Moroccan national Abdel Aziz Kadi, who held U.S. permanent residency, carried out a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv, injuring four people before being shot dead. Despite undergoing multiple security checks by Israeli authorities, he was allowed entry into the country on a tourist visa. Moroccan national Abdel Aziz Kadi, who carried out the stabbing attack in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, wounding four Israelis before being shot dead, had passed two security checks conducted by the Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet), Israeli Interior Minister has unveiled. The Moroccan national, who holds permanent residency in the United States and had applied for a visa at an Israeli consulate abroad, underwent background and security checks as part of the visa application process. Upon his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, Abdel Aziz was initially denied entry by border control officers. He subsequently underwent a second security check and was interviewed by a Shin Bet officer, who ultimately allowed him to enter Israel. Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel (Shas) called on Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar to conduct an investigation into the incident, which he described as grave. «I commend and appreciate the work of the border inspectors of the Population and Immigration Authority, who realized the situation in real time and sought to prevent the perpetrator of the attack in Tel Aviv from entering Israel», he stated. «Upon his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport on January 18, 2025, the inspectors transferred him to the interrogation of security officials who, unfortunately, decided to allow him to enter Israel», Arbel regretted. The Shin Bet confirmed the statements of the Israeli interior minister, explaining that upon Kadi's entry into Israel, he was interrogated and underwent «additional checks», after which it was determined that there was no evidence to justify preventing him from entering Israel on security grounds. According to Israeli media reports, an American residency permit and a border control ticket were found on Abdel Aziz, indicating that he entered Israel on a tourist visa on January 18. Israeli police confirmed that Abdel Aziz was killed at the scene after being shot by civilians. It is believed that he acted alone. Israeli media reported that his attack was thwarted by an IDF officer who had previously been wounded in fighting in the Gaza Strip.
