The widow of famed Israeli spy Eli Cohen, who was executed in Syria 53 years ago, issued a public plea to Syrian President Bashar Assad on Wednesday to return her husband's remains to Israel for burial.
Nadia Cohen was speaking at the first International Multidisciplinary Conference on the Treatment of War Injuries at the Galilee Medical Center in northern Israel.
"Release Eli, release his bones," Cohen said, addressing her plea to Assad.
"When my mother-in-law died, I wept and said she had not been able to see her son laid to rest.
"Forgive, extend your hand, and give us the grave … so we can be at peace, and he [Eli] will feel that he is in his own land," she said.
Cohen thanked the conference organizers for giving her a platform, saying that some 18 years ago she had tried to persuade the Assad regime to release her husband's remains.
"I corresponded with Bashar … and we sent pictures of my children, my grandchildren, so he would take pity and soften his heart about releasing the body. I was happy when he wrote that it would happen 'when the time was right.' Even those two words were a comfort," Cohen said.
She said she knew Assad had experienced a "difficult time" in recent years.
"There was a revolution among your people. In your own country, your people paid the price and you too were afraid for them. I'm appealing to you out of love – may there be peace.
"I hope that this time you will give us a different answer. I am extending my hand in peace," Cohen said.
