WANA (May 18) – Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet, has claimed the arrest of an 18-year-old Israeli citizen on charges of espionage for Iran and collecting sensitive information about former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

 

According to Shin Bet, the individual, a resident of Yavne in southern Haifa, was arrested for allegedly spying for Iran. The agency claimed that Iranian intelligence had recruited the teenager to gather sensitive information and carry out actions in line with Iranian interests. The young man reportedly collected sensitive information about former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett while he was hospitalized.

 

The suspect was arrested several weeks ago and placed under interrogation. According to the report, he eventually confessed to the charges and expressed remorse for his actions.

 

Shin Bet further claimed that the teenager was initially asked to carry out routine tasks in exchange for a few hundred dollars. These included photographing a banner reading “Sinwar is alive” near a police station, taking photos of posters opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and burning an Israeli military uniform.

 

The agency alleged that the Iranian intelligence officer later instructed the young man to gather information about Naftali Bennett. He was reportedly guided to the hospital where Bennett was receiving treatment and asked to photograph the hospital’s entrances and exits. He was also directed to the section where Bennett was hospitalized and allegedly took photos of Shin Bet guards stationed there.

 

In recent months, Israel has arrested several residents of the occupied territories on charges of collaboration with Iran.