Sign language interpreter and two other Israelis charged with spying for Iran

In a separate case announced the same day, prosecutors filed an indictment against two young men from Modi’in Illit, Israel Levkovich, 20, and Oral Makitan, 25, on espionage charges.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

Israeli prosecutors on Friday announced two separate indictments in alleged espionage cases involving contact with Iranian agents and the transfer of sensitive information during wartime.

In one case, the State Prosecutor’s Office indicted 47-year-old Mekdad Natour, a resident of the central Israeli city of Qalansawe, on charges of contacting a foreign agent, espionage, and destruction of evidence.

The indictment was filed in the Central District Court in Lod.

According to the indictment, Natour had worked for years as a sign language interpreter for various state bodies, including the police, prison service, courts, and national insurance system.

In 2025, he allegedly began communicating via Telegram with an individual identifying himself as “Abu Ali,” who offered monthly payments in exchange for posting content.

Prosecutors say Natour continued the relationship despite suspecting the individual was acting on behalf of an enemy state. The alleged contact persisted even during 12 days of war with Iran in June 2025.

The indictment alleges that Natour provided ongoing updates from inside Israel, including information on the security situation, public morale, damage from rocket fire, and the status of essential services such as water, electricity, and internet access.

He also allegedly shared photographs and reports from rocket impact sites and security incidents, including the interception of a drone in the northern coastal city of Nahariya.

In addition, Natour was allegedly instructed to compile daily reports on civilian life during wartime and to visit hospitals near missile strike locations to gather information on casualties.

After being told some of the material had already appeared in media reports, he allegedly offered to expand his activities by recruiting others to obtain non-public information.

Prosecutors further allege that Natour took steps to conceal his actions, including deleting messages, using an anonymous Telegram account, and communicating through encrypted messages. The indictment said his actions indicated a “real danger” to state security.

In a separate case announced the same day, prosecutors filed an indictment against two young men from Modi’in Illit, Israel Levkovich, 20, and Oral Makitan, 25, on espionage charges.

According to the indictment, the two allegedly operated for about a month with Iranian agents via Telegram, carrying out intelligence missions that included photographing sites and transferring information in exchange for about $1,000.

Prosecutors say the suspects also requested additional assignments on their own initiative.