Beit Shemesh Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Spying for Iran
On February 5, 2026, the Jerusalem District Court sentenced Elimelech Stern, a 22-year-old resident of Beit Shemesh, to three years in prison and a NIS 10,000 fine after convicting him of maintaining contact with an Iranian intelligence operative and conspiring to issue threats. Stern’s conviction followed an evidentiary hearing in which the court determined that he had carried out multiple tasks for individuals identified as agents of Iranian intelligence in exchange for cryptocurrency payments. The prosecution described the acts as harmful to state security and emphasized the potential risks posed by cooperation with a hostile foreign intelligence service. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
According to court records, Stern communicated through the messaging app Telegram with an account allegedly run by Iranian intelligence operatives, receiving instructions to perform various actions within Israel. The instructions included placing protest materials and other items in public areas and recruiting additional individuals to assist with tasks. Prosecutors argued that the offenses were committed during a period of heightened security concerns, and they initially sought a longer prison term of up to seven years before the court imposed the three-year sentence. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Legal authorities noted that Stern’s case is among a series of cases in which Israeli citizens have been accused of engaging with Iranian intelligence entities and carrying out tasks that could undermine national security. Police and the Shin Bet security agency reported ongoing investigations into similar suspected activities, warning that contact with foreign intelligence actors constitutes a serious criminal offense under Israeli law. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
