Israeli ministers told to leave homes in nationwide terror alert
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Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Friday, November 9, 2001
TEL AVIV Ñ Israel is on full alert for Palestinian attacks throughout the
country.
Israeli officials said Palestinian insurgents are believed to have
infiltrated from the West Bank and Gaza Strip and planning attacks in
civilian centers in Israel. They said four Palestinian insurgents crossed
from Gaza into southern Israel, transported by an Israeli driver, who
received nearly $500 for the job.
In what officials termed an unprecedented move, two Israeli ministers
and their families who live near the West Bank have been urged to leave
their home in fear of Palestinian assassination. Last month, former Israeli
Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze'evi was killed by Palestinian gunmen and
officials said the Palestinian Authority and its allies have targeted other
Israeli leaders for assassination.
Palestinian insurgents are also reported to have left the West Bank
cities of Jenin and Kalkilya for Israel. Officials said police had set up roadblocks throughout
the country to search for Palestinian suicide
bombers. The attackers were said to have brought with them explosives and
detonators.
On Thursday, U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said
President George Bush has no plans to meet PA Chairman Yasser Arafat during
the United National General Assembly next week. Ms. Rice said the
administration was unhappy over Arafat's refusal to stop the war against
Israel.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, however, plans to meet Arafat in
New York, U.S. officials said.
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