Israel (Country threat level - 4):

July 18, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

It was reported on 18 July 2008 that Israeli security personnel have arrested six Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem in recent weeks for allegedly attempting to “form an al-Qaeda cell” by making contact with terrorist elements on the Internet. Among those arrested were two students at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University. According to authorities, at least one of the six people arrested proposed carrying out an attack against the helicopter used by U.S. President George W. Bush during one of his 2008 visits to Israel. The student resided on Hebrew University’s Givat Ram campus, which is located near a helicopter landing pad at a local stadium often used by foreign dignitaries who visit nearby government buildings. The student reportedly filmed various helicopters landing and taking off from the pad. Bomb-making instructions were also found on the computers of several of those arrested. However, Israeli officials did not state whether any of the men’s activities advanced beyond preliminary planning.

This is the second instance in recent months in which Israeli forces have arrested individuals with alleged links to al-Qaeda. In May and June 2008 authorities arrested two Bedouin residents in the southern village of Rahat who reportedly transferred information regarding Israel Defense Forces bases and other details about Tel Aviv locations — including the Azrieli towers, Ben Gurion International Airport (LLBG/TLV) and other public places — to al-Qaeda elements via the Internet.

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