70-year-old Israeli woman charged for plotting Netanyahu assassination
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (photo: Getty Images)
On July 24, prosecutors in Israel charged a 70-year-old woman with planning an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the Times of Israel, the defendant allegedly decided to carry out the attack after learning she was terminally ill.
The identity of the woman has not been disclosed. It is known that she was arrested about two weeks before an indictment was filed in the Tel Aviv District Court. The defendant is charged with terrorism; however, her detention was changed to house arrest with a restriction on approaching the residences of the prime minister and government buildings.
Prosecutors believe the woman may attempt to carry out her plan if she remains free. According to the investigation, the 70-year-old Israeli is the latest to be detained over the past few months in a case related to an assassination plot against Netanyahu.
The case dates back to 2024, when several suspects were accused of plotting attacks against the prime minister and several other current and former government officials.
Law enforcement authorities were able to identify the woman after she revealed her plan at the end of June to a friend who is an activist in the anti-government movement. She specifically asked him to help find a handheld anti-tank grenade launcher (RPG), which she planned to use to kill the prime minister.
In addition, the defendant asked the same friend to help gather intelligence on the prime minister's schedule, movements, location, and security. The activist initially tried to dissuade the woman from her plan and later contacted a lawyer, who informed the authorities.
Prosecutors stated that the defendant was preparing to assassinate Netanyahu, "motivated by political or ideological reasons, with the intent to instill fear" among the public and government officials.
"The act involved substantial risk of causing serious physical harm to an individual," the prosecution said.
Trial of Netanyahu
Meanwhile, the trial of Benjamin Netanyahu continues in Israel. The corruption case, including charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, has been under review since 2019. Court hearings began in June 2025 and are expected to last for a year.
US President Donald Trump issued a statement in support of Netanyahu, calling him a "great hero" and describing the case against the Israeli prime minister as "a witch hunt" that must be stopped.
