Two Jerusalem Arabs Arrested, Charged With Plotting Attack

By Andrew Friedman/TPS

Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and Jerusalem Police announced Thursday that two residents of Ras al-Amud, a neighborhood in eastern Jerusalem, were arrested on September 14 on suspicion of planning a terror attack.

The men, 25-year-old Mohammad Abassi and Mohammad Musa, tried to purchase guns in recent months in order to shoot Israeli civilians and security personnel. In a statement, Shin Bet also said Abassi’s Facebook profile includes posts in support of Hamas, and also has a history of involvement in stone and Molotov cocktail attacks. Investigators also said Abassi tried to learn how to make pipe bombs, although he never tried to create one.

Abassi’s Facebook page also allegedly features incitement to terrorism, including support for the  terrorist who killed four people at Tel Aviv’s Sarona Market last June, as well as the person who exploded himself on the number 12 bus in Jerusalem last April. He has been charged with making contact with a terror organization, intent to kill, creating and carrying weapons, rioting and attempting to attack security officers.