Exposure of Israeli Spy Eli Cohen-Part 2

Exposure of Israeli Spy Eli Cohen-Part 2

Eli Cohen

   Eli Cohen photographed the Soviet Mig-21 fighter for the first time and also reported arrival of 200 T54 tanks from the Soviet Union. Eli Cohen also delivered to Israel the detailed plan given to Syria by the Soviet military advisers. They had asked the Syrian forces to cut off Northern Israel in a surprise attack. This would have weakened the Israeli army as most of the important military posts were in that region. He also apprised Israel of the details of Jordan water-diversion scheme mooted by Syria. 

   Because of his close contact with the President, Eli Cohen alias Kamil Amin Taabes was being groomed for political office. During 1950-60, there was talk of his being appointed Information and Propaganda Minister. There were rumors that he might become deputy Minister of Defense. You can guage from this, the trust that his friend Amim Al-Hafez, President of Syria placed in him.
 

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.