By Prosper Mene
A 73-year-old Israeli woman from Tel Aviv, whose identity remains anonymous under a court gag order, has been charged with conspiring to assassinate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).
The terminally ill anti-government activist allegedly planned the attack after learning of her diagnosis, intending to “sacrifice” her life to “save” Israel from the current government, according to the indictment filed by the Tel Aviv district court.
The woman was arrested approximately six weeks ago by Israel’s Shin Bet internal security agency following an investigation prompted by reports from other activists. She reportedly shared her plan with a fellow activist, asking for assistance in acquiring an RPG and gathering intelligence on Netanyahu’s movements and security arrangements. The activist refused to cooperate, attempted to dissuade her, and ultimately alerted authorities, leading to her arrest.
According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the woman expressed a desire to “take Netanyahu with her” after her diagnosis, prompting several individuals to contact police. She was initially detained and later released to house arrest under strict conditions, including a ban on approaching government buildings or the prime minister.
The indictment charges her with conspiracy to commit a crime and conspiracy to carry out a terrorist act. Prosecutors described her as dangerous, requesting she remain under house arrest. Her lawyer, Giora Zylberstein, told Channel 12 that his client had no intention of killing Netanyahu, though he declined to comment further until reviewing the evidence.
The case has ignited critisms and public shock, with some questioning Netanyahu’s leadership, though these sentiments remain inconclusive. The case is unfolding under intense secrecy, with limited details released due to the sensitive nature of the allegations.
