Report: Israel recruits rabbis to counter Iran's spy recruitment campaign

Israeli authorities are intensifying efforts to counter alleged Iranian attempts to recruit Israelis as intelligence assets, enlisting prominent rabbis to warn their communities. Rabbi Yigal Cohen, a member of Israel's Chief Rabbinical Council, released a video urging Israelis not to cooperate, stating, "Heaven forbid, there are those who cooperate with them." Police have filed indictments in over 60 cases involving soldiers and civilians from diverse backgrounds, with Iran reportedly escalating recruitment efforts after the October 2023 Hamas attack and the June 2025 Israeli offensive against Iran. Recruiters typically use online platforms like Telegram, initially offering payment for simple tasks before requesting sensitive intelligence.

• Recent cases include a US citizen studying in Jerusalem accused of photographing sensitive sites and a soldier sentenced to five years for sending footage of missile interceptions.
• Other indictments involve a Haifa resident accused of manufacturing explosives for an alleged assassination plot and a reserve soldier providing information on Iron Dome batteries.
• Two Israeli Air Force technicians were charged with aiding the enemy, and two brothers are accused of providing false information to an Iranian handler using AI tools for financial gain.