Israel faces a rise in espionage cases involving its citizens allegedly working with Iran. The consequences for national security and social cohesion are significant. Security officials indicate that this trend poses a serious vulnerability.
Israeli citizens were accused of aiding Tehran in pinpointing targets for missile attacks and possible assassinations. In light of this, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir is pushing for the creation of a specialized prison ward for those detained on espionage charges, highlighting the seriousness of the issue.
Since July, Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence agency has made public nine cases, resulting in the indictment of 23 suspects. The majority of them belong to Israel’s Jewish majority. Allegedly, around half of these suspects face charges that could potentially lead to the death penalty.
Although such sentences typically result in life imprisonment if convicted. The cases encompass a wide range of individuals, including Eastern European immigrants, a businessman in his 70s, two minors, and a married couple. It shows the varied backgrounds of those accused.
Shin Bet officials report that these individuals were primarily driven by financial incentives. They were attracted by the prospect of significant payments through online platforms believed to be established by Iranian intelligence.
“This wave of espionage cases is unprecedented in its scale,” stated Superintendent Maor Goren. He is a senior police investigator. He pointed out that the recent arrests are putting pressure on Israel’s intelligence resources as the threat shifts from the borders to the core of society.
“These are individuals on the margins of society,” Goren elaborated. While seven of the suspects are Palestinians thought to be politically motivated. The others seem to have weak ties to their communities, with limited job prospects or family connections. This indicates that social and economic factors may have influenced their choices.
