Eli Cohen: Our Hero in Damascus

Today's Hebrew Date marks 43 years since the death of Israel's Master Spy, Eli Cohen. In his last letter to his wife (pictured at left) he writes:

"My Dearest Nadia, dear family,

I write these last words in the hope that you will always remain together. I request from my wife that you forgive me, take care of yourself, and provide a good education for our children. The day will come when my children will be proud of me, and you dear Nadia, you are permitted to remarry another man to be a good father for our children. In this matter, you are completely free [to marry whoever you wish]. I beg you not to mourn what has happened but to look towards the future. I send you my last kisses. Please pray for my soul.

Eli"

From the Eli Cohen Memorial WebSite:

"One of the most memorable and daring attempts to infiltrate Syria, which at the time controlled the Golan Heights and frequently shelled the Israeli settlers down below is that of Eliahu ben Shaoul Cohen an Egyptian born Jew.

Eliahu ben Shaoul Cohen, worked as a Mossad agent in Damascus, Syria under the alias of Kamal Amin Ta'abet from 1962 until his exposure and execution on May 18, 1965. Cohen was able to supply considerable details on Syrian political and military matters because of his strong interpersonal skills and abilities to build close ties with business, military, and Ba'ath Party leaders, and Syrian President Amin el Hafiz. He was hanged in Martyr's Square with the television cameras rolling for the entire world to see.

Eli was privy to secrets of the Syrian elite including those of national security. Eli was considered to be named the Syrian Deputy Minister of Defense. He was the only civilian to receive private tours of military installations, even being photographed in the then Syrian controlled Golan Heights with high ranking Syrian officials looking over into Israel.

As a result Eli sent highly informative reports back to Israel detailing the Syrian water deviation project and each and every one of the outposts on the Golan, including tank traps designed to impede any Israeli attack.

Eli's influence on Syrian officials helped Israel beyond measure. Eli suggested that the Syrians plant trees on the Golan near each of their fortifications. Based on the eucalyptus trees, Israel knew exactly where the Syrian fortifications were.

Two years after his death, in June 1967, the intelligence Eli Cohen provided enabled Israel to capture the Golan Heights in two days as part of Israel's victory in the Six Days War.

Eli Cohen was the greatest Mossad agent Israel has ever known. He was greatly admired by all, including the Syrians. His deeds fed and are still feeding the imagination and fantasy of many. He is a hero who sacrificed his life for the sake of Israel, his fellow Jews, his children and his family.

This movie trailer is based on Eli Cohen's life and death, "The Impossible Spy"



Hashem Yikom Damo, May G-d Avenge his Death.

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד