Israel enlists rabbis to counter Iranian spy recruitment after dozens of indictments

Israeli security officials are turning to Jewish religious leaders to help counter a persistent online recruitment campaign by Iranian agents seeking to enlist Israelis as spies. Since the Oct. 7 attacks, Iran has intensified its efforts, using platforms like Telegram to target civilians with offers of money in exchange for intelligence.

These agents employ a "fishing expedition" tactic, starting with simple requests like photos or videos before escalating demands to include information on critical infrastructure and even planning terror attacks. Prosecutors have secured indictments in more than 60 cases, involving a wide range of Israelis, including soldiers, civilians, religious and secular individuals, Jews and Arabs, and immigrants. Notably, at least nine accused individuals are from the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community.

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A number of suspects have been exposed for spying for the enemy. Some of them carried out their deeds during wartime and helped the enemy realize its plans on Israeli soil.

Police investigator Amichai Panetta told The New York Times that some suspects "carried out their deeds during wartime and helped the enemy realize its plans on Israeli soil." Despite public awareness campaigns, authorities struggle to contain the problem. To reach a broader audience, they have enlisted figures like Rabbi Yigal Cohen, a member of Israel's chief rabbinical council, who has shared warnings with the community. The rabbi pleaded in a video, "I am begging you, there is no greater blasphemy than seeing a Torah-abiding, observant Jew betray his people."

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I am begging you, there is no greater blasphemy than seeing a Torah-abiding, observant Jew betray his people.