An Israeli man has been indicted for his alleged involvement in an Iranian-backed plot to assassinate high-ranking Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to Breitbart News, the suspect, identified by Israeli media as 73-year-old Moti Maman from Ashkelon, was arrested in August and formally charged on September 19, 2024.
The case was uncovered through a joint operation by the country's domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet, and its national investigative unit, Lahav 433. The allegations against him include collaborating with Iranian intelligence to plan attacks on several prominent Israeli figures, including former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, the current defense minister, and the head of Shin Bet.
The Israeli police statement revealed that the suspect had allegedly traveled to Iran on two separate occasions to meet with Iranian intelligence agents. During these clandestine meetings, he reportedly expressed willingness to carry out serious acts of terrorism on Israeli soil, with the assassination of high-level officials being a primary objective.
Authorities claim that Maman demanded a substantial sum of one million dollars from Iranian intelligence for his role in the assassination plot. He is said to have received cash payments for attending meetings and providing intelligence to his Iranian handlers.
The suspect's business activities, which frequently took him to Turkey, allegedly provided cover for his illicit activities. It is believed that Turkish and Iranian intermediaries facilitated his covert entry into Iran for meetings with intelligence officials.
Beyond the assassination plot, the indictment suggests that Maman's involvement with Iranian intelligence was more extensive. He was reportedly tasked with various other activities aimed at supporting Iran's intelligence efforts against Israel.
These additional responsibilities allegedly included delivering money and weapons to other Iranian agents, conducting reconnaissance missions, and intimidating other Israeli citizens who had been recruited by Iranian intelligence but failed to carry out their assigned tasks.
The police spokesman emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that the suspect had sought large sums of money in exchange for providing intelligence and additional support to Iranian intelligence officials.
The alleged plot against Netanyahu and other Israeli officials is reportedly viewed by Iranian authorities as retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. This connection underscores the complex web of regional tensions and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran-backed groups.
The case comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, with Israel intensifying its operations against the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah. It also coincides with a series of high-profile assassination attempts on political figures globally, including two reported attempts on former U.S. President Donald Trump and an attack on Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico.
The involvement of an Israeli citizen in such a plot raises serious concerns about internal security and the reach of foreign intelligence agencies within Israel. It highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Israeli security services in countering threats from both external and internal sources.
The indictment of an Israeli citizen for alleged involvement in an Iran-backed assassination plot against Prime Minister Netanyahu and other high-ranking officials has exposed a significant security breach. The case reveals the complex nature of intelligence operations and the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran. It underscores the challenges faced by Israeli security services in protecting high-profile targets and countering foreign intelligence activities within their borders.
