WANA (Sep 25) – According to Israeli security sources, an Israeli-American “anti-Zionist” has been arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran, allegedly collecting information on National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.

 

Israeli police and the Shin Bet security service announced that the dual national was detained earlier this month. Hebrew media identified the suspect as 49-year-old Yaakov Perl, claiming he harbored deep hostility toward “Zionism” and had spent recent years living in Morocco.

 

Police alleged that in 2017 Perl sought asylum in Iran for himself and his family, but received no response from Tehran.

 

The Times of Israel reported that over the past two years, Perl had been writing articles critical of “Zionism”. Following the publication of one such piece after the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Perl reportedly came to the attention of an Iranian intelligence operative.

 

According to the report, under instructions from the alleged Iranian handler, Perl renewed his Israeli passport and relocated in July this year, where he began gathering information on public figures, including Halevi and Ben Gvir.

 

Police also claimed he took photographs and videos of streets and other locations across the occupied territories.

 

The Times of Israel added that “like most other Israeli operatives recruited by Iranian handlers, Perl was paid in cryptocurrency for missions carried out on Tehran’s behalf.”

 

Israeli police further asserted that Perl was motivated by his “ideological belief that action must be taken against Israel and Zionism.” Authorities said an indictment is expected to be filed against him in Tel Aviv District Court in the coming days.