Exposure of Israeli Spy Eli Cohen-Part 1

Exposure of Israeli Spy Eli Cohen-Part 1

   In the world of espionage, non-diplomatic spics usually have to pay a heavy price of their activities. Those who enjoy diplomatic immunity, get away from the scene as “persona non gratia”. Important spies are usually exchanged with important prisoners on the other side. But, in the struggle between Israel and Arab countries, the stakes are high and the penalty for spying is death. Eli Cohen, who was an accomplished spy, had to pay with his life when he was caught red-handed sending a message on his radio transmitter. The fact that he was a personal friend of the President of Syria could be of no avail. 

   It was after three weeks of mental conflict that President Amin Al-Hafez of Syria, signed on the death warrant of Eli Cohen alias Kamil Amin Taabes. After all Kamil was a personal friend of long standing and President Amin Al-Hafez could not imagine that he was an agent of Israel planted in Syria. In May, 1965, Eli Cohen was hanged in full view of thousands of spectators and of TV cameras in Martyr’s Square in Damascus. Curtain was rang down on one of the most effective of all Israeli spies who served his country well. A sheet of paper on which were recorded his offenses was pinned on his white shroud as a warning to others.

   Israel lost its spy named Eli Cohen, but to the Syrians, Cohen was Kamil Amin Taabes who was a fast friend of their President Amin Al-Hafez. It is certain that he took great advantage of this close friendship and sent to Israel many secrets. The Syrian Intelligence did not suspect anything and had no hand in exposing him. 

   Eli Cohen was a son of a Jewish family in Alexandria, in Egypt. He spoke perfect Arabic. As a young man he worked with Jewish organization in Egypt. Then he went to Israel and offered his services to Mossad, the Israeli Intelligence Agency.  He was given a thorough training. He perfected his knowledge of Syrian dialect so that he could work in Damascus. He was first sent to Buenos Aires in Argentina so that he could enter Syria as a refugee from Latin America. During his stay in Argentina he struck close friendship with Major Amin Al-Hafez, the Syrian military attaché.
      Amin Al-Hafez returned to Syria. Eli Cohen also came there and established himself as Kamil Amin Taabes and started the business of selling antique furniture. Fate was kind to Amin Al-Hafez, who became the President od Syria. He had not forgotten the days that he spent with Kamil Amin Taabes in Buenos Aires.

Eli Cohen had entry into the highest circles due to his friendship with the President. He could go anywhere and was privy to most of the secrets. He sent secret information to Israel hidden into the legs of tables and chairs which he sent out as part of his business. His biggest achievement was that he sent detailed pictures and plans of the military installations at Kuneitra on the Golan Heights. It was this military intelligence about Syrian defense positions that helped Israel to score such a signal victory on the Golan Heights during the Six Day war.

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