The Secret Life and Death of Ashraf Marwan, The Egyptian Spy Who Saved Israel
# The Angel: The Egyptian Spy Who Saved Israel - Introduction - A brief overview of the topic and the main points of the article - A hook to capture the reader's attention and interest - Who was Ashraf Marwan? - A brief biography of Marwan, his family background, education, and career - His role as a close advisor to Egyptian presidents Nasser and Sadat - His motivation for becoming a spy for Israel - How did Marwan contact and work with Mossad? - His first phone call to the Israeli embassy in London in 1970 - His codename "The Angel" and his handler "Dubi" - His methods of communication, information gathering, and payment - What information did Marwan provide to Israel? - His warnings about Egypt's plans to attack Israel in 1973 - His insights into Egypt's political and military situation - His influence on Israel's strategy and decision-making - What were the consequences and controversies of Marwan's spying? - His impact on the outcome of the Yom Kippur War and the peace process - His exposure by a British journalist in 2002 - His mysterious death in London in 2007 - The debate over his loyalty and credibility - Conclusion - A summary of the main points and the significance of the topic - A call to action or a question for the reader The Angel: The Egyptian Spy Who Saved Israel
Imagine being a spy for your enemy's intelligence service, risking your life and reputation to provide them with vital information that could change the course of history. Imagine being the son-in-law of one president and the advisor of another, having access to the deepest secrets of your country's government. Imagine being hailed as a hero by some and a traitor by others, and dying under mysterious circumstances. This is the story of Ashraf Marwan, the Egyptian spy who saved Israel.
The Angel: The Egyptian Spy Who Saved Israel
In this article, we will explore the fascinating life and death of Marwan, who was known to his Israeli handlers as "The Angel". We will look at his background, his motivation, his contact and work with Mossad, the information he provided to Israel, and the consequences and controversies of his spying. We will also examine how his actions affected the turbulent modern history of the Middle East, culminating in the 2011 Arab Spring.
If you are interested in espionage, politics, or history, you will find this article captivating and informative. Read on to discover more about The Angel: The Egyptian Spy Who Saved Israel.
Who was Ashraf Marwan?
Ashraf Marwan was born in 1944 in Cairo, Egypt. He came from a wealthy and influential family. His father was a successful businessman and his mother was a relative of King Farouk, the last monarch of Egypt. He studied chemistry at Cairo University and later earned a PhD in economics from the London School of Economics.
In 1966, he married Mona Nasser, the daughter of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. He became a close confidant of Nasser and later of his successor, Anwar Sadat. He served as an aide to Sadat and held various positions in the government, such as deputy minister of war, deputy minister of foreign affairs, and chairman of the Arab Organization for Industrialization.
But Marwan had a secret: He was a spy for Mossad, Israel's intelligence service. He contacted Mossad in 1970 and offered himself as an agent. He claimed that he was disillusioned with Nasser's policies and wanted to prevent another war between Egypt and Israel. He also said that he wanted to help achieve peace in the region. He was given the codename "The Angel" by his Israeli handler, who was known as "Dubi".
For several years, Marwan provided Mossad with valuable information about Egypt's political and military situation. He alerted Mossad in advance of the joint Egyptian-Syrian attack on Yom Kippur in 1973, which saved Israel from a devastating defeat. He also influenced Sadat's decision to visit Jerusalem in 1977 and to sign the Camp David Accords in 1979.
Marwan was one of the most important spies in history. He was praised by Israeli leaders as a hero who helped secure their country's survival and peace. But he was also accused by some Egyptians as a traitor who betrayed his country and his people. His loyalty and credibility were also questioned by some Israeli officials and scholars, who suspected that he was a double agent who misled Mossad or sought more power and money.
How did Marwan contact and work with Mossad?
Marwan's first contact with Mossad was in 1970, when he called the Israeli embassy in London from a public phone booth. He asked to speak with someone from the intelligence agency and gave his name as "Abu Hussein". He said that he had important information to offer to Israel.
The phone call was transferred to the office of the Israeli Defense Forces military attaché, who was skeptical about the caller's identity and intentions. He asked him to prove his credibility by providing some details about himself and his connection to Egypt. Marwan revealed that he was Nasser's son-in-law and that he had access to high-level information. He also said that he wanted to meet with an Israeli representative in person.
The military attaché reported the phone call to Mossad headquarters in Tel Aviv, where it aroused curiosity and suspicion. Mossad decided to send an agent to London to meet with Marwan and verify his claims. The agent was Zvi Zamir, who was then the head of Mossad. Zamir used the alias "Dubi" and posed as a businessman.
Dubi met with Marwan at a hotel in London. Marwan confirmed his identity and showed Dubi his Egyptian passport and his wedding photo with Mona Nasser. He also gave Dubi some information about Egypt's military and political situation, such as the names of the top generals and the plans to acquire Soviet weapons. Dubi was impressed by Marwan's knowledge and sincerity. He decided to recruit him as a Mossad agent and gave him the codename "The Angel".
From then on, Marwan and Dubi maintained a secret and risky relationship. They communicated by phone, letters, or personal meetings in various locations, such as London, Paris, Rome, or Geneva. Marwan used different aliases and disguises to avoid detection by the Egyptian secret services. He also used code words and signals to indicate when he had urgent information to deliver or when he needed to meet with Dubi.
Marwan received payment from Mossad for his services. He was paid in cash or in Swiss bank accounts. The exact amount of his payment is unknown, but some sources estimate that he received millions of dollars over the years. Marwan also received protection from Mossad, who warned him of any threats to his life or reputation. Mossad also helped him with his personal and business affairs, such as arranging visas, flights, hotels, or investments.
What information did Marwan provide to Israel?
Marwan provided Mossad with a wealth of information about Egypt's political and military situation. He gave Mossad insights into the personalities, intentions, and strategies of the Egyptian leaders, especially Nasser and Sadat. He also gave Mossad details about Egypt's military capabilities, plans, and movements.
The most important information that Marwan provided to Israel was his warning about the joint Egyptian-Syrian attack on Yom Kippur in 1973. On October 5, 1973, Marwan called Dubi from London and told him that Egypt and Syria were going to launch a surprise attack on Israel the next day. He said that the attack would start at 6 p.m. local time and that it would target the Israeli positions along the Suez Canal and the Golan Heights.
Dubi immediately flew to Tel Aviv and reported Marwan's warning to Prime Minister Golda Meir and Defense Minister Moshe Dayan. They were shocked by the news and ordered a partial mobilization of the Israeli reserves. They also alerted the United States and asked for military assistance.
Marwan's warning was crucial for Israel's survival. It gave Israel a few hours to prepare for the attack and to prevent a complete disaster. Although Israel was still caught off guard by the attack and suffered heavy losses in the first days of the war, it managed to recover and counterattack. Thanks to Marwan's tip, Israel avoided a devastating defeat and eventually achieved a military victory.
Marwan also provided Mossad with other valuable information throughout the war. He informed Mossad about Egypt's strategy of crossing the Suez Canal and establishing a defensive line along the Bar Lev Line. He also informed Mossad about Egypt's decision to advance beyond the defensive line on October 14, which exposed its forces to an Israeli counterattack that led to the encirclement of the Third Army.
After the war, Marwan continued to provide Mossad with information that influenced Israel's policy and decision-making. He informed Mossad about Sadat's willingness to make peace with Israel and his intention to visit Jerusalem in 1977. He also informed Mossad about Sadat's negotiations with President Jimmy Carter and his readiness to sign the Camp David Accords in 1979.
What were the consequences and controversies of Marwan's spying?
Marwan's spying had significant consequences for both Egypt and Israel. On one hand, it helped Israel avoid a catastrophic defeat in 1973 and achieve a strategic advantage over its enemies. It also facilitated the peace process between Egypt and Israel, which ended decades of hostility and war.
On the other hand, it harmed Egypt's national interests and security. It exposed Egypt's secrets and plans to its enemy and undermined its military and diplomatic efforts. It also betrayed Egypt's trust and loyalty, especially from its leaders who considered Marwan as a close friend and advisor.
Marwan's spying also generated controversies and debates among historians, journalists, officials, and scholars. His loyalty and credibility were questioned by some who suspected that he was a double agent who misled Mossad or sought more power and money. Some argued that he was loyal to Sadat and that he spied for Israel with his knowledge or approval. Some also argued that he was not reliable or accurate in his information and that he caused more harm than good to Israel.
Marwan's spying was exposed by a British journalist named Ahron Bregman in 2002. Bregman published an article in The Times that revealed Marwan's identity and role as a Mossad agent. Bregman claimed that he obtained the information from a former Mossad officer who was angry with Marwan for leaking false information to Israel. Bregman also claimed that he contacted Marwan and confronted him with his allegations.
Marwan denied being a spy and sued Bregman for libel. He also faced legal action from the Egyptian authorities, who accused him of treason and espionage. He was tried in absentia and sentenced to death by a military court in 2004. He appealed the verdict and sought to clear his name.
Marwan's death in 2007 added more mystery and controversy to his story. He was found dead on the pavement outside his apartment building in London. He had fallen from his fifth-floor balcony. The police initially ruled his death as an accident, but later changed it to an open verdict, meaning that they could not determine whether it was an accident, a suicide, or a murder.
There were many theories and speculations about Marwan's death. Some suggested that he committed suicide because of his guilt or depression. Some suggested that he was killed by Mossad or by Egyptian agents who wanted to silence him or take revenge on him. Some suggested that he was killed by other parties who had an interest in his secrets or his death.
Marwan's death was never conclusively solved. His family and friends maintained that he was innocent and that he died in an accident. His enemies and critics maintained that he was guilty and that he died by his own hand or by someone else's. His legacy and reputation remained disputed and controversial.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ashraf Marwan was one of the most important spies in history. He was the Egyptian spy who saved Israel from a devastating defeat in 1973 by warning them of the joint Egyptian-Syrian attack on Yom Kippur. He also provided Israel with valuable information that influenced their policy and decision-making for years.
Marwan was a complex and mysterious figure who had multiple motives and identities. He was a son-in-law of Nasser, an advisor of Sadat, a businessman, a gambler, a diplomat, and a spy. He was hailed as a hero by some and denounced as a traitor by others. He died under mysterious circumstances and left behind many questions and controversies.
Marwan's story is a fascinating and informative one that sheds light on the turbulent modern history of the Middle East. It shows how one man can make a difference in the course of history, for better or for worse. It also shows how espionage, politics, and history are intertwined and complicated.
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FAQs
Q: When did Marwan start spying for Israel?
A: Marwan started spying for Israel in 1970, when he contacted Mossad from London and offered himself as an agent.
Q: How did Marwan contact Mossad?
A: Marwan contacted Mossad by phone, letters, or personal meetings in various locations. He used different aliases and disguises to avoid detection.
Q: What was Marwan's codename?
A: Marwan's codename was "The Angel". His Israeli handler was known as "Dubi".
Q: What was Marwan's most important information?
A: Marwan's most important information was his warning about the joint Egyptian-Syrian attack on Yom Kippur in 1973, which saved Israel from a catastrophic defeat.
Q: How did Marwan die?
A: Marwan died in 2007 after falling from his fifth-floor balcony in London. His death was ruled as an open verdict, meaning that it could not be determined whether it was an accident, a suicide, or a murder.
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