By: Nathan Williams, Director of Marketing and Communications

Since the reestablishment of the Jewish state in 1948, Israel has faced existential threats from hostile neighbors, terrorist militias and non-state actors. Central to the preservation and security of the state has been Israel’s excellence in military innovation, mastery of intelligence gathering and covert spy missions—with plots only Hollywood could imagine. To the host of antisemites in the world, the undercover workings of a Jewish spy agency reinforce antisemitic stereotypes. Yet the reality is that Israel works in the shadows to thwart potential disasters, prevent full-scale conflicts and preserve lives.

Israel excels in military intelligence—an arena where secrecy and precision are paramount—allowing the nation to outmaneuver adversaries. An iconic figure in Israeli espionage is Eli Cohen, whose infiltration of the highest ranks of the Syrian government in the 1960s remains legendary. Disguised as a Syrian businessman, Cohen gained access to high-ranking Syrian officials, even touring the Golan Heights. His deep undercover work allowed Israel to gain critical intelligence about Syria’s military capabilities and defenses, information that would prove vital during the 1967 Six Day War. His famous suggestion to plant trees around Syrian bunkers to provide shade for the Syrian soldiers on duty allowed the Israeli Air Force to easily identify and target key military positions during the fighting. This helped neutralize Syrian defenses, greatly contributing to Israel’s swift victory, while minimizing Israeli casualties.