Israel’s recent apprehension of nearly 30 predominantly Jewish individuals, suspected of espionage for Iran across nine clandestine networks, has raised significant concerns within the nation. This development highlights Tehran’s most extensive attempt in decades to penetrate its primary adversary, according to four Israeli security officials.

The alleged networks reportedly aimed to achieve several objectives, including the assassination of an Israeli nuclear scientist and former military personnel. Additionally, one group was tasked with collecting intelligence on military installations and air defense systems, as stated by the Shin Bet security service. Recently, the agency, along with Israeli police, revealed that a father-son duo had relayed information regarding the movements of Israeli forces, particularly in the Golan Heights where they resided.

These arrests come in the wake of persistent efforts by Iranian intelligence agents over the last two years to recruit everyday Israelis for intelligence gathering and potential attacks, often in exchange for financial incentives, according to the four military and security officials, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue.

Shalom Ben Hanan, a former senior official at Shin Bet, remarked on the alarming trend, noting the unexpectedly high number of Jewish citizens who willingly collaborated with Iran against their own state through intelligence collection or planning acts of sabotage and violence.

Neither Shin Bet nor the police provided comments when approached for clarification. Iran’s foreign ministry also did not address the inquiries. Following the arrests, Iran’s U.N. mission issued a statement that neither confirmed nor denied attempts to recruit Israelis, suggesting that, “from a logical standpoint,” any such initiatives by Iranian intelligence would likely target non-Iranian and non-Muslim individuals to minimize suspicion.

At least two individuals implicated in the recent espionage case are associated with Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community, according to statements from police and the Shin Bet. In contrast to past Iranian espionage efforts that involved prominent figures such as a high-profile businessman and a former cabinet minister, the current suspects appear to be individuals on the outskirts of Israeli society. This includes recent immigrants, an army deserter, and a convicted sex offender, as revealed through discussions with sources, court documents, and official declarations.

Their activities primarily consisted of vandalizing property with anti-Netanyahu and anti-government graffiti, as well as damaging vehicles, according to the Shin Bet. The extensive nature of the arrests, which included numerous Jewish Israelis alongside Arab citizens, has raised alarms within Israel, particularly as the nation remains engaged in conflict with Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza and faces a precarious ceasefire with Hezbollah. On October 21, the Shin Bet characterized the espionage activities as “among the most severe the state of Israel has known.”

These arrests come in the wake of a series of attempted assassinations and kidnappings linked to Tehran in both Europe and the United States. The decision to publicly disclose detailed accounts of the alleged conspiracies was a strategic move by Israel’s security agencies to convey a message to both Iran and potential internal saboteurs that they would face consequences, as noted by Ben Hanan. He emphasized the importance of raising public awareness and setting an example for those who might consider collaborating with adversaries.

In recent years, Israel has achieved significant intelligence victories in its ongoing covert conflict with regional adversaries, including the reported assassination of a leading nuclear scientist. According to one active military official, the recent arrests have so far disrupted Tehran’s attempts to retaliate.

Iran has experienced a decline in its influence due to Israel’s military actions against its proxy, Hezbollah, in Lebanon, as well as the diminishing power of Tehran’s ally, former president Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

SOCIAL MEDIA RECRUITMENT

Israeli police released a video in November highlighting that Iranian intelligence agencies frequently target potential recruits through social media platforms, indicating ongoing infiltration efforts.

These recruitment strategies can be quite direct. One message directed at an Israeli civilian, which was reviewed by Reuters, offered $15,000 in exchange for information, including contact details for further communication.

Additionally, Iran has reached out to expatriate Jewish communities from Caucasus nations residing in Canada and the United States, according to a former senior official involved in Israel’s counter-espionage operations until 2007.

Israeli officials have publicly stated that some of the Jewish individuals under suspicion originated from Caucasus countries.

Initially, recruited individuals are given seemingly harmless tasks for compensation, but handlers gradually escalate their demands for specific intelligence regarding targets, including individuals and sensitive military assets, often accompanied by threats of blackmail, as noted by the former official.

One Israeli suspect, Vladislav Victorsson, 30, was apprehended on October 14 alongside his 18-year-old girlfriend in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv. He had previously been incarcerated in 2015 for engaging in sexual activities with minors as young as 14, according to a court indictment from that period.

An acquaintance of Victorsson informed Reuters that he had mentioned communicating with Iranians via the Telegram messaging app. She also stated that Victorsson had misrepresented his military background to his handlers. The acquaintance chose to remain anonymous due to safety concerns.

Igal Dotan, the attorney for Victorsson, informed Reuters that he is representing the accused, noting that the legal proceedings will require time and that his client is currently enduring harsh conditions. Dotan emphasized that he is only addressing the present case and has not previously defended Victorsson in earlier legal matters.

According to statements from Shin Bet and the police, Victorsson was aware that he was collaborating with Iranian intelligence, engaging in activities such as graffiti vandalism, concealing funds, distributing flyers, and setting vehicles on fire in Hayarkon Park, for which he received more than $5,000.

The investigation released by the security agencies revealed that he later consented to execute an assassination of an Israeli figure, throw a grenade into a residence, and sought to acquire a sniper rifle, handguns, and fragmentation grenades. Additionally, he enlisted his girlfriend, who was responsible for recruiting homeless individuals to document protests, as reported by the security services.