 1964. For two weeks Cohen was put under surveillance and was judged suitable for recruitment and training. In early 1961, Chaim Herzog, Chief of Military Intelligence and later president of Israel, signed the document authorizing Cohens use as a spy. 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. In the 1960s, Israel developed a national water carrier which diverted water from the Kinneret into a pipeline that irrigated much of the country and especially Israels arid south. The Syrian officer readily agreed and Eli immediately passed the information onto Israel. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen heads to Germany Tuesday as part of Israel's campaign to halt Iran's . I give you my blessing. On September 20, 2016, an unknown Syrian group named 'Syrian Art Treasures' posted a 'Facebook' video showing Eli's body after his execution. Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Chief of Staff Mordechai Gur, Defense Minister Ezer Weizmann, and many Mossad officials attended Eli's son's bar mitzvah in 1977. His last wish was to see a rabbi. Hence, Nissim Andabo, the elderly chief rabbi of Syria accompanied him to Marjeh Square.. The message was passed on to the Syrians, who arrested Cohen. he transfers all operations to Mossad, Eli was now Mossad agent. But he refused). 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. "I have passed your response to our partners and am waiting for a reply," said the agent. 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. In the interview, she said that her husband left behind memoirs, notes and other evidence. His training was extensive and exhaustive. The Kinneret supplies Israel with most of its water needs. children: Irit Cohen, Shai Cohen, Sophie Cohen, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxhaPGREa74. His graduate report stated that he had all the qualities needed to become a katsa, or field agent. According to the report, Mossad agents were on their way to Auckland, with one text saying: "Wait for our partners to arrive before making a decision.". Thats why we started the Times of Israel ten years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world. The crime of obtaining secret information is kept hidden to ensure the safety of the country to benefit the enemy. His remains have yet to be returned, despite pleas from his family. Two of them were Abraham and Maurice. Eli has been honored as an Israeli national hero, and many streets and neighborhoods have been named after him. 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. Nadia wishes to be buried beside Elis grave. Nine months later, in late 1961, Eli came back to Israel for a visit with his wife Nadia. Because of that, perhaps he just tired of the whole charade. Eli Cohen was born in Alexandria, Egypt, on December 26, 1924. It went wrong, really wrong," he said. "I was cooperating with the New Zealand Secret Intelligence Service, in cooperation with the Mossad, in order to help find the remains of the Israeli spy Eli Cohen," he said. Israel could not survive without Jordan's water. Please use the following structure: example@domain.com, Send me The Times of Israel Daily Edition. The transmissions became longer as well. For a while, Cohen tried his hand at civilian life. He would also lend money to government officials, and many came to him for advice. These skills were instrumental in ensuring the safety and survival of one Kamal Amin Taabet: Eli Cohens new identity. 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. On May 18, 1965, Eli was publicly hanged at the Marjeh Square in Damascus, Syria. Israel attacked the project serval time later they abandon the project in 1965. While there are reports that Cohen hosted parties that would devolve into orgies at his apartment, in order to gain the trust of high-level people in power, there's no concrete evidence that he played a role in the March 1963 coup. 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. I think as long as Bashar Assad is in power I dont see the word progress,' she said, referring to Syrias dictator. In 1957, Eli joined the Israel Defense Forces as a counterintelligence analyst and later applied for the Israeli intelligence agency 'Mossad,' which rejected him. 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. I am begging you my dear Nadia not to spend your time in weeping about some thing already passed. . On 18 May 1965, Eli cohen was woken by the jailer and fastened the noose, and hang up, the huge poster was fastened on his chest where his sentence was written in Arabic. "Concentrate on yourself; look forward to a better future!". With time he was taken even more into the confidence of the highest echelons of power. Egyptian authorities uncovered the spy ring and sentenced two of the members to death. 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 day in 1960 Israeli Intelligence approached him about working for them again. During their exchange, Cohen signs off by asking, "Did N get the Singer?" Likud MK Eli Cohen Federation of Local Authorities conference in Tel Aviv, December 8, 2022. Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. He made friends who moved in highly influential Syrian circles, transmitting his findings back to Israel via radio. She has pleaded for years and is still waiting to receive Eli's body. Eli was arrested but soon released due to a lack of evidence. "It was all for good intentions. Even after the blown operation led to the demise of the Operation Susannah spies, Eli Cohen left Egypt for Israel to undergo intensive espionage training in the summer of 1955. Concentrate on yourself, looking forward for a better future! 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. He remembered and passed on to Israeli Intelligence the positioning of every Syrian gun, trench, and machine-gun nest in each Golan Heights fortification; tank traps, designed to impede any Israeli attack, were also identified and memorized for future targeting.. The previous year, which marked Elis 50th death anniversary, Nadia had addressed a memorial dedicated to him. Despite this, however, Israeli intelligence asked him to return to Syria one more time. He was interrogated and tortured. Elis larger-than-life persona has attracted many filmmakers, who have then used his story for their projects. Instead, he joined the Egyptian merchant marine and was involved in a number of scams, which resulted in his arrest by the Egyptian secret service in 1952. I beg you my dear Nadia do not spend your life weeping for what has passed. [31] A memorial stone has been erected to Cohen in the Garden of the Missing Soldiers in Mount Herzl, Jerusalem. Nadia believed it and went to see him off at the airport in 1961. The TV film 'The Impossible Spy' (1987) chronicled Eli's life. He ultimately complied. On August 31, 1959, he married a beautiful Iraqi-born Jew, Nadia Majald. "My darling Nadia, and my dear family,I am writing you these last words, minutes before my end, with the hope that you stay together forever.I beg my wife to forgive me, to take care of herself and our children. By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. It could not let Syria succeed and planning a response. I give you my blessing. [9], In 1959, he married Nadia Majald, born circa 1935,[10] an Iraqi-Jewish immigrant and the sister of author Sami Michael. Eli himself was not above the spicier part of a spys life either. After several days, Eli got a new identity as. At this time the Ba'ath Party was illegal in Syria but the party seized power in 1963. Cohen wasnt allowed tell anyone of the plans and told his wife that he was working abroad for Israels Defense Ministry. Prior to the 1952 Egyptian Revolution, Cohen was arrested and interrogated over his Zionist activities. Since then, Nadia has always counted on him. But in 2018, Cohens watch was retrieved in a secret Mossad scheme. Its unfamiliar to me, this form of expression in a global television series. [5], His parents and three brothers left for Israel in 1949, but he remained to finish a degree in electronics and coordinate Jewish and Zionist activities. In February 1962, Cohen moved to Damascus. He has reached the apex of success, and it seems that there is no door he can't open.

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