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Last update - 07:53 10/07/2008 2 Bedouin from Negev admit links to Al-Qaida By Amos Harel and Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: Al Qaida, Rahat, Bedouin Two Bedouin from Rahat have been held in custody since late May on suspicion of links to Al-Qaida and plans to carry out terrorist attacks in Israel. The two men, who are active in the Islamic Movement in Israel, have admitted to the suspicions against them. The arrests were made public on Wednesday following indictments filed against the two at the Be'er Sheva District Court. Taher Abu Shut, 21, and Omar Abu-Shut, 20, both from Rahat in the Negev, are suspected of providing Al-Qaida with a list of possible targets for large-scale terror attacks in Israel. The list included Ben-Gurion International Airport and the Azrieli Towers in Tel Aviv. Advertisement The arrests resulted from a concerted effort by the Shin Bet security service, the police and the Border Police. The Shin Bet investigation focused on Taher, who had turned toward radical Islam in recent years. The Shin Bet concluded that he had contacted Al-Qaida through the Internet and agreed to participate in terrorist activities inside Israel, offering details on the location of Israel Defense Forces camps, strategic installations and crowded public places that could be targeted. He is also charged with providing information on areas in the West Bank through which it is possible to sneak into Israel. Taher is charged with seeking to contact Al-Qaida terrorists in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, in order to use these contacts in attacks on Israel. Omar is also accused of assisting in the efforts to organize terrorist organizations. But it is still hard to assess the severity of the case; it is possible that its significance stems from it being the first of its kind. For the first time, Israeli Arabs are on trial for links to what the Shin Bet has described as Al-Qaida. For the past five years there have been intelligence assessments warning that international jihadist groups have considered Israel to be an important target. The security forces have also uncovered a number of indirect links to the international jihad by people in the territories. The use of Israeli Arabs to collect basic intelligence on potential targets is the first stage of any such planning, and has been done in the past. Related articles: Home of Bedouin soldier killed in action slated for demolition Bedouin man burns cousin's home because she took part in Independence Day celebrations News / School program warns girls against involvement with Bedouins Bookmark to del.icio.us   By the numbers A study shows Jewish Israeli men live almost four years longer than Israeli Arabs. Local threat The Shin Bet arrests two Bedouin, accused of supplying information to al-Qaida.   1.   2 Bedouins 06:45  |  suspicious 10/07/08   2.   So the West Bank is NOT like a prison after all 07:10  |  CK Tan 10/07/08   3.   #1 suspicious reads BETWEEN the lines (and what a STORY he sees) 08:43  |  CK Tan 10/07/08   4.   Who needs insiders? 10:06  |  jack 10/07/08   5.   Al Qaida is probably in Bedouin villages 10:47  |  JewishHeart 10/07/08

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