IRANIAN ESPIONAGE AND ISRAEL'S FIFTH COLUMN

Iran tried to plant Knesset spy (YNet)
Security forces arrested a 58-year-old Israeli-Arab on suspicion of being recruited by Iran in order to infiltrate Israel's political system. The suspect, Jaris Jaris, resides in the northern Israel village of Fasuta, which is mostly populated by Christians; he even served as the village council’s head.

It is suspected that Iranians plotted to have Jaris transfer intelligence information obtained through his political connections in exchange for a hefty sum of money. They hoped he would be able to become an MK and continue to transfer vital information to Iran.

Jaris was detained by security forces on December 12, 2005 on suspicion of being recruited to Iran’s intelligence service with the intent of gathering classified information that would be harmful to Israel if transferred to Iran.

The State Prosecutor’s Office plans to file an indictment against him soon. “The interrogation of Jaris reveals severe Iranian espionage activity against Israel to obtain classified internal information in a bid to influence the actions of Israeli governing bodies,” a security source said.

In 1970 Jaris fled Israel for Lebanon after being active in Fatah. Upon his arrival in Lebanon, he continued to work on Fatah’s behalf and sent a terror cell to Israel. Jaris returned to Israel in 1996 in the framework of the agreement that permitted the return of PLO members to Israel; he settled in the Galilee and served as Fasuta’s council head for two years, beginning May 2001.