Israel’s Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) intelligence service and the Israel Police together have foiled another deadly terrorist plot targeting the Temple Mount.
Three Israeli Arabs from the town of Umm al-Fahm were arrested in recent weeks in connection with a plotted shooting attack that was to take place in September at the Al Aqsa Mosque, similar to the July 14, 2017 attack in which two Israeli Border Guard Police officers — Kamil Sha’anan and Ha’il Stawi — were murdered.
This time, the attack was thwarted thanks to precise intelligence information that led to the timely arrest of the cell members — Muhammad Masoud Jabarin, age 20; Imad Lutfi Jabarin, age 20; and a 16-year-old minor — even before they managed to procure weapons.
All three were indicted Monday in the district court.
Two of the them were also charged with planning to carry out an ISIS-style shooting attack on a Tel Aviv synagogue, where one of the Jabarins had worked.
In addition, the cell members also considered attacking other sacred buildings, synagogues and churches, as well as security forces, in addition to carrying out vehicular and other attacks over the Christmas holiday.
Two of the cell members are supporters of the murderous Islamic State terrorist organization and were aiming to carry out their attacks on the group’s behalf.
“The Israel Security Agency views Israelis who support Islamic State to be a grave threat, especially those who are in contact with the organization and operate on its behalf inside the State of Israel,” said the Shin Bet in a statement.
“The ISA will continue to monitor suspects and take the necessary enforcement measures to thwart both the spread of Islamic State ideology in Israel and the carrying out of any actions whatsoever that harm the security of the state.”
