Israel Matzav

Hezbullah believed to be targeting Israelis in Europe

Israel's Ministry of Tourism has asked Bulgarian and other European authorities to increase security around tourist destinations frequented by Israelis due to a threat of terror attacks from Hezbullah and Iran.

Security sources said that while there was no specific threat, there was intelligence suggesting that Israelis traveling in Europe would be targeted by terror groups.

According to the report, the defense establishment is concerned by Iranian threats to retaliate over what it calls "the systematic elimination" if its nuclear scientists.

Concerns over a possible attack in Bulgaria are compounded by defense establishment intelligence – backed by Western intelligence sources – suggesting Hezbollah is planning a terror attack on "an Israeli destination in Europe," possibly around the coming anniversary of the assassination of arch-terrorist Imad Mugniyah.

Israel has increased its own security measures around Israeli sites across Europe as well, and according to security sources, previous attempted by Hezbollah to mount such attacks have been foiled.

Nevertheless, the Counter-Terrorism Bureau criticized the Transportation Ministry's move, saying it was the first time the ministry had issued this kind of travel advisory and adding that it did so independently.

The Counter-Terrorism Bureau is the only official government body authorized to issue security-based travel advisories.

CTB sources said that Shenar had briefed them on the information he had, but sans a credible threat or intelligence suggesting an imminent one, the CTB saw no need to issue a travel advisory. "The hysterical atmosphere in unnecessary," a CTB source said.

The Foreign Ministry also downplayed the Tourism Ministry's concerns: The latter's travel advisory has not been posted on the Foreign Ministry's website, unlike other Counter-Terrorism Bureau advisories.

Unfortunately, we have way too much experience with this sort of thing. In most European countries today, synagogues are set up so that cars cannot approach them, and armed guards stand outside. Often, there is a community center building which includes the synagogue and a Kosher restaurant and some of the tightest security I have ever seen (usually done by Israelis) on a non-Israeli site. I'm glad I don't live there.

Labels: death threats, Hezbullah, Imad Mughniyah, Iran

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 3:40 PM