The Israeli internal security agency says it has uncovered an Iranian-backed terror cell that attempted to carry out attacks in Israel and the West Bank, including against the country’s national security minister and another far-right politician.
Three West Bank Palestinians and two Arab Israelis involved in the plot were arrested, the Shin Bet security service said in a statement on September 17, adding that it was directed by an Iranian intelligence operative based in Jordan.
The suspects were tasked with smuggling weapons and organizing terror operations in Israel, including plans to set cars and gas stations alight and break the windows of businesses.
They were also tasked with gathering intelligence on the security of Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Yehuda Glick, a former member of parliament, apparently as part of efforts to harm them.
“The investigation reveals the nature of Iran’s methods of using Israeli citizens, including people with a criminal background, and recruiting them to promote terrorist activity on criminal operation platforms, in exchange for financial payment,” the Shin Bet said.
Israel considers the Islamic Republic to be its greatest enemy.
Several Iranian plots aiming to harm Israelis inside the country and around the world have been uncovered over the past year.
Tehran backs Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group, which Israel views as the most potent military threat on its borders, as well as Palestinian Islamist militant groups in the Gaza Strip.
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