_a.jpg "Photo: Yaron Brenner")
Directed the security establishment to intensify IDF and police activity. Mofaz
Photo: Yaron Brenner
Mofaz: 50 terror warnings
With shooting, stabbing attacks on the rise, defense minister directs security establishment to intensify police, IDF activities; Karni crossing to stay closed ‘as long as it poses threat to soldiers, citizens,’ Mofaz says
The defense establishment has received alerts for 50 terror attacks, 13 of which are specific warnings, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told the Cabinet Sunday.
As a result of the multiple shooting and stabbing attacks in Jerusalem and the West Bank last week, Mofaz directed the security establishment to intensify IDF and police activity along the traffic arteries and settlements in the West Bank. He explained that the IDF was increasing its efforts to bust terror cells active in these areas.
As for the Karni Crossing, which was shut down two weeks ago after intelligence indicated terrorists were planning attacks there, Mofaz said it would remain closed as long as it posed a threat to Israeli soldiers and civilians. The defense minister noted that alternative crossings were available for the transfer of humanitarian aid, such as Kerem Shalom and Sufah. According to Mofaz, the Palestinians were delaying opening these two checkpoints for “unacceptable reasons.” The Palestinians themselves are responsible for the exacerbation of humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian Authority, he said, and this fact must be emphasized to the international community.
Livni informs Cabinet about her European tour
In the Palestinian sphere, Mofaz noted that Hamas was working on drafting a political platform which stresses the movement’s basic principles. He also updated the Cabinet regarding Jordan’s successful thwarting of a terror attack against Israel last week, planned by a sub-group of the al-Qaeda terror organization. This points to an increased terror threat from countries neighboring Israel, Mofaz warned.
During last week’s Cabinet meeting, Mofaz discussed the threat that terrorist groups would step up attacks against Israel in advance of the national elections in an effort to influence the results. “Terror organizations intend to carry out attacks to affect the results of the elections. I’ve ordered (security forces) to increase alertness ahead of the elections,” he said.
The orders included extending Air Force operations against terrorists, bombing access routes to Qassam launch sites, and increasing artillery fire targeting rocket launchers.
After Mofaz’s address, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni informed the Cabinet about her European tour last week. She noted that during her visit she spoke to many leaders about Hamas taking office in the PA, the necessity of insisting on the preconditions set by Israel and the Quartet, and finding ways to transfer humanitarian aid to the Palestinians that bypasses the future Hamas government.
Other issues on the table during meetings in Europe were the Iranian nuclear program, anti-Semitism, the inclusion of the Hizbullah on Europe’s list of terror organizations and the war crimes charges in Britain against Israeli IDF officers, Livni said.
