Shin Bet thwarts suspected Jerusalem terror plot by Arab-Israeli man

Israeli security forces have arrested an Arab-Israeli resident of east Jerusalem on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack in the capital, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced Thursday. The suspect, 25-year-old Mahmoud Mussa Abbasi, was arrested some three weeks ago. On Thursday, he was indicted in a Jerusalem court on various charges, including conspiracy to commit a terrorist attack in Jerusalem. Interrogations revealed that in recent months, Abbasi had planned a shooting attack targeting security forces and civilians in east Jerusalem, according to the Shin Bet. The suspect had also allegedly tried to purchase weapons for such an attack. In addition, the Shin Bet investigations found that Abbasi has supported Hamas and was involved in several prior attacks in which Molotov cocktails and stones were hurled at Israeli security forces. Investigator also found that Abbas had attempted to acquire knowledge on manufacturing pipe bombs, although he had not actually engaged in producing an explosive.