High Alert for Purim

bs”d

Concerned that terrorists may strike ahead of this weekend’s Purim holiday, the IDF has begun to impose a full closure on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip slated to remain in effect until Sunday.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered the closure following a security assessment he held Tuesday morning with representatives of the IDF, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and Israel Police. Police Insp.-Gen. Dudi Cohen has also ordered the police to beef up security in public areas over the weekend.

During the security assessment, Barak was presented with intelligence that terrorists might attack Israeli cities over the holiday weekend. Police will deploy thousands of officers and volunteers at holiday celebrations as well as at bus stations and malls throughout the country.

The increase in the level of alert also comes after threats from Hizbullah, which has prompted a higher level of alert in the north.

The Shin Bet has also decided to dramatically increase its level of security surrounding Israeli embassies, consulates and other offices overseas, and to beef up security and alter some arrangements for El Al Israel Airlines flights. One of the main concerns is that terrorists will try to down an Israeli passenger jet with a shoulder-to-air missile, as al-Qaida tried to do in Kenya in 2002.

Re-posted with permission from www.lekarev.org.