Plot to assassinate Israel’s national security minister foiled

Arab man from eastern Jerusalem arrested after planning suicide attack targeting Israel’s national security minister.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

An assassination plot targeting National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was foiled recently after being uncovered by the Israel Police and Shin Bet security agency, authorities announced on Monday.

Prosecutors filed a prosecutorial declaration on Sunday against the suspect, whose identity remains under wraps.

According to the court filing, the suspect, a 20-year-old man from eastern Jerusalem, made contact via social media with an individual in Yemen who encouraged him to carry out terrorist attacks, including the assassination of Ben-Gvir.

The two encouraged each other to die as martyrs while carrying out terrorist attacks.

“Like me, like you—by God, at every moment I miss my friends. I swear I take every opportunity available to confront the occupation. May I die a martyr’s death,” the suspect wrote.

The suspect was also in contact with a terrorist operative in Turkey.

A judge approved the extension of the suspect’s detention on Sunday, pending the filing of the full indictment.

“I would like to thank the security forces—the Shin Bet, the Israel Police, and all those who acted with determination and professionalism and thwarted the attempt to harm me. This is the seventh time they have tried to assassinate me, unsuccessfully, thank God,” Ben-Gvir said in a statement on Monday.

“I say clearly: I will not be deterred and I will not be frightened—neither by internal actors nor by external ones. I will continue to lead a firm and uncompromising policy for the security of Israel’s citizens—in the Negev, the Galilee, and Jerusalem.

“It is no coincidence that we saw a historic result of the quietest Ramadan since 2013—this is the result of policy, governance, and backing for the fighters on the ground. We will continue to act with strength, responsibility, and determination,” he said.