JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israel’s prosecution has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court challenging the three-year prison sentence handed down to Elimelech Stern, a young ultra-Orthodox man convicted of contacting an Iranian agent, saying the punishment is too lenient.

According to the appeal, the sentence does not reflect the severity of Stern’s actions and could encourage attempts to recruit Israelis on behalf of Iran, posing a risk to national security.

Stern was convicted of maintaining ongoing contact with an individual acting for Iranian intelligence, performing tasks for payment, and recruiting others to assist in the operations. Prosecutors said the relationship developed over time and involved willingness to carry out actions that could endanger Israel’s security.

The district court in Jerusalem initially sentenced Stern to three years in prison, along with additional penalties.

The State Attorney’s Office, through the head of its criminal division, Rachel Matar, argued in the appeal that the sentence is far too light and fails to convey the gravity of Stern’s offenses. The prosecution emphasized that Iranian attempts to recruit Israeli citizens for intelligence purposes demand a strong and uncompromising response, both to reflect the seriousness of the acts and to deter others from cooperating with foreign operatives.

“This sentence falls far short of achieving those objectives,” the appeal said.

The case is the first in a series of legal proceedings involving Israelis accused of collaborating with Iranian agents following Israel’s recent military operations in the region.