The government is preparing to initiate proceedings to strip citizenship from Israelis accused of spying for Iran, Israel Hayom reports.

In an unprecedented directive, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered that the revocation of citizenship be applied even to Jewish Israeli citizens who have engaged in these espionage activities.

This policy shift has already secured the endorsement of the government’s legal counsel.
Over the last two years, roughly 40 indictments have been brought against approximately 60 defendants recruited by Iranian agents. Notably, the majority of these defendants are ordinary citizens who possess no prior criminal records.

Under the Citizenship Law, the state is authorized to revoke the status of anyone who has betrayed the State of Israel, a definition that includes those convicted of espionage and treason.

This legal provision was previously intended primarily for Arab-Israelis affiliated with terrorist organizations.