Numerous Golan Heights residents were arrested on suspicion of passing along intelligence information to the Syrian government regarding Israel’s northern border. The arrests and investigation were placed under gag order in late February. On Friday, a Nazereth judge lifted the order and allowed publication of details regarding the case.
A joint investigation by the Shin Bet and the Israel Police found that two residents of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, Ahmkad Makat and Tzudki Saliman, documented Israel Defense Forces activity along the northern border with assistance from other individuals, and passed the information along to the Syrian government and intelligence agencies. The information was transferred both over the internet and through direct contact with individuals in Syria.
Saliman admitted during questioning that he gathered information about IDF activity and posted it online, where some of it made its way to a Syrian television broadcast. He also admitted being in contact with Madhat Salakh, a Syrian government official known for his ties to that country’s intelligence services.
Saliman was indicted on Friday on counts of espionage, assisting the enemy during wartime, conspiracy to commit criminal acts and contact with a foreign agent.
