Eli Cohen
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
In Parshat Vayigash, read this Shabbat, Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers, after having falsely accused them of spying on Egypt.
Today, December 26, is the 101st anniversary of the birth of Israel’s most famous spy, Eli Cohen. Born in Egypt, and thus a fluent, native speaker of Arabic, Cohen infiltrated the highest echelons of the Syrian government and military, all the while conducting espionage for Israel. During this period, he posed as a wealthy Syrian businessman named Kamel Amin Thabet. His deep cover was so convincing that he became a leading candidate to serve as Syria’s Deputy Minister of Defense.
Famously, Cohen (Thabet) recommended eucalyptus trees be planted on the Golan Heights, ostensibly to shield Syrian soldiers manning artillery installations from the sun. The distinctive foliage later provided easy targets for Israeli bombers during the Six Day War, helping to secure a speedy victory.
Alas, Cohen’s true identity was discovered, and he was publicly executed by hanging on May 18, 1965, following a protracted process of interrogation and torture.
Cohen’s last request was granted by his captors: he asked to speak with a rabbi.
While some of Cohen’s personal effects have been retrieved, the body of this storied national hero has still not been repatriated.
God willing… in the coming new year.
Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser is the rabbi of Temple Emanuel of North Jersey and the editor of “Masorti: The New Journal of Conservative Judaism.” The latest edition of Masorti was published online in December of 2024. A subscription is $18 per annum.
