The fatal mission of Israeli master-spy Eli Cohen is now the subject of The Spy, a 6-part thriller on Netflix, rated MA and starring Sacha Baron Cohen.
In 1961, Eli Cohen – son of Syrian Jews and fluent in Arabic – was commissioned by the Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence service, with infiltrating the highest echelons of Syrian society.
Cohen assumed the identity of Kamel Amin Thabet – “charismatic, debonair, businessman and scion of a Syrian family.” He moved to Argentina to mingle with the Syrian expatriate community and hone his acting skills.
Cohen subsequently moved to Damascus, climbing the ladder of influence to become Syria’s Deputy Defense Minister, and close confidant of future Syrian President Amin al-Hafiz. Besides access to classified Syrian military briefings, Cohen hosted lavish parties as a way to pry secrets from intoxicated government and military officials.
Eli Cohen, circa 1960
Crucial Contribution
Using a hidden radio transmitter, Cohen fed vital information back to Israel – stopping a series of Syrian aggressions and serving as an indispensable factor in Israel’s incredible two-day conquest of the Golan Heights in the 1967 Six Day War:
- Cohen supplied Israel with photographs and sketches of highly secret Syrian artillery positions in the Golan Heights.
- While touring the Golan with Syrian defense officials, Cohen creatively suggested planting trees to keep the soldiers stationed there cool and shaded; these trees later enabled Israel to pinpoint the precise location of Syrian defenses.
- Cohen learned of a secret Syrian plan to create three successive defense lines on the Golan Heights; the IDF was able to adjust its strategy which would otherwise have expected to encounter only a single line.
Eli Cohen in Damascus, 1963
Cohen’s Capture
Due to the great demand for secret information, Cohen was forced into frequent and dangerous communications. When a Syrian intelligence official became suspicious, Cohen wanted to end his assignment. But the Mossad pushed him to do more.
In January 1965, the Syrians (aided by Soviet experts) secretly suspended all radio transmissions as a way to expose any espionage communication. When Cohen's transmissions were detected, Syrian security services raided his home and caught him red-handed sending a radio message to Israel.
Eli Cohen, as Syria’s Deputy Defense Minister, touring the Golan Heights
One theory of Cohen’s capture involves Rifa'at al-Gamal, an Egyptian spy who for many years operated a travel agency in Tel Aviv and developed ties with leading Israeli politicians. While in Germany, al-Gamal saw a newspaper photograph of “Kamel Amin Thabet” touring fortifications on the Golan Heights with Syrian officers. al-Gamal recognized him as Eli Cohen from Egypt, and alerted Arab authorities.
Cohen was given a show trial, tortured, and publicly hanged in Damascus on May 18, 1965 (Iyar 16). Till today, the Syrian government refuses to return Cohen’s body.
Mossad Heroes
Cohen is a Jewish national hero, garnering deep respect as one who faced incredible dangers and courageously gave his life for Israel. Many streets and neighborhoods in Israel are named for Cohen, and in 1977 his son's Bar Mitzvah was attended by Prime Minister Menachem Begin.
Memorial stone erected to Eli Cohen in Mount Herzl, Israel’s national cemetery in Jerusalem
In The Spy, the role of Eli Cohen is played masterfully by Sacha Baron Cohen, who told the New York Times: “I used to be reluctant to play anyone Jewish, because I didn’t want to be typecast as the Jewish actor. There are other Jews in Hollywood besides me. But somehow, people thought of me as ‘a Jewish actor’ even after I played [the comedic role of] Borat, the most outwardly anti-Semitic character… Finally, a number of years ago, I read Gideon’s script [about Eli Cohen], and I couldn’t put it down. So I gave up this position of avoiding Jewish or Israeli roles.”
Today, the rapid growth of streaming video services – Netflix, Apple, Amazon, Disney, et al – has produced an insatiable appetite for dramatic true stories. Increasingly, filmmakers are finding spectacular accounts in the Mossad, including these recent Netflix releases:
- Red Sea Diving Resort about the program to rescue Ethiopian Jews via Sudan.
- The Angel, about the Israeli spy who was Nasser’s son-in-law and trusted advisor to Anwar Sadat.
As one commentator wrote on Twitter: “Netflix produces so many pro-Israel Mossad spy thrillers that it can be treated as a Zionist propaganda media company.”
(18) Ernest Hendrickson, MD, September 18, 2019 6:28 AM
Heroic
Beyond belief that such great men lived. Eli Cohen performed incredible acts in defense of humanity. Brave beyond belief. Such men as he will forever be remembered. And treasured.
(17) Margaret, September 12, 2019 10:25 PM
Eli Cohen
I watched this a week ago.. I wasn’t going to with Cohen the actor in it. I thought it was another spoof to make fun of Jewish people.
Something told me to watch it though.. And I’m so glad I did..
It has had a huge impact on me.. The movie showed what they did to his finger nails, which is a very typical thing of the Arabs.. That’s all they showed. And yet when he walked you could see his body was broken..
Oh my. Eli Cohen.. Bless you..
To put one’s life in the hands of the Arabs is more than a brave thing to.
The Eli Cohens who enter Arab countries as spy’s are tremendously brave souls. They wouldn’t have to become spy’s if this world grew some and stood up to the terrorists..
Eli Cohen should never be forgotten. Every generation should talk about him to keep him alive.. xxx And bless him. Every one bless him and his family..
(16) Anonymous, September 12, 2019 2:50 PM
Mossad
>When a Syrian intelligence official became suspicious, Cohen wanted to end his assignment. But the Mossad pushed him to do more.
Nice. Jonathan Pollard hung out to dry too.
(15) Anonymous, September 12, 2019 1:36 PM
Thanks for the article. Sad ending to the story but will definitely watch this series.
(14) Sam Snyder PhD, September 10, 2019 11:45 PM
The Hero spy of Israel
Bravo to Eli Cohen, a hero of Israel, may he be blessed by the Lord and sit at God's table!
(13) Paul Kristofferson, September 10, 2019 11:03 PM
The Spy on Netflix
I watched the first episode on Netflix last night. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would be interested to read more about Eli Cohen.
(12) Ernest Hendrickson, September 10, 2019 9:04 PM
Kudos
Such sophisticated operations as was Eli Cohen's are breathtakingly incredible. A tribute to Israel, america’s greatest ally and friend.
(11) Ra'anan, September 10, 2019 8:42 PM
Deleted comment
This comment has been deleted.
Ernest Hendrickson, September 10, 2019 9:05 PM
Comment
Very very unlikely.
(10) Carlos Balseca, September 10, 2019 8:21 PM
Excellent Serie: The Spy
I saw the whole film and it is simple amazing in many ways. The actors are all excellent. But what is most captivating is the drama involved in the film, showing how hard can be the life of a Spy, specially when the person is determined to serve with such a a great love, a exceptional beautiful country as Israel is.
(9) Steve Edelman, September 10, 2019 7:16 PM
Mossad and Eli Cohen
I suggest further reading. The book, "Rise" is an excellent history of the Mossad. Another book is called "Harpoon." There is lots more. Israel did an amazing job of improvising in order to win its wars. They should be admired rather than excoriated.
(8) E Wilson, September 10, 2019 7:14 PM
"Respects."
If there is an heaven - when Eli Cohen arrived - 6 million Jews stood up to greet him. Only when he was seated only then did they sit down. Respects.
Gittel Chana, February 16, 2021 6:55 PM
''Respects'' Beautifully Worded
E.Wilson what you wrote was simply beautiful. I pray that my great Bubbie Chana [murdered in one of Hitler's Hell Holes] is one to greet our Hero Mr.Eli Cohen.
Mr.Eli Cohen saved countless lives of our brothers and sisters in Israel.
To Eli's wife and children you were Blessed to have Loved him. We your brothers and sisters are blessed with his memory as our Hero !!!
(7) anna melamed, September 10, 2019 5:59 PM
I AM SUBSCRIBING TO NETFLIX BYE BY CABLE
ANOTHER SHOW ON NETFLIX I LOVED IS "SHTIZEL"
(6) Anonymous, September 10, 2019 5:38 PM
oh, S.B. Cohen, doesn't want to be typecast as a Jew?
sure, that is a lousy trap for him!
shameful remark by him, I have lost any respect.
joyce sacks
Rachel, September 11, 2019 9:50 PM
You don’t understand the film industry
No actor wants to be typecast, because it means that they are only considered for fairly small roles based on their looks. Actors want to be able to play a range of characters, not one-dimensional “types”. Sacha Baron Cohen is an extraordinary talent known for creating wildly different characters. He was waiting for an appropriate role to showcase his talent, and I can’t wait to see him.
I also think it’s tragic and unfair that Mossad did not allow their spy, Mr. Cohen, to get out of Syria when he was concerned about his own safety. Leaving an asset in harm’s way against his will is wrong.
(5) g. timmermans, September 10, 2019 4:53 PM
ik heb diep respect voor Ely Cohen.
Moge God zijn familie zegenen ( bles the family of Ely Cohen )
(4) Isaac geld, September 10, 2019 4:42 PM
Unfortunately flat lifeless Should have been in Hebrew arabic
The film should have been subtitled from Hebrew and Arabic. Lost me from the beginning lack d authenticity
(3) Deanna Saltzman, September 10, 2019 4:19 PM
exceptional man with exceptional courage.
why question Netflixs’ political stands in airing “pro israel” docu dramas? why then don’t u note pro palestinian drama docs as such (i.e - The Boys)
Dvirah, September 10, 2019 5:05 PM
Also Done
They do - see the article of that name on Aish.com.
Ephraim Ponce, September 11, 2019 3:26 AM
pro palestinian?
Aren't you paying attention? Nearly every outlet, every movie, every example portrayed today is in favor of the bloodthirsty savage rabid animals. You are upset because just ONE example of the truth is show?
Anonymous, September 11, 2019 9:58 PM
What are you talking about?
I can’t think of a single movie that is pro-terrorist.
Anonymous, September 11, 2019 9:55 PM
Film companies want to make successful films
Spy dramas, like crime and war stories, are successful because the stakes are so high. Film execs want to make hits in a cutthroat business. Not everything is about anti-Semitism, and as a proud Orthodox Jew, I am enjoying “ Our Boys”, the hero of which is Simon, the Israeli Shabak investigator.
(2) Paul, September 10, 2019 4:03 PM
Heartrending Story
Eli Cohen's story is masterfully depicted in The Spy. Showing many sides of the people involved--Eli, his wife, his brother, his Mossad handler, various Syrian authorities and personalities -- the impact of Eli's activities takes its toll on everyone. Yet, the countless innocent and unknown Israeli lives he saved as a result of the information he provided Mossad also came from the Grace of God. God Bless Eli Cohen and his family. One day Eli will be returned to Israel. May God grant that happen now.
(1) Judy and Donald Carr, September 10, 2019 3:37 PM
You should watch the film "Miss Judy" on Google on the secret rescue of the Syrian Jews. It was made by Israel Broadcasting. (IBA) Hebrew and English with sub-titles. It was directed by Eyal Tavor.