Israel Arab detained as alleged Iran spy

An Israeli Arab appeared in Lod District Court on Tuesday accused of spying for Iran, after he was eing provided by his handlers with funds, training, covert encryption tools and codes for communication. His clandestine operation was uncovered in a joint Shin Bet-Police investigation, which found the suspect in possession of encryption tools and a disk which he tried to destroy. The investigation found him in secret contact with Iranian intelligence officials and a Lebanese member of the Palestinian Popular Front employed by Iran. Those contacts were maintained even during the coronavirus crisis. His handlers asked the suspect for intelligence on Israeli security and strategic sites and rifts in Israeli society and encouraged him to spot likely recruits for helping Iran stage terrorist attacks on Israeli targets “to promote the liberation of Palestine.”