A 16-year-old boy from a “well-off family” in the Shfela region has been charged with contact with a foreign agent during wartime, after allegedly being recruited by Iranian operatives to carry out sabotage acts, according to a Saturday report by N12.

The boy’s parents, both working professionals, his father in high-tech and his mother a teacher, told N12 that their son, "A," had no political motivations and had been driven purely by financial incentives.

“He’s like any other normal teenager,” the mother said. “He barely gets up in the morning. You have to try a few times until he wakes up. He eats breakfast and goes to school. In the afternoon, he goes to work or hangs out with friends.”

Authorities revealed that since the start of the war, 20 similar cases have been exposed, with 27 indictments filed against alleged Iranian-linked operatives. However, A’s case has reportedly set a new record for the age of the victim.

According to the N12 report, A was first approached about six months ago, after posting a scooter for sale online. An individual who expressed interest in the ad offered him a way to make quick money: “Write on a piece of paper: ‘Bibi son of ****,’ and you’ll get 150 shekels.” A agreed, not realizing the gravity of his actions.

The silhouette of a man, seen over the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran (illustrative) (credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)
The silhouette of a man, seen over the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran (illustrative) (credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)
“He had no political opinions,” his father told N12. “He didn’t care what he was writing—it was just about the money.”

Yair Lotan, a former senior Shin Bet official, explained Iran's recruitment process: “They start with small tasks that seem harmless, then gradually escalate. That’s what happened here.”

During his third assignment, A was asked to set fire to army uniforms in exchange for 1,200 shekels. When he inquired about the contact’s identity, he was told he was dealing with an Iranian agent. Frightened, A turned to his mother, saying, “Mom, don’t ask questions. I’m working for a foreign agent, an Iranian. I’m scared.”

Initially, the mother dismissed his concerns. “I beat myself up about that now,” she said. His father, who was abroad at the time, told him to immediately call the police, which he did.

A reported the incident to the police dispatcher but did not receive a follow-up call. Meanwhile, the Iranian operative continued to contact him. His parents said he was afraid to cut off communication, fearing harm to his family.

Police inaction led to further offence, eventual arrest

The family believed that the police would take action. “We trusted that the police would do something to help the boy,” the mother said. Instead, on May 1, Independence Day, the Iranian allegedly asked A to set fire to a forest in the Jerusalem Hills, at a time when a major blaze had already burned 11,000 dunams.

A asked for 20,000 shekels, believing that the amount would discourage the agent. “I know my kid,” his father said. “He wouldn’t have done it.”

After refusing the arson mission, A was given simpler tasks, such as distributing posters urging refusal to serve and an immediate end to the war. “Print this and put it under car wipers,” the Iranian instructed him. “I’ll pay you 40 shekels per poster.”

A also received a cellphone and SIM card through a hiding place arranged by the Iranian contact. “There are still people in Israel in contact with Iranian agents,” Lotan said. “I don’t know if it’s dozens or hundreds.”

By the time he was arrested on May 9, A had allegedly earned 16,000 shekels in Bitcoin. His parents described the arrest: “They knocked on the door on Friday without warning. Three large police officers came in, went to his room, woke him up, and started searching everything.”

The mother criticized the police. “He contacted them and thought they’d guide him,” she said, adding that the police should have warned the family.

The parents also told N12 that during a family trip to Thailand, the Iranian contact suggested meeting A there. They claimed police were aware of the risk but did not warn them: “They let us travel with our younger children and didn’t even think to update us.”

The court criticized the police’s handling of the case. “There is more hidden than revealed regarding the activities of the Israel Police,” the judge wrote. “Had the Israel Police acted differently, the respondent’s further actions might have been prevented.”

A is under house arrest, but not at his parents’ home. “We made mistakes,” his father said. “But we don’t agree with the decision. It’s like they’re telling us, ‘You failed as parents. Sixteen years—and you failed.’ We are angry and disappointed, and our trust is broken.”