Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered legal proceedings to begin to revoke the citizenship of Israelis convicted of serious espionage on behalf of Iran, officials said, in what they described as an unprecedented move.
The directive, issued with the backing of Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara, instructs authorities to pursue revocation only after a final, binding conviction for severe espionage offenses linked to the Islamic Republic.
Netanyahu told a closed-door meeting that spying against Israel constituted “a fundamental breach of trust,” according to officials familiar with the discussion, Israeli media reported.
Under Israel’s Citizenship Law, nationality can be revoked for a breach of loyalty, including espionage or treason. The provision has rarely been used and was previously considered mainly in terrorism-related cases.
Officials said that in practical terms, individuals stripped of citizenship who hold no other nationality would retain permanent residency and could continue living in Israel, though they would lose civil rights such as voting.
Over the past two years, around 40 indictments have been filed against about 60 suspects accused of being recruited by Iran, according to officials. Israel’s Shin Bet security service has warned of a rise in Iranian efforts to recruit Israeli citizens, describing it as a growing national security threat.
