According to an indictment filed Thursday, Asaf Israel Aryeh, 28, of Beersheba, allegedly agreed to assault former MK Mossi Raz by beating him or spraying him with pepper spray for 8,000 shekels. The planned attack was canceled at the last moment when Aryeh spotted police cars near Raz's home.
An indictment was filed Thursday morning against Asaf Israel Aryeh, 28, of Beersheba, who allegedly agreed to assault former MK Mossi Raz for 8,000 shekels. According to the charge sheet, Aryeh was hired by a person named Avi to beat Raz or spray him with pepper spray and to document the attack. Aryeh traveled to Raz's home, photographed the house, and sent the images to Avi, but canceled the physical assault after noticing police vehicles in the area. The indictment was filed at 10:07 Jerusalem, minutes before The Zioneer's first report.
The story first broke at 10:07 Jerusalem, when ynet reported that an indictment had been filed against a Beersheba resident who photographed Raz's home and pledged to harm him. Shortly thereafter, N12 added details: the sum of 8,000 shekels, the involvement of an intermediary named Avi, and the suspect's name. N12 also reported Raz's response, thanking the Shin Bet, police, and prosecution, and stating that violence will not deter him. The Zioneer's coverage thus evolved from a single-source report (ynet) to corroboration by a second newsroom (N12), with the financial motive and suspect's identity now on record.
Beyond the immediate case, the incident underscores ongoing concerns over political violence in Israel, as The Zioneer has previously reported. The indictment against Aryeh, if proven, would illustrate a concrete attempt to harm a former lawmaker for payment.
Several questions remain open: the identity of the person who hired Aryeh—referred to only as "Avi"—is still unknown, as is the motive behind the plot. The suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the investigation continues.
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Source and signal
- Internal intake