Eliyahu (Eli) ben Shaul Cohen, a name that resonates in the annals of espionage history, is remembered as one of Israel’s most significant spies. Born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1924, Cohen’s life and actions played a pivotal role in shaping Israel’s military success during the Six-Day War of 1967. His espionage operations in Syria were not only extraordinary in their scope but also marked by the incredible risks he took to gain critical intelligence that ultimately helped Israel in the conflict with its Arab neighbors. However, the cost of his dedication was high, and Cohen’s true identity as an Israeli spy was eventually uncovered, leading to his tragic execution in 1965.
Cohen’s early life was shaped by his upbringing in a religious Zionist family, which instilled in him a strong sense of Jewish identity and a deep connection to the Zionist cause. His father had emigrated from Aleppo, Syria to Egypt, and the family was part of the Jewish community in Alexandria. However, as the political landscape in the Middle East began to shift with the increasing tension and growing anti-Semitic sentiment in the region, Cohen’s life took a dramatic turn. The establishment of Israel in 1948 had a profound impact on the Jewish communities in the Arab world. Many Jewish families were forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in the newly founded state of Israel. Although Cohen’s father and brothers left for Israel in 1949, Cohen remained behind in Egypt to complete his education in electronics and manage his Zionist activities.