The Court of Appeals for the Iranian Spy Moti Maman After the Moshav rejected his residency
MordeChai “Moti” Maman, currently serving ten years in prison for spying for Iran, has been trying to register as a resident of Northern Israel Alav Bustan Bustan Bustan Houralil.
MordeChai “Moti” Maman sent a petition to the Haifa District Court for his son and lawyer Ben on Tuesday, arguing that the Bustan Hagalil Moshav was blocking his efforts to register as a Moshav resident.
Maman, currently serving a ten-year prison sentence for spying for Iran, had his request rejected by the local council and the Moshav committee.
In the petition, Maman argued that his questions to the Moshav committee and the Mateh Asheri Regional Council “were met with answers.” He pointed out that their decision to reject him “violates his and his family’s rights, constitutes a gross deviation from the boundaries of reasonableness, and is tainted by bad faith, prejudice, and lack of transparency.”
Maman said that the actions of the committee and the council have caused deep sorrow and hardship to his family, who have been living in the area since 1991 and play a major role in the community. “
History of Maman
Maman, 73, father of three and grandmother, previously lived in Bustan Hagalil. He was known for running a baguette stand in nearby Nahariya, taking over from the previous owner, the wife of a criminal Shmulik Harush. After her divorce, Maman remarried and requested in 2024 to change her registered address in Ashikelon.
Moti Maman, 73, Suspected Of Traveling To Iran Twice And Communicating With Iranian Intelligence, Appears In Court At The Bear Court In Bheer Sheva, September 19, 2024. (Credit: Dudu Greenspan / Flash90)
After his arrest, he expressed regret for this decision, saying that others already live in an apartment in Ashkelon, and that he now wishes to return his address to Moshav, where his family lives.
However, the perception of him in the western moshav in the Galilee remains negative. After his arrest, the citizens are disgusted by his actions.
“We are a community of hard-working and passionate farmers, with the security of the state always before our eyes,” said one MoShav member. You’re crying at that time.
During his collaboration with Iranian agents, Maman entered Iran and met with Iranian intelligence officials who asked him to kill the top figures of Israel, then bet Benferen Netnanyahu, and avenge the Minister of Ronen, as he avenged the murder of Ismail Haviyeh.
Although Maman refused, citing the high level of security surrounding these people, he still negotiated an advance payment, initially demanding a million dollars. The Iranians then suggested that they killed former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett or, alternatively, the mayors of Nahariya or acre.
Maman appealed his sentence to the Supreme Court. The appeal is expected to be heard in May 2026.
The Bustan Hagalil Committee and the Mateh Aser District Council have now responded to the request.
