This article reports on Israel's acquisition of 2,500 documents and artifacts from Syria linked to Eli Cohen, whose intelligence work notably influenced the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.
Israel Recovers Key Artifacts of Notorious Spy Eli Cohen
Israel Recovers Key Artifacts of Notorious Spy Eli Cohen
Israel has made a significant development in its long-standing effort to recover items belonging to Eli Cohen, an iconic spy executed in Syria in 1965.
For many years, Israel has pursued the return of Eli Cohen's remains and personal belongings after his execution in Syria. Recently, however, officials have announced a breakthrough, revealing that they have secured a collection of 2,500 items directly associated with Cohen. These invaluable artifacts include photographs from his undercover years, documents detailing his final moments, personal letters to his family, and various personal effects.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed the acquisition in a statement, attributing the successful retrieval to the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, in collaboration with an unidentified foreign ally. The specifics concerning how and when the documents were obtained remain undisclosed.
Cohen operated undercover in Syria during the early 1960s, where he developed critical relationships with high-ranking officials. His intelligence efforts provided Israel with vital insights about Syria’s military capabilities, its interactions with the Soviet Union, and internal power dynamics within the Syrian leadership—a time when Syria was viewed as Israel’s principal adversary.
His invaluable contributions were pivotal to Israel’s strategic success in the Six-Day War of 1967, posthumously impacting the geopolitical landscape by aiding Israel in capturing the Golan Heights from Syria. The efforts to recover Cohen’s remains continue, as they hold significant emotional and historical weight for the Israeli public.
