The Israel Security Agency (ISA), with the assistance of the IDF, uncovered and foiled an espionage and recruiting infrastructure operated by Iranian intelligence in Judea and Samaria, which was developed and funded by an Iranian operative living in South Africa.
The main terrorist arrested was Muhammad Makharmeh, 29, a resident of Hevron and student of computer engineering.
Makharmeh was recruited for Iranian intelligence by his relative Bakhar Makharmeh, who came from the Hevron area and who has lived in South Africa in recent years.
As part of the ISA investigation, it was revealed that Iranian intelligence had used South Africa as a significant arena for locating, recruiting, and operating agents against Israel in Judea and Samaria.
Makharmehworked on behalf of Iranian intelligence and invested considerable efforts in recruiting activists from Judea and Samaria and Israel to carry out espionage and terror missions for the Iranians. In this context, Bakhar took advantage of Mahramah's trip to South Africa in 2015, and recruited him for Iranian activity.
Bakhar even introduced Muhammad several times to Iranian officials, some of whom came from Tehran especially to meet him. READ MORE
