According to a report by The Times Of Israel on July 18, 2026, Israeli authorities have intensified efforts to discourage citizens from spying for Iran by working with respected rabbis and influential ultra-Orthodox figures. The initiative follows several investigations involving members of the Haredi community and aims to counter Iranian recruitment attempts through trusted religious voices.
The New York Times reported that members of the Haredi community have been linked to at least nine alleged espionage cases involving Iran. In response, police and prosecutors have sought the support of prominent rabbis and community leaders to warn their followers about the legal and moral consequences of cooperating with Iranian operatives.
One of the campaign’s most notable messages came from Rabbi Igal Cohen, a member of the Chief Rabbinate, who released a video urging viewers to reject any attempts to recruit them for espionage.
“I am begging you, there is no greater blasphemy than seeing a Torah-abiding, observant Jew betray his people,” he says in the video posted to social media.
Another well-known Haredi commentator, Israel Cohen, also used his platforms to caution the public. He told the Times he “understood the need to warn against the danger and stop it.”
Haredi journalist Mendel Unger also joined the effort by publishing a warning in Yiddish, a language widely spoken in Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox communities. His video urged viewers not to carry out activities on behalf of Iran.
Israeli security officials have continued to face challenges in preventing espionage, including during the recent conflict with Iran. Authorities say most suspects are Israeli citizens approached through social media by anonymous agents linked to Iran, who allegedly offer financial incentives in exchange for cooperation. Some of those recruited, however, have reportedly been foreign nationals living in Israel on valid visas…..See More
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