In a plan that was reminiscent of the attempted downing of an Israeli Arkia airliner in the skies over Kenya in November, al-Qaeda terrorists had reportedly planned to shoot down a London-bound El Al airliner. The Yediot Acharonot newspaper reported today that members of the terror network intended to break into Legoland, a theme park closed for the winter, and from there fire a Strella 2 anti-aircraft missile at an El Al flight landing at the nearby Heathrow International Airport. "We had a lot of luck that this information fell into our hands," a British government source was
quoted as saying, "But, we should remember that the missile launcher is still out there with the terrorists."
At home, the involvement of Israeli Arabs in terrorism was once again in the news, as the Kfar Saba Magistrate's Court today lifted a gag order in the case against an Israeli Arab charged with assisting a suicide bomber in perpetrating an attack in Netanya. On March 20 last year, an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber blew himself up in front of the London Caf?, near Independence Square in Netanya. More than 50 people were treated for injuries and shock.
The IDF prevented another suicide bombing today when the attacker was apprehended in the Palestinian Authority city of Qalkilya, near Kfar Saba. In other anti-terrorism operations, four residents of the Arab village of Nahlin, in the Bethlehem district, were arrested on suspicion of taking part in firebomb and stone-throwing attacks in the area.
In ongoing rock and firebomb attacks, one Israeli motorist sustained light injuries near Hizme last night. The motorist's windshield was smashed as he passed the Arab village on the Jerusalem border near Pisgat Ze'ev. In the Hevron district, as well, Israeli motorists were the targets last night, as firebombs were hurled at passing vehicles. There were no reports of injuries in the latter incidents.
quoted as saying, "But, we should remember that the missile launcher is still out there with the terrorists."
At home, the involvement of Israeli Arabs in terrorism was once again in the news, as the Kfar Saba Magistrate's Court today lifted a gag order in the case against an Israeli Arab charged with assisting a suicide bomber in perpetrating an attack in Netanya. On March 20 last year, an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber blew himself up in front of the London Caf?, near Independence Square in Netanya. More than 50 people were treated for injuries and shock.
The IDF prevented another suicide bombing today when the attacker was apprehended in the Palestinian Authority city of Qalkilya, near Kfar Saba. In other anti-terrorism operations, four residents of the Arab village of Nahlin, in the Bethlehem district, were arrested on suspicion of taking part in firebomb and stone-throwing attacks in the area.
In ongoing rock and firebomb attacks, one Israeli motorist sustained light injuries near Hizme last night. The motorist's windshield was smashed as he passed the Arab village on the Jerusalem border near Pisgat Ze'ev. In the Hevron district, as well, Israeli motorists were the targets last night, as firebombs were hurled at passing vehicles. There were no reports of injuries in the latter incidents.