Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., September 11, 2008 Elul 11, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:13 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

IDF reservists urged to avoid Muslim states due to Hezbollah kidnap threat By Amos Harel, Yossi Melman and Ora Coren Tags: Israeli-Arab ties, Israel  Israel's secret services recently warned former officers of the Israel Defense Forces and other security agencies not to travel to Muslim states, for fear that Hezbollah will try to kidnap them in order to avenge the death of Imad Mughniyeh. Reserve IDF officers who do business in these countries have also received such warnings. Defense Minister Ehud Barak instructed his ministry to examine whether it would be possible to legally prohibit businessmen with security backgrounds from traveling to countries where the kidnap risk is high. However, security officials told Haaretz that following consultations on the matter, it was decided to make do with a personal warning to each officer involved. Intelligence warnings have indicated that Hezbollah is preparing to abduct Israelis. However, the warnings do not relate to specific individuals. Advertisement Another person who received a warning is a major general in the reserves who heads a team that includes other senior officers. He is currently in the United States. Yesterday, in response to questions from Haaretz, he said: "I have never set foot in a Muslim country." He said he has held meetings regarding business in a Muslim country, but the meetings took place in Europe. However, the company he heads is managed by another Israeli, who resides in the country in question. The officer added that all his activities abroad were approved by the Defense Ministry and the Counterterrorism Bureau of the Prime Minister's Office. He said there were about 15 Israeli companies working in Muslim countries in the region, including some involved in security work. The Kuwaiti daily Al-Jarida reported yesterday that Israel had asked seven businessmen in one country in the region to return to Israel in light of the threat. Bookmark to del.icio.us   'I didn't kill Rose' Ronny Ron, grandfather of missing 4-year-old, recants his confession. Diplomatic incident Olympic medalist Shahar Zubari stirs controversy, calling Chinese 'shits'.

Read & React VIDEO / Israeli scientists join experiment to break open 'Big Bang' Responses: 95 Iran demands UN response to 'threats' by Israel to kidnap Ahmadinejad Responses: 89 Report: Hamas warns it will nab more soldiers if IDF tries to rescue Shalit Responses: 37 More Headlines 00:50 2 IAF pilots killed in Jezreel Valley crash 01:05 Barak: We've foiled 2 attacks against Israelis abroad 23:00 Defense official: Don't expect deal on Shalit in near future 01:17 Israeli scientist: 'Big Bang' experiment going better than expected 22:57 Rights group: Israel forcing Palestinians in West Bank back to Gaza 22:45 Iranian Deputy FM: Iran keen to resume nuclear talks 02:11 Sarkozy's son and Jewish heiress tie the knot 20:07 IAEA chief El Baradei won't seek fourth term as UN nuclear watchdog head 01:55 Israel's UN ambassador: It is absurd for Iran to preach morality 21:25 Iraqi MP makes opening remarks at anti-terror conference in Herzliya 19:52 AG says won`t indict Lieberman for calling for execution of Arab MKs 17:44 Pentagon weighs selling missile defense shield to UAE 19:34 VIDEO / Gaydamak likely to surrender Jerusalem mayoral race to Deri 18:45 Iran demands UN response to Israeli 'threats' to kidnap Ahmadinejad Previous Editions Select Day 10 sep 09 sep 08 sep 07 sep 05 sep 04 sep 03 sep 02 sep 01 sep 31 aug 29 aug 28 aug

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