Israeli Arab Caught Trying to Repeat Park Hotel-Type Bombing
23:07 Dec 17, '06 / 26 Kislev 5767
by Ezra HaLevi

A gag order was lifted Sunday permitting the reporting of an Israeli Arab arrested two weeks ago before he could carry out an attack modeled after the Park Hotel massacre.

The 17-year-old Nazareth resident was issued in indictment Sunday and charged with planning to carry out a suicide bombing, conspiring to commit a crime and contact with a foreign agent.

Israeli intelligence caught the young man expressing interest in carrying out a suicide bombing on two occasions using surveillance equipment. He was set to receive his explosive belt from Fatah’s Al Aksa Brigades, but was arrested two days prior to the specified time.

He planned to blow up the packed lobby or dining room of Upper Nazareth’s Plaza Hotel. He said he chose the location due to its popularity with Israeli Jews and its light security.

The Israeli Arab, whose father is a citizen of the PA, said he was taunted by Islamic Jihad and Hamas men whenever he visited PA-areas and wanted to prove to them once and for all that he was loyal to the Palestinian cause