Indictments were filed against two minors, an Israeli citizen and a Palestinian, who are suspected of having pledged allegiance to ISIS and planned a terror attack in a synagogue in Lod, Israeli media reported on Friday.
The two coordinated with ISIS operatives to attack the synagogue during morning prayers. According to the attack plan, the Palestinian minor was supposed to stab the security guard with a poisoned knife, while the Israeli would take the guard’s weapon to massacre the worshippers.
Last summer, the Israeli defendant made contact with ISIS through social media, filming a video swearing his allegiance to the terrorist organization and its leader, the indictment stated.
The Israeli was offered the opportunity to carry out a terrorist attack in Israel due to his residence, and he chose the Lod synagogue himself.
Originally, the Israeli was meant to carry out a shooting alone during Shabbat morning prayers, when many worshippers would be present.
Attack fails due to main contact being arrested in Jordan
Later, the plans changed to recruit a second individual who would serve as a distraction while the Israeli would attack the guard with a poisoned knife and massacre the worshipers.
After receiving instructions for preparing the lethal poison from ISIS, the Israeli met with the Palestinian defendant, explained ISIS’ ideology, and invited him to join the attack.
The attack ultimately failed after their main contact within ISIS was arrested in Jordan. However, the Israeli defendant remained in contact with ISIS, managing groups on social media, and publicly expressed a desire to carry out terrorist acts.