German authorities have arrested a Libyan national with suspected ties to the extremist Islamic State group who was allegedly planning a firearms attack on the Israeli Embassy. The arrest took place in Bernau, a town just outside of Berlin, following a tipoff from a foreign intelligence agency.
The suspect, identified as Omar A., intended to carry out a high-profile attack with firearms on the Israeli Embassy in Berlin. Authorities revealed that the suspect had been in communication with a member of IS through a messenger chat, indicating a premeditated plan.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized the importance of protecting Jewish and Israeli institutions in Germany, stating that security authorities acted in time to thwart potential plans to attack the embassy. The suspect was brought before an investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe.
Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor expressed gratitude towards German security authorities for ensuring the safety of the embassy. The suspect, a 28-year-old who arrived in Germany in November 2022 and had his asylum request rejected, posed a serious threat of Islamist terrorism.
Justice Minister Marco Buschmann highlighted the heightened risk of terrorist activities targeting Israeli institutions, particularly following recent events in the Middle East. Antisemitic incidents in Germany have seen a sharp increase since the conflict initiated by Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023.
