JERUSALEM (VINnews) — National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated on Wednesday that the terrorist cell uncovered in the Bedouin town of Segev Shalom had planned to assassinate him over his policy of demolishing illegal structures in the Negev.

According to Ben Gvir, the suspicion that the cell planned an attack against him proves that the enforcement and governance policies he is advancing are successfully targeting groups that, for years, had become accustomed to weak enforcement.

Four residents of Segev Shalom and the Bedouin communities in the Negev were arrested in May and June in a joint investigation conducted by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and the Southern District Police’s Central Unit. An indictment was filed against them last Friday.

The i24NEWS channel published footage of the suspects’ arrests, along with transcripts from the interrogation of the main suspect accused of planning the attack. During questioning, the suspect was asked what he intended to do and responded that he planned to stab a large number of people at the Beersheba Central Bus Station, saying: “There are many soldiers there.” The suspect also said that shooting at the Segev Shalom police station was part of the plan.

The main suspect also told investigators that he wanted to establish a terrorist framework that would eventually reach the size of a battalion: “I also wanted to establish a battalion that, in the event of an invasion, would operate against the Jews if something happened in our area.”

When asked about the purpose of the planned battalion, the suspect replied: “A response to the police for demolishing homes.” His answer referred to National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s enforcement policy regarding illegal construction in the Bedouin communities of the Negev.

The investigation also revealed that members of the cell traveled to Turkey to receive training in preparation for carrying out the attack. Searches of their phones uncovered pictures of Ben Gvir and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Security officials suspect that the cell may also have planned to assassinate them.

Ben Gvir responded today to the arrest of the cell: “The fact that a terrorist cell planned to murder me because of the policy of demolishing illegal structures in the Negev is the best proof that we are harming those who for years became accustomed to a lack of enforcement and lawlessness.

“We are leading a clear policy of governance and law enforcement, and in the past year alone we have demolished approximately 5,700 illegal structures in the Negev. This policy will continue and will even intensify. This is not the first time there have been attempts to harm me. Eight times already attempts have been made to assassinate me, once because of the policy I led in prisons against terrorists, once because I promoted the death penalty for terrorists, and once because of my uncompromising struggle to restore governance in the Negev.

“Anyone who thinks that threats, terrorism, or assassination attempts will cause me to stop is living in la-la land. They will continue to threaten, and I will continue to act for governance, law enforcement, and the security of Israel’s citizens.”