Israel fears extremists backed by Iran may try to kill Abbas

[drdon326]

The defense establishment is worried that extremist Palestinians under Iranian influence might try to assassinate Mahmoud Abbas, the new head of the PLO, in the near future.


Defense officials do not believe that Sunday's incident, in which armed Palestinians fired at Abbas's entourage, killing two guards, was aimed at Abbas himself. Rather, said one senior defense official, it was meant as a warning: that Abbas should not leave armed Fatah activists from Gaza, who are identified with Mussa Arafat and Tanzim leader Ahmed Hilas, out of the circle of power.

"This will not be the last incident of this type," the official added.

But the chances of a genuine assassination attempt will increase the closer the new Palestinian leadership comes to an agreement to end the terror and resume diplomatic negotiations with Israel, the official said.

Abbas, he noted, has openly opposed terrorism and the anarchy in the territories ever since the intifada began in September 2000, and he tried to implement this approach during his half-year stint as Palestinian prime minister, under Yasser Arafat, in 2003. Now, Abbas wants to arrange a new cease-fire, and if he is elected as the Palestinian Authority's new chairman this January, he is also expected to strive for some kind of agreement, even if only partial, with Israel.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/502016.html
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OK.....Place your bets.

[bemildred]

1. It is "interesting" the IDF is worried about Abbas' safety.

And, no, I would not bet in favor of Abbas having a long and peaceful existence,
although it does sound like he will be better protected in the future.
I do find the "the attackers didn't really mean it" argument unconvincing.

[drdon326]

2. Agree

btw.....i have you down for $100.00 on "less than 1 month".

[bemildred]

3. Excellent, I have it down as "payable in 2104 in new Israeli sheckels" nt