Israelis Arrest Suspected Iranian Spy

The Israeli Security Agency has been watching the activities of Jaris Jaris, who has been taken into custody for suspected spying for Iranian Intelligence. Jaris was indicted earlier today in Haifa District Court.

From the JPost.com:

The arrest of Jaris, 58, by Israel Police's Serious and International Crimes Unit together with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) was released for publication last Friday.

He was arrested on December 12, after police discovered that he had been recruited by Iran and was asked to use his political contacts to infiltrate the government and the Israeli political system by becoming a member of Knesset.

"Jaris' interrogation reveals a web of Iranian espionage activity against Israel," defense officials said. "The efforts included attempts to infiltrate an Iranian agent into the Knesset with the primary goal of obtaining classified information and influencing the government decisions."

Frankly, I'm surprised the Israelis allowed Jaris to work openly in the country. He was caught operating a terror cell in 1970 and fled the country, only to return and get elected to a local political council. Apparently, Israeli Security wasn't keeping very close surveillance or, maybe, they were just giving him enough rope to hang himself. Nevertheless, at least for the last two years, Jaris' activities have been monitored.

Interestingly, concurrent with Iran's attempt to put Jaris in the Knesset, the Shin Bet has seen a significant increase in Iranian efforts to recruit spies out of the Israeli public. The fact that Iran is devoting more resources toward spying on Israel then before, coupled with the desire to infiltrate the Knesset, represent a level of hostility consistent with the tone of recent speeches by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Sadly and by all indications, it appears that a peaceful resolution to growing Iranian belligerence is not likely.