Latest news with #IsraeliDefenseMinister
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
‘For 5,000 shekels, is it worth ruining your family?' Israel urges citizens to resist spying for Iran
Israel has launched a national advertising campaign urging its citizens to resist the temptation of spying for Iran , warning that the consequences far outweigh any financial reward. Titled 'Easy Money, Heavy Price,' the campaign, which includes ads on radio, websites and social media, is meant to convince Israelis that spying for the country's sworn enemy comes at a steep cost. 'For 5,000 shekels (€1,280) is it worth ruining your family?' asks one of the video campaigns. 'Providing information to the enemy is a serious security crime whose punishment is up to life in prison.' The campaign comes a month after Israel and Iran fought a 12-day war, during which much of Teheran's nuclear programme was destroyed. [ Israeli air strike kills two and injures Gaza priest who spoke daily with pope Opens in new window ] More than 35 Israelis have been arrested on charges of spying for Iran, having allegedly been tasked with taking photographs of military bases and strategic sites or offered large cash payments to assassinate senior figures. READ MORE "כסף קל, מחיר כבד": קמפיין לאומי חדש נגד הניסיונות של איראן לגייס ישראלים מערך ההסברה הלאומי במשרד ראש הממשלה, יחד עם שירות הביטחון הכללי, יצאו אתמול בקמפיין לאומי להעלאת המודעות של התופעה, בה אזרחים ישראלים משתפים פעולה עם איראן, מבצעים עבורה משימות ביטחוניות בישראל, ובכך… — National Public Diplomacy Directorate (@NationalHasbara) Two recent high-profile cases involved attempts to set up cameras close to the home of defence minister Israel Katz and spying on former prime minister Naftali Bennett during a hospital stay. Those recruited are invariably in financial difficulty and are seeking a quick fix to settle debts: many are new immigrants, often lacking the patriotic attachment to the state most veteran Israelis have. 'Most of those recruited are on the margins of Israeli society,' explained Yossi Melman, an espionage expert. 'But what's worrying is that a country dedicated to Israel's destruction has managed to penetrate Israeli society.' A building struck by an Iranian missile last month is demolished in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv. Photograph: Ohad Zwigenberg/AP And Melman has an explanation as to why the Iranians are succeeding. 'It's connected to the disintegration of Israeli society that has been accelerating over recent years. There is no longer cohesion and solidarity,' he said. 'People feel that if officials can work for Qatar why they can't work for Iran?' he said, in a reference to the Qatargate scandal in which officials in the prime minister's office are suspected of receiving payment from Qatar. [ EU seems to suddenly discover it has leverage on Israel Opens in new window ] The Iranian recruitment method focuses on social media phishing via WhatsApp, Facebook, X, Instagram and Telegram, offering generous payments for simple tasks such as taking a photo of a particular individual or site, spraying graffiti or obtaining information on Israeli officials. There is initially no mention of Iran and most Israelis who were recruited claimed that, initially at least, they had no idea they were working for Tehran.
Al Jazeera
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Israeli defence minister calls for confining all Palestinians in Rafah
Israeli defence minister calls for confining all Palestinians in Rafah NewsFeed Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh outlines a plan shared by Israel's defence minister to forcibly transfer 600,000 Palestinians from Gaza into a tent city built on ruins, framing it as 'voluntary migration'. Video Duration 02 minutes 25 seconds 02:25 Video Duration 02 minutes 12 seconds 02:12 Video Duration 02 minutes 17 seconds 02:17 Video Duration 02 minutes 02 seconds 02:02 Video Duration 01 minutes 06 seconds 01:06 Video Duration 01 minutes 07 seconds 01:07 Video Duration 01 minutes 30 seconds 01:30
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Khamenei appears in public in first since Israel war
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has attended a religious event according to a video carried by state television, after reports that he was in a "secure location" since the start of a 12-day air war with Israel in which top Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists were killed. The video carried by state media showed dozens attending a ceremony to mark Ashura, the holiest day of the Shi'ite Muslim calendar, standing chanting as Khamenei entered a hall where many government functions are held. Khamenei last appeared in public on June 11 at a meeting with members of parliament, two days before Israel launched its attacks on Iran. For apparent security reasons, Khamenei had issued pre-taped messages during the war which started on June 13 and avoided public appearances. Tonight's mourning ceremony on the eve of Ashura was held in the presence of Imam Khamenei, July 5, 2025 — (@khamenei_ir) July 5, 2025 In a country that relies on symbolic presence and religious authority, Khamenei's absence was notable and gave rise to intense speculation over his whereabouts. The supreme leader was openly threatened by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz during the conflict. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the deaths of more than 900 people in the air war with Israel, as well as thousands of injured. It also has confirmed serious damage to its nuclear facilities, and has denied access to the sites for inspectors with the United Nations nuclear watchdog. Israel relentlessly attacked Iran beginning June 13, targeting its nuclear sites, defence systems, high-ranking military officials and nuclear scientists. In retaliation, Iran fired more than 550 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted, but those that got through caused damage in many areas and killed 28 people. with DPA and AP
RNZ News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Live: Donald Trump claims ceasefire agreed between Iran and Israel
Iranians check an Iranian Red Crescent ambulance that was destroyed during an Israeli strike, displayed in Tehran on 23 June 2025. Photo: AFP / Atta Kenare Qatar has condemned Iran for attacking the US' Al Udeid Air Base, calling it "a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty and airspace". Iran fired missiles in response to a US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities at the weekend. Explosions were heard over Qatar's capital Doha on Monday, a Reuters witness reported, shortly after a Western diplomat said there had been a credible Iranian threat against the base. Iranian state TV later said the country had begun an operation against a US base in Qatar. Qatar said it reserved the right to respond directly and in accordance with international law. Israel had earlier carried out fresh strikes against Iran including on the capital Tehran and the Iranian nuclear facility at Fordow, a target of the US attack at the weekend. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the notorious Evin prison had been targeted, alongside several other sites, including the flagship building of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. Corps. - Reuters / CNN
RNZ News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Live: Iran begins operation against US base in Qatar
Smoke billowing after Israeli strikes in Tehran. Photo: AFP Photo / UGC / Anonymous Explosions were heard over Qatar's capital Doha on Monday, a Reuters witness reported, shortly after a Western diplomat said there had been a credible Iranian threat against the US-run al Udeid air base in the Gulf Arab state since midday. Iranian state TV later said the country had begun an operation against a US base in Qatar. Qatar said it reserved the right to respond directly and in accordance with international law. Israel had earlier carried out fresh strikes against Iran including on the capital Tehran and the Iranian nuclear facility at Fordow, a target of the US attack at the weekend. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the notorious Evin prison had been targeted, alongside several other sites, including the flagship building of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. Corps. - Reuters / CNN
