Qaeda leader Bin-Laden. New threats?
Photo: Reuters
Intelligence bodies warn threat from global Jihad 'substantial'
Representatives from IDF Intelligence, Shin Bet, Mossad warn government global terror groups like al-Qaeda, which use civilian information technology to enlist, mobilizing operatives
Substantial threats to Israel,
its citizens, and Jewish people all over the world exist from worldwide Jihad organizations, specifically al-Qaeda, intelligence reports discussed by the government's Security Cabinet on Wednesday stated.
Representatives from IDF Intelligence, the Shin Bet, and the Mossad said during the discussion that global Jihad constitutes a threat to all Western countries, democratic regimes, and moderate Arab nations. They also expressed fear that the worldwide organizations would develop cooperation with local extremist groups such as Hamas and
Hizbullah.
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The representatives also mentioned that the Jihad organizations' operatives make use of civilian infrastructures such as the internet and information technology in order to enlist and mobilize terror cells.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert directed the intelligence officials to continue their efforts in gathering information and thwarting the threats, through cooperation with other countries seeking to battle terrorism.
On Sunday Director of Military Intelligence Major-General Amos Yadlin told the cabinet that Israel's enemies have no interest in provoking any military conflict while US President George W. Bush is still in office.
The military, he warned, does believe a limited military campaign, which will probably not escalate into a full-fledged war, is possible.
Yadelin also surveyed the circumstances that could instigate terror attacks on Israel. "We have intelligence indicating terror activities are possible both on the northern and southern fronts. Hizbullah may choose to use one of their still disputed subjects, such as the Shaaba Farms or Imad Mugniyah's assassination," he told the cabinet.
As for the Iranian threat, Yadlin briefed the cabinet on the latest intelligence assessments, saying that Iran is forging ahead with its nuclear developments, despite the international community implementing some diplomatic and financial duress.
Syria, he said, is slowly by surely "escaping its international isolation, despite assisting Hizbullah. Damascus is taking several steps in order to get closer to the West, but is still very much a part of the axis of terror."
