Israel foils Palestinian plot to kill foreign minister; 3 arrested

TEL AVIV, Israel, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Israeli officials announced Friday they foiled a plot by several Palestinians to kill Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman.

The three men were identified by the Jerusalem Post as Anans Bech and brothers Ibrahim el-Zir and Ziad el-Zir, all from Harmala in the West Bank.

An indictment was filed Tuesday in the Judea Military Court. The men allegedly planned to buy a rocket-propelled grenade launcher to use against Liberman, possibly while his convoy was traveling between Herodian and the Beit Fajar junction.

Friday's announced indictment follows month of detention and extensive questioning. The men were arrested in mid-August when Ibrahim el-Zir tried to buy an RPG.

The attack was not orchestrated by Hamas, although a Hamas spokesman said such an attack would be justified.