In the 1987 TV movie 'The Impossible Spy,' Michal Bat-Adam portrayed Nadia, while in the 2019 'Netflix' series 'The Spy,' Hadar Ratzon-Rotem played her, with Sacha Baron Cohen as Eli. Nadia, widow of Israeli spy Eli Cohen, reacts during an interview with Reuters in Herzliya, Israel October 6, 2019. . Cohen's widow, Nadia, said that following the report she appealed directly to Mossad chief Yossi Cohen, demanding answers as to why the deal did not go through. He had seventeen lovers in Syria, all dazzling beauties with a fair degree of family power. Eli hoped as did Israeli Intelligence that these women would help him escape in time of crisis.. His graduate report stated that he had all the qualities needed to become a katsa, or field agent. Another tutor trained him to speak Arabic. The Golan is not only important for its military significance. According to the report, Mossad agents were on their way to Auckland, with one text saying: "Wait for our partners to arrive before making a decision.". The saga of Eli Cohen, Israel's greatest spy - San Diego Jewish World Based on the eucalyptus trees, Israel knew exactly where the Syrian fortifications were. "He began writing the number but stopped abruptly and, looking flushed and flustered, mumbled under his breath about needing to run out to the supermarket before it closed. Diplomats, prime ministers, parliamentarians, and Pope Paul VI tried to intercede. The Ba'athist coup and Eli Cohen's role. [7][9], Israel staged an international campaign for clemency, hoping to persuade the Syrians not to execute him. Eli Cohen - Jewish Virtual Library His work bored him and he attempted to join the Mossad, but he was offended when the Mossad rejected him, and he resigned from military counter-intelligence. On July 5, 2018, media channels announced that Elis wristwatch had been retrieved from Syria, which was later given back to Eli's family by 'Mossad' in a ceremony. There is always the risk that the agent remains loyal to his original handlers and has managed to fool his new bosses. The Israeli government and Cohens widow have for many years sought the return of Elis body. "I was cooperating with the New Zealand Secret Intelligence Service, in cooperation with the Mossad, in order to help find the remains of the Israeli spy Eli Cohen," he said. He did not object, in fact, to the idea of a ladies man reputation. If indeed Biton was a double agent - and Israeli intelligence prides itself on the quality of his work - then it is difficult to believe that he exposed Cohen. So now we have a request. This week, KAN 11 began broadcasting a documentary series "Lochem 566," (Fighter 566, Cohen's Mossad codename). He was also allowed to write a final letter to his wife. their chief noticed that their decision taken by the government was broadcast to Israel. The crime of obtaining secret information is kept hidden to ensure the safety of the country to benefit the enemy. Israel could be the target of an aggressive attack by a larger, better Egyptian army that wanted to avenge its shameful defect in the Israel Independence War. Two of them were Abraham and Maurice. As a young adult, he worked within Egypt to secretly assist other Egyptian Jews in emigrating to Israel. (Israel GPO), President Reuven Rivlin and Nadia Cohen, at a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the death of Mossad super spy Eli Cohen, May 18, 2015. In the show, Cohenas Thaabetbefriends Hafiz in Buenos Aires and later in Damascus helps Hafiz's Ba'ath party seize power. Eli Cohen was sent to Syria as an undercover agent, and he turned out to be the greatest spy to date. He lasted until just July that year when he resigned in protest of the Ba'ath military committee executing dissenting rivals who tried to stage a coup for power. He made friends who moved in highly influential Syrian circles, transmitting his findings back to Israel via radio. your father and uncle opened a textile store, but it went bankrupt your father died in 1956 and six months later your mother died too. In November 1965, Eli's wife wrote to Syrian leader Hafez al-Assad, requesting him to send Elis remains back to Israel. His captors later remarked on his noble bearing and his courage despite the horrific Syrian interrogation methods. [18], Cohen made repeated visits to the southern frontier zone, providing photographs and sketches of Syrian positions. Already a member? The Spy, a six-part Netflix miniseries about Cohen's life, showcases the legendary Mossad agent's relationship with his wife, Nadia (Hadar Ratzon Rotem). A month later, a Syrian officer would say that one of Israel's attack architects had been Eli Cohen, who was in Israel during the battle. I hope, pray, that he will be returned home by the time I die," Nadia told Haaretz in 2010. Sacha Baron Cohen in 'The Spy' as Eli Cohen. one evening he met one gentleman, Abdel Latif Hassan, editor in chief of Arab world magazine publish in Argentina. Eli's wife Nadia, played by Hadar Ratzon Rotem, has to deal with raising two children without her husband, who disappears for up to a year at a time without being allowed to tell her what he's actually doing or even where he is. I had gotten under his cover," said Maurice Cohen. I beg my wife to forgive me, to take care of herself and our children. [30], Cohen has become a national hero in Israel, and many streets and neighborhoods have been named for him. Get email notification for articles from Yossi Melman, Reproduction of an Israeli stamp being issued to honour the Mossad intelligence agency spy Eli Cohen who was hanged in Damascus. try to make as many friends as possible, and establish contact with Arab leaders. [7] Cohen is married, has four children and lives in Holon. But in 2018, Cohens watch was retrieved in a secret Mossad scheme. The watch is now on display at the 'Mossad' headquarters. I want him, here and now, because I've reached the age that I deserve tranquillity. When the Golan was captured in 1967, at almost the end of the Six-Day War, settlers in the north could finally feel relieved. Earlier communication between the alleged son and the intelligence agency reveals Al-Hafidh was adamant on receiving the money. Others have attributed the carelessness to an almost suicidal tendency perhaps, it was later surmised, he had been in the undercover world too long, but knew he couldnt get out of it. His training was extensive and exhaustive. HERZLIYA, Israel (Reuters) - A Netflix drama about Israeli spy Eli Cohen, who infiltrated the Syrian government in the 1960s and was later executed, has received a . The Spy is an aesthetically flawed portrait of Eli Cohen He then moved to Damascus in February 1962, under his new identity, Kamel Amin Thaabet, to extract classified information from Syrian military officers. The message was passed on to the Syrians, who arrested Cohen. Incorrect password. Look after them, raise them up and educate them well, and don't deprive them or yourself of anything. - From Eli Cohen's last letter to his wife Nadia and his children, written an hour before his execution in Damascus. He also held parties at his home, which turned into orgies for high-placed Syrian ministers, businessmen, and others, who used Elis apartment for assignations with various women, including Defense Ministry secretaries, airline hostesses, and Syrian singing stars. At these parties such highly-placed officials would talk freely of their work and army plans. Look after them, raise them up and educate them well, and don't deprive them or yourself of anythingDo what you must, don't deprive the children of a father. But his knowledge of. Still, the memory of those domestic joys sustains Cohen while hes away. Eli Cohen (politician born 1972) - Wikipedia Cohen was caught and eventually executed by Syrian authorities in 1965. become close friends. If so, please join The Times of Israel Community. Eli started transmitting his message to Israel daily at 8 a.m. After six months kamal Amin tabet become well known. "Suddenly something changed there toward us. Eli Cohen, Israels most famous spy, also happened to be a hopeless romantic. Israeli spy who was captured and executed in Syria, that enabled them to destroy the equipment prepared for the task, "Israel's Secret Operation to Recover the Watch of a Legendary Spy", "Rumors fly that body of legendary Israeli spy Eli Cohen was found", "Eli Cohen, notre agent "top secret" Damas", "Mossad's master of deception: the astounding true story of Israeli super-spy Eli Cohen", Widow of Israeli spy Eli Cohen: Netflix drama 'raises my blood pressure', "Unending agony for legendary spy Eli Cohen and his widow", "Israel's secret war against Hitler's scientists", "The History of Elie Cohen: An Egyptian Jew who became Israel's greatest spy", "Will Israel's superspy finally rest in peace? In February 2007, a Turkish official assured assistance to Eli's family to get back his body. But the series did not give al-Gamal enough credit, she said, and this led her to reveal his memoirs, which he wrote in secret and deposited with a lawyer for safekeeping. After Hafez became Prime Minister, Eli was even considered to be named the Syrian Deputy Minister of Defense. Syria brought hydraulic engineers and diversion equipment to actualize the scheme. On August 31, 1959, he married a beautiful Iraqi-born Jew, Nadia Majald. Eli's second instructor Yehuda taught him how to use a small, sophisticated radio transmitter. Cohen wasnt allowed tell anyone of the plans and told his wife that he was working abroad for Israels Defense Ministry. they carry out several bombings in Cairo and Alexandria, targeting libraries and cultural centers, cinemas, post offices. In 2016, Nadia told 'Israel Radio' that former 'Mossad' chief Meir Dagan had asked the US officials to help bring Elis remains. Nadia (born Nadia Majald) is an Iraqi Jew who got married to Eli on August 31, 1959. "Their ages range from four and a half to 32." "You must be very proud," I offer. Cohen's training was long and exhausting. They had three children, Sophie, Irit, and Shai. On 18 May 1965, Eli cohen was woken by the jailer and fastened the noose, and hang up, the huge poster was fastened on his chest where his sentence was written in Arabic.Even today Syria refuses to return his body for burial in Israel. Elis connections enabled him to be taken to the Golan Heights a major strategic asset for Syria from 1948-67. I am begging you my dear Nadia not to spend your time in weeping about some thing already passed. In November 1964, Tel Dan Syria open fire on Israel tractors in the demilitarized zone. Meir even appealed to the Soviet Union. He then underwent a show trial, like the Operation Susannah spies had in Egypt 12 years before., Like them, his verdict was predetermined. Unlike other news outlets, we havent put up a paywall. Warning: This article contains spoilers for all six episodes of The Spy. he soon became a well-known figure in the Arab circle. Eli Cohenbecame certain that Israel had spied in the Syrian government. At times before the civil war, the Syrians used Israels northern border with Lebanon to harass Israel the way they used to from the Golan Heights. After his execution, a white parchment filled with anti-Zionist writing was put on his body, and he was left hanging for six hours. He reminded me of my father sometimes, she added. click the link in that email to complete your registration. I beg you my dear Nadia do not spend your life weeping for what has passed. However, running a double agent is considered to be one of the most complex missions in intelligence work. He says the spies wanted him to try and talk to his father's close friends or provide insight. In 1965, the Syrian secret service was on high alert. Since Eli did not have a steady job back then, even though he worked as an accountant, he had to rely more on Nadia to help support the family and their marriage. He was promised support in any venture he might wish to undertake, and the generous sums of cash which he appeared to possess appealed to the unscrupulous who thought he could provide grease to their financial ambitions, as well as patriotic Syrians who hoped for an infusion of foreign capital into the Syrian state. What Netflix's 'The Spy' Gets Wrong About Eli Cohen Warning: This post contains spoilers for The Spy. Once Cohen had established his background, he was inserted into the "target country," Syria, and operated with great success for four years until his capture. "My darling Nadia, and my dear family,I am writing you these last words, minutes before my end, with the hope that you stay together forever.I beg my wife to forgive me, to take care of herself and our children. But an interview published in the Cairo Times yesterday with the German-born Weltrude Scheffeldt-Biton suggests that Egyptian intelligence played the most important role in unmasking Cohen. Widow of Israeli spy Eli Cohen: Netflix drama 'raises my blood pressure' [2], A 2018 article published in Newsweek by Ronen Bergman excerpted from Bergman's book Rise and Kill First, says that Eli Cohen located Alois Brunner, a Nazi scientist suspected of living in Syria, and relayed the information to an Israel intelligence unit that later sent letter bombs to Brunner. Military Stories site will provide you the latest News related to military. Israeli spy's widow 'hurt' by Netflix biopic but hopes it will help One of the more famous aspects of his spying regarded a trip he took to the Golan Heights. Israel attacked the project serval time later they abandon the project in 1965. After several days, Eli got a new identity as. "The Spy" depicts Egyptian-born Cohen - played by Sacha Baron Cohen - as an ambitious, Arabic-speaking immigrant to Israel who is recruited by Mossad and, overcoming his fears and the strains on his family, infiltrates the Damascus high command by posing as a rich scion of the Syrian diaspora. Hafiz ordered Cohen's execution after he was convicted of espionage in 1965. I beg you my dear Nadia do not spend your life weeping for what has passed. 'The Spy' Creator Gideon Raff on the True, 'Heartbreaking' Love Story [15], Cohen moved to Damascus in February 1962 under the alias Kamel Amin Thaabet (Arabic: ). had succeeded in friending a Saudi entrepreneur who had been contracted to plan and dig canals, the name was his friend was bin Laden, little Osama's father. She had no idea about Elis secret mission and thus did not see the threats and risks involved.