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Suspected terrorists have been spotted observing El Al crewmembers in Toronto. (Sivan Faraj)
Last update - 00:00 04/09/2008
Terror cells scope El Al crew in Toronto with attack in mind
By Zohar Blumenkrantz, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: El Al, Israel, Hezbollah 

Terror cells have recently been seen observing El Al crew members in Toronto, apparently in preparation for a terror attack targeting airline personnel. This appears to be the first time Israeli airline crews have been specifically targeted by terrorists, although Israeli businessmen abroad have already been warned that Hezbollah may attempt to abduct them.

The suspected terrorists were seen at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, one of the hotels where the pilots and crew of the Boeing 767s that fly El Al's direct Tel Aviv-Toronto route stay between flights.

The sighting has triggered a higher alert level, and the Shin Bet security service has ordered El Al procedures altered.
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U.S. television stations, basing their information on American intelligence sources, reported in mid-June that a Hezbollah cell had been caught collecting information on Israeli targets in Canada, including the Israeli Embassy in Ottawa.

Israeli intelligence experts increasingly think Hezbollah is determined to attack Israeli targets abroad to avenge the February assassination of Imad Muhgniyeh, one of Hezbollah's top leaders, which the Lebanese Shi'ite group attributes to the Mossad.

El Al would not comment on the terror threat, saying the company "does not deal with security matters."

However, sources at the company said flight crew members abroad are constantly aware of being potential victims of attacks targeting the planes, passengers or themselves. Company employees are briefed when there is specific intelligence warning of a terror threat.

El Al has been targeted for attack in the past. Two people were killed in July 2002 when a gunman opened fire on El Al passengers at Los Angeles International Airport. An Israeli security official halted the attack by shooting down the gunman.

There have also been what appear to be close calls. In May 2003, on Shin Bet orders, the company canceled a flight to Kenya due to a specific warning of a planned attack. In September that year, an El Al plane with 193 passengers heading from Tel Aviv to Los Angeles was supposed to stop over at Toronto, but diverted to Montreal because of a warning of a terror attack planned for Toronto.

The arrest of seven Dutch youths planning to attack an El Al plane became public in November 2005, and in June 2006 the general prosecutor's office in Bonn confirmed that Swiss authorities had revealed an attempt by a Muslim terror cell to attack an El Al plane.

In addition, in November 2006, the German government arrested six Muslims on suspicion of planning to blow up an El Al plane after takeoff from Frankfurt.



Related articles:
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  • Israel warns nationals of Hezbollah kidnap threat abroad
  • Hezbollah still targeting Israelis abroad, despite thwarted attacks
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      1.   Toronto with attack in mind 02:07  |  Wondering? 04/09/08
      2.   Terror cells, "Muslims" in foreign countries target Israel/Jews.. 02:16  |  bat yam 04/09/08
      3.   Terroritsts flock to Toronto 02:30  |  Great White North 04/09/08
      4.   BSnews - Awaiting your valueless comments 02:41  |  * BEN JABO 04/09/08
      5.   Nasrallah laughing 03:35  |  Mick 04/09/08
      6.   To #1 04:58  |  Gordon 04/09/08
      7.   To #3 04:59  |  Gordon 04/09/08
      8.   1. Propane explosion - not terrorism 05:12  |  Richard S 04/09/08
      9.   No surprise at Canadian terror cells 05:17  |  Richard S 04/09/08
      10.   Ben Jabo Ben Tize can protect the Israeli interests worldwide 05:28  |  Aounist 04/09/08
      11.   Waiting for it is sometimes worse 07:02  |  Ben 04/09/08
      12.   To Richard S 09:33  |  MuslimArabAmerican 04/09/08
      13.   to the people of the empire... 10:08  |  Kei 04/09/08
      14.   El Al 10:26  |  Peter 04/09/08
      15.   THEY have a return adress,Israelis come at a heavy price 10:53  |  PETER SM 04/09/08
      16.   They`re everywhere, they`re everywhere! 10:59  |  Natallie Durson 04/09/08
      17.   Nasrullah hides and sends his emissary all over the world 11:50  |  x-ray 04/09/08
      18.   NATALIE Actually "they" are.US trained Pakistani Dr indicted 13:08  |  PETER SM 04/09/08
      19.   Muslims in Toronto 13:29  |  jackie 04/09/08
      20.   re: #19 - muslims in toronto 15:26  |  John 04/09/08
      21.   #10 Aounist Ben Zonah 16:14  |  * BEN JABO 04/09/08
      22.   to #12: You cannot deny extremism in all religions.. 16:15  |  Richard S 04/09/08
      23.   #1-2-3 ...22 16:35  |  THK 04/09/08
      24.   Kei: speaking of swords 16:37  |  Rory 04/09/08
      25.   #8 #3tERROR CELLS THWARTED AND ARRESTED IN MONTREAL 17:49  |  Robert/Montreal 04/09/08
      26.   re JOHN #19 and JACKIE#19 17:59  |  Robert/Montreal 04/09/08
      27.   Can`t Israel take the offensive? 18:44  |  No Offense 04/09/08
      28.   Weird Nose Gear in Photo 19:33  |  Sharat Chandrasekhar 04/09/08
      29.   and who had Brought all this upon us 19:39  |  moshe 04/09/08
      30.   #16: Thanks for Your Input 23:04  |  Miri 04/09/08
      31.   Terror in Toronto 23:37  |  TC 04/09/08
      32.   Terror in Toronto,Sunrise Propane owned by Israelis,weird? 04:06  |  Michael Shane 05/09/08
      33.   The CBC 17:39  |  A Concerned Canadian 18/05/09
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