Eli Cohen's Legacy: Israel Reclaims Spy Documents from Syria

The documents include personal items and insights into Cohen's operations as an agent in Syria, reflective of his impact on the Arab-Israeli conflict.

In a significant development, the Israeli government announced the acquisition of a remarkable collection of 2,500 documents and personal artifacts belonging to Eli Cohen, one of Israel's most renowned spies, executed in Syria in 1965. This collection, retrieved with the assistance of an unnamed allied foreign government, includes identity documents, photographs, and personal letters that provide a deeper understanding of Cohen's time as an undercover agent in the early 1960s.

During his covert mission, Cohen built influential relationships with Syrian officials, delivering critical intelligence that ultimately aided Israel in achieving a crucial victory in the Arab-Israeli War of 1967. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that the Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, played a significant role in the recovery of this valuable archive, although details of the operative collaboration remain undisclosed.

Despite ongoing efforts to locate Cohen's remains, the retrieval of these documents marks a step forward in recognizing and honoring his contributions to Israeli intelligence operations. The revelations from Cohen's artifacts, including his interactions with Syria's military and its ties to the Soviet Union, underline his lasting impact on the geopolitical landscape of the region.