Doron Buchobza, a 28-year-old Israeli charged Sunday with establishing contact and selling information to Iranian agents, including details about the Negev Nuclear Research Center, studied control and automation engineering at the Technological College in Be'er Sheva in southern Israel. His academic and professional background reveals someone who appeared to be building a promising career in a sensitive technical field before his arrest on espionage charges.
In various public relations articles where he was previously quoted, Buchobza claimed to be in consideration for a highly specialized position as instrumentation manager for Israel's new ammonia facility – reportedly the only such position in the country.
His Facebook account reveals a friendship with hostage Avinatan Or, who is the partner of former hostage Noa Argamani. In a particularly poignant Facebook post from last November, Buchobza wrote about their friendship: "Avinatan Or, I found someone who is like me – someone who when given a specific time simply arrives punctually and doesn't waste time. Because only the two of us were like that, we had plenty of waiting time together! Great guy."
He continued, "I was excited that I understood your drawings as an electrical engineer, having just finished electrical theory. You sat and explained circuits and calculations to me, and I was like an excited child looking at you as a savior. You danced at my wedding they way only you know how. The tallest in the group, the funniest and the nicest I've met. I hope we still get to sit for a beer, I'm praying for you and for Noa [Argamani] with whom I also have a long history spanning years. Praying for you as strongly as possible, waiting to continue our story."
The news of Buchobza's arrest shocked those who knew him. "No way, I know him," remarked an acquaintance who had become familiar with Buchobza through friends' soccer groups. "Doron is my age, 29," he stated, visibly stunned to learn that the allegations involved someone he considered a good friend. "This doesn't align with the person I know. He doesn't seem like that type to me."
