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Haifa Cabaret Dancer Arrested As Spy for Syrians

August 22, 1957
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A beautiful 23-year-old night club dancer became the “Mata Hari of Haifa” today with the disclosure of her arrest in charges of espionage against Israel.

Naifa Samia Akala, a resident of Haifa, and member of an Arab folk dance group performing in Haifa’s “Christian Star” night club, was arraigned in secret proceedings with two Israel-Arab youths charged with being her accomplices.

The dancer was charged with twice having crossed the Jordanian border at Beit Saffafa, near Jerusalem, where she allegedly met a Syrian military attached. The prosecution reportedly charged that after conversations with the Syrian, Miss Akala was turned over to Jordanian authorities who also accepted her services, particularly because she speaks fluent Hebrew.

Ahmen Shaadi and Daoud Amourt her alleged accomplices, both from Shafram reportedly were charged with possession of arms stolen from the Sinai campaign booty, in addition to spying against Israel. They were charged also with receiving 5, 000 pounds from Syrians they met at the border for their services, it was reported.

No information was revealed as to when the alleged espionage occurred nor the current status of the hearings.

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