Israelis on Syrian soil

Since a state of war exist between Israel and Syria it rare for Israelis (Israeli Citizens) to visit Syria and to be present on Syrian soil. Nevertheless, a few have been noted to visit Syria to encourage peace between the two nations, others have only visited Syrian embassies abroad, another Israeli was prosecuted for spying for Israel in Syria.

Notable Examples

• Azmi Bishara - Former Israeli parliament member, has visited Syria several times and met with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. He did so also after the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war and apparently warned Syria from a possible Israeli strike. 1.

• Eli Cohen - was a celebrated spy for Israel who resided in Syria. He made various contacts with Syrian officials including than president Hafez al-Assad. Cohen was a Mossad agent and acquired many valubale info to Israel. In January 1965, hired Soviet experts caught him in the act of sending a radio message after large amounts of radio interference brought attention. After a showcase trial, he was found guilty of espionage. Despite many appeals including from Pope Paul VI and the heads of state of France, Belgium and Canada, to persuade the Syrian government to commute the death sentence, he was publicly hanged by Syria on May 18, 1965.

• Poets - At the end of July 2007 a group of four Israeli poets and artists have visited the Syrian Embassy in Amman in order to promote peace between Syria and Israel. They applied for a special Visa to Syria.