A 73-year-old terminally ill woman from Tel Aviv has been charged with an extraordinary plot to assassinate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu using a rocket launcher, Israeli prosecutors revealed on Thursday.
The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, is described in the indictment as an anti-government activist who became radicalized after receiving a terminal diagnosis. According to prosecutors, she declared her intention to “sacrifice” her life in a bid to “save” Israel from the leadership of the current government.
What led to the assassination plot?
Authorities say the woman confided in another activist, explaining her plan to kill Netanyahu. She asked for his help in acquiring a rocket-propelled grenade and gathering intelligence on the Prime Minister’s movements, agenda, and security setup. While the man initially tried to talk her out of it, he ultimately alerted authorities when it became clear she was determined to carry out the act.
Her arrest followed shortly after the report was filed. Prosecutors argue that she still poses a significant risk due to her willingness to die as a “martyr.”
Are political threats against Netanyahu common?
Though rare, threats against high-ranking Israeli officials are not unheard of. Just last year, a man was arrested for posting a death threat against Netanyahu on social media. The country still remembers the assassination of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 by a far-right extremist opposed to the Oslo peace accords with the Palestinians.
The prosecution has requested that the woman be placed under house arrest during the legal proceedings. Despite her medical condition, they argue her statements clearly show that she remains a threat. The case is now under formal investigation, adding yet another layer of tension to Israel’s already polarized political climate.
By Lucky Anyanje