The Shin Bet and Israel Police recently arrested Daniel Kitov (26) who performed tasks for Iranian handlers – including being asked to photograph the home of Shin Bet director Ronen Bar. Kitov also voluntarily offered to photograph the residence of Member of Knesset Benny Gantz. On Thursday morning, prosecutors filed a serious indictment against him at the Lod District Court on charges of contact with a foreign agent.
As part of a joint security operation, Kitov was detained after being suspected of executing various assignments for a hostile foreign entity. The investigation revealed that for several months, Kitov maintained communication with an Iranian operative. Under this handler's direction, he spray-painted dozens of graffiti messages in the cities of Petah Tikva and Rosh Ha'ayin in exchange for payment. The Iranian operatives identified themselves as "Mike" and "Roni Bar" in their communications.
The collaboration with Iranian intelligence began in December. Security forces arrested Kitov in February, and courts extended his detention multiple times during the investigation. During questioning, he confessed to painting graffiti with the phrases "Conquerors of Khaybar" and "Children of Ruhollah" at his handlers' request. Financial records show he received $7,000 (approximately 25,000 shekels) in transfers for these activities. Authorities apprehended Kitov while he was actively spraying one of these messages.
Investigators discovered that Kitov received requests to photograph Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar's residence and document military installations, and was questioned about potential connections to Israeli Air Force pilots. However, he did not complete these higher-risk assignments. The investigation also uncovered that Kitov, on his own initiative, proposed photographing Member of Knesset Benny Gantz's home, though this operation was never carried out.
Evidence indicates that Kitov was aware he was communicating with Iranian intelligence operatives, based partly on media coverage of similar recruitment attempts and his own internet searches on the topic. Security officials emphasize that hostile intelligence agencies and terrorist organizations continue their persistent efforts to recruit Israeli citizens for both intelligence gathering and potential terrorist operations within Israel.
