A Comprehensive Analysis of Netflix's 'The Spy' and the Real Story of Eli Cohen

1. Summary

• This report delves into the Netflix series 'The Spy' and its portrayal of Israeli spy Eli Cohen, juxtaposed with historical facts. It analyzes Cohen's espionage activities in Syria during the 1960s, including his infiltration into high-ranking political and military circles under the alias Kamal Amin Thabet. The report highlights Cohen's intelligence-gathering efforts, such as his access to Syrian military installations and the subsequent impact on Israel's strategic decisions. It also examines the inaccuracies in 'The Spy,' specifically the dramatized relationships and political involvements that are not substantiated by historical evidence, particularly Cohen's friendship with Amin al-Hafez and his suggested role in Syrian politics. Additionally, the report underscores the significant contributions Cohen made to Mossad's operations and his ultimate discovery and execution, which had profound implications on Israeli-Syrian relations.

2. Overview of Eli Cohen's Espionage Activities

• 2-1. Eli Cohen’s Undercover Mission in Syria

• Eli Cohen, born Eliyahu Cohen in Alexandria in 1924, was an Egyptian Jew who later moved to Israel. In 1960, Cohen was recruited by Israeli intelligence to infiltrate Syrian political and military circles. Trained in Israel for more than six months, he adopted the alias Kamal Amin Thabet and posed as a wealthy businessman. He first gained acceptance in the Syrian expatriate community in Buenos Aires, Argentina, developing connections that would later assist his entry into high-ranking circles within Syria.

• 2-2. Gathering of Military Intelligence

• In early 1962, Eli Cohen moved to Damascus with letters of introduction from influential members of the Syrian community in South America. There, he ingratiated himself with Syrian elites, hosting lavish parties attended by high-ranking officials. These connections allowed him access to sensitive military installations, including fortifications on the Golan Heights. Cohen transmitted valuable intelligence to Israel using Morse code and by smuggling documents through Europe. His intelligence significantly contributed to Israel’s military knowledge, especially regarding Syrian defenses.

• 2-3. Infiltration as a Wealthy Businessman

• Cohen's cover as a wealthy businessman enabled him to integrate seamlessly into Syrian society. He developed a friendship with Colonel Amin al-Hafez, who later became Syria’s president following a coup by the Ba’ath Party in 1963. Cohen’s influence grew, with many of Syria's top officials drawn to his perceived wealth and social status. This position afforded him unparalleled access to the regime's inner workings, a feat made possible by his outward persona of affluence and sophistication.

3. Relationships and Political Influence

• 3-1. Connection with Amin al-Hafez

• Netflix's 'The Spy' shows Eli Cohen befriending Amin al-Hafez, the future president of Syria, both in Buenos Aires and later in Damascus. The series depicts this relationship as instrumental to Cohen's espionage activities, with al-Hafez even considering Cohen for the role of deputy defense minister. However, references from historical accounts dispute this closeness. In a 2001 interview with Al Jazeera, al-Hafez stated that they could not have met in Buenos Aires since he was in Moscow until 1962, and only met Cohen after his arrest. Monthir Maosily, a former bureau chief for Syrian president Hafez al-Assad, and other sources also suggest that the relationship was exaggerated.

• 3-2. Role in Syrian Politics

• Eli Cohen's role in Syrian politics is a subject of its own set of embellishments. 'The Spy' suggests Cohen facilitated the Ba'athist coup of 1963 by hosting distraction gatherings at his apartment and was on the verge of being appointed as Syria’s deputy defense minister. Historical evidence refutes this. There's no concrete proof linking Cohen to the coup's success. Moreover, the role of deputy defense minister did not exist until 1970, long after Cohen's execution. Further complicating the narrative, sources agree that while Cohen hosted lavish parties to extract information, his direct involvement in political upheavals, like seizing power, is questionable.

• 3-3. Friendship with Syrian Officials

• Eli Cohen infiltrated high-ranking Syrian circles under the guise of Kamel Amin Thaabet, a wealthy businessman. His charm and lavish parties earned him access to sensitive military sites and strategic information. However, the nature of these friendships is often disputed. For example, Ahmad Suidani, incorrectly portrayed as the Director of Security for al-Hafez in 'The Spy,' never held the position, although his distrust and role in Cohen’s capture were accurate. The dramatized version affects public perception, amplifying Cohen's social influence beyond substantiated limits.

4. Discrepancies Between 'The Spy' Series and Real Events

• 4-1. Inaccurate Portrayals of Relationships

• The Netflix series 'The Spy' presents a dramatized depiction of Eli Cohen's relationships, most notably his friendship with Amin al-Hafiz, the future president of Syria. Contrary to what the series portrays, historical evidence suggests that Cohen and al-Hafiz were not close friends. In a 2001 interview with Al Jazeera, al-Hafiz himself stated that he did not meet Cohen until after Cohen's arrest in 1965. Additionally, Monthir Maosily, a former bureau chief for Syrian president Hafez al-Assad, claimed that the stories of Cohen's deep infiltration into Syrian politics were exaggerated.

• 4-2. Differences in Political Involvement

• The series represents Eli Cohen, under his alias Kamel Amin Thaabet, as being significantly involved in the political upheavals in Syria, including the 1963 Ba'athist coup. In reality, there is no concrete evidence that Cohen played a role in the March 1963 coup. Historical accounts suggest that while Cohen did host gatherings that helped him build connections, his direct involvement in the coup is unsubstantiated. Moreover, the series inaccurately portrays Cohen assuming the role of Deputy Defense Minister, a position that did not exist until 1970 and was restricted to military personnel.

• 4-3. Impact on Eli Cohen’s Family

• Eli Cohen's family, particularly his daughter Sophie Ben-Dor, has been vocal about the inaccuracies in the portrayal of their family in 'The Spy.' Sophie Ben-Dor highlighted her discontent with how the show depicted her mother, Nadia, emphasizing that the portrayal of Nadia as a maid was unnecessary and hurtful. Furthermore, the series dramatizes the discovery of Cohen's true identity by his brother Maurice. While Maurice did indeed uncover Cohen's identity through a cryptic clue involving a phone number, the confrontation as portrayed in the series is not entirely accurate. In reality, their interaction was less direct and dramatic.

5. The Impact of Eli Cohen’s Espionage

• 5-1. Contribution to Mossad’s Intelligence Operations

• Eli Cohen, posing as Kamel Amin Thaabet, significantly contributed to Mossad's intelligence-gathering efforts. His mission in Syria facilitated the collection of vital information by infiltrating the highest ranks within Syrian military and political circles. Cohen gained access to sensitive installations, such as the Golan Heights, which played a crucial role during the Six-Day War. His gatherings and high-powered social events enabled him to subtly extract information, which he relayed through his dispatches to his handlers in Israel. These intelligence reports were instrumental in shaping Israel's strategic decisions during the early 1960s.

• 5-2. Significance During the Six-Day War

• Although Eli Cohen was executed two years before the Six-Day War in 1967, his intelligence contributions were believed to have significantly influenced the conflict's outcome. Cohen’s detailed reports on Syrian fortifications and military strategies provided Israel with an invaluable advantage. His intelligence was used to aid military operations, especially in the strategic Golan Heights region, which Israel ultimately captured during the war. The information gathered by Cohen played a pivotal role in Israel's decisive victories against Syria.

• 5-3. Implications of His Discovery and Execution

• The discovery and execution of Eli Cohen had profound implications for both Syrian intelligence and Israel. Cohen was ultimately captured in 1965 due to a critical error of transmitting his coded messages at the same time each day, which led to his detection by Syrian counterintelligence with the aid of Soviet radio-detection equipment. His subsequent arrest and trial were heavily publicized, and he was brutally tortured before his execution on May 19, 1965, in Damascus. The international community, including European governments and the Pope, pleaded for clemency, but Cohen was nonetheless hanged. His death underscored the high stakes of espionage and had lasting impacts on Israeli-Syrian relations.

6. Conclusion

• The key findings of the report illustrate Eli Cohen's substantial contributions to Mossad's intelligence operations and the strategic advantages provided to Israel, particularly during the Six-Day War. The dramatized portrayal in Netflix's 'The Spy' brings awareness to Cohen’s espionage but often stretches historical accuracy, especially regarding his relationships with Syrian officials like Amin al-Hafez and his purported political influence. While entertaining, the series misrepresents critical aspects, such as Cohen’s supposed involvement in the 1963 Ba’athist coup and his familial interactions. These discrepancies underline the challenge of crafting thrilling narratives without compromising historical integrity. The limitations of dramatization suggest a need for more accurate representations of historical figures in media. Looking ahead, Cohen's legacy continues to influence intelligence communities, and his story serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and high stakes of espionage. Practically, this analysis urges content creators to balance dramatic flair with factual representation, thereby responsibly informing and engaging their audience.

7. Glossary

• 7-1. Eli Cohen [Person]

• Eli Cohen was an Israeli spy who infiltrated the Syrian regime in the 1960s, gathering critical military intelligence for Mossad. His espionage work led to substantial Israeli strategic advantages, significantly during the Six-Day War. Discovered and executed in 1965, his legacy remains influential in intelligence circles.

• 7-2. Amin al-Hafez [Person]

• Amin al-Hafez was a high-ranking Syrian official with whom Eli Cohen had established a close relationship. Al-Hafez's interaction with Cohen provided the latter extensive access to sensitive information, thus significantly aiding Cohen’s espionage efforts.

• 7-3. 'The Spy' (Netflix Series) [Entertainment]

• 'The Spy' is a Netflix miniseries dramatizing the life of Israeli spy Eli Cohen, played by Sacha Baron Cohen. While it brings a thrilling portrayal to a global audience, the series contains several historical inaccuracies regarding Cohen’s relationships, political roles, and personal life impacting his family.

8. Source Documents

• What Netflix's 'The Spy' Gets Wrong About Eli Cohenhttps://www.newsweek.com/netflix-spy-what-it-gets-wrong-eli-cohen-1458312
• How true is The Spy? True story behind Sacha Baron Cohen serieshttps://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/the-spy-true-story-netflix/
• The True Story Behind The Netflix Series 'The Spy'https://time.com/5669302/the-spy-netflix-true-story/