Security officials on Sunday morning 15 Elul 5772 lifted a publication ban on a poisoning plot terror attack that baruch Hashem failed. A number of Israeli Arabs are in custody, with officials stating the suspects admit to trying to murder a Ra’anana family by poisoning their food last year, motivated by the fact “they are Jewish”.

Utman Nasara, 47, from Beit Fouriq, and his employee Abed el-Rahim, 38, from Tira, were arrested about a week ago. They worked as contractors for the Lerner family of Ra’anana at 57 Maccabi Street last year. They allegedly poisoned their food and drink in the hope of murdering the family.

In October 2011 the father, Eyal Lerner arrived home and took a bottle of beverage from the refrigerator. As he began sipping it he realized the home was burglarized, seeing many items thrown about along with realizing some valuable were missing.

He phoned his wife Yifat who arrived with their infant son. They drank from beverages in the refrigerator and gave son to their infant son. Mishmar Ezrachi (auxiliary police) arrived to take a report on the burglary. As they were speaking with police they began complaining of not feeling well. One of the policemen also felt ill as he too partook in the refreshments. It is alleged the suspects intentionally poisoned the a beverage and some food.

They were all transported to Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba. The father required intensive care unit care as his condition was the most serious, hospitalized for over a week. He was connected to life support for a period of time.

Police commander Ilan Mor explains the pesticide used was tasteless, colorless and odorless. Mor, who is heading the investigation reports Nasara told him “I hate Jews”.

It appears the suspects stole property from the home in which they were hired to do contracting work and used the opportunity to try murdering the Jewish occupants.

The suspects have already reenacted the crime for investigators and a third person who allegedly assisted them is only in custody.

Eyal told Israel Radio on Sunday morning 15 Elul 5772, explaining the events, adding his condition deteriorated rapidly since he drank a quantity of the beverage and he was placed on life support due to the severity of the situation.

Mr. Lerner added that he did not hire the contractors, but the builders did, explaining they moved into a new structure. “In short, I was a victim of terror – it’s as simple as that”, showering Israel Police with praise for the determination of investigators as they unfolded the events of the case, unwilling to abandon the investigation.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)