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18-Year Old Egyptian National & Freshman at George Mason U Charged in Plot to Bomb Israeli Consulate in NYC
Edited by: Fern Sidman
Abdullah Ezzeldin Taha Mohamed Hassan, an 18-year-old Egyptian national and freshman at George Mason University, has been arrested for allegedly conspiring to carry out a mass casualty attack targeting Israel’s general consulate in New York City. As was reported by The New York Post on Thursday, Hassan described the consulate as “a goldmine of targets” during conversations with an undercover FBI agent. He now faces federal charges for instructing on how to manufacture explosives with the intent to kill internationally protected individuals
According to information provided in The New York Post report, Hassan provided detailed instructions to an undercover FBI agent, whom he believed to be a terrorist sympathizer, outlining plans to either launch an armed assault or detonate a TATP suicide vest at the consulate. “Two options: lay havoc on them with an assault rifle or detonate a TATP [suicide] vest in the midst of them,” Hassan reportedly told the agent during a conversation on Nov. 27, according to court documents.
Hassan, who was apprehended by the FBI in Falls Church, Virginia, was subsequently banned from the George Mason University campus. As was indicated in The New York Post report, the arrest occurred on Tuesday while he was already facing deportation proceedings. Authorities revealed that Hassan maintained a significant digital footprint, including social media posts praising the Islamic State (ISIS), Osama bin Laden, and disseminating antisemitic and terrorist propaganda.
This is not Hassan’s first encounter with federal authorities. As The New York Post report highlighted, the FBI had interviewed him in 2022 about his online activities promoting ISIS messaging. Although no charges were filed at the time, his extensive online presence and ability to access the dark web were noted. According to the FBI’s charging documents, Hassan demonstrated considerable technical proficiency in hiding his online activity and accessing step-by-step bomb-making tutorials designed to maximize casualties in crowded spaces.
In mid-November, Hassan allegedly sent the undercover FBI agent an ISIS propaganda video calling for violence against Jewish people, The New York Post report said. Over subsequent interactions, the agent agreed to follow Hassan’s orders to carry out the attack. During these exchanges, Hassan provided detailed instructions on weapons and explosives, recommending options such as assault rifles, a suicide vest, or a homemade acetone-peroxide bomb disguised in a backpack. The charging documents also reveal that Hassan supplied ISIS-branded bomb-building videos to the agent.
The New York Post report explained that Hassan’s expertise in information technology played a significant role in his ability to further his alleged terrorist activities. His knowledge extended to concealing his digital presence and navigating the dark web to obtain materials supporting his plans. These actions culminated in his arrest and federal charges, which carry severe penalties.
The Israeli consul-general in New York, Ofir Akunis emphasized the implications of this arrest in terms of global counterterrorism. “This attempted attack by terror organizations is an attack on the sovereign soil of the State of Israel in its entirety,” he said in a statement.
He added that, “It’s proof that terror knows no boundaries and that we must fight it everywhere and every time. The threat it poses to the western world and its values must be fought together by all Western democracies alike. Together we will prevail.”
Mr. Akunis also took the opportunity to praise the efforts of US law enforcement agencies who worked diligently on this case. He said, “The State of Israel deeply appreciates the swift action and cooperation of the American security services in thwarting the recent attempted attack on our consulate.”
This incident is not isolated. A report on Thursday in The Times of Israel highlighted other recent terror plots targeting Jews in New York. In September, authorities arrested a suspect in Canada attempting to cross into the U.S. to attack a Jewish center in Brooklyn in support of ISIS. Earlier, in July, a neo-Nazi was indicted for plotting to distribute poisoned candy to Jewish children as part of a mass casualty scheme.
While the U.S. Justice Department has yet to comment on Hassan’s arrest, the case serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threats against Jewish communities and Israeli entities worldwide. As The Times of Israel reported, this foiled attack calls attention to the vital role of intelligence and law enforcement in preempting acts of terror and protecting vulnerable populations.
Through vigilance and international cooperation, security services continue to confront the evolving strategies of extremist groups intent on sowing violence and fear.
This arrest not only sheds light on the vulnerabilities exploited by individuals seeking to perpetrate acts of terrorism but also serves as a reminder of the critical importance of vigilance in combating domestic and international threats. As authorities continue their investigation, Hassan’s case will likely fuel further discussions about security measures and the influence of extremist ideologies in the digital age.
