Professor Accused of Terror Plot Contacted Popular Right-Wing Podcaster

Further details have emerged regarding a mathematics professor accused of planning a mass terror attack against Arabs in Israel. The professor reportedly attempted to recruit individuals associated with the right-wing political movement, aiming to connect with Moshe Feiglin. According to i24NEWS, one of the individuals the professor approached was popular right-wing podcaster Tamir Dirtel. Dirtel's name surfaced during the professor's interrogation, leading to his summons to provide testimony to the police.

Dirtel recounted that upon hearing the professor's plan, he decided to end their meeting. "The man seemed to me like a 70-year-old man with a preposterous plan. The moment he started telling me his plan, I kicked him out of the house and told him the meeting was over," Dirtel stated. He emphasized to the professor that it was a "terrible idea for the causes he himself believes in." Dirtel admitted, "In hindsight, I admit I made a mistake by not reporting it to the police immediately. I did warn him that I would report to Zini, and he seemed deterred by that."

In his police testimony, Dirtel added that even after declaring the meeting over, the professor refused to leave. The professor reportedly returned an hour later and conducted a search for several minutes to ensure he had not left any documents behind. Earlier in the day, a court hearing was held for the professor, who requested release to house arrest and refused a psychiatric evaluation to determine his fitness to stand trial. An initial assessment found him fit for detention but noted he suffers from delusions and has a poor grasp of reality.

Despite the assessment, the professor insisted on not undergoing the evaluation. During the hearing, he claimed his lawyer advised him to feign mental instability to receive a lighter sentence. "My lawyer presented me with a false representation that I should play a little crazy, and that it would lighten my sentence," he told the judge. "I am completely sane and stand by my actions." The professor reiterated his request for house arrest, citing his university employment. "I am not a danger to anyone right now. I can be released to house arrest. My life has completely changed. I have so many things to do and financial matters to handle. I don't see who I am a danger to," he said. He also expressed fear of the Muslim guards and mentioned his work at Bar-Ilan University, including grading exams, which he did before October 7th.