The Islamic Jihad terrorist responsible for the attempted murder of Temple Mount rights activist Yehuda Glick was an employee at the Terasa restaurant, located inside the Begin Heritage Center where Glick was talking moments before – and was employed at the cafeteria there despite having served time in Israeli prison for terrorism charges. 

32 year-old Islamic Jihad terrorist Mu’taz Hijazi was released from prison in 2012, after serving 11 months for terrorism against Jews.

Upon his release, he made the following remarks in an interview shortly after his release: 

“I am happy to return to Jerusalem. I wish to be a thorn in the throat of the Zionist plan to Judaize Jerusalem.” 

Arutz Sheva reached out to the Terasa restaurant for clarification as to how a convicted terrorist could be employed there, but the restaurant refused to issue a response. 

Apparently Hijazi presented a good front, with multiple witnesses telling Arutz Sheva that they had encountered him in the past and that he had been, for all intents and purposes, civil. 

But it appears Hijazi had been leading a double life: the Israel Security Agency (ISA), or Shin Bet, is now stating (10:45 am IST) that Hijazi was likely responsible for August’s shooting attack on a soldier near Hebrew University on Mount Scopus, after police found and examined the scooter used in both incidents. 

Hijazi had even specifically sought out Glick, checking extensively where and when he would be speaking before striking, according to Channel 10. 

Police are currently investigating how the restaurant could have missed Hijazi’s criminal record before hiring him. 

Glick – who founded and heads the LIBA Initiative for Jewish Freedom on the Temple Mount – was shot in the chest on Wednesday night outside the Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem, after the Hijazi pulled up in a motorcycle or scooter and confirmed his identity before shooting. 

He had been speaking, minutes before being shot, at an event for Jewish rights on the Temple Mount that had hosted leading religious figures and MKs. Likud MK Moshe Feiglin with with Glick as he was shot. 

Earlier Thursday, Israeli Special Forces (Yamam) eliminated 32 year-old Islamic Jihad terrorist Mu’taz Hijazi of Abu Tor in East Jerusalem, the prime suspect in the shooting, after he resisted arrest. 

Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack shortly thereafter, saying it was “vengeance for what is going on in Jerusalem” against Arab rioting.