by ir » Fri Nov 25, 2005 4:09 am
PMO warns Israelis abroad of terror kidnapping threats <br> <br>By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent and the Associated Press <br> <br>The anti-terror command at the Prime Minister's Office issued a warning Thursday to Israelis traveling abroad to exercise extreme general caution as a result of increased terrorist kidnapping threats. <br><br>The PMO said that "recently the threat of terrorist kidnappings of Israeli citizens has intensified," and recommended Israelis take preventative measures when traveling abroad.<br><br>The PMO said its warning was not based on new information, but a reminder of a warning it issued six months ago. <br><br><br> <br> <br> Advertisement <br> <br>The anti-terror command said it had received intelligence information on threats of kidnapping specifically, and not other types of attacks on travelers. It said it had not, however, been informed of particular locations to avoid. The anti-terror command said it was thus recommending that Israelis abroad exercise general caution. <br><br>Elkana Har Nof of the anti-terror command said the PMO received new and concrete information and saw it necessary to go back and hone the existing warning. "We are talking about serious threats, but we do not know of specific locations," he said. <br><br>The anti-terror command recommends that Israelis avoid visits to Arab countries in particular, reject attractive business offers from abroad and refuse unexpected presents and invitations to meetings by unfamiliar parties in remote locations.<br><br>Har Nof said general cautious behavior could prevent most kidnapping attempts. "Clearly it is impossible to demand from Israelis not leave the country, so in order to reduce the danger significantly, we have publicized general instructions." <br><br>"We released specific recommendations in accordance with our knowledge of terrorists' work methods, and if Israelis follow these guidelines, it will make it easier for us to maintain their safety," he said. <br><br>The full list of recommendations for precautionary behavior can be found on the Foreign Ministry's Web site. <br><br>In 2000, Israeli businessman Elhanan Tannenbaum was lured into a trap by the Lebanese Hezbollah and was kidnapped. He was returned to Israel in 2004 along with the bodies of three soldiers kidnapped around the same time, in exchange for Lebanese citizens and bodies of guerrillas held by Israel.<br><br><br>------------------------<br><br>The ISraeli government is desperate to terrorize ISraelis and tighten control....<br><br>LASt minute update, possibly a deadly Avian Flu victim (man) hospitalized in Israel northern Ziv hospital. <br> <br> <p></p><i></i>
