The Anti-Terrorism Task Force, working under the auspices of the Prime Minister's Office, issues travel warnings to areas under terrorist threats. Its latest declaration is against travel to Sinai, because of what it calls "specific and well-based intelligence" indicating plans to kidnap vacationing Israelis there. The body also called upon tourists already in Sinai to return home at once.
Between 2,000 and 3,000 Israelis were estimated to have been in Sinai over the weekend, and some 30,000 have made plans to vacation there over the coming holidays. Several dozen Israels returned home today, but it is not yet clear how many will heed the warning and return in the coming days.
Israeli officials explained that they could not close the Taba Crossing and forbid Israeli entry, because of the peace agreement with Egypt that stipulates "open borders."
A year ago, on the Sukkot holiday, a car bomb at the Taba Hilton Hotel and a simultaneous double bombing nearby killed over 30 people, including 12 Israelis. Three months ago, some 90 people, including one Israeli Arab were killed in a terror bombing at Sharm el-Sheikh in southern Sinai.
Between 2,000 and 3,000 Israelis were estimated to have been in Sinai over the weekend, and some 30,000 have made plans to vacation there over the coming holidays. Several dozen Israels returned home today, but it is not yet clear how many will heed the warning and return in the coming days.
Israeli officials explained that they could not close the Taba Crossing and forbid Israeli entry, because of the peace agreement with Egypt that stipulates "open borders."
A year ago, on the Sukkot holiday, a car bomb at the Taba Hilton Hotel and a simultaneous double bombing nearby killed over 30 people, including 12 Israelis. Three months ago, some 90 people, including one Israeli Arab were killed in a terror bombing at Sharm el-Sheikh in southern Sinai.