Eli Cohen is a name in Israeli history that can never be forgotten. Eli Cohen’s reputation is not only in the world of espionage, but his sacrifice and bravery had a profound impact on Israeli security and diplomacy. His infiltration of the upper echelons of the Syrian government in the 1960s and the vital information he provided to Israel is still seen as an unforgettable chapter in the world of espionage. Today Israel is fighting a war with many countries simultaneously. But this is not the first time for this Jewish country. Earlier too, it had fought wars with many Muslim countries simultaneously and achieved victory. One of the biggest reasons behind this was the extremely strong nature of its espionage system. Today we will learn about Eli Cohen whose story shows how big a role espionage and information play in the Middle East.
Early life and joining the IDF
Eli Cohen was born in 1924 in Alexandria, Egypt, to Jewish parents. He was an intelligent and passionate young man, who was interested in politics and strategic matters from the beginning. After the establishment of Israel in 1949, his family migrated to Israel. There Eli got a chance to work in the Israeli military’s intelligence agency, Mossad. His command of languages, particularly proficiency in Arabic and French, and his sensible approach made him an excellent spy candidate.
“Kamal Amin Thabet” in Syria
In 1961, Cohen is drafted into a dangerous and top-secret mission. They were tasked with infiltrating the society of Syrian emirs and collecting vital military information for Israel. He introduced himself as “Kamal Amin Thabet”. Eli Cohen went to Syria posing as a wealthy and influential businessman. He described himself as having returned to Syria from Argentina. He established relations with Syrian military and political officials. They all came to regard Eli Cohen as a close companion.
Cohen’s achievements
While in Syria, Eli Cohen provided Israel with much important Syrian military information. He informed Israel about the location of permanent military bases on the Syrian Golan Heights and their security plans, which proved instrumental in Israel’s important victory in the 1967 Six-Day War. He built deep relationships with Syrian politicians and army officers, enabling him to participate in confidential meetings and military negotiations. His secret role strengthened Israel’s strategic position and provided it with important information to protect its borders.
arrest and execution
In 1965, Cohen’s espionage activities were exposed. Syrian intelligence succeeded in intercepting his radio signal, through which he used to send messages to Israel. He was arrested and tried in a Syrian court. In May 1965 he was hanged at a crossroads in the capital, Damascus. His dead body remained hanging at the same intersection for several days. His death caused great mourning in Israel, but his sacrifice was never forgotten. It is said that after the arrest of Eli Cohen, there was an uproar in the entire Middle East. Israel’s enemy countries had started to fear the reach of Mossad and now their agents have started reaching inside the government.
Eli Cohen’s legacy
Even today, Eli Cohen is seen as a hero in Israel. His story is not only an example of bravery and sacrifice, but also shows how one person’s intelligence can save an entire nation. Cohen’s sacrifice for Israel has become an enduring symbol, and his name is written in golden letters in the history of Middle East espionage. A drama series has also been made on the life of Eli Cohen. The Spy series available on Netflix is based on Eli Cohen.
Current situation: Israel-Iran tension
Today, when tensions between Israel and Iran are at their peak, Cohen’s story becomes even more relevant. Major issues between the two countries relate to the nuclear program, Iranian influence in Syria, and support for terrorism. Israel views Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons as the greatest threat to its security, while Iran views Israel as a cause of regional instability. In this environment, the importance of espionage and intelligence has increased, as it did during Cohen’s time.
Iranian intelligence chief was an Israeli spy
Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made a big revelation by claiming that the head of an intelligence unit countering Israeli espionage in Iran was an Israeli spy himself. Giving this information, Ahmadinejad said that by 2021 it had become clear that the most senior person responsible for dealing with Israeli intelligence activities in Iran was actually a Mossad agent.
In an interview with CNN Turk, Ahmadinejad said, “Israel organized complex operations inside Iran. They could easily get information. Even today there is silence in Iran about this. The person who He was an Israeli agent entrusted with the responsibility of intelligence operations against Israel.” This revelation could prove to be a major blow to Iran’s security agencies and government, because such espionage raises serious questions on the country’s internal security and intelligence operations.
Overall, in the world of espionage, the story of Israel and its agent Eli Cohen shows how important the role of espionage is in politics and security matters in the Middle East. Even in today’s tensions between Israel and Iran, intelligence gathering, strategic planning, and espionage activities remain important.
