Mossad Recovers Personal Belongings of Legendary Spy Eli Cohen
Israel’s Mossad has recovered thousands of personal items belonging to spy Eli Cohen, executed in Syria over 60 years ago. Among the items returned are Cohen’s original will, personal letters, and important documents related to his espionage. The announcement coincided with the anniversary of his execution, and items were presented to his widow at a ceremony with key Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu.
In a remarkable development, Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency has successfully retrieved thousands of personal artifacts belonging to renowned spy Eli Cohen, who was executed in Syria over sixty years ago. The announcement, made on Sunday, coincided with the anniversary of Cohen’s public hanging in Damascus on May 18, 1965. This operation was described as clandestine and complex, executed in partnership with another friendly intelligence agency.
Among the treasures returned are Cohen’s original handwritten will—written mere hours before his execution—and personal letters addressed to his family back in Israel. Additionally, the collection also includes forged documents, passports, keys to his former Damascus apartment, and photographs capturing Cohen alongside high-ranking Syrian military and government officials from his undercover exploits during the 1960s.
During a ceremony on Sunday, some of these items were presented to Cohen’s widow, Nadia Cohen, a touching event that also saw the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad Director David Barnea. This gesture not only highlighted Cohen’s legacy but also reaffirmed the commitment to honor the sacrifices made in the name of national security.
The retrieved cache comprises not just personal memorabilia but also Syrian intelligence files that were compiled following Cohen’s arrest in January 1965. These include investigative records, surveillance notes, and notebooks chronicling his time in Damascus. Notably, some documents revealed the specific Mossad missions, such as gathering intelligence on Syrian military installations in the Golan Heights.
A particularly poignant item was the original court ruling that condemned Cohen to death, which noted the permission for the chief rabbi of the Damascus Jewish community, Nissim Andabo, to be by his side according to Jewish customs. This insight underscores the significant human aspect of Cohen’s fate.
Prime Minister Netanyahu referred to Cohen as a “legend,” asserting that his work was instrumental in shaping the outcomes of pivotal moments in Israeli history, including the 1967 Six-Day War. He emphasized, “The Eli Cohen archive, brought here through a special effort, will educate generations and reflects our unceasing commitment to return all of our missing, captives and hostages.”
Mossad Director Barnea acknowledged the success of the operation, stressing its importance not only in preserving history but also for its moral implications. He added, “Efforts to locate Cohen’s burial site in Syria continue, and we will strive to bring home all of Israel’s missing, fallen and abducted—those who live, for rehabilitation, and those who fell, for burial in Israel.”
The retrieval of Eli Cohen’s belongings by Mossad marks a significant moment in Israel’s history, honoring a legendary figure whose intelligence work had lasting impacts. The recovered items, particularly his personal letters and will, provide deep insights both into his life and the state’s ongoing commitment to its missing individuals. This operation not only reinforces Cohen’s legacy but also highlights the enduring efforts to return those lost to the circumstances of conflict.
Original Source: www.ynetnews.com
