House cleaner for Israel's Gantz charged over Iranian spying attempt

Israeli authorities say Omri Goren Gorochovsky reached out to an Iranian-linked hacking group and offered to install malware on the defense minister's computer.
Retired Israeli Gen. Benny Gantz, one of the leaders of the Blue and White party, uses a cellphone to take a selfie photograph with supporters during a campaign event, Tel Aviv, Israel, April 7, 2019.
Retired Israeli Gen. Benny Gantz, one of the leaders of the Blue and White party, uses a cellphone to take a selfie photograph with supporters during a campaign event, Tel Aviv, Israel, April 7, 2019. - Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Staff

A house cleaner working for Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has been charged for allegedly offering to spy for an Iranian-linked hacker group, the Israeli Justice Ministry said Thursday.

Israeli authorities arrested Omri Goren Gorochovsky, 37, on Nov. 4, according to the newly released indictment. Gorochovsky, who began working in Gantz’s home outside Tel Aviv in 2018, is charged with espionage and faces 10-15 years in prison. Because he didn’t gain access to classified materials, Gorochovsky wasn’t charged with sharing state secrets. 

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