Israeli Citizen Accused of Spying for Iran
WANA (Dec 31) – Israeli prosecutors intend to charge an Israeli citizen with espionage for Iran.
Alexander Granovsky, 29, is the latest among approximately 30 suspects arrested in recent months on charges of spying for the Islamic Republic of Iran.
According to newly released information, Israeli prosecutors plan to accuse this 29-year-old resident of the Tel Aviv suburbs of spying on Benny Gantz, the former Israeli Defense Minister, for Iran.
Prosecutors allege that Granovsky is accused of photographing infrastructure sites in central Israel and planning to photograph the neighborhood where Gantz, the head of the National Unity Party, lives.
According to the Jewish News Syndicate, Gantz’s home address is not secret and can be found on Google along with detailed images of the street and neighborhood.
Israeli Police Claims Another Arrest Over Alleged Espionage for Iran
WANA (Dec 17) – The Israeli police have claimed another arrest of an individual on charges of espionage for Iran, as part of their ongoing allegations of Iranian spy networks. According to a report on Tuesday, Israel’s internal security agency (Shin Bet) and police announced that an Israeli citizen was detained in occupied Jerusalem […]
Granovsky is also said to have provided information about another Israeli citizen to assess the potential for recruiting this individual for activities labeled as terrorist.
In addition to monitoring Gantz, Granovsky allegedly carried out other actions for Iran. Israel Hayom reported that he participated in psychological warfare operations, including vandalism, graffiti against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, and purchasing Israeli army uniforms to burn them for an online video.
It is also claimed that Granovsky admitted in his confessions that he undertook these actions for money and apparently began working for the Iranians in November.
Those who directed Granovsky discussed obtaining weapons, including guns and grenades, and tasked him with gathering information on the home addresses of Israeli ministers. He was also allegedly asked to set fire to police cars and buses during recent widespread protests in Israel.
According to the report, over the past year, more than 30 Israelis have been arrested on charges of carrying out missions for Iran. Mavor Goren, a member of the Israeli police overseeing counter-espionage investigations, said that the alleged spies arrested so far had limited access to classified documents, but their number is unprecedented.
Israeli Settler Convicted of Collaborating with Iran
WANA (Dec 30) – Media sources report that an Israeli settler from Ashkelon in southern occupied territories has been convicted of collaborating with Iran’s intelligence services for espionage. The convicted individual, identified as Moti Maman, admitted to having made contact with Iranian intelligence officials and meeting with them in Iran. The indictment, which […]
Goren added: “If we look at past years and even decades, we can say that the number of people arrested for this work can be counted on two hands.”
In October, police arrested seven suspects who they said belonged to a spy cell.
An Israeli court on Monday also convicted a settler from Ashkelon named “Moti Maman” in southern Israel of collaborating with Iran and espionage.
The convicted individual is said to have admitted to making contacts with Iranian intelligence officials and meeting with them inside Iran.
The Walla website, citing reports from Israeli security agencies, claimed that Iran is recruiting spies in Israel and that Israeli citizens are willing to betray Israel for money.
The media outlet also claimed that the Israeli internal security agency (Shin Bet) has thwarted 11 espionage operations and Iranian attempts to assassinate Israeli figures since the start of the Gaza war.
