Israeli authorities have announced the arrest of Jacob Pearl, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen aged 49, on suspicion of espionage for Iran. Hebrew media outlets published images of him, claiming he participated in demonstrations alongside Islamists against Israel and Zionism.
According to officials, Pearl is accused of sharing information about public figures and sending videos and images of various locations in Israel to Iranian entities. He was arrested earlier this month following a joint investigation by the Israeli Security Agency, Shin Bet, and the National Crime Unit of the Israeli Police.
Officials stated that Pearl had lived in Morocco in recent years and first contacted the Iranian embassy there by phone in 2017, requesting asylum for himself and his family without receiving a response. In a joint statement, the police and Shin Bet indicated that Pearl began engaging with Iranian media through social media in 2023, posting content critical of Israel and Zionism.
In January, he wrote an article supporting Hezbollah after the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah at the hands of Israel. Following the article’s publication, Iranian agents contacted him, and Pearl agreed to cooperate, according to authorities. After failing to recruit people within Israel, he traveled to Israel in July and began gathering information under the direction of Iranian entities.
The police and Shin Bet stated he provided Iranians with information about public figures and Israeli citizens, including former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. He also filmed streets and various sites in Israel, sending photos and videos and receiving payments in cryptocurrency for his efforts.
The statement added that Pearl’s actions were driven by “ideological motives and opposition to Zionism.”
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