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Eli Cohen: The Israeli Spy Who Infiltrated the Syrian Government

GOOVER DAILY REPORT July 25, 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. Early Life and Background
  3. Espionage Career
  4. Significant Contributions
  5. Capture and Execution
  6. Legacy
  7. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • The report titled 'Eli Cohen: The Israeli Spy Who Infiltrated the Syrian Government' presents an insightful analysis of Eli Cohen's life and espionage career. It describes Cohen's early life, his deep-seated Zionist beliefs, and his eventual recruitment by the Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency. The report details Cohen's meticulous methods for infiltrating the Syrian government under the alias Kamel Amin Thaabet, his significant contributions in gathering critical intelligence, and his dramatic impact on the outcome of the Six-Day War. It also touches upon his capture by Syrian counterintelligence, his subsequent execution, and his legacy, including his portrayal in popular culture and ongoing efforts to recover his remains.

2. Early Life and Background

  • 2-1. Birth and Family

  • Eli Cohen, born Eliyahu Cohen, was born on December 6, 1924, in Alexandria, Egypt. He was one of seven siblings, and his parents, Sophia and Saul Cohen, had migrated to Alexandria from Aleppo in Syria. The Cohen family maintained a strongly traditional Jewish-religious household where Eli spoke both Arabic and French. Eli's family played a significant role in instilling a sense of pride in their heritage and culture.

  • 2-2. Education and Early Activities

  • Eli Cohen attended the Jewish Community School in Alexandria, where he excelled in mathematics and engineering and was noted for his excellent memory. During his youth, he was also a member of the Maccabi youth movement, which fostered Zionist beliefs among young Jews. His academic and social activities laid a strong foundation for his future endeavors in intelligence work. He demonstrated a keen intellect and an aptitude for complex problem-solving, abilities that would later serve him well in his espionage career.

  • 2-3. Zionist Beliefs and Early Involvement in Intelligence

  • Eli Cohen's connection with Israeli intelligence began in 1952 when he was twenty-eight years old. His Zionist beliefs were fortified with the establishment of the State of Israel, filling him with pride and a deep sense of duty. Initial contacts with the Israeli intelligence community transpired through his friendships with members of clandestine cells operating in Egypt. Despite minor involvements, such as renting a room for his friends in one of the cells, he became more seriously considered after an incident known as the “shameful affair,” during which Cohen was arrested but quickly released due to lack of evidence. This incident marked the beginning of his more profound commitment to Israeli intelligence, motivated by a desire to avenge the deaths of his friends who were executed. After immigrating to Israel in 1957, he initially worked in a civilian capacity but later joined the Mossad, where he received extensive training in disguise, surveillance, and Arab cultural practices. This training prepared him for his future critical mission in Syria.

3. Espionage Career

  • 3-1. Recruitment by Mossad

  • Eli Cohen was recruited by the Israeli Intelligence Services in May 1960. Initially, he had offered his services to the Israeli Intelligence, but he was rebuffed twice due to evaluations that noted both his high intelligence and an exaggerated sense of self-importance. However, by 1960, Israeli Intelligence reconsidered him because of his background, including his Egyptian experience and fluency in Arabic, English, and French. His extensive training began after his recruitment, where he acquired skills in high-speed evasive driving techniques, weapons proficiency, topography, map reading, sabotage, and radio transmissions and cryptography.

  • 3-2. Assuming the Alias Kamel Amin Thaabet

  • After his recruitment, Eli Cohen assumed the alias Kamel Amin Thaabet. This identity was carefully crafted to make him appear as a Syrian-born businessman from Beirut whose family had moved to Argentina. Cohen first went to Buenos Aires, Argentina to establish this cover. There, he integrated himself into the Syrian community, gaining trust and forming relationships with politicians, diplomats, and military officials, notably including Colonel Amin al-Hafaz, a supporter of the Ba'ath party. His lavish lifestyle and generous demeanor further solidified his false identity.

  • 3-3. Infiltration into Syrian Political and Military Circles

  • In early 1962, Eli Cohen arrived in Damascus, posing as a businessman. He swiftly ingratiated himself with high-ranking Syrian officials, leveraging his relationships made in Argentina. Cohen held elaborate social gatherings at his home, which became a hub for Syrian ministers, businessmen, and military officers. At these events, high-ranking officials would discuss confidential matters, unaware of Cohen's true identity. His infiltration efforts reached the point where he provided Israel with critical intelligence about Syrian defense strategies, including the exact positioning of military fortifications on the Golan Heights. Eli Cohen's ability to obtain and transmit this information significantly aided Israeli military operations, notably during the Six-Day War.

4. Significant Contributions

  • 4-1. Gathering Critical Intelligence

  • Eli Cohen, posing as Kamel Amin Thaabet, was able to collect invaluable intelligence for Israeli handlers by infiltrating the highest levels of the Syrian regime. His social life in Damascus, involving high-ranking Syrian officials, allowed him to gather detailed information on military bases and fortifications, notably visiting strategic locations such as the Golan Heights. His intelligence significantly contributed to Israel's military strategies, particularly during the Six-Day War, where Israeli forces used the information he provided to gain a strategic advantage. Cohen's methods included hosting parties that attracted key military and government personnel, subtly extracting vital information about Syria's military capabilities and intentions.

  • 4-2. Influence on Syrian Politics

  • Cohen's role went beyond mere intelligence gathering; he significantly influenced Syrian politics. His relationship with Amin al-Hafez, who later became the President of Syria, was critical. Cohen, under his alias, became friends with Hafez in Buenos Aires and leveraged those connections upon returning to Damascus. His standing led to high-profile interactions in Syria's political and military spheres. While the exact depth of his influence is contested, Cohen was known to have mingled with the top echelons of the Syrian government, nearly achieving a position as Syria's deputy defense minister due to the trust he had built. Although some claims about his influence might be exaggerated, it's undeniable that Cohen's presence in Syrian politics facilitated significant intelligence breakthroughs for Israel.

  • 4-3. Impact on the Six-Day War

  • The intelligence provided by Cohen is often credited with having a profound impact on the outcome of the Six-Day War. His detailed reports on Syrian military positions, including artillery placements and fortifications in the Golan Heights, allowed the Israeli military to devise effective strategies that resulted in overwhelming success. Levi Eshkol, the Israeli Prime Minister at the time, acknowledged Cohen's contributions, stating that his intelligence 'saved the lives of many Israeli soldiers.' The war, which resulted in Israel's control over the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights, and Sinai Peninsula, was heavily influenced by the precise information Cohen had relayed.

5. Capture and Execution

  • 5-1. Discovery by Syrian Counterintelligence

  • Eli Cohen's espionage activities came to an end in January 1965 when he was discovered by Syrian counterintelligence. His downfall was precipitated by his frequent radio transmissions, which he sent to Israel from his apartment in Damascus. Despite warnings from his Israeli handlers about the dangers of sending messages too often or at regular intervals, Cohen's transmissions were intercepted by new Syrian tracking equipment. The Syrian security officials managed to pinpoint the source of the radio signals, leading them straight to Cohen’s location while he was in the act of sending a message.

  • 5-2. Arrest and Interrogation

  • Upon Cohen's arrest, a thorough search of his apartment revealed various espionage tools, including a second transmitter, a tape recorder built into the wall, and other covert devices. Initially, the Syrians believed him to be an Arab but through intensive interrogation that exploited his lack of deep knowledge in Muslim customs, it became evident that Cohen was not who he claimed to be. Under severe torture, Cohen confessed, "I am an Israeli operative employed by the Mossad. My name is Eliahu ben Shaul Cohen, and I live with my wife and three children in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv."

  • 5-3. Trial and Execution

  • Cohen was swiftly brought before a Syrian military court and condemned to death. His trial and subsequent execution were notable for their swiftness and severity. Despite international appeals for clemency from figures such as Pope Paul VI and French President Charles de Gaulle, Eli Cohen was publicly hanged in Damascus on May 18, 1965. His execution was intended to serve as a deterrent and a statement of Syrian strength against espionage activities. Cohen’s body was buried in an undisclosed location, and despite repeated requests and attempted missions to recover his remains, Syria has refused to repatriate his body to Israel. In recent years, the Israeli government succeeded in recovering his watch, a significant personal item he wore until his capture, through a special Mossad operation. The watch was subsequently returned to Cohen's widow in a private ceremony.

6. Legacy

  • 6-1. Enduring Impact on Israeli Intelligence

  • Eli Cohen's espionage work had a monumental impact on Israel's strategic and military preparedness, particularly evident during the Six-Day War. Cohen's infiltration into Syrian political and military structures provided Israel with invaluable intelligence that shaped the geopolitical dynamics of the region. His contributions were instrumental in Israel's ability to capture the Golan Heights in 1967, which provided a strategic military advantage and secured a significant water source essential for the country.

  • 6-2. Cultural Portrayals

  • Eli Cohen's legacy has been depicted in various cultural representations, solidifying his role as a significant historical figure. In 2019, Netflix released the series 'The Spy,' starring Sacha Baron Cohen, which dramatized Cohen's life and espionage activities. While the series was praised for its gritty portrayal, it also faced criticism for several inaccuracies and Hollywood sensationalism. The portrayal of Cohen's relationships, both personal and political, and specific events, such as his supposed friendship with Amin al-Hafiz and his alleged role in the 1963 Syrian coup, were disputed and differed from documented history.

  • 6-3. Recovery of Personal Belongings

  • The recovery of Eli Cohen's personal belongings and his remains has been an ongoing effort by the Israeli government and Cohen's widow. Despite numerous appeals to the Syrians, including interventions by world leaders and the Pope, the Syrians have consistently refused to return his body. This continued effort underscores the enduring respect and admiration for his contributions to Israel's intelligence community.

7. Conclusion

  • Eli Cohen's espionage contributions were pivotal to Israel's strategic triumphs, particularly during the Six-Day War. By penetrating the highest echelons of Syrian political and military structures, Cohen provided Mossad and Israeli defense forces with invaluable intelligence that influenced regional geopolitics and military strategies. While his capture and execution were tragic, Cohen's legacy endures as a testament to his courage and dedication. This legacy is preserved through cultural portrayals and the unyielding respect from the Israeli community, as evidenced by continuous efforts to recover his remains. The report underscores the significance of Cohen’s work and highlights the challenges faced in intelligence operations, inviting further exploration into improved espionage tactics and international negotiations for the repatriation of his body.

8. Glossary

  • 8-1. Eli Cohen [Person]

  • Eli Cohen was an Israeli spy of great renown who successfully infiltrated the Syrian military and government under the alias Kamel Amin Thaabet. His intelligence work significantly contributed to Israel's military strategies, particularly during the Six-Day War. Despite his eventual capture and execution in 1965, Cohen's efforts have left a lasting legacy, and he remains a celebrated hero in Israeli history.

  • 8-2. Mossad [Organization]

  • Mossad is Israel's national intelligence agency responsible for gathering information, conducting espionage, and performing covert operations. Eli Cohen's recruitment and operations as a spy were managed by Mossad, highlighting their critical role in Israel's intelligence infrastructure.

  • 8-3. Kamel Amin Thaabet [Alias]

  • Kamel Amin Thaabet was the alias used by Eli Cohen during his espionage activities in Syria. Under this identity, Cohen was able to gain the trust of high-ranking Syrian officials, providing Israel with crucial intelligence.

  • 8-4. Six-Day War [Event]

  • The Six-Day War was a conflict fought between Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria in June 1967. Eli Cohen's intelligence reports played a significant role in Israel's preparedness and success in this war.

9. Source Documents