Posted on 03/03/2006 2:29:53 AM PST by John W
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, has warned that al-Qa'eda has infiltrated the West Bank and Gaza, from where it could launch "disastrous" attacks on Israel and its neighbours.
Israeli army officers and intelligence analysts have already warned several times over the last year that al-Qa'eda has established cells in the Palestinian territories - a claim that the Palestinians have denied.
But in an interview with al Hayat, an Arabic language newspaper, Mr Abbas admitted yesterday that Palestinian security forces have picked up traces of al-Qa'eda operatives.
"We have indications about the presence of al-Qa'eda in Gaza and the West Bank. This is intelligence information," he said.
Mr Abbas told the paper that he had received the latest information during a briefing at the beginning of this week, but that the security forces under his control "have not yet reached the point of arrests".
The revelation will underscore growing concern in Israel that al-Qa'eda and other hostile militants are surrounding the Jewish state.
Israel has previously warned that al-Qa'eda is active in neighbouring Jordan to the east, as well as in the Sinai peninsula under Egyptian control to the south.
To the north, the Israeli army also frequently clashes with Shia Hezbollah militants based in Lebanon. Al-Qa'eda is a largely Sunni Muslim group.
King Abdullah of Jordan has even declared that al-Qa'eda has infiltrated Israel itself.
"If they succeeded in infiltrating [the West Bank and Gaza] and if no one watches over them, the result could be disastrous for the entire region," Mr Abbas said.
The Israeli government, led by acting prime minister Ehud Olmert, has already dismissed the Palestinian authority as a "terrorist entity" after a landside victory for Hamas, a militant group, in legislative elections in January.
But it remains unclear to what extent Hamas might tolerate, or co-operate with, a separate extremist faction under foreign control, which was found to be operating on its turf.
Ok, so now terrorists are blaming other terrorists for terrorism? the plot thickens.
I suppose it's not ok to fight Alqaeda in "Palestine infiltrated", but a mandate elsewhere? I see their tactics.
http://www.internet-haganah.com/harchives/005476.html
20 February 2006
"Palestinian al-Qaida takes an interest in Qassam rocket manufacture"
Note: The following text is a quote:
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http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_922.html
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Fri Mar 03 2006 02:51:33 GMT-0800.
ISRAEL, THE WEST BANK AND GAZA
February 27, 2006
This Travel Warning is being issued to update information on the general security environment in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and to reiterate threats to American citizens and U.S. interests in those respective locations. The Palestinian Authority held legislative elections on January 25 in which Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization, won a majority of seats. Uncertainty associated with this change in government may lead to increased levels of instability in the West Bank and Gaza. This warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued June 20, 2005.
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to carefully weigh the necessity of their travel to Israel in light of the risks noted below. The Department also urges U.S. citizens to defer unnecessary travel to the West Bank and avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip.
American citizens in the Gaza Strip should depart immediately, a recommendation the State Department has maintained since the deadly roadside bombing of a U.S. Embassy convoy in Gaza on October 15, 2003. Unless specifically authorized,U.S. government personnel are prohibited from all travel in Gaza. Overall conditions of lawlessness prevail in the Gaza Strip, Israeli military operations continue, and areas of violent conflict shift rapidly and unpredictably. Militants have abducted Western citizens and held them for short periods, and terrorist organizations have threatened attacks against U.S. interests.
Violence between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and militant groups based in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank can flare up without notice in the form of rocket attacks into Israel by Palestinian militants, targeted assassinations of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces, and ongoing IDF security operations in the West Bank. The uncertain security conditions within the West Bank and Gaza continue as well, with the potential for violent protests, kidnappings, including of foreign nationals, and fighting between various armed factions.
In recent months, citizens of Western nations, including Americans, involved in pro-Palestinian volunteer efforts were assaulted and injured in the Occupied Territories by Israeli settlers and harassed by the IDF. Those taking part in demonstrations, non-violent resistance, and “direct action," are advised to cease such activity for their own safety.
For safety and security reasons, U.S. Government American personnel and dependents are prohibited from traveling to any cities, towns or settlements in the West Bank, except for mission-essential business or other approved purposes. For limited, personal travel, U.S. government personnel and family members are permitted to travel through the West Bank, using only Routes 1 and 90,to reach the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge or the Dead Sea coast near Ein Gedi and Masada. Each such transit requires prior notification to the Consulate General’s security office and must occur during daylight hours. U.S. Government personnel and family members are permitted personal travel on Route 443 between Modi’in and Jerusalem during daylight hours only.
Travel to the Gaza Strip by U.S. Government personnel is prohibited. Under policy guidance issued by the Secretary of State, exceptions to the prohibition on Gaza travel are only for official, mission-critical travel. Private American citizens also should avoid travel to these areas.
All travelers who enter or travel in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank should exercise particular care when approaching and traveling through checkpoints and should expect delays and difficulties. Travelers should also be aware they might not be allowed passage through checkpoints.
Israeli authorities are concerned about a possible increase in suicide bombings in Israel. The January 19 suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, the December 5 suicide bombing in Netanya, and a similar incident in Hadera in October are reminders of the precarious security environment, even when a cease-fire has been declared.The U.S. Government has received information indicating that American interests within Israel could be the focus of terrorist attacks. For that reason, American citizens are cautioned that a greater danger may exist in the vicinity of restaurants, businesses, and other places associated with U.S. interests and/or located near U.S. official buildings, such as the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem.
Violent confrontation between organized criminal elements has led to the death and injury of innocent bystanders in incidents throughout Israel, including an October 26, 2005 incident in which a bomb destroyed a Tel Aviv apartment building, killing three people and wounding 5. Such incidents in the past have involved the use of bombs, grenades, anti-tank missiles, and small arms fire, and have taken place in Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Ramle, Acre, Hadera, Arad, and the Galilee.
The State Department urges American citizens to remain vigilant while traveling anywhere in Jerusalem, especially within the commercial and downtown areas of West Jerusalem. Israeli security services report that they continue to receive information of planned terrorist attacks in and around Jerusalem. In addition, American citizens should stay away from demonstrations and generally avoid crowded public places, such as restaurants and cafes, shopping and market areas and malls, pedestrian zones, public transportation of all kinds, including buses and trains and their respective stations/terminals, and the areas around them. Spontaneous or planned protests within the Old City are possible, especially after Friday prayers. Some of these protests have led to violent clashes.
American employees of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem are prohibited from using all public transportation. The Old City of Jerusalem is off-limits to them after dark during the entire week and between the hours of 11:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. on Fridays. U.S. government employees are also forbidden from patronizing discos and nightclubs.
Any American citizen who intends to travel to Israel, the West Bank or the Gaza Strip in spite of this and prior warnings should carefully review the Consular Information Sheet for Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip . That reference describes other potential dangers and difficulties and offers detailed security recommendations. Palestinian-Americans face many additional obstacles and regulations that are described in that document.
Americans who remain in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are strongly encouraged to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv or the Consular Section of U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov . U.S. citizens who require emergency services may telephone the Consulate General in Jerusalem at (972)(2) 622-7250 or the Embassy in Tel Aviv at (972)(3) 519-7355.
Periodically the Embassy and Consulate General may temporarily suspend public services to review their security posture. As a consequence of the current limitations on official travel to the West Bank, and the prohibition on travel by U.S. government employees to the Gaza Strip, the ability of consular staff to offer timely assistance to U.S. citizens in these areas is extremely limited.
Current information on travel and security in Israel, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. U.S. citizens should consult the Consular Information Sheet for Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip; the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement; and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at the Department’s Internet website at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be accessed at http://usembassy-israel.org.il or http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov.
Just one more reason to level gaza and the west bank.
Meanwhile the Issraelis play fiddles and skip around turning the other cheek and hassleing their own.
Ah, yes the conventional wisdom -- Shia terrorists/terror states don't cooperate with Sunni terrorists/terror states, yada, yada, yada.
And, of course, Hamas and Hezbollah are simply misunderstood guys who lob rockets and blow people up now and then -- but Al Quaeda -- OMG! -- can't have them in there. They're really bad guys who lob rockets and blow people up.
Like we didn't see this coming...
and we are sending money to help the SOB's?
I don't think there are any civilians and innocents in Palestine
"We have indications about the presence of al-Qa'eda in Gaza and the West Bank. This is intelligence information," he said
I understand how you feel.
Where else can they go and feel safe from the world's scorn, a scorn that since that overthrow of Saddam means almost a certain abrupt, overwhelming and deadly sudden act of rebuke performed by an effective US or US-allied military?
Yet against Israel -- the World says, "Hey thats okay! We have to TOLERATE that." The whole World agrees -- Terror against Israel is not terror at all. Why, it's Heroic! Uplifting! Justifiable!
Yet, for the sake of the ourselves and the world, we cannot allow that condition to continue -- we must come to shut them down in that ring around Israel too. We cannot entertain or allow to be entertained that terror against Israel, terror against Jews anywhere, is acceptable.
If that miffs "our friends" the French, tough. If that rankles "our friends and allies" the Arabians, then take their oil fields from them with force and claim those fields as a fair-won prize of the War on Terror.
For without that oil wealth, they are no more dangerous, at worst, than the vile mobs that burn cars in Paris Suburbs, and in time and little cost we will tame them or impound them.
ANyone here NOT know about this prior to the "official" announcement?
Then again - in my book - a terrorist is a terrorist.
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