U.S. papers: FBI hunting suspected terrorists with Israeli passports

HA'ARETZ DAILY ^ | Thursday, November 01, 2001 Cheshvan 15, 5762 Israel Time: 07:45 (GMT+2) | Yossi Melman and Nathan Guttman

[American_Patriot_For_Democracy]

The FBI is conducting a manhunt for six men carrying Israeli passports who are suspected of plotting terror attacks in the United States - and who were released by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service after having been under arrest, according to the Knight-Ridder news service.

The six were arrested over the weekend in a state in the Midwest while traveling in two cars, and were found to have photographs and information about a Florida nuclear reactor and the Alaska pipeline, the news agency reported. There are three nuclear reactors in Florida. They also had "suspicious equipment," including box-cutter knives similar to those used by the hijackers on September 11, Knight-Ridder said.

But the six, who were decribed as having Israeli passports and a "Middle Eastern look," were released after INS officials decided that their passports and visas were valid. According to the Miami Herald, the INS released the men without consulting the FBI - or reporting the arrests. When FBI director Robert Mueller heard about the incident, he was "furious."

However, the newspaper also quoted the INS as calling the report that it had allowed the release of the six "unconfirmed." And a spokesman for the company operating the Alaskan pipeline, which carries some 17 percent of all the oil in the U.S., said he did not know of any threat to the pipe.

An Israeli embassy spokesman in Washington said he knew about the affair from the newspaper, but American authorities had made no formal contact with the embassy about the matter.

[American_Patriot_For_Democracy]

I thought the Israeli Government keeps their passports under the severest lock and key? How does anybody get six of them?

[Lucas1]

This is false. This was a rumor that became a story. It falls into the Hoax Category.

[Fred25]

I think Fox said late today that this turned out to be just a rumor.

[seeker41]

These could be Israeli Arabs. Arabs born in Israel do exist and there are many large Arab cities, Cana being one of the largest.

[Lion's Cub]

Ashcroft denied knowing anything about this today--he essentially said it isn't true.

[Fred25]

TODAY’S KNIGHT RIDDER STORY

[Fred25]

Hey, if you want to see some rumors, take a look at this Arab website.......

ARAB RUMORS

[Ymani Cricket]

I have heard so many versions of this story. It's not even "breaking news".

[American_Patriot_For_Democracy]

Yeah but this story came from Ha'aretz, an Israeli paper...how could it be disinformation or propaganda?

[xm177e2]

U.S. papers: FBI hunting suspected terrorists with Israeli passports

That would explain why they were released, because they had Israeli passports. You know the Arab media is going to use this as *proof* the Jews are behind all of the terror...

[Ymani Cricket]

Israeli passports doesn't mean they WERE Israelis either. An islamic terrorist with a forged or stolen israeli Passport is like ly to be overlooked easily. Consider also, the Israeli papers pick up "news" from as they say, U.S. papers on stories that later are found to be unfounded or not true, or simply rumor. The Jerusalem Post carried an article after 9-11 about an attempt to blow up the GW bridge out of NY. It was proven to be false even before the JP picked up the story. Journalists need to be more responsible and do their research. I do prefer Ha'Aretz over the Jerusalem post though usually.

[StealthChild]

The leash on the INS needs to be jerked a few times and permanently shortened.

[StealthChild]

"Arab Rumors"

More like Arab b.s.

On most issues, those in control of the Arab media, i.e. governments, spin everything to keep their people miserable and hating the west so as to deflect it from themselves.

[lavaroise]

The FBI is conducting a manhunt for six men carrying Israeli passports who are suspected of plotting terror attacks in the United States

Actualy, I would not be surprised at Arab Israelies doing this. That's what you get for trusting Palestinian scum.

[Patria One]

"Palestinian Americans: American citizens of Palestinian origin who were born on the West Bank or Gaza or resided there for more than three months, may be considered by Israeli authorities to be residents, especially if they or their parents were issued a Palestinian ID number.

Any American citizen whom Israel considers to be a resident is required by Israel to hold a valid Palestinian passport to enter or leave the West Bank or Gaza via Israel, the Gaza International Airport, or the Rafah or Allenby Bridge border crossing.

American citizens in this category who arrive without a Palestinian passport will generally be granted permission to travel to the West Bank or Gaza to obtain one, but may only be allowed to depart via Israel on a Palestinian passport rather than on their U.S. passport."

(Say what?)

[IceGirl2]

You can't. Israeli's report stolen passports immediately. They have to be faked. INS better get on the ball. And all American's better keep and eye out for suspicious people. It is easy for them to pose as Israelis--so don't trust anyone. Call the Embassy. Call the FBI. Hold the b*****ds until they rot.

[steamroller]

You can thank Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton for destroying the INS,and George Bush ,and to a lesser extent Ronald Reagan for just not paying attention to it.I admire Reagan a great deal,but he missed the boat on that one issue.