On May 18th, 1965 Mr. Cohen, born Eliyahu Ben- Shaul Cohen in Alexandria, Egypt, was publicly executed in the Marjeh Square located in Damascus, Syria. His body has not been released to his wife, Nadia, who is Iraqi-born.

Mr. Cohen was an Israeli spy, who was sent to Syria to acquire intelligence at a crucial time, that helped the efforts of the 1967 war. He was fluent in Arabic, and familiar with Arab Culture.

He had a military trial, was found guilty of espionage under martial law, and sentenced to death, despite the international campaign from Gold Meir and Pope Paul VI. Other diplomats, prime ministers, and parliamentarians attempted to intercede, with the governments of Belgium, Canada, and France asking to commute the death sentence, and Meir appealing to the Soviet Union. Syria refused. Mrs. Nadia Cohen went to appeal for clemency at the Syrian Embassy in Paris, France and was turned away.

He wrote this on his jail cell walls before his execution: "I don't regret what I have done, only what I could have done and didn't have a chance to do. Sometimes close friends fail those who can act."

Nadia and their family deserve to have him back and for a proper burial. Thank you for your time.