Israel's revelation that it had recovered from Syria the security file and personal items of one of its most famous spies has drawn an unlikely response in Egypt.
There, influential commentators have recalled how one of their own was responsible for Eli Cohen's arrest and execution 60 years ago.
Boasting about its own spy in Israel exposing Cohen in 1965 seems to be an appropriate reaction from Egypt, whose relations with its neighbour and former enemy are at their worst since they signed a peace treaty in 1979, only 14 years after Cohen was hanged in a Damascus square.
"It's clear that we have seized on the Eli Cohen story to exercise bragging rights," said Negad Borai, a veteran human rights lawyer and a member of the council of guardians for Egypt's National Dialogue, a forum set up by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to help chart the country's future.
"It's a message to remind everyone, particularly Israel, that Egypt is a powerful nation," he said of the nationwide reaction to the news about Cohen.
The retrieval of the spy's security file and personal items, announced on Sunday, made headlines across much of the region, evoking memories of a time – the 1960s – when enmity between Arab nations and Israel was at its most intense. It also comes at a time when animosity towards Israel has deepened over its war in Gaza since October 2023.
The Cohen story has taken on added relevance at a time when many Arabs are enraged by what they see as the fateful role played by Israel's spies in the region since the devastating war in Gaza began.
Israel has been blamed for the assassination of some of its most high-profile enemies in places such as Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran – killings widely thought to have been made possible by the information its spies provided.
"The day of his [Cohen's] execution was a glorious day," declared Amr Adeeb, perhaps the most popular Arab talk show host, on his nightly TV show.
"Our own spy attended Cohen's memorial service in Israel while overjoyed that he died," said Adeeb, whose programme Al Hekayah (The Story) is aired by the Saudi-owned MBC network.
In a surprise announcement, Israel on Sunday said 2,500 documents and personal items belonging to Cohen were returned to Tel Aviv from Syria in a covert operation carried out by its Mossad spy agency and a foreign counterpart it did not identify.
They were presented on Sunday to his widow, Nadia Cohen, by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad director David Barnea, a statement from the Israeli leader's office read.
Among the recovered items were handwritten letters from Cohen to his family, his will – which he wrote in Arabic shortly before his execution – photos taken during his years undercover in Syria and keys to his upmarket Damascus apartment.
Cohen, who forged friendships with key figures in Syria's echelons of power, was arrested in January 1965 and hanged in a central Damascus square in May of that year. His burial place remains unknown to this day.
Egyptian intelligence officials, according to many accounts, tipped off the government of then-Syrian president Amin Al Hafez about Cohen's true identity.
That narrative took on more credibility when referenced in a book by the late Mohamed Hassanein Heikal, a confidant of Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt's president from 1956 to 1970, who was widely respected for his authoritative writings on the inner workings of the nationalist leader's rule.
Cohen was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1924 to Jewish parents who had migrated from Aleppo in Syria but his Mossad handlers cooked up an elaborate deception to enable him to work undercover in Damascus. That included a claim to Syrian ancestry, an Arabic name – Kamel Amin Thabet – and a successful export business in Damascus.
Cohen's exploits in Syria and the sensitive intelligence he obtained for Israel have been documented in numerous books by authors from Israel and beyond. They were the subject of the 2019 Netflix mini-series The Spy, in which British actor Sacha Baron Cohen played Cohen.
According to the Egyptian account, his cover was blown when an Egyptian spy saw Cohen in Israel and recognised him as the same man who had appeared in published photos alongside top Syrian officials and military commanders.
Significantly, according to that account, the man who identified him was Egypt's own star spy Refaat Al Gammal, better known as Raafat Al Haggan, who operated in Israel for 17 years under the name Jack Bitton.
However, Yosri Fouda, a London-based investigative journalist from Egypt, offers a slightly different version of Cohen's exposure.
Writing on Facebook on Monday, Fouda said Al Haggan recognised Cohen from a family photo shown to him by a friend. She told him the man posing with a woman and seven children in the photo was her brother-in-law, Eli Cohen.
While Cohen is widely credited for providing Tel Aviv with information that proved crucial in Israel's swift defeat of Syria in the 1967 war, Al Haggan's warning in 1967 to his Egyptian handlers that an Israeli attack was imminent was not taken seriously, according to published Egyptian accounts. Israel seized Syria's Golan Heights, Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and the West Bank during that war.
The Egyptian account of how Al Haggan was responsible for the arrest of Cohen is not the only one that has been circulating over the years.
Other narratives credit the technical help the Syrians received from their Russian allies that made it possible to identify and locate the Morse code signal Cohen used to relay information to Israel from his apartment in Damascus.
Syrian authorities, embittered by the acrimonious break-up in 1961 of their country's short-lived union with Egypt, also claimed credit at the time for exposing Cohen.
Like Fouda, Egyptian talk show host Ahmed Moussa was sceptical of Israel's account of how it obtained Cohen's documents and items.
He suggested the new Syrian government may have simply handed them over as a goodwill gesture to the US, Israel's chief benefactor and close ally, after interim President Ahmed Al Shara met President Donald Trump last week in Riyadh.
Moussa said Israel “always wanted to look important and strong”. The logical next step was for the Syrian and Israeli governments to join forces in trying to locate Cohen’s remains and repatriate them to Israel, he suggested.
Syrians have meanwhile taken to social media to express disapproval over the loss of Cohen's possessions, saying it indicated co-operation between the new Damascus regime and Israel.
Syrian satirist Mohammad Al Salloum said it undermined efforts to preserve the national memory.
"The archives of the Al Assad era belong to all the people and they have a right to access it,” he said, alluding to the authoritarian rule of more 50 years by the late president Hafez Al Assad and his son Bashar, whose regime was toppled in December.
The five stages of early child’s play
From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:
1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.
2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.
3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.
4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.
5. Social Play: In this stage children are starting to socialise more. They begin to share ideas and follow certain rules in a game. They slowly learn the definition of teamwork. They get to engage in basic social skills and interests begin to lead social interactions.
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
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The five pillars of Islam
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Results
Stage 7:
1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29
2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time
3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious
4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep
5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM
General Classification:
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35
3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02
4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Mountain%20Boy
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
More on animal trafficking
WITHIN%20SAND
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The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
Three stars
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
DUBAI%20BLING%3A%20EPISODE%201
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It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Racecard
6pm: Mina Hamriya – Handicap (TB) $75,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
6.35pm: Al Wasl Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.10pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,900m
7.45pm: Blue Point Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,000m
8.20pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (T) 2,810m
8.55pm: Mina Rashid – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (T) 1,600m
MATCH INFO
Mumbai Indians 186-6 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 183-5 (20 ovs)
Mumbai Indians won by three runs
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Honeymoonish
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First-round leaderbaord
-5 C Conners (Can)
-3 B Koepka (US), K Bradley (US), V Hovland (Nor), A Wise (US), S Horsfield (Eng), C Davis (Aus);
-2 C Morikawa (US), M Laird (Sco), C Tringale (US)
Selected others: -1 P Casey (Eng), R Fowler (US), T Hatton (Eng)
Level B DeChambeau (US), J Rose (Eng)
1 L Westwood (Eng), J Spieth (US)
3 R McIlroy (NI)
4 D Johnson (US)
