January 22, 2025 | Flash Brief
U.S. Green Card Holder From Morocco Carries Out Stabbing Attack in Tel Aviv
January 22, 2025 | Flash Brief
U.S. Green Card Holder From Morocco Carries Out Stabbing Attack in Tel Aviv
Latest Developments
- Four Men Injured in Stabbing Attack: A man who traveled to Israel from the United States on a tourist visa stabbed four Israelis in a terror attack in Tel Aviv on January 21. Israeli security officials identified the perpetrator as 29-year-old Abdelaziz Kaddi, a Moroccan citizen and permanent U.S. resident who flew to Israel on January 18. Kaddi was shot dead after carrying out the attack in central Tel Aviv on Nahalat Binyamin Street and the nearby Kalischer Street, according to Israel’s Magen David Adom ambulance service. Kaddi stabbed at least five individuals, with one victim receiving serious injuries, another moderate injuries, and three light injuries.
- Terrorist Became U.S. Resident Through Diversity Visa: A U.S. Green Card that was issued in September 2022 was found on Kaddi’s body. Kaddi received the card through the U.S. Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, which issues 50,000 immigrant visas annually through a lottery to “individuals who are from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.” According to Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, Kaddi was flagged as a threat when he arrived at Ben Gurion Airport and handed over to security personnel for further screening, but they were unable to determine any factors that might have prevented his entry. Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence agency confirmed that it is investigating why Kaddi was allowed into the country despite being flagged.
- Foreign Terrorist Attacks: While rare, several terrorist attacks inside Israel have been perpetrated by foreign nationals, including the 2003 suicide bombing of Mike’s Place, a Tel Aviv beachfront bar, by two British nationals; the April 2024 stabbing of an Israeli policeman in Jerusalem by a Turkish national who was subsequently shot dead; and the July 2024 attempted stabbing attack on an armed civilian security unit in the southern Israeli town of Netiv HaAsara by a Canadian citizen.
FDD Expert Response
“The recent attack in Tel Aviv underscored the determination of terrorists to exploit opportunities to target Jewish or Israeli individuals. In this case, the attacker traveled from abroad to stab civilians in central Tel Aviv. This form of terrorism poses significant challenges for Israeli law enforcement, particularly if the perpetrator does not have an affiliation with a terrorist organization. Nevertheless, actors such as Hamas leveraged the attack to call for further violence against Israelis.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal
“The attack in Tel Aviv reveals a dangerous escalation of violence targeting Israel. Over the past 15 months, anti-Israel rhetoric and sentiments — propagated through college campuses, media outlets, and protests — have contributed to a growing wave of radicalization. Such incidents are likely to persist as long as these narratives remain pervasive.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst
FDD Background and Analysis
“‘On Guard Ahead of Gaza Deal:’ Houthi Missiles, Stabbing Attack Hit Israel,” FDD Flash Brief
“Israel Foils ISIS-Linked Terror Cell Plot to Bomb Tel Aviv Mall,” FDD Flash Brief
“Israeli Authorities Link Turkey-Based Hamas Branch to Failed Suicide Bombing in Tel Aviv,” FDD Flash Brief
“Hamas, PIJ Threaten Resumption of Suicide Bombings Following Botched Tel Aviv Attack,” FDD Flash Brief