J. Dabani, a 42-year-old. Polish-born Jew who had fought in the Israel army during the war of liberation in 1948-49, has been arrested here on charges of having acted as a spy for Syria, it was announced today.
According to police, Dabani left Israel three years ago, going to Paris, where he had contacted the Syrian Embassy. He was allegedly offered $5,000 if he would serve as a spy, but on condition that he would go first to Damascus for instructions. The police authorities said he had refused to go to Damascus but, nevertheless, received payments from the Syrian Embassy from time to time.
Last year, he returned to Israel. He had been shadowed by Israeli authorities for the last few months, and was arrested last month on charges of spying for Syria and “maintaining contact with the enemy.” His arrest was kept secret until today.
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