Israeli Settler Sentenced for Espionage on Behalf of Iran

On Thursday, a Jerusalem court sentenced Israeli settler Elimlach Stern to three years in prison and imposed a fine after he pleaded guilty to espionage on behalf of Iran as part of a plea agreement.

Secret Communications and Cryptocurrency Payments

Israeli media reports indicate that Stern made direct contact with an Iranian agent identified by the code name "Ana." According to the court's findings, Stern undertook various tasks under her direct instructions, receiving payments in cryptocurrency to evade detection of the financial transactions.

Recruitment of Fellow Citizens for Intelligence Activities

Investigations revealed that Stern did not act alone; he recruited other Israeli citizens, whom he managed to carry out intelligence-related tasks based on the directives he received from his handlers.

Prosecutors Warn of Rising Foreign Intelligence Infiltration

The Israeli prosecution confirmed that this case highlights a growing danger of foreign intelligence agencies exploiting citizens within Israel, emphasizing that such activities pose a direct threat to national security.

Over 30 Similar Cases Indicate a Growing Trend

The prosecutor's office noted that since Stern's indictment, more than 30 additional charges related to similar espionage cases have been filed, reflecting an expansion of Iranian intelligence activities within Israel that is not confined to any specific social or religious group.

Concerns Over Security Deterrence Weaknesses

Judicial authorities indicated that the recurrence of such cases suggests vulnerabilities in the deterrent security system, raising increasing concerns among security institutions about the rise in infiltration and recruitment attempts within Israeli society.