Israeli Sentenced to Three Years for Contacting Iranian Agents

A Beersheba District Court sentenced Doron Bokobza, 30, to three years in prison on Sunday, October 4, for contacting an Iranian agent. Investigations revealed that Bokobza established contact with an Iranian operative, claimed to have access to the Dimona nuclear center, and received money for completing tasks. He was found guilty of communicating with an agent of a hostile state.

The sentence was part of a plea deal where the prosecution agreed to cap its sentencing request at five years. Bokobza, a former court security guard, received a total of several thousand shekels in cryptocurrency from the Iranians. His tasks included taking photos and videos, reposting a statement by minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and posting on social media in support of hostages Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or, who was then held in Gaza. Bokobza claimed to know them personally.

Bokobza was arrested in February 2025 by police and the Shin Bet on suspicion of security offenses related to contact with Iranian intelligence. Investigations determined he had been in contact with Iranian intelligence operatives for several months. He presented himself to his handler as someone with access to the nuclear research center. The indictment, filed about a month after his arrest, emphasized that Bokobza initiated the contact, fully aware he was communicating with an Iranian handler and could harm state security.

He initiated contact via Telegram, reaching out to users with Iranian flags in their profiles. In December 2024, Bokobza messaged an agent in Hebrew, stating, "I am an Israeli and want to work with you," citing financial difficulties and dissatisfaction with the government as his motivations. The Iranian agent requested proof of sincerity, which included taking a video on the street and making a specific hand gesture. Bokobza then set up a digital wallet, receiving 3,250 shekels in cryptocurrency.

Bokobza, who completed a junior engineering program, had been employed at Haifa Negev Technologies and was a candidate for a manager position at a new ammonia plant. He had also posted on Facebook about joining a "Barrel Patrol" for Negev security, though Knesset Member Almog Cohen, who chaired a related committee, stated he did not know Bokobza. Following the October 7th attacks, Bokobza posted calls for the release of hostages Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or.

The Shin Bet and Israel Police issued a warning against any contact with foreign entities from hostile states or unknown individuals, especially for completing tasks for reward. Since the war began, Israeli security services have uncovered numerous cases of Israelis, including IDF reservists, contacting Iranian agents for espionage in exchange for money. Several have received prison sentences, while other cases are under investigation. The article also mentions two other cases: Fares Abu El-Hija, sentenced to 4.5 years for spying for Iran and photographing Yoav Gallant's residence, and Alexander Granovsky, sentenced to 13.5 years for espionage, including photographing Beni Gantz's neighborhood and power stations, receiving approximately 900 euros for his actions.