Israeli Cybersecurity Firm Ability and Executives Indicted for Illegal Arms Export and Smuggling

The Israeli State Prosecutor's Office has filed an indictment against Ability Computer Industries and two of its executives for aggravated smuggling and unlicensed defense marketing. The charges were submitted on June 30, 2026, in a plea agreement at the Magistrate's Court in Rishon Lezion. The alleged smuggling offenses are valued at approximately 35 million shekels.

The investigation, conducted covertly by a joint team including Lahav 433’s Yachbal unit, the Defense Ministry’s Security Supervisor, and other agencies, began after intelligence information reached the Defense Ministry and police. The indictment states that the defendants violated restrictions under the Defense Export Control Law by marketing and exporting offensive cyber software without the required licenses or approvals from the Defense Ministry or relevant arms trade authorities.

In addition to smuggling and unauthorized defense marketing, one executive faces tax offenses, and Ability itself is charged with money laundering. Due to the sensitive nature of the case, a gag order was imposed on the details of the software involved and the countries with which the company traded. Large parts of the case remain classified for security reasons.

The indictment highlights the seriousness of the violations and the coordinated enforcement efforts by the Yahalom unit, Foreign Trade Security Division, and Customs and VAT Investigations in Jerusalem. The court’s publication ban underscores the national security implications of the case, which centers on cyberattack software allegedly exported illegally to foreign states.