Israelis who spy for Iran

If you live in America, Europe, Israel or most any other Western-style country, and are at least over the age of 50, you have, without a doubt, witnessed a seismic change in society. Most everything we took for granted – like the gender into which you were born or the family values so many of us received, in our youth, are now being challenged and even rejected.

When cold-blooded murder can be rationalized or even celebrated, that is a clear indication that we have seriously lost our way, no longer able to rely upon a working conscience or the humane ethics which set us apart from all other species.

While you may believe that your own society is edging towards an era of collapse, writer David Ben Bassat is convinced that this also applies to Israel, displayed in the “ideological, emotional, cultural and existential rift” that has caused him to come to the conclusion that things here are definitely heading in the wrong direction.  

But while Bassat is more focused upon public discourse, the actions of politicians and our institutions, there is another worrisome telltale sign of a decaying presence which has been extremely rare in the Jewish homeland. And that involves Israeli citizens, receiving money as they collaborate with Iran for spying on their behalf.

The shocking accounts of such individuals have appeared a number of times over the past few months, and one can only surmise that these individuals, who sorely lack all integrity and the devotion to country, are willing to risk everything for the money.

In his article entitled, “Why are Israelis spying for Iran, Jerusalem Post writer, Herb Keinon agrees that “the notion of an Israeli citizen spying for Iran would once shock the nation.”

It was just last week that two Haifa residents, one age 18 and one age 25 were arrested after suspicions had been confirmed that they had been spying for Iran. Unable to complete his assignment, one of these men intended to install a surveillance camera in a certain geographical area, in close proximity to the defense minister’s home, allowing Iranians to gather visual intelligence that they were seeking. 

Just two days prior to these arrests, another 18-year-old, from the central district of Israel, was also arrested, similarly accused of having gathered intelligence at a local hospital where former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett had recently received care while undergoing a heart procedure.  

In April, yet another individual, hailing from the southern port city of Ashdod was convicted of “plotting assassinations for Iran, subsequently sentenced to 10 years.” Unlike the others, this man, reported to have had a criminal background, was age 73, meaning that he could very likely die in jail.  

It boggles the mind to comprehend how such things could happen, because every Israeli citizen knows full well that Iran is committed to the total destruction of the Jewish state, stated publicly by them and backed up by the launching of 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles and 120 ballistic missiles back in April 2024. Their goal was to wreak great damage upon cities, homes, the population and sensitive areas, such as our airport, weapons facilities, roads, infrastructure and power plants. Anything destroyed would have been seen as a feather in the cap of the hostile regime.

What makes all of this so incomprehensible is the not only the fact that these evil and traitorous acts were committed by native-born Israelis but, also, at a time that we’ve been fighting an existential war, accompanied by deadly rockets and the threat of a massive invasion by neighboring countries, such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Iran.

Many of those spying for Israel made contact with their agents through the Telegram app, which has been a popular venue for espionage recruitment. In the case of the 73-year-old, his contact came from wealthy Turkish businessmen living in Iran who successfully smuggled him there where he met with a member of the security forces.  

Although this senior citizen was only paid 5,000 Euros, much less than his original advance-payment demand of a million dollars, he was, nonetheless, willing to engage in the murder of senior Israeli officials, on behalf of Iran, who were seeking retribution for the elimination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, targeted while there. It is reported that he also “received the equivalent of about $558,000 in euros for attending meetings with Iranian intelligence personnel.”

Consequently, what may have started out as an exhilarating escapade for this 73-year-old father and probably grandfather, will end up with his joining the annals of disgraced turncoats who betrayed their country for money, at a time when the homeland was literally fighting for its life.   

Ironically, his last name of Maman is all-too reminiscent of the biblical reference to “mammon,” a term used to characterize covetousness, greed and excessive devotion to wealth. He sure won’t be able to enjoy any of it now! Was it worth leaving a blight on his remaining family and an unforgettable legacy of shame and humiliation?

These individuals represent the type of rot which is responsible for the terrible collapse within our society. It is tangible evidence that there is a blatant disregard for things which were once held as sacred – protecting one’s family name, loving and revering one’s country of birth and not crossing the line of being willing to cooperate with those who hate your people.  

For the young men, also arrested on spying charges, there is equally very strong proof that their families failed to pass on the ethics, morals and values of honor and duty to one’s country.  While the 18-year- old may not have yet served in the military, the 25-year-old was likely still in reserve duty. How could either of them believed this would end well? 

But they are not alone. Just in 2024, Shin Bet, Israel’s Security Services made dozens of arrests of Israelis who had been collaborating with both Iran and Hezbollah. Some of them were also native-born Israelis while others were Israeli Arabs. Why do they do it? According to Keinan, they don’t necessarily hate Israel or are sympathetic to terrorists. He says many are financially desperate and do it for the money.

Sadly, that kind of desperation always ends up in the path of their own destruction, never again to be embraced by the people or the country to which they should have never considered breaking their allegiance.