What this is about

Abdullah Ezzeldin Taha Mohamed Hassan, an Egyptian national residing in Virginia, has been arrested for plotting a mass casualty attack against the Israeli consulate in New York City. Hassan was in contact with an FBI informant whom he instructed to execute the attack, as per a criminal complaint filed in federal court.

Why it matters

This arrest highlights the constant threat that Israel and its institutions, abroad included, face from terrorism. It underscores the diligence of U.S. authorities in preventing such acts of violence, demonstrating a robust partnership between U.S. authorities and Israeli diplomatic entities.

Details

The FBI identified Hassan through his social media activities supporting terrorist organizations like ISIS and Hamas, which also advocated for violence against Jews. An FBI asset posing as a like-minded individual engaged Hassan, who shared propaganda and attack plans. He mandated a strike on a Jewish-targeted building, ultimately planning for the informant to attack the Israeli consulate with either a bomb laced with shrapnel or an assault rifle, potentially livestreaming the violence.

What they’re saying

Israel’s consul-general in New York, Ofir Akunis, expressed gratitude to U.S. security agencies for neutralizing a significant terror threat, highlighting that terrorism is a global menace that requires unified responses.

Regional context

Recent events show ongoing threats, with previous plots against Jewish communities in New York linked to ISIS and extremist groups finding quick action mitigated disastrous outcomes. Such apprehensions serve as reminders of the dangers lurking and the importance of constant vigilance and global cooperation to counter terrorism.

This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.