Olivia Thompson
Yes, The Spy (2019) is based on a true story about the Israeli spy Eli Cohen who successfully infiltrated the Syrian government in the 1960s.
What is the true story behind the movie The Spy (2019)?
The movie “The Spy” is based on the true story of Eli Cohen, an Israeli Mossad agent who worked undercover in Syria in the 1960s. Eli Cohen was born in Egypt, grew up in Alexandria, and moved to Israel in his twenties. He was recruited by the Mossad and trained to work as an undercover agent.
In 1961, Cohen was sent to Syria under the false identity of a Syrian businessman named Kamel Amin Thaabet. He quickly established himself in Syrian high society and gained the trust of many high-ranking officials in the Syrian political and military establishment. He was able to gather important intelligence about Syria’s military capabilities and political plans, which he transmitted to Israel via secret communication channels.
Cohen’s successful infiltration of the Syrian government made him a valuable asset for Israel’s intelligence community. He was able to provide key information that allowed Israel to defeat Syria in the 1967 Six Day War. However, in 1965, Cohen was caught and executed by the Syrian government.
“The Spy” is a dramatization of Cohen’s life and work as an undercover agent in Syria. The series gives an insight into the dangers, sacrifices, and psychological effects associated with working as a spy.