Yonah Elian

Yonah Elian

Name	Yonah Elian
Birth name
Birth date	1920
Birth place	Poland
Death date	2011
Death place	Israel
Alma mater
Occupation	Physician, Mossad agent
Years active
Organization
Known for
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Yonah Elian (1920 – 2011) was a notable Israeli physician and Mossad agent, renowned for his role in the capture of the infamous Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann. His contributions to both medicine and intelligence operations have left a significant mark on Israeli history.

Early Life and Education

Yonah Elian was born in 1920 in Poland. He immigrated to Mandatory Palestine in the 1930s, where he pursued his education in medicine. Elian studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he earned his medical degree. His medical expertise later played a crucial role in his work with the Mossad.

Career in Medicine

Elian was a practicing physician, specializing in anesthesiology. His medical career was distinguished by his dedication to patient care and his innovative approaches to anesthesia. He worked in several hospitals across Israel, where he was respected for his clinical skills and his ability to remain calm under pressure.

Role in the Capture of Adolf Eichmann

In 1960, Yonah Elian was recruited by the Mossad, Israel's national intelligence agency, to participate in the operation to capture Adolf Eichmann, one of the architects of the Holocaust. Eichmann had been living in Argentina under an assumed identity. Elian's medical expertise was crucial in the operation, as he was responsible for sedating Eichmann to facilitate his covert extraction from Argentina to Israel.

Elian administered a sedative to Eichmann, allowing the team to smuggle him onto a plane bound for Israel. This operation was a pivotal moment in the history of the Mossad and demonstrated the agency's ability to conduct complex international operations.

Later Life and Legacy

After the successful capture of Eichmann, Yonah Elian returned to his medical practice. He continued to work as a physician until his retirement. Elian's involvement in the Eichmann operation remained classified for many years, and he rarely spoke about his role in public.

Elian passed away in 2011, leaving behind a legacy of bravery and service to his country. His contributions to both medicine and national security are remembered as exemplary.

Also see

• Adolf Eichmann
• Mossad
• Operation Finale
• Holocaust
• Israeli Intelligence Community