Two east Jerusalem Arabs have been arrested by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) for allegedly plotting to fire a missile into a main soccer stadium in Jerusalem.
According to details of the investigation released for publication on Sunday, Musa Hamada from the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sub Bahr and his friend Bassem Omeri, an Israeli citizen from Beit Safafa collected intelligence on Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, the home field of Beitar Jerusalem with the goal of firing a rocket into the field during a game.
The two began plotting the attack following Israel’s Operation Cast Lead against Hamas in the Gaza Strip two years ago. The two visited a number of hilltops near the stadium to study possible launch sites for the missile attack.
The two also purchased a number of pistols and tried procuring rifles and explosive devices. Other Arab residents of Jerusalem were involved in purchasing the weapons and they have also been arrested.
Hamada, the Shin Bet said, visited Saudi Arabia a number of times in recent years and met there with representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood. In one of the meetings, the Saudi representative gave Hamada money which he was told to use to purchase weaponry. He was also asked by the Muslim Brotherhood to gather information on strategic sites in Jerusalem.
During the investigation, the Shin Bet also uncovered a growing Hamas presence in Jerusalem aimed at establishing a foothold on the Temple Mount. This is done by funding maintenance of the Temple Mount compound – called Al-Aksa by the Arabs - and in subsidizing school trips to the mosques there.