Shin Bet thwarts operation to bomb Al-Aqsa

The Israeli intelligence service Shin Bet have thwarted an operation to blow up the Dome of the Rock Mosque, in the Al-Aqsa compound, by an American Jewish extremist, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper revealed today.

According to the paper, Adam Everett Livvix, a Christian who is wanted in the United States for questioning on drug-related charges, was charged by the Netanya Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for illegal possession of arms and for outstaying his visa.

Shin Bet arrested the 30-year-old on November 19. He tried to evade capture by jumping out of his seventh floor window and was apprehended on the balcony beneath.

According to the indictment, Livvix had told his acquaintances “about his negative opinions toward the Arab population in Israel and his desire to cause harm to Islamic holy sites in Israel through the use of explosive devices.”

Livvix was found in possession of weapons, ammunition and explosives kept in a storage shed next to his flat in Tel Aviv. His accomplice and flatmate, an Israeli soldier who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also arrested.

The soldier is accused of supplying Livvix with the means of combat and explosives stolen from the military base where he served. These included 1.4 kilogrammes of explosive bricks, six stun grenades as well as tear gas canisters and smoke grenades.

He supplied Livvix with an explosive brick and the grenades in exchange for 2,500 shekels ($634). However, he was only paid a down payment of 500 shekels ($127), the indictment states.

During questioning, Livvix admitted to being involved in various fraud schemes, as well as the initial stages of planning terror attacks on Islamic holy sites in Israel.

According to the Shin Bet, Livvix, while living in the occupied West Bank prior to his arrest, was approached about assassinating US President Barack Obama during his visit to Israel, though the suspect refused to take part in the plan.

Livvix is reported to have arrived in Israel on March 7, 2013, as a tourist, and outstaying his visa.