A 21-year-old man has been charged with serious security offences after allegedly carrying out intelligence-gathering tasks for an Iranian handler in exchange for money.
The accused, Moshe Lachovitz, was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office at the Jerusalem District Court following his arrest last month.
Allegations of intelligence gathering
According to the indictment, Lachovitz made contact with an individual identifying himself as “Michael” while seeking employment opportunities online. He was allegedly instructed to photograph and document various locations across Israel.
These included sensitive areas in Jerusalem and Ra’anana, where former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett resides.
Authorities claim Lachovitz received payments worth thousands of dollars, transferred through cryptocurrency.
Continued involvement despite awareness
Investigators stated that Lachovitz initially did not realise the handler’s identity. However, even after allegedly discovering that “Michael” was linked to Iran, he continued to carry out assigned tasks.
The activities reportedly took place during the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June 2025.
Security concerns highlighted
The case has raised fresh concerns over the use of digital platforms and cryptocurrency in cross-border intelligence operations. Authorities believe such methods are increasingly being used to recruit individuals remotely.
Officials have stressed the seriousness of the charges, noting that any cooperation with hostile entities poses a significant threat to national security