Ben-Zion Cohen (Giora)

(1927 - ?)

Cohen was born 18 July 1927 in Jerusalem.

In 1943 Cohen volunteered for the Jewish Settlement Police and a year later joined the British army. He served in the naval commando and took part in World War Two fighting.

On demobilization in 1946, Cohen joined the Irgun and became a member of the Fighting Force. He took part in actions against the British and participated in battles against the Arabs during the War of Independence.

Cohen commanded the capture of the village of Deir Yassin and served as deputy commander in the capture of Malha.

After the Irgun was dissolved, in September 1948, Cohen joined the IDF and reached the rank of Major.

In the 1960s, Cohen engaged in immigration activity, first as director of the Jewish Agency's immigration section in Turkey and later, on behalf of the Mossad, was connected to the immigration of Moroccan Jewry.

On returning to Israel, Cohen participated in various security projects within the framework of Raphael (The Authority for Development of Weapons).

Sources: The Irgun Site