An Ashkelon resident was allegedly recruited by Tehran to help assassinate Israeli politicians
Israeli authorities have arrested a Jewish man for allegedly participating in an Iranian plot to assassinate top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Moti Maman, 73, a resident of Ashkelon, was arrested last month. According to investigators, Maman traveled to Iran twice and received money to act as an Iranian agent. Maman, who had lived in Türkiye for a long period and had business and social connections with Turkish and Iranian nationals, agreed to meet a “businessman living in Iran named Eddy” in April, according to the Shin Bet. Maman subsequently traveled to Iran, where he allegedly met with Iranian security officials.
After the meeting, Maman was allegedly tasked with placing money and weapons at specific locations, gathering intelligence, and contacting other Israeli citizens, according to the Shin Bet.
In August, Maman traveled to Iran for a second time. During this trip, he was allegedly instructed to “advance assassination attacks” on Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, the security agency said.
According to the Shin Bet, Maman demanded $1 million in advance for his participation, which the Iranian intelligence rejected. However, he allegedly accepted €5,000 for attending the meetings.
Maman’s lawyer has said that his client had made an “error in judgment in the context of his business,” and noted that he had already greatly assisted the Israeli security services.
Israel and Iran have repeatedly accused each other of orchestrating murders on each other’s territory. Most recently, Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated when visiting Tehran in July. The Islamic Republic has blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s death. Israel, however, neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.