Politics & World • Espionage

Eli Cohen

Eli Cohen was an Egyptian-born Israeli intelligence officer who conducted espionage in Syria between 1961 and 1965 under cover as a businessman.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Eli Cohen was an Egyptian-born Israeli intelligence officer who conducted espionage in Syria between 1961 and 1965 under cover as a businessman. He infiltrated the Syrian political and military elite before being exposed, convicted by Syrian authorities, and executed in Damascus in 1965. He is widely remembered as one of Israel’s best-known spies.

Early life

Eli Cohen was born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1924. Sources identify him as Eliyahu Ben-Shaul Cohen, later known by the shorter name Eli Cohen.

Espionage in Syria

Between 1961 and 1965, Cohen infiltrated Syrian political and military circles while posing as a Syrian businessman. He passed information to Israel after gaining access to senior figures in Damascus.

Capture and execution

Cohen’s activities were uncovered by Syrian intelligence, after which he was tried by Syrian authorities and publicly executed in Damascus in May 1965.

Historical legacy

Cohen is remembered in Israel as a major intelligence figure, and many accounts credit his reporting with helping Israel prepare for the 1967 Six-Day War.

Key facts

Cohen was born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1924 and later became an Israeli spy.
He operated in Syria from 1961 to 1965, posing as a businessman and building relationships with Syrian officials.
His intelligence work is described as one of the most daring and productive operations in Israeli intelligence history.
Syrian intelligence uncovered his identity, and he was convicted under wartime martial law before being publicly hanged in Damascus in 1965.
His reported intelligence contributions are often linked to Israel’s later success in the 1967 Arab–Israeli War, including the capture of the Golan Heights.

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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know Eli Cohen through international history coverage, Cold War-era intelligence studies, and portrayals in books and screen adaptations.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Eli Cohen?

Eli Cohen was an Egyptian-born Israeli spy best known for infiltrating Syria’s political and military elite in the early 1960s.

What did Eli Cohen do in Syria?

He posed as a Syrian businessman and gathered intelligence from within high-level Syrian circles between 1961 and 1965.

How did Eli Cohen die?

He was exposed by Syrian intelligence, convicted by Syrian authorities, and publicly hanged in Damascus in May 1965.

Why is Eli Cohen famous?

He is widely regarded as one of Israel’s most successful spies because of the access he achieved inside Syria and the intelligence he reportedly supplied.

Did Eli Cohen’s intelligence affect the 1967 war?

Many sources say his reporting helped Israel in the lead-up to the 1967 Six-Day War, especially regarding Syria and the Golan Heights.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eli_Cohen
Supports: Birth name, birth and death dates/places, espionage in Syria, capture, execution, and legacy
Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eli-Cohen
Supports: Biographical overview, Egyptian-born Israeli spy, infiltration of Syrian government, dates of life
My Jewish Learning — https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/eli-cohen/
Supports: Role in Syrian espionage, reputation, and connection to the 1967 Six-Day War
International Fellowship of Christians and Jews — https://www.ifcj.org/news/stand-for-israel-blog/eli-cohen-the-spy-who-helped-win-the-six-day-war
Supports: Claim that his work contributed to Israel's 1967 victory
CIE — https://www.israeled.org/eli-cohen-1924-1965/
Supports: Use of cover identity, Egyptian birth, and espionage background