Israeli security officials Wednesday scotched rumors of an increase in reports of assassination attempts on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and confirmed that rumors of tightened security have been exaggerated.
Judea, Samaria and Gaza (Yesha) leaders accused Sharon's office of spreading false reports in an effort to blacken the image of opponents to the plan to dismantle 25 Jewish communities in northern Samaria and Gush Katif.
"The Prime Minister is acting to cause a rift among the people of Israel," said Bentzi Lieberman, head of the Yesha Council.
"There are no concrete reports of intentions of Jews to hurt Sharon," security officials confirmed. They made the statement as a direct reply to several recent stories that gave a false impression of increasing danger to the Prime Minister.
Accusations of right-wing incitement began more than a month ago, when General Security Services (Shin Bet) head Avi Dichter said there were dozens of people who wished that Sharon would die. An outcry from the media and pro-disengagement politicians protested such alleged threats, which now appear to have been false.
Reports of threats on Sharon "have been exaggerated beyond proportion," security officials said.
Pinchas Wallerstein of the Yesha Council replied, "Our struggle is legitimate and non-violent, and all those who try to make us look illegitimate are trying to manipulate public opinion."
The Knesset is expected to vote on the first reading of the disengagement bill next Tuesday. Yesha officials have announced that thousands of school children will gather opposite the Knesset and discuss with their teachers Zionism and democracy.
Judea, Samaria and Gaza (Yesha) leaders accused Sharon's office of spreading false reports in an effort to blacken the image of opponents to the plan to dismantle 25 Jewish communities in northern Samaria and Gush Katif.
"The Prime Minister is acting to cause a rift among the people of Israel," said Bentzi Lieberman, head of the Yesha Council.
"There are no concrete reports of intentions of Jews to hurt Sharon," security officials confirmed. They made the statement as a direct reply to several recent stories that gave a false impression of increasing danger to the Prime Minister.
Accusations of right-wing incitement began more than a month ago, when General Security Services (Shin Bet) head Avi Dichter said there were dozens of people who wished that Sharon would die. An outcry from the media and pro-disengagement politicians protested such alleged threats, which now appear to have been false.
Reports of threats on Sharon "have been exaggerated beyond proportion," security officials said.
Pinchas Wallerstein of the Yesha Council replied, "Our struggle is legitimate and non-violent, and all those who try to make us look illegitimate are trying to manipulate public opinion."
The Knesset is expected to vote on the first reading of the disengagement bill next Tuesday. Yesha officials have announced that thousands of school children will gather opposite the Knesset and discuss with their teachers Zionism and democracy.