Bat Yam Mayor Alerts Residents to Iranian Recruitment Efforts

Bat Yam’s Mayor, Tzvika Brot, has issued a stark warning to residents about Iranian intelligence agents actively seeking to recruit individuals for espionage activities. In a video posted to his official Facebook page on November 10, 2023, Brot urged locals to remain vigilant and report any suspicious contact to prevent what he described as “irreversible harm” to both personal safety and national security.

Brot emphasized that Iranian handlers are reaching out to residents through various communication channels, including phone messages. “We know that there are also residents of Bat Yam who, these very days, are maintaining such contacts,” he stated, highlighting the potential dangers these interactions pose. The mayor’s comments followed recent communications between the Bat Yam municipality and security agencies, including the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), regarding the risk of residents becoming involved in espionage activities.

According to Brot, these engagements with Iranian agents could jeopardize not only the safety of Israel but also the futures of those individuals involved. He characterized cooperation with Iranian handlers as a “very serious offense” and warned that those apprehended by the Shin Bet would face severe consequences. “We have recently been hearing in the media about normative people… who thought they would make easy money, and perhaps carry out actions that they thought would cause no harm at all,” he explained.

Brot urged residents to proactively reach out to authorities if they have interacted with Iranian agents. He stated, “If you or relatives or friends responded to one of these approaches, do not wait until they knock on your door. It is probably still not too late to reach out to us.” His plea underscores the necessity of community collaboration in thwarting potential threats.

The mayor also shared insights from discussions with Shin Bet, noting that the agency has identified a significant problem with Iranian outreach. “The Iranians are no longer hiding, but are contacting everyone by phone,” he noted. He added that even a small number of successful recruitments could have serious implications for national security.

In a related development, Israeli authorities arrested a 27-year-old resident of Tel Aviv on suspicion of engaging with Iranian operatives. This individual allegedly contacted Iranian officials via social media and completed several missions for financial compensation. These missions included photographing sensitive locations, such as a missile impact site in Ramat Gan and the Tel Aviv Museum, under the guidance of Iranian handlers.

On November 20, 2023, the Israel Police and Shin Bet announced the arrest of a 21-year-old resident of Beersheba, who was also implicated in activities linked to Iranian agents. This series of arrests highlights the ongoing concern regarding espionage and the recruitment of Israeli citizens by foreign intelligence agencies.

As the situation develops, Mayor Brot’s call for community awareness serves as a critical reminder of the importance of vigilance in safeguarding national security.