Iranian Recruitment Efforts Target Israeli Citizens, Including Haredi Community
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Iranian operatives are recruiting Israeli citizens, including those in the Haredi community, for intelligence gathering through online platforms. Cases include an Avreich sentenced to three years for contact with a foreign agent and two young men indicted for providing information on checkpoints. Another individual received over thirteen years for escalating tasks including arson. Authorities urge vigilance and reporting of suspicious requests.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Iranian operatives are recruiting Israeli citizens for intelligence gathering via online platforms.
- Tasks begin with seemingly minor requests for money, escalating to serious offenses.
- Haredi community members have been targeted in these Iranian recruitment efforts.
- One individual received three years for contact with a foreign agent and conspiracy.
- Two others face charges for allegedly providing information on Israeli checkpoints.
- A further case involved tasks escalating to arson and infrastructure photography.
Iranian operatives are attempting to recruit Israeli citizens, including members of the Haredi community, into their intelligence network through seemingly innocuous online requests. These operations often begin with messages on platforms like Telegram, offering payment for simple tasks such as photographing buildings, hanging advertisements, or relaying information. While the initial offers may appear to be an easy way to earn a few hundred shekels, they can lead to individuals becoming unwitting participants in Iranian intelligence gathering.
Several cases highlight the extent of these efforts. In one prominent instance, Elimelach Stern, an Avreich from Beit Shemesh, was sentenced to three years in prison in February 2026 after being convicted of contact with a foreign agent and conspiracy to threaten. Stern had engaged with an operative posing as "Anna" on Telegram, performing tasks like hanging ads and transferring funds in exchange for digital currency.
In another case, an indictment was filed in April 2026 against two young men from Modi'in Illit, Israel Levkovich and Uriel Makitan. They are accused of communicating with Iranian handlers and providing them with information and documentation about checkpoints and travel routes, allegedly for over $1,000. These are allegations presented in the indictment, not yet convictions.
The potential escalation of these tasks is illustrated by the case of Alexander Granovsky from Petah Tikva. His activities, which started with tasks like spraying graffiti, progressed to photographing infrastructure facilities and setting vehicles on fire. He was sentenced to thirteen and a half years in prison in September 2026 after confessing and being convicted.
A common thread in these cases is the initial approach via social media or messaging apps, sometimes under a false identity, promising quick money for seemingly minor requests. However, even seemingly harmless actions like photographing a street or providing a location can be exploited by hostile actors, leading to further demands after the initial task is completed. Authorities advise citizens to exercise caution when approached by unknown individuals requesting information or tasks for money, to refrain from complying, to save correspondence, and to report such incidents to the police or the Shin Bet. The potential consequences far outweigh any financial gain, summarized by the phrase, "The money will run out, but the case against you will remain."