JERUSALEM (JTA) — Two Arab-Israelis were indicted on accusations that they planned a bomb attack on a hotel in Eilat.
The eastern Jerusalem residents were indicted Thursday in Beersheba District Court, according to Israel Police. They were living and working in Eilat while planning the attack. The men met while working at a hotel in the southern Israel resort city and allegedly agreed to carry out a revenge attack on Jews.
According to the indictment, one of the accused, Khalil Nimri, said he “wanted to avenge the death of his childhood friend killed in October.” The friend was killed while carrying out a stabbing attack in Jerusalem.
One of the indicted men visited the hotel posing as a prospective guest and asked to see the inside of several rooms. The other man watched instructional videos on how to assemble a bomb, according to police.
Hotel staff reported the men to security officials after their reconnaissance raised suspicions. They were arrested and later confessed their plot.
Before deciding on a bomb attack, the accused reportedly contemplated stabbing Jews in Eilat.
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