Math Lecturer Charged with Planning Mass Terror Attack Against Arabs

State prosecutors have filed an indictment against a mathematics lecturer at Bar-Ilan University, a man in his 60s from Petah Tikva, accused of planning a large-scale terror attack for over three years aimed at murdering hundreds of Arabs in Israel and forcing their expulsion from the country. The suspect's name is currently barred from publication.

According to the indictment, filed by attorneys Roi Reis and Tomer Steinberg, the lecturer developed a plan he called "Ayat, A People Will Do Transfer." Prosecutors state the plan was conceived against the backdrop of the "Guardian of the Walls" riots and intensified following the "Swords of Iron" war, driven by nationalistic and ideological motives. Between February 2023 and his arrest two weeks ago, the indictment alleges, the lecturer meticulously prepared a detailed plan for simultaneous terror acts against Arab civilians, including Bedouins, and Arab residents in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

The plan's objective, according to the prosecution, was to cause the deaths of "many hundreds" and to drive their permanent flight and expulsion to Jordan, Lebanon, and the Gaza Strip. The scheme centered on 72 Jewish attackers, at least half of whom would be licensed gun owners, organized into 12 squads of six individuals each. These squads were allegedly to arm themselves with handguns, rifles, axes, and hammers to launch surprise attacks in mixed cities and Arab communities across Israel.

The indictment further claims the lecturer sought to recruit individuals from the Israel Defense Forces, including from the Air Force, Artillery Corps, and Armored Corps, to assist in the attack. Documents prepared by the suspect reportedly detailed how to carry out "mass murder" and seize control of friction zones, roads, and entrances and exits to Arab communities, mixed cities, and hospitals.

Prosecutors assert the lecturer did not limit himself to theoretical planning. For about a year and a half, he attempted to recruit individuals for the plan without success. He also conducted a reconnaissance visit to the town of Tuba-Zangaria to study access routes and attack methods. Additionally, the indictment claims the lecturer tried to involve Moshe Feiglin, a candidate in the upcoming Knesset elections, in his plan. He reportedly attended two public events where Feiglin was present, attempting to arrange a meeting and provide him with a summary of the plan, but Feiglin did not respond to his overtures.

About a month before the indictment, the lecturer sent Feiglin a letter criticizing his refusal to cooperate and threatening to release the letter, which he claimed would cause Feiglin public damage before the elections, if he did not assist. Two days later, the lecturer went to Feiglin's home and gave the letter to a neighbor, asking her to pass it on. He later attended an event for the "Zehut" party at Mahane Yehuda market, where he gave copies of the letter to the party's CEO through another woman.

The lecturer is charged with preparing to commit an act of terror under the Counter-Terrorism Law, extortion by threats, and obstruction of justice. The prosecution has requested the court order his detention until the legal proceedings are concluded.