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Israeli-American arrested in Israel over alleged espionage for Iran
Israeli authorities have announced the arrest of Yaakov Perl, a 49-year-old dual Israeli-American citizen, on charges of spying for Iran. Perl, who had been living in Morocco for several years, was detained on September 4, though details of the case were only made public on September 25.
Investigations by the Shin Bet security service and Israel's National Crime Unit revealed that Perl allegedly began contacting the Iranian embassy in 2017. Authorities claim he later agreed to collaborate with Iranian operatives, engaging in online discussions about Iran and Hezbollah that led to his recruitment.
The charges against Perl include gathering intelligence on high-ranking Israeli officials, such as Herzi Halevi, the former chief of the Israeli Defense Forces, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Perl is also accused of providing information on Israeli citizens, photographing public areas, and sharing video footage, all while receiving cryptocurrency payments for his activities.
Further evidence suggests that Perl posted anti-Israel content on social media in 2023, often interacting with Iranian state-affiliated media outlets. His alleged cooperation with Tehran reportedly escalated after Iranian agents sought information on specific Israeli figures and locations.
In a joint statement, the Israeli police and Shin Bet described Perl’s actions as a significant threat to national security. This arrest comes amidst heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, where accusations of espionage and other covert activities have deepened regional hostilities.
The US Department of State acknowledged Perl’s dual citizenship and confirmed that consular support is being provided. However, citing privacy concerns, the department declined to comment further on the case.