Israel’s Mossad retrieves thousands of documents and personal belongings of spy Eli Cohen, including his handwritten will and letters to his family, marking the 60th anniversary of his execution in Syria. The recovery highlights Israel’s enduring commitment to its missing heroes and their legacies, reflected in a ceremony attended by key officials.
In a significant development, Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency has successfully recovered thousands of personal items and documents belonging to the iconic spy Eli Cohen, who was executed nearly 60 years ago in Syria. The announcement, made on Sunday, coincided with the anniversary of his public hanging on May 18, 1965. This operation was described as both clandestine and complex, executed in collaboration with a strategic partner intelligence agency.
Among the treasures returned are Cohen’s original handwritten will, which he penned mere hours before he met his tragic fate, and intimate letters addressed to his family back in Israel. The collection doesn’t end there. Included are false identification documents, keys to his home in Damascus, and photographs that show Cohen mingling with prominent Syrian military officials during his undercover work in the 1960s.
During a ceremony on Sunday, some of the recovered items were handed to Cohen’s widow, Nadia, in an emotional event attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad Director David Barnea. This gathering emphasized the deep connection Israel maintains with its history and the intelligence mission that Cohen undertook.
Additionally, the recovered cache included Syrian intelligence files that were compiled following Cohen’s arrest in January 1965. These files house investigative records, meticulous surveillance notes, and personal notebooks that were found in his apartment. Some documents even detail specific Mossad assignments aimed at monitoring targets and collecting intelligence on Syrian military bases in the Golan Heights.
Among the notable documents retrieved is the court ruling that condemned Cohen to death. It interestingly features a section that allowed the chief rabbi of the Damascus Jewish community, Nissim Andabo, to accompany him, honoring Jewish customs in his final moments.
Netanyahu hailed Cohen as “a legend,” crediting his crucial contributions to the military strategies that played out in the 1967 Six-Day War. He noted, “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.”
Director Barnea reiterated the significance of this recovery, emphasizing its moral and historical value. He also mentioned ongoing attempts to locate Cohen’s burial site in Syria. “We will continue working to bring home all of Israel’s missing, fallen and abducted—those who live, for rehabilitation, and those who fell, for burial in Israel,” he stated, signifying Israel’s dedication to honoring its heroes despite the passage of time.
In summary, the Mossad’s recovery of Eli Cohen’s personal items marks a historic moment for Israel, linking the present to a pivotal figure in its past. The materials retrieved not only preserve Cohen’s legacy but also reinforce Israel’s commitment to seeking the remains of its missing heroes. An ongoing effort to locate Cohen’s burial site indicates a prolonged dedication to honoring sacrifices made for the nation, while the items serve as a powerful reminder of the intricate interplay of espionage and history in Israel’s narrative.
Original Source: www.ynetnews.com
