Security at US synagogues stepped up
FBI puts anti-terror squads on high alert in wake of Hizbullah commander's assassination; senior official in Jerusalem warns that Israel will view any attack on Jews abroad as anti-Semitic act
Meanwhile, a senior political source in Jerusalem said Thursday evening that any Hizbullah attack on any Israeli or Jewish institution worldview would be severely viewed by Israel.
US Law enforcement officials say there have been no specific threats so far against any Jewish centers. On Thursday the FBI ordered terrorism task forces nationwide to reach out to community sources for any information about stepped-up Hizbullah activity following Mugniyah's death Tuesday.
In the wake of Mugniyah's assassination and the threats voiced by Iran, Hizbullah, and Hamas against Israel, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has held a series of personal meetings with senior security officials.
Olmert met with Mossad Director Meir Dagan, Shin Bet Director Yuval Diskin, and IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi. The PM initiated the meetings because of Hizbullah's reaction to previous assassinations of its top figures such as the two terror attacks in Argentina in the 1990s.
'Caution required'
The senior political source said that it is natural for Israel to prepare for terror attacks in light of the threats being voiced against it in the past two days. The official said that Israel would not stand for an attack on one of its missions or against Israeli citizens abroad.
The source also emphasized that Israel would view any attack on Jewish institutions or on Jews worldwide as an anti-Semitic act. He noted that past experience proves that Iran and its associates do not hesitate to operate against innocent civilians, and Israel is obligated to prepare for such possibility.
Olmert instructed senior defense officials and all other relevant parties to adopt a series of steps that would boost the level of readiness required to avert such attacks.
"Iran's, Hizbullah's, and Hamas' charges against Israel over the assassination of Hizbullah's senior figure require caution, and this is what we shall do," the high-ranking official said.
