Israeli Man Charged for Plotting Attack on Former MK Mossi Raz for Payment

The Israeli State Prosecutor's Office filed charges against Asaf Israel Aryeh, a 28-year-old resident of Beersheba, accusing him of conspiracy to commit a crime, evidence destruction, and illegal possession of a knife. Aryeh allegedly accepted payment to physically harm former Knesset member Mossi Raz. According to the indictment, Aryeh filmed Raz's home and agreed to attack him in exchange for 8,000 shekels. Aryeh contacted an individual named Avi on Instagram, who claimed to be a right-wing activist recruiting operatives for paid missions. Aryeh disclosed his criminal past and willingness to carry out serious acts such as stabbing or arson, negotiating payment and timing for the attack.

Aryeh traveled from Beersheba to Lod, where he purchased a burner phone and armed himself with a knife and pepper spray, leaving his personal phone with a friend to avoid identification. Upon arriving in Lod, he filmed Raz's residence multiple times and sent the footage to Avi but ultimately decided not to carry out the physical attack due to police presence nearby. Days later, Aryeh was asked to provide the address of former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar as well. He received approximately $1,000 via a digital wallet for these tasks.

After completing the actions, Aryeh destroyed the burner phone and deleted Telegram messages to erase evidence. He was later arrested in Lod while carrying a knife. Alongside the indictment, the prosecution requested the court to extend Aryeh's detention until the conclusion of legal proceedings.