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Yuval Diskin
Photo: Gil Yohanan

Shin Bet chief warns 3rd intifada likely under Barghouti

Yuval Diskin tells Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee while chances of new Palestinian uprising in 2010 are low, prospects may increase should any dramatic event take place

Shin Bet Chief Yuval Diskin spoke before the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday and said that should former Fatah Secretary-General Marwan Barghouti become the next Palestinian president, taking over for Mahmoud Abbas a third intifada may ensue.

 

Any dramatic event the likes of torching mosques or an attack on the Temple Mount may lead to bedlam: "The Palestinians don't want another wave of terror like we had in 2000, not that I can see, but in the long rung, beyond 2010, and assuming Abu Mazen (Abbas) will be replaced by someone like Barghouti, with a long history of terror activities… and in the absence of a political solution, such terror activity could be evoked."

 

Diskin attributed the decrease in terror attacks in 2009 to Operation Cast Lead. "We've also seen less rocket fire and no suicide attacks – they were foiled before materializing."

 

Nevertheless, the possibility that Hamas prisoners released in the nearing prisoner exchange deal will rebuild terror infrastructure in the West Bank is viable, he said.

 

"There is intense activity in Gaza to rebuild Hamas capabilities and smuggle arms. We recognize World Jihad trends in the form of ephemeral groups.

 

"Hamas is worried about the rise in World Jihad power in the Strip."

 

Diskin was also asked about the investigation against Defense Minister Ehud Barak's wife, who was suspected of illegally employing a foreign worker at the couple's luxury apartment.

 

 

He said that the security service knew the couple has a domestic employee, saying she was vetted according to protocol.

 

"We did the proper security checks… we secured the defense minister's home and we know who has access. She was vetted," he said.

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.29.09, 12:38
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