Shin Bet chief: We thwarted abduction at last minute

Yoram Cohen surveys security state at Knesset committee, says Hamas is most dominant group in West Bank terror

Moran Azulay|Published: 05.30.12 , 15:50

Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen surveyed Israel's security state at the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Wednesday. "Recently we have managed to thwart an abduction attack at the very last minute," he noted.

Cohen said that the past year has seen a rise in terrorist attacks carried out with non-firearm means. He noted that 50% of West Bank terror is carried out by Hamas and that out of 28 foiled terror plots, at least 18 were organized by Hamas.

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The Shin Bet chief noted that only a few of the Shalit deal detainees resumed their terrorist activity after their release, and that 2,000 terrorists were arrested in the past year.

כהן בוועדת חוץ וביטחון (צילום: אוהד צויגנברג)

Yoram Cohen at Knesset committee meeting (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

"The security coordination with the PA is good," he remarked, "but it's highly affected by the atmosphere on the street, public opinion and state of the economy." Cohen said that Palestinian forces on the most past caution instead of arrest or indict terror elements. "Nevertheless, given a concrete Israeli warning, the PA does act as it serves its interests too."

The Shin Bet chief estimated that the path chose by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, of demanding a settlement construction freeze and seeking UN recognition, has mainly harmed the PA and caused it more damage than good. "Abu Mazen (Abbas) now understands his limitations. Reconciliation seems further away than ever."

Cohen noted that there has been a significant rise in efforts to target Israeli and Jewish elements around the world, only some of which have been publicized.

He also addressed the cyber war in the backdrop of the "Flame" virus's exposure. "We are at a stage in cyber warfare that can be defined as on the verge of battle."