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Last update - 00:00 22/07/2008
Shin Bet chief warned of copycat terrorists 3 hours before Jerusalem attack
By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Shin Bet, Hamas, Yuval Diskin 

Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin warned lawmakers of copycat terrorist attacks in the works three hours before Tuesday afternoon's bulldozer rampage in Jerusalem, which left over a dozen people injured.

In his appearance before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Diskin said the Shin Bet received indications that Palestinians were planning to stage attacks mimicing the deadly incidents in Jerusalem, including the first bulldozer attack and the shooting massacre of yeshiva students at Mercaz Harav earlier this year.

"If we do not take care of the power vacuum, Jerusalem will turn into a serious problem," Diskin told the committee when asked about the spate of recent attacks in the capital. The Shin Bet chief called on the government to seal and destroy the terrorists' homes in order to preserve Israel's deterrent capability.
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Diskin warned that sections of Jersualem on both sides of the West Bank separation fence have become security vacuums, and that Israel is unable to properly enforce the law in these areas without deploying large numbers of forces. "Today, entering [the East Jerusalem area of] Shuafat requires massing a greater number of forces than it does entering Jenin," Diskin said.

Diskin also warned the Knesset panel that Hamas has been bolstering its military strength in the Gaza Strip, and has developed missiles capable of reaching past the northern Negev town of Kiryat Gat.

Diskin told committee MKs that security forces must demonstrate "field presence" against the growing threat.

He reiterated his opposition to the cease-fire agreement in the Strip and said that Hamas was exploiting the terms of the truce to arm itself and the territory.

The Shin Bet chief pointed to the drop in number of terror attacks in the West Bank, as a result of the security fence and the increased presence of Israeli forces, and said the same tactics must be used in Gaza.

Diskin delivered a similar assessment to ministers in late May.

Palestinians have been firing Qassam rockets and mortar shells at the Negev town of Sderot, some 5 kilometers from the Gaza border, for the past seven years. Recently, however, they have been able to reach Ashkelon, some 12 km away. Diskin's assessment is that they have now doubled their range.

In response to Diskin's warning, committee member MK Limor Livnat told Haaretz: "These words speak like a thousand testimonies to the government's complete failure in defending its citizens."

"A government that does not listen to the head of the Shin Bet and instead focuses on conflicts between the prime minister, the foreign minister and the defense minister needs to go home," she added.

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      1.   "Field presence" 13:52  |  Didier Spaier 22/07/08
      2.   ISRAELI Rockets can reach Gaza.The Arabs are looking to test 14:10  |  PETER SM 22/07/08
      3.   If Israelis are unhappy with the status quo 14:29  |  Natallie Durson 22/07/08
      4.   Diskin should have been arrested for war crimes 14:42  |  Palestinian in UK 22/07/08
      5.   This is the problem? 15:00  |  S 22/07/08
      6.   # 1 Didier Spaier 15:00  |  Bob 22/07/08
      7.   PAL in UK .There,there of course he should.He hits back!! 15:22  |  PETER SM 22/07/08
      8.   DURSON if you are unhappy with the status quo,try ending terror 15:24  |  PETER SM 22/07/08
      9.   Increase `field presence`, Settlements , Aliyah 16:07  |  Joseph.E 22/07/08
      10.   The QUESTION is Israel must be serious in maintaining truce 16:26  |  The Archives 22/07/08
      11.   Before it is too late 16:37  |  Keops 22/07/08
      12.   Didier Spier - an old comparison 18:43  |  Allon 22/07/08
      13.   To #1 - Didier Spaier 19:02  |  Gilbert 22/07/08
      14.   Change Is Needed 19:03  |  Ron 22/07/08
      15.   #3 Durson 19:12  |  samk 22/07/08
      16.   Arab terrorism started way before any "occupation" 20:07  |  Maurice 22/07/08
      17.   Even Worse 20:10  |  Steve 22/07/08
      18.   Who runs the State of Israel? 20:29  |  Steve 22/07/08
      19.   Terrorism vs Freedom fighting. 20:32  |  jake 22/07/08
      20.   Maybe if Intel Plant is Threatened, Government Will Act 20:52  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 22/07/08
      21.   a government that listens to the religious 21:33  |  Shelley 22/07/08
      22.   Resistance To Israeli Occupation 21:46  |  chet 22/07/08
      23.   So what is the future? 21:59  |  Dave Duncan 22/07/08
      24.   Livnat you are a demagogue 22:02  |  true citizen 22/07/08
      25.   Can`t you imagine Olmert and or Peres 22:04  |  achora 22/07/08
      26.   THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY AND THE GOV`T 22:07  |  jewish doctor 22/07/08
      27.   to chet#17 22:23  |  Ilya 22/07/08
      28.   #3 And if Palestinians are unhappy with the status quo 23:10  |  DesMnsDave 22/07/08
      29.   #18 And when will Palestinians recognize Israel`s right to exist? 23:16  |  DesMnsDave 22/07/08
      30.   Arabs in Israel must be isolated 00:48  |  ottomatik 23/07/08
      31.   # 6 Peter S and M is that what you told the people 02:00  |  Labhras 23/07/08
      32.   WHAT A "COINCIDENCE"! 02:01  |  Historian 23/07/08
      33.   SIMPLE PREVENTION - radio ignition kill switch 03:59  |  Dr. L. Brnd 23/07/08
      34.   So, this is what passes for intelligence???? 09:07  |  Johnboy 24/07/08
      35.   #33 Not meaning to put a damper on your good idea, Brnd... 11:04  |  Johnboy 24/07/08
      36.   warning of copycat terrorists 20:05  |  Sarah Lacar 31/12/08
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    More Headlines
    19:40 IAF bombs Gaza mosque being used as weapons storehouse
    18:00 Israel decides to push on with Gaza op until 'all goals reached'
    18:01 More than 60 rockets hit Negev, including Ashkelon and Be'er Sheva
    13:27 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email
    20:16 Arab youths open fire on Israelis working at mall in Denmark
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    18:56 GIDEON LEVY / The IAF, bullies of the clear blue skies
    19:03 WATCH: YouTube pulls some IDF videos showing Gaza assault
    19:51 IN PICTURES / Israel battles Hamas in Gaza: Day five
    19:15 White House: Hamas must cease rocket fire as first step to truce
    18:26 Report: Iranian newspaper closed over article sympathetic to Israel
    19:23 JEWISH WORLD / Pro-Israel camp would be wise to heed Muslim cries for peace
    12:05 ANALYSIS / Rivalry among Israel's leaders at root of row on Gaza cease-fire
    10:29 ANALYSIS / After sterling start to Gaza op, Barak proves to be a petty politician
    16:55 Protests abound at T.A. and Haifa Universities; Be'er Sheva students flee Gaza rockets in droves
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