Revealed for the first time: This is the last telegram sent by spy Eli Cohen from Syria

December 12, 2022   

Mossad head Dedi Barnea participated today (Monday) in the inauguration ceremony of the National Museum named after Eli Cohen in Herzliya. At the event, the Mossad head publicly revealed for the first time the last telegram received from the late Eli Cohen before his capture. In the telegram, dated the day of Eli Cohen's presumed capture - January 19, 1965, the Mossad fighter reported on a meeting held at the Syrian General Staff the previous evening with the participation of the then Syrian President, Amin al-Hafez. Mossad Chief Dedi Barnea: "Eli Cohen was one of the best fighters. He continues to influence us and instill in us a fighting spirit, courage, values ​​and dedication - even from the depths of history. He is a source of inspiration not only for today's fighters, but for all Mossad employees, in their various roles. We all learn from him, even today, what Zionism is, what sacrifice is and what dedication is. The reason for Eli Cohen's capture has always been a matter of dispute, whether he broadcast too much, whether he did not act according to instructions, whether the headquarters demanded that he broadcast more intensively than necessary, and the issue has been at the heart of a long-standing debate. I am taking advantage of the sanctity of this place and this special event to reveal for the first time, and this after in-depth research that was recently conducted, that Eli Cohen was not captured because of the number of broadcasts he broadcast, or because of pressure exerted on him by the headquarters to broadcast with great urgency. Eli Cohen was captured only because his broadcasts were received by the enemy, they were simply received and edited. From now on, this is Intelligence fact. [Gallery] The Mossad will today transfer to the museum and reveal the last telegram sent by the late Eli Cohen as a free man. The telegram, dated the day of his capture - January 19, 1965, Eli Cohen reported on a discussion in the Syrian General Staff, with the participation of the then Syrian President, Amin al-Hafez. The Mossad has worked and will continue to work to bring new intelligence and details about the period in which Eli Cohen operated in Syria, and will continue to work to bring his remains to be buried in Israel. Eli is a symbol of many fighters, each of whom operated in his generation, for many decades, and each of whom risked his life, acted professionally and devotedly, and made his own contribution to the security fabric of the State of Israel and the Israeli people. Even from a distance of years, we salute a brave fighter who was at the forefront of the secret fighting of the Mossad and the State of Israel, honor his memory and learn from his legacy.