A Virginia resident, Abdullah Azz al-Din Taha Muhammad Hassan, was arrested this week for allegedly plotting a mass casualty attack targeting the Israeli Consulate General in New York City.
According to the FBI, Hassan identified the consulate as his target and shared detailed instructions on constructing and deploying an explosive device with an undercover agent.
Authorities allege that Hassan operated multiple pro-ISIS and pro-Al Qaeda social media accounts, where he actively promoted violence against Jews. He also reportedly planned to livestream the attack as propaganda.
Israeli Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, expressed gratitude to U.S. authorities for preventing the attack, stating, "The State of Israel deeply appreciates the swift action and cooperation of the American security services in thwarting today's attempted attack on our consulate." He emphasized the broader implications of the incident, calling it an assault on Israel’s sovereignty and urging Western democracies to unite against terrorism: "Terror knows no boundaries... Together we will prevail."
The arrest underscores ongoing threats posed by global terror networks and highlights the importance of international collaboration in counterterrorism efforts.
* Arutz 7 contributed to this article.
