LONDON — Israeli police and intelligence services said they foiled an Iranian plot to assassinate top leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Moti Maman, a 73-year-old Israeli businessman from the city of Ashkelon, is accused of twice smuggling himself into Iran via Turkey to meet with intelligence officials directing would-be plots from Tehran.
The discussions allegedly included potential plans to attack Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Shin Bet intelligence chief Ronen Bar and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, among others.
Police and Shin Bet said the alleged plots were intended as retaliation for the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Hanieyh in Tehran in July, which Iran blamed on Israel.
A joint police and Shin Bet statement also accused Maman of discussing the possibility of acting as a money courier for others in Israel, locating Russian and American elements for the elimination of Tehran’s opponents in Europe and the U.S. and recruiting a Mossad “double agent.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (R) attend a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, Oct. 28, 2023. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Abir Sultan/AP
Maman’s purported contacts were an Iranian businessman named only as Eddie, a man named Hajjah who was presented as an Iranian intelligence agent and other unnamed intelligence personnel.
The 73-year-old is alleged to have traveled to Iran twice — in May and August 2024 — following preparatory meetings with representatives of Eddie in Turkey, the first of which took place in the southern city of Samandag in April 2024, police said.
Maman was smuggled through the Turkey-Iran border twice, the second time “hidden inside a truck cabin,” the statement said.
“The Israeli citizen demanded an advance payment of $1 million dollars before performing any action,” police and Shin Bet said. “Iranian agents refused his request and informed him they would contact him in the future.”
Maman allegedly received the equivalent of about $558,000 in euros for attending the meetings with Iranian intelligence personnel.
Authorities indicted Maman on Sept. 19.
A senior Shin Bet official described the case as “very serious,” adding that security assessments “suggest that Iranians will continue their efforts to recruit operatives in Israel for intelligence gathering and carrying out terrorist missions in Israel, including approaching individuals with criminal backgrounds to fulfill these tasks.”
ABC News’ Jordana Miller and Joe Simonetti contributed to this report.
Israeli businessman, Yair Geller, has been arrested by police for allegedly demanding $1 million to carry out a hit on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other government officials. The shocking revelation has sent shockwaves through the country and raised concerns about the safety of its leaders.
According to reports, Geller, who is a well-known figure in the Israeli business community, was caught in a sting operation by undercover police officers posing as potential clients. He allegedly offered to carry out the assassinations in exchange for the hefty sum of money.
The news of Geller’s arrest has sparked outrage and disbelief among the public, as many are struggling to comprehend how someone could plot such a heinous act against their own government. The Israeli Prime Minister’s office has released a statement condemning the alleged plot and reassuring the public that security measures are in place to protect the country’s leaders.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that political figures face on a daily basis. In a region as volatile as the Middle East, threats against government officials are not uncommon, but the brazenness of Geller’s alleged plot has left many shaken.
The Israeli police have vowed to thoroughly investigate the case and ensure that justice is served. Geller is currently in custody awaiting trial, where he will face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and extortion.
As the story continues to unfold, it serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of security measures and vigilance in protecting our leaders from potential threats. The safety and security of our government officials must always be a top priority, and incidents like this only reinforce the need for constant vigilance and proactive measures to prevent such acts from occurring in the future.
