Israeli authorities have enlisted prominent rabbis to help combat an ongoing campaign by Iranian intelligence to recruit Israeli nationals for espionage and sabotage activities. Rabbi Yigal Cohen, a member of Israel’s chief rabbinical council, recently issued a public warning via social media urging Israelis, particularly Torah-observant Jews, to resist Iranian recruitment efforts. “Heaven forbid, there are those who cooperate with them,” Cohen said in a widely circulated video, emphasizing that cooperating with Iranian agents constitutes a betrayal punishable by imprisonment.

The warnings come amid mounting evidence of Iranian attempts to infiltrate Israeli society by enlisting individuals through online platforms, primarily the Telegram messaging app. Israeli investigators say Iranian operatives target a broad demographic spectrum, offering initial payments for seemingly low-risk tasks such as photographing local areas. These assignments reportedly escalate in scope, eventually involving gathering intelligence on critical infrastructure, military installations, and defense systems like Israel's Iron Dome.

Israeli police and prosecutors have indicted over 60 individuals suspected of spying for Iran in recent months. The cases encompass a diverse group, including soldiers, civilians, religious and secular citizens, Jews and Arabs, and immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Among those charged are at least nine ultra-Orthodox community members, known as haredim, a relatively insular group that has shown growing awareness and concern over the issue. Israel Cohen, a widely followed haredi commentator, has supported the government’s outreach by raising awareness through media channels and facilitating cooperation with community leaders.

One notable recent arrest involved a U.S. citizen studying at an ultra-Orthodox seminary in Jerusalem, who was detained on June 9 on charges of collaborating with Iranian intelligence. He allegedly photographed sensitive sites in exchange for payment. Israeli authorities did not disclose details due to privacy restrictions, and the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem declined to comment.

The scope of espionage extends to military personnel as well. A soldier was sentenced in a military court to five years imprisonment this month after transmitting video footage of missile interceptions during the June 2025 conflict to Iranian handlers. Other cases include a reserve soldier who reportedly passed on locations of Iron Dome batteries and air bases, including names of potential recruits, and two air force technicians charged with aiding an enemy after maintaining contact with Iranian agents for about a year.

Though Iranian operations appear less sophisticated and more opportunistic compared to Israel’s advanced intelligence activities, officials remain vigilant. Iranian recruitment efforts intensified following the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023 and Israel’s retaliatory offensive against Iran earlier this year. Authorities continue to contend with the challenge of deterring recruitment efforts conducted largely through encrypted messaging applications.

In one incident underscoring the severity of the threat, Israeli security services arrested a 22-year-old man from Haifa in April who was charged with manufacturing explosives as part of a plot to assassinate a senior Israeli political figure. The suspect was also accused of photographing strategic sites following instructions from Iranian handlers.

While the overall impact of Iranian recruitment attempts on Israel’s national security remains unclear, Israeli officials underscore the seriousness of the threat. The combined use of law enforcement actions, public awareness campaigns, and engagement with religious and community leaders forms a multi-pronged strategy to disrupt Iranian intelligence operations and protect Israel’s internal security.