Bar Ilan Lecturer Indicted for Planning Mass Terror Attack Against Arab Israelis

Central District prosecutors have filed a severe indictment against a roughly 60-year-old mathematics lecturer from Bar Ilan University, residing in Petah Tikva, who allegedly spent years devising a radical and murderous plan targeting hundreds of Arab Israeli citizens. The indictment charges the defendant with preparing a terror attack, extortion by threats, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors are seeking his detention until the conclusion of legal proceedings. A gag order is in place on the defendant's name.

According to the indictment, the defendant, motivated by nationalist-ideological reasons, decided to plan and execute simultaneous terror attacks, particularly in the wake of the "Guardian of the Walls" riots and the "Swords of Iron" war. His objective was to cause the deaths of numerous Arab Israeli citizens, including Bedouins, across the country, as well as Arabs in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, with the ultimate goal of forcing their permanent flight and expulsion to Jordan, Lebanon, and the Gaza Strip.

For over three years, from early 2023 until his arrest two weeks ago, the lecturer meticulously prepared his plan. This involved reconnaissance, drafting documents detailing the operation and its justifications, and attempting to recruit participants. The plan outlined 72 Jewish attackers, at least half of whom would be licensed gun owners, divided into 12 terror cells. These cells were to be armed with various weapons, including handguns, rifles, axes, and hammers, and launch surprise mass terror attacks in mixed cities and Arab towns throughout Israel.

The plan also allegedly included coordination with subversive elements within the IDF for support, such as bombing Arab population centers by the Air Force, Artillery Corps, and Armored Corps. The defendant reportedly provided instructions for public participation in "mass murder, rapid takeover of friction zones, roads, entrances/exits to Arab communities, mixed cities, and hospitals... showing no mercy even to their cruel and disgusting women and children... hardening hearts, as any hesitation will lead to an unbearable situation of chaos and then a massacre of Jews."

To advance his plan, the defendant spent about a year and a half unsuccessfully trying to recruit supporters. He also conducted a reconnaissance mission near the town of Tuba-Zangaria. He reportedly attempted to recruit Moshe Feiglin, a candidate for the 26th Knesset, to join his plan and help recruit others. The defendant allegedly attended Feiglin's public events, tried to arrange meetings, and later sent Feiglin an extortion letter threatening to release it if Feiglin did not cooperate. He also delivered copies of this letter, along with another threatening letter, to the party's director-general.