A woman in her 70s has been arrested after allegedly plotting to assassinate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a rocket-propelled grenade, with investigators revealing she sought help from other activists to obtain weapons and gather intelligence on his security arrangements. The pensioner, described as an anti-government protester from Tel Aviv, was detained by the Shin Bet internal security agency six weeks ago and placed under house arrest.
Israeli police confirmed on Wednesday that the suspect had expressed her intent to kill Netanyahu and actively sought assistance from fellow protesters to acquire weapons and information about the prime minister’s security detail. The woman’s identity and address remain under a court-issued gag order, though the broader details of the case were made public at the request of investigators.
According to local media sources, the woman had recently fallen ill and told several people she planned to “take Netanyahu with her.” Those who heard her comments immediately contacted police, prompting the Shin Bet investigation that led to her arrest. The suspect was detained two weeks ago but released on strict conditions, including staying away from all government buildings and maintaining distance from the prime minister.
The suspect is accused of having expressed her intent to kill Netanyahu,” Israeli police stated. “She is also said to have sought assistance from other activists to obtain weapons and gather information about the prime minister’s security arrangements.”
The investigation has now concluded, with the National Unit for Serious and International Crime Investigations and Shin Bet passing their evidence to the State Attorney’s office. The woman is set to be charged on Thursday with conspiracy to commit a crime and conspiracy to carry out an act of terrorism. Prosecutors are expected to present evidence that she attempted to obtain an explosive device or rocket-propelled grenade to carry out the assassination.
The case has sent shockwaves through Israeli society, with the woman’s words echoing the country’s most traumatic political assassination. In 1995, then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was killed by Yigal Amir, a 27-year-old far-right extremist who opposed the Oslo peace accords. Rabin was shot three times after attending a peace rally in Tel Aviv’s Kings Square, dying later in surgery at Ichilov Hospital.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the alleged plot, stating: “I strongly condemn the attempt to harm Prime Minister Netanyahu. Justice must be realized with anyone who tried or will try to hurt him.” The condemnation reflects a united front across Israel’s political spectrum against political violence, regardless of ideological differences.
The arrest comes amid heightened political tensions in Israel, where anti-government protests have intensified over judicial reforms and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Netanyahu, who has served multiple terms as prime minister, remains a polarising figure in Israeli politics, drawing both fierce loyalty from supporters and intense opposition from critics.
Security experts note that threats against Israeli leaders have increased in recent years. Last September, an Israeli businessman was arrested on suspicion of communicating with Iran and planning to assassinate Netanyahu and other security officials. In April, Moti Maman, 72, received a 10-year prison sentence after being convicted of illegally entering Iran and discussing assassination plans with Iranian intelligence.
The current case differs significantly as it involves a domestic threat from within Israel’s protest movement rather than foreign-backed plots. The suspect’s alleged attempts to recruit other activists and gather intelligence on security arrangements suggest a level of planning that alarmed authorities.
Netanyahu’s residence in Caesarea was targeted by a drone attack last October, believed to have been launched from Lebanon. Though the prime minister was not home at the time and no injuries resulted, the incident highlighted ongoing security concerns surrounding Israel’s leadership.
The woman’s legal team declined to comment on the charges, stating: “We have not received the indictment and the evidence material, and at this stage we cannot comment on the suspicions.” They are expected to mount a defence when formal charges are filed on Thursday.
The case has reignited discussions about political violence in Israel, where the memory of Rabin’s assassination remains a defining trauma. Following Rabin’s murder, the Knesset passed the “Yigal Amir Law,” which prohibits parole boards from recommending pardons or sentence reductions for anyone convicted of assassinating a prime minister.
Security measures for Israeli leaders have been significantly enhanced since 1995, with multiple layers of protection now standard for the prime minister and other senior officials. The fact that this alleged plot was uncovered through citizen reports suggests the security apparatus extends beyond formal channels to include public vigilance.
The investigation’s conclusion comes as Israel faces multiple security challenges, including ongoing tensions with Iran, threats from Hezbollah in Lebanon, and continued conflict in Gaza. Against this backdrop, any threat to the prime minister’s safety takes on additional significance.
Authorities have not indicated whether they believe the woman acted alone or had accomplices beyond those she allegedly attempted to recruit. The charges of conspiracy suggest investigators believe she took concrete steps toward executing her alleged plan, though the extent of her preparations remains unclear pending the formal indictment.
As the case moves to prosecution, it serves as a stark reminder of the deep divisions within Israeli society and the potential for political disagreements to escalate into violence. The woman’s advanced age and status as an anti-government protester rather than a member of an extremist group adds an unusual dimension to the case.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
