Loading ...55 Years of Failure: Netanyahu’s Struggles Over Eli Cohen’s Legacy
Yara Marei / Arab America Contributing Writer
Just two months before the fall of the Syrian regime, Israel’s long-time enemy, Benjamin Netanyahu faced tough questions during a press conference. A journalist asked him sharply, “Is there any hope the enemy simply forgot to return Eli Cohen’s body?” Visibly frustrated Netanyahu admitted, “We’ve been trying for 55 years. We’re ready to offer anything.” The confession exposed decades of failure, overshadowing his 2018 operation in Syria that retrieved Cohen’s wristwatch, a hollow achievement compared to the unfulfilled goal of repatriating Cohen’s remains. The moment underscored Netanyahu’s failure to resolve one of Israel’s most enduring national traumas, which will be discussed further with Yara Marei, Arab America contributing writer.
The Genesis of Eli Cohen: A Legacy Begins (1924)
On February 15, 1924, Saul Cohen, a young Jewish man, arrived in the bustling Egyptian city of Alexandria. Drawn by the promise of prosperity, Saul quickly established himself in a thriving Jewish community known for monopolizing trades like gold, spices, and jewelry. On December 26 of the same year, Saul welcomed a son, Eli Cohen or Eliyahu Ben-Shaul Cohen—the hero of our story—into a strict, devout family that sought to instill Zionist ideals.
Eli grew up under the shadow of religious discipline, excelling in his studies and gaining education from prominent scholars. By 1942, he was enrolled at King Farouk University in Cairo, pursuing engineering. Life seemed promising for the young Eli until a pivotal moment in 1944 changed his course.
The Zionist Turn: Entering the Secret World (1944–1952)
In 1944, Eli abandoned his university studies and returned to Alexandria, lured by a clandestine Zionist organization. This group was part of the World Zionist Movement, operating in secrecy to recruit young Jews for their cause. Their mission was to establish a Jewish state and infiltrate Arab societies to further Zionist goals.
Eli’s charisma, intelligence, and fluency in Arabic and Hebrew made him a prized recruit. By 1952, as Egypt experienced the Free Officers’ coup and transitioned from a monarchy to a republic, Eli was deeply entrenched in Zionist operations. He participated in sabotage missions, planted explosives, and helped disrupt diplomatic relations between Egypt and its allies. However, these activities came at a cost.
The Lavon Affair and Exile (1954–1955)
In 1954, During this time, he became involved in the operations of the Jewish spy network led by John Darling. Under his leadership, along with others, the network carried out a series of bombings targeting American facilities in Cairo and Alexandria. (to introduce Islamophobia against Muslims and to initiate the hate between the United States of America and arab nations.) These attacks were intended to damage relations between the United States and Egypt. He was first arrested in 1954, along with several network members. However, he somehow convinced Egyptian investigators of his innocence and was subsequently released. He narrowly avoided imprisonment again in 1956, when he was arrested following the Suez Crisis. After being released for the second time, Eli Cohen was kicked out of Egypt and immigrated to Israel in 1957, eventually settling.
Eli was implicated in the infamous Lavon Affair, a failed Israeli covert operation in Egypt designed to undermine Western relations. Caught red-handed during an operation to plant explosives, one of his colleagues exposed the entire network. Several members, including Eli, were arrested and tried.
Although some were sentenced to death, Eli miraculously escaped harsh punishment. In 1955, he left Egypt, disillusioned and seeking a fresh start in Israel. However, upon arrival, he was shunned by Israeli authorities, who deemed him a liability due to his tarnished reputation.
A Second Chance: Training the Ultimate Spy (1955–1961)
Eli’s return to Israel marked a period of struggle. After failing to secure meaningful work, he reluctantly took menial jobs. In 1959, he married Nadia, an Iraqi-Jewish immigrant, and started a family. But life remained turbulent as Israel faced mounting tensions with neighboring Arab nations, particularly Syria.
By 1961, Israeli Mossad needed a spy who could seamlessly integrate into Syrian society. Despite being initially overlooked due to his prior failures, Eli’s linguistic skills, familiarity with Arab culture, and ability to memorize vast amounts of information made him the ideal candidate. Mossad trained him extensively, transforming him into Kamel Amin Thaabet—a wealthy Syrian businessman with a fake biography of being born and raised in Amsterdam, then moved back to his home country in Syria.
The Damascus Deception: Rising Through Syrian Ranks (1961–1965)
Eli, now living as Kamel, infiltrated Damascus in 1961. His charm and wit earned him trust among Syria’s elite, allowing him access to military secrets. He befriended high-ranking officials and frequented their social gatherings, collecting valuable intelligence. By 1962, he had risen to the inner circles of Syrian politics, even visiting the Syrian front lines in the Golan Heights.
Eli’s reports provided Israel with critical information on Syrian defenses, water diversion projects, and military strategies. His intelligence significantly contributed to Israel’s success in the Six-Day War of 1967.
The Unraveling: Betrayal and Capture (1965)
Eli’s audacious operations eventually drew suspicion. In January 1965, Syrian counterintelligence intercepted his radio transmissions to Israel. He was arrested in Damascus and subjected to brutal interrogation. Despite intense pressure, Eli maintained his composure and refused to divulge his handlers’ identities.
After a highly publicized trial, Eli was sentenced to death. On May 18, 1965, he was hanged in Damascus, his body left on public display as a warning to other spies. His final letters to his wife and children revealed his unwavering love for his family and belief in the Zionist cause.
The Legacy of a Traitor
Eli Cohen’s contributions to Israeli Mossad remain unparalleled. His espionage reshaped Israeli-Syrian dynamics and cemented his dark place in history as one of the most betraying spies of all time, betraying his blood and identity as a Syrian Jew, where there’s a national festival in Syria each year celebrating Eli Cohen hanging on May 18, 1965.
In 2018, Israel conducted a daring operation to retrieve Eli’s wristwatch from Syria, a symbolic reminder of his sacrifices. Negotiations for the return of his remains have persisted for over 55 years, underscoring the enduring impact of his legacy in Israel’s history. This ongoing struggle raises an important question: what is behind Israel’s current invasions in southern Syria?
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