Secrets of the life of the Israeli spy Eli Cohen

culture

Today, the anniversary of the execution of the famous Israeli spy Eli Cohen in Syria on May 18, 1965, after the investigation was revealed. Many books have dealt with Eli Cohen's life story and his espionage, including "When the Moon Loses Berlin" by Rola Obaid,.

Eliahu or Eli Cohen was born in the Jewish quarter of Alexandria on December 16, 1924, after his father Shaul and his mother Sophie Cohen emigrated from Aleppo to Egypt. In Alexandria, his father had a shop selling neckties. He was the father of eight children established by a Talmudic religious upbringing.

He studied Hebrew, French and Arabic. He showed interest in early childhood Judaism. He joined the Mimounine School in Cairo and returned to Talmudic studies in Alexandria under the auspices of Rabbi Mocha Ventura, Rabbi of Alexandria..

Eli drew attention to the Jewish associations and there were many at the time before the revolution in Egypt and through the religious associations Eli approached the areas of Zionist political activity in Egypt, but did not show an active activity. In December 1956, in the immediate aftermath of the Suez War, Eli Cohen had to leave Egypt permanently, and stamped his passport with a visa without return.

Eli Cohen traveled by boat from Alexandria to Naples and from there he took a second boat to the port of Haifa, where he was picked up by the Israeli intelligence and his army initially as part of the internal security against Arab espionage. In early 1960, a senior Mossad official nominated him to work abroad. In that period, Eli Cohen wanted to return to Egypt and work for the Mossad on the basis that he was born and he was told by others among his colleagues in the Mossad. But the Mossad director at that time had another opinion. It was suggested that Eli Cohen be sent to Syria after his rehabilitation so that an Arab-born millionaire could return to his country after he had become a fortune in Argentina.

He was trained and trained on how to use wireless transmitters and receivers and to write in secret ink. At the same time, he studied all the news of Syria and kept the names of its political and prominent men in the world of economy and trade with the study of the Koran and the teachings of Islamic religion.

Before arriving in Damascus, he knew every inch of the Abu Rummaneh neighborhood through virtual sites. He had located his residence before he arrived. His presence in Abu Rummaneh, where most embassies are located, will enable him to broadcast his messages without drawing attention. His apartment was overlooking the Ministry of Defense and the second office in particular where the leaders meet. Once he sees the lighting of the night floor lit up, he will be alerted to the presence of an emergency from the army, such as preparing for a military operation against targets in Israel or a military coup in the country..

The Israeli spy has always been a frequent visitor to the highest levels of political and military leadership in Syria. His messages began to lead the Mossad. Elly was invited to all the ruling elite parties in Damascus and its clubs and was involved in many political and economic discussions. He remained until his fall and was sentenced to death in Marja Square in central Damascus on 18 May 1965.

Eliahu Cohen