Israel arrests Jewish citizens for allegedly spying for Iran

Israel’s recent arrest of nearly 30 individuals, primarily Jewish citizens, suspected of spying for Iran in nine covert cells has raised concerns in the country. The operation is seen as Tehran’s most significant effort in decades to infiltrate its arch-enemy, according to four Israeli security sources.

The alleged cells had various objectives, including plans to assassinate an Israeli nuclear scientist and former military officials. One group was focused on gathering information about military bases and air defenses, as revealed by the security service Shin Bet.

Last week, it was reported that a father and son duo had been passing on details of Israeli force movements, particularly in the Golan Heights where they resided.

The sources of this information, who preferred to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, disclosed that Iranian intelligence operatives have been actively trying to recruit ordinary Israelis over the past two years to collect intelligence and carry out attacks in exchange for financial rewards.

Shalom Ben Hanan, a former top Shin Bet official, described the situation as a significant phenomenon, highlighting the surprising number of Jewish citizens who knowingly collaborated with Iran against the state by engaging in intelligence gathering or planning sabotage and attacks.

Shin Bet and the police have not provided any official comments on the matter, while Iran’s foreign ministry did not respond to inquiries.

In a statement issued by Iran’s UN mission after the arrests, it neither confirmed nor denied the recruitment of Israelis, stating that any efforts by Iranian intelligence services would likely focus on non-Iranian and non-Muslim individuals to reduce suspicion.

Some of the suspects were reported to be from Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community, according to statements from police and Shin Bet.

Unlike previous decades when Iranian espionage operations targeted high-profile individuals, the recent alleged spies were mostly individuals on the fringes of Israeli society, including recent immigrants, an army deserter, and a convicted sex offender, as indicated by conversations with sources, court records, and official statements.

Although much of their activities were limited to vandalism and graffiti, the scale of the arrests and the involvement of numerous Jewish Israelis, alongside Arab citizens, have raised concerns in Israel, especially amidst ongoing conflicts with Iran-backed groups.

Shin Bet characterized the espionage activities as among the most severe Israel has faced, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The recent wave of arrests follows a series of attempted hits and kidnappings linked to Tehran in Europe and the United States, signaling heightened tensions between the two nations.

The decision to publicly disclose detailed accounts of the alleged plots was a strategic move by Israel’s security services to deter both Iran and potential saboteurs within Israel, sending a clear message that such activities will not go unnoticed.

Israel has achieved significant intelligence victories in its ongoing shadow war with Iran, including the alleged assassination of a top nuclear scientist. With the recent arrests, Israel has managed to thwart Tehran’s retaliatory efforts so far, according to an active military official.

Iran’s influence has been diminished by Israel’s actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon and the subsequent political changes in Syria.

Social media recruits

Israeli police highlighted that Iranian intelligence agencies often target potential recruits on social media platforms, employing direct recruitment tactics at times. One message seen by Reuters offered $15,000 in exchange for information, with contact details provided.

Recruitment efforts have also extended to expatriate networks of Jews from Caucasus countries living in Canada and the United States, according to a former senior official involved in Israel’s counter-espionage efforts.

Publicly disclosed information revealed that some of the Jewish suspects were originally from Caucasus countries. The recruited individuals typically start with simple tasks for monetary compensation, gradually progressing to collecting specific intelligence on targets under the threat of blackmail.

One of the arrested suspects, Vladislav Victorsson, had a criminal history involving sexual offenses and was found to be working for Iranian intelligence, carrying out tasks such as vandalism and arson in exchange for money. He had also agreed to carry out an assassination and procure weapons, involving his girlfriend in the recruitment of homeless individuals to photograph demonstrations.