Arab-Israeli sentenced for planning terror attack on IDF soldiers

An Arab Israeli citizen was sentenced to eight years for planning a terror attack against IDF soldiers. 

By: World Israel News Staff

An Arab Israeli was sentenced to eight years in prison by a Beersheba court Sunday for planning a terror attack in the south of Israel against IDF soldiers to avenge the outlawing of an Israeli Islamist movement.

Firas al-Omari, 46, was convicted of joining Hamas and planning a terror attack in the Negev. He said the attack’s aim was to avenge Israel’s decision in November 2015 to outlaw the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel.

Al-Omari was the leader of a terror cell, the indictment said. The plan was to attack a bus stop or army base in the Negev desert. Gunfire, stabbing or car-ramming were all options that were being considered.

In a separate offense, Omari was found guilty of illegally possessing a rifle and bomb components.