Man Charged for Planning Attack on Former MK Mossi Raz in Lod

The Israeli State Prosecutor's Office filed charges against Asaf Israel Aryeh, a 28-year-old from Beersheba, for planning a violent attack on former Knesset member Mossi Raz from Meretz. Aryeh communicated via Instagram with a man named Avi, who claimed to be a right-wing activist recruiting operatives for paid missions "to save the people." Aryeh offered to carry out serious violent acts, including stabbing and arson, and negotiated payment for these actions.

Aryeh agreed to assault Mossi Raz, either by physical attack or pepper spray, in exchange for 8,000 shekels. On the day of the planned attack, Aryeh traveled from Beersheba to Lod, purchased a burner phone, and equipped himself with pepper spray and a knife. He filmed Raz's home multiple times and sent the footage to Avi but later decided not to physically harm Raz due to police presence nearby.

Days later, Aryeh was asked to provide the address of former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar in exchange for payment. He received about $1,000 via a digital wallet for his tasks. Afterward, Aryeh destroyed the burner phone and deleted Telegram messages to erase evidence. He was arrested in Lod while carrying a knife. The indictment charges him with conspiracy to commit a crime, evidence destruction, and illegal knife possession. The prosecution has requested his continued detention until the conclusion of legal proceedings.