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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: ISRAEL IRAN SPIES
HEADLINE: Iran steps up recruitment of Israeli spies
TEASER: Israeli authorities say they have arrested more than 30 moles since the start of the war with Hamas
PUBLISHED AT: 01/30/2025 at 8:40am
BYLINE: Linda Gradstein
DATELINE: Jerusalem
DATE: 2:58
VIDEOGRAPHER: Ricki Rosen
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: LR; CAW, TT (BAL)
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA, IDF, Kan 11, Ynet, Jerusalem Press Club, Israel Police, IMA Media
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X_RADIO_X_
TRT: 3:00
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TV/R
EDITOR NOTES: WEB DESK, PLEASE POST CAMERA CREDIT FOR RICKI ROSEN))
((INTRO)) [[Iran has stepped up its efforts to recruit spies in Israel. Authorities in Israel say they have arrested more than 30 in the past year, with two army reservists detained this week. One of them is accused of giving Iran classified information on Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system. Linda Gradstein reports for VOA from Jerusalem.]]
((VIDEO: MAP OF ISRAELI SITES TARGETED BY IRANIAN ATTACKS))
((Mandatory cg: Israel TV Kan 11))
((Mandatory cg: Israel Defense Forces))
((NARRATOR))
Israelis are shocked that in the midst of a war being fought against arch enemy Iran and Iranian proxies Hamas and Hezbollah, more Israeli citizens have been recruited to spy for Iran...
((VIDEO: SHOT OF SPY SUSPECT IN HANDCUFFS IN PRISON))
((Mandatory cg: Israel TV Kan 11))
...than ever before in Israeli history.
The latest arrested are two
((end courtesy))
((VIDEO: SCREEN SHOT OF ISRAELI RESERVISTS ARRESTED FOR SPYING))
((Mandatory cg: Ynet))
Israeli army reservists, including one whom Israeli police officials allege provided Iran classified material on Israel’s Iron Dome
((end courtesy))
anti-missile system. Iran targeted several army bases in their two
((Courtesy AIPAC))
ballistic missile attacks on Israel in April and October 2024 - attacks Israeli security analysts say were based partly on information that the alleged Israeli spies handed over to Iran.
((end courtesy))
((Mandatory cg: Jerusalem Press Club))
((Radio Cue: Eyal Pinko is a security analyst at Bar Ilan University))
((Eyal Pinko, Bar Ilan University, Male (in English)))
“We know that while the first Iranian attack, the bases that were attacked, for example the Golani infantry brigade and Raphael in the north, were very much targeted by the Iranians with the aid of people that are going there. /// To picture from the outside with the accurate GPS.”
((Mandatory cg: Israel TV Kan 11))
((NARRATOR))
The two army reservists join about 30 others who have been arrested or convicted of spying for Iran since the war began.
There are so many spy suspects that the Israeli prison system has had to open a new wing at the Rimonim facility, in which these detainees are held in harsh conditions similar to those of Hamas militants charged with terrorist offenses.
((VIDEO: IRANIAN RECRUITMENT MESSAGES ON TELEGRAM))
((Mandatory cg: Israel Police Spokesman))
Israel television reports Iran has been recruiting spies by offering high-paying work on the Telegram messaging app,
((VIDEO: SPY RECRUITS SPRAYING GRAFFITI))
((Mandatory cg: Israel TV Kan 11))
from $20 for spraying anti-government graffiti to $4000 for kidnapping Israeli officials.
((VIDEO: GRAPHIC SHOWING IRANIAN PRICE LIST FOR SPY MISSIONS))
((Israel TV Kan 11, VOA translation))
So far, analysts say the alleged spies were caught before they could undertake extreme actions.
((Mandatory cg: Jerusalem Press Club))
((Radio Cue: Again Eyal Pinko))
((Eyal Pinko, Bar Ilan University, Male (in English)))
“Once you understand that something is wrong or something is suspicious or you go to the extreme, they already got you because you did some sensitive missions. They can say, ‘OK, I will go to your wife, I will go to your family, to the police, never mind. And then you are, you are stuck.”
((VIDEO: RUSSIAN IMMIGRANTS ARRIVE AND ARE PROCESSED BY IMMIGRATION AUTHORITY, VOA))
((NARRATOR))
Almost all of the alleged spies arrested during the last year are Russian-speaking immigrants to Israel.
The Jewish state hosts more than a million Russian immigrants, a community in which many are struggling financially and have complained about the lack of support from Israeli institutions. Some of those arrested have cited economic motivations for their activities.
((Radio Cue: Chuck Freilich is an expert on national security with the Institute for National Security Studies))
((Chuck Freilich, Institute for National Security Studies, Male (in English), VOA))
((Mandatory cg: Zoom))
“Some of the ex-Russian population in Israel have been hit particularly hard by the economic downturn as a result of the war, or by extended military service.”
((VIDEO: IRANIAN MISSILE INSTALLATIONS, IMA Media))
((NOTE: Footage was cleared by VOA Persian Service for unrestricted usage))
((NARRATOR))
Iran’s successful campaign to recruit spies in Israel comes as expectations grow here for an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities in the coming months, according to Israeli analysts.
((Linda Gradstein, VOA News, Jerusalem))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateJanuary 30, 2025 08:33 EST
BylineLinda Gradstein
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
