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Slain Hezbollah terror chief Imad Mughniyah, seen in an undated photo released by the militant group after his assassination Tuesday. (Reuters) Last update - 19:59 15/02/2008 U.S. on alert for attacks against Jewish targets after Mughniyah killing By The Associated Press Tags: Imad Mughniyah, Jewish, U.S.  The FBI is putting its 101 domestic terror squads on the alert for any threats against synagogues and other potential Jewish targets in the United States after the assassination of the top Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyah and the movement's leader threatened to punish Israel. FBI spokesman Rich Kolko said Thursday that no specific threats had been received by any Jewish centers after Tuesday's assassination of Mughniyah in Damascus. Hezbollah and its Iranian backers blamed the killing on Israel, whose government denied involvement but its army would not discuss it. Still, the FBI ordered its Joint Terrorism Task Forces to contact community sources for information signaling ramped-up Hezbollah activity over the next month. Such high-priority orders are not issued often, but they are not considered unusual. Advertisement "The FBI monitors world events and continues to maintain a strong posture through the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Forces for any and all threats emanating from any terrorist group," Kolko said in a statement. "Although we have no specific threat information at this time, we remind everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities." Intelligence officials said few, if any, Hezbollah guerrillas are in the United States. However, the Lebanese militant group has fundraisers and sympathizers in the country. The United States considered Mughniyah one of the world's most wanted and elusive terrorists. The FBI order was sent out the day before Thursday's fiery eulogy by the Hezbollah chief, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, who vowed to avenge Mughniyah's death by retaliating against Israeli targets abroad. The Israeli government denied it was involved in the car bombing that killed Mughniyah, although its military officials refused to confirm or deny involvement. In addition to reinforcing its troop presence along the Lebanese border, Israel put its military and embassies on alert and advised Jewish organizations around the world to do the same. But Jewish institutions in the United States described the alert as another reminder to be aware of possible threats since strict protective measures are usually in place. "Security for Jewish organizations and Jewish institutions around the world is a 365-day concern and has been for a long time," said Michael Salberg, director of international affairs for the Anti-Defamation League in New York. "When things heat up, when an incident occurs that raises concerns, it's a reminder. It doesn't change our focus on security." The New York Police Department, the largest in the country, strengthened patrols at the Israeli mission at the United Nations and its New York consulate after news of the threat, chief spokesman Paul Browne said. He said police were monitoring synagogues and schools as well. The Homeland Security Department acknowledged it was monitoring the situation overseas, but spokesman Russ Knocke would not talk about how closely the monitoring was being done. The department last year gave $24 million (16.4 million) in grants to help Jewish nonprofit organizations in major cities bolster security measures in a nod to the widespread belief that they are potential terror targets. At the State Department, spokesman Sean McCormack described Nasrallah's remarks as "alarming." "Any time you have a terrorist organization making threats against a fellow democracy, a member of the United Nations, that is something that should concern every civilized nation around the world," McCormack told reporters. "As a general matter, those kinds of statements are quite concerning and they should be alarming to everyone," he said. "Quite clearly, Hezbollah has a long record of carrying out violent acts and acts of terrorism around the globe. You have a pathway of violence that stretches from Buenos Aires to Kuwait and a lot of places in between." Some Jewish institutions, such as synagogues and advocacy organizations, refuse to discuss security measures. For others, Thursday's call re-emphasized measures already in use. At Temple Judea, in Coral Gables, Florida, Executive Director Marsha Botkin said they doing nothing differently. "We have very tight security for getting in the building," Botkin said. "The temple has security cameras, doors are all regularly locked and visitors have to buzz to get in," she said. "And when they hold services, a police officer is outside." At the Ramaz School's three buildings on New York's Upper East Side, there have been armed security guards outside and other guards inside for several years, said Kenneth Rochlin, the school's administrator. Visitors must have appointments. Israel's message was a reminder of the importance of paying attention Andrea Policky, executive assistant at Temple Israel, the largest Reform Congregation in the northeastern United States, said its security staff has been placed on high alert. "They are aware of the situation," she said. "The security officers have been instructed on what to look for." In California, the Los Angeles Police Department had not received any specific threats related to Mughniyeh's death but was increasing its presence at Jewish institutions, malls and ports, said Deputy Chief Michael Downing, who heads the department's counterterror unit. The Anti-Defamation League for several counties in Southern California sent out an e-mail warning to Jewish institutions urging vigilance. Related articles: Israel on terror alert, warns citizens of kidnap threat abroad ADL commends N.Y. police for arrests in anti-Semitic subway attack Syrian FM says investigations into Mughniyah killing underway PMO denies Israeli role in Imad Mughniyah's death More Jewish World news and features Bookmark to del.icio.us   Independence day Kosovars rejoice as Kosovo declares itself an independent and sovereign state. Settling the score 1/3 of W. Bank settlements are on Palestinian land seized for 'security purposes.'   1.   Truth: Syria did it 10:30  |  Keen Observer 15/02/08   2.   ISRAEL DID IT...PREPARE FOR CONSEQUENCES 11:36  |  ME Observer 15/02/08   3.   Next Hezblhah Attack 14:39  |  Pedro 15/02/08   4.   1 and 2 HOW DO U KNOW? 15:04  |  MICHAEL 15/02/08   5.   #2 For every reaction there is a counter-action 15:08  |  * BEN JABO 15/02/08   6.   Another Crazy Dream Better Report Part 1 16:09  |  Yosemite 15/02/08   7.   Another Crazy Dream Better Report Part 2 16:15  |  Yosemite 15/02/08   8.   Another Crazy Dream Better Report Part 3 16:29  |  Yosemite 15/02/08   9.   same old game 16:34  |  al 15/02/08   10.   Another Crazy Dream Better Report Part 4 16:42  |  Yosemite 15/02/08   11.   Every cartoon has a reaction in some parts of the ME 16:46  |  Avi 15/02/08   12.   Who mourns for Mughniyah the terrorist? 16:49  |  Avi 15/02/08   13.   Mug`s KILLING-Damascus. 17:00  |  The Teacher/instruct 15/02/08   14.   Excepts from Willard Payne`s analysis 17:04  |  Avi 15/02/08   15.   ME Observer think logic not emotions 17:22  |  Ferragamo 15/02/08   16.   ashkenazi more white than shephardi. 17:47  |  bozhidarevski bob 15/02/08   17.   Arabs Just Can`t Defeat Israel 17:50  |  Tex 15/02/08   18.   US Christian Zionist targets? 17:50  |  W 15/02/08   19.   Syria just arrested several suspects..all Palestinians 18:11  |  Dr. L. Brnd 15/02/08   20.   Threaths to Terrorist is the right answer 18:22  |  Daniel 15/02/08   21.   Israel 18:56  |  Reuven 15/02/08   22.   The war declared on Israel is a war declared against the West. 19:13  |  Jean Van Daem 15/02/08   23.   A WARNING TO HEZ SUPPORTERS 19:15  |  Bkaester 15/02/08   24.   Tex#16... ISRAEL LOST WAR LAST YEAR.... KILLING WAS AVENGING LOSS 20:32  |  ME Observer 15/02/08   25.   #21 No, it`s not. 21:14  |  Jens 15/02/08   26.   We`re Still Here, Bro 21:42  |  Tex 15/02/08   27.   What My Mind Is Telling Me So Far! 21:45  |  Yosemite 15/02/08   28.   To # 24 22:06  |  James 15/02/08   29.   Baruch Hashem 22:29  |  Yosemite 15/02/08   30.   War on Terror 22:30  |  Warren 15/02/08   31.   If one is already damned... 23:49  |  A. Almoni 15/02/08   32.   Warren of Dallas TX @#27 23:51  |  akiva (zionist) 15/02/08   33.   His got a face that only his mother could love 00:43  |  ottomatik 16/02/08   34.   JEWS ARE JEWS 03:36  |  TOBIA 16/02/08   35.   # 23 me observer 04:22  |  danny 16/02/08   36.   What twaddle 05:22  |  Mark Lincoln 16/02/08   37.   Only a mother could love that face.... 10:55  |  Palestinian Brit 16/02/08   38.   Hezbollah better think long and hard about a war with the US 11:06  |  Devin Leonard 16/02/08   39.   every action creates an equal and opposite reaction 17:53  |  montgomery rosen 16/02/08   40.   #36 Lincoln - It`s very profitable 18:51  |  * BEN JABO 16/02/08   41.   fear? nonsense. other pigboys will die as this one did. 23:21  |  frenz 16/02/08   42.   40 Ben Jabo,the U.S. is the largest exporter of arms! 03:43  |  lakshmi 17/02/08   43.   The end is near 00:19  |  Ali 18/02/08   44.   bozhidarevski bob, U are looking in the wrong direction 4 peace 03:09  |  friend. 18/02/08   45.   38, Hezbollah in a war with U.S., LOL That would be like a mouse 03:20  |  attacking a Lion 18/02/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: Anti-Zionism as a form of racism Responses: 27 Anshel Pfeffer: Is Israel risking the lives of Jews elsewhere? Responses: 5 Akiva Eldar: Negotiate over Jerusalem now Responses: 5 Report: Progress made in Shalit prisoner swap deal Responses: 5 Hezbollah: Mugniyah killing revenge to be 'extremely costly' Responses: 48 Rosner's Domain Brzezinski didn't show up (WTR) How would Obama handle Israel? Ex-advisors offer clues Clinton's peace team: the attacks on Rob Malley "vicious" (WTR) Most blatant example of Israeli interference in American election The U.S. and Mughniyah / Not just 'who' but also 'where' More Headlines 10:30 Report: Progress made in Shalit prisoner swap deal 09:23 PM: No new settlements to come but existing blocs, J'lem to keep growing 08:00 Hezbollah: Revenge for Mugniyah killing to be 'extremely costly' for Israel 03:12 UN official warns against Gaza invasion, says diplomacy only solution 02:09 Israel delays taking stance on independent Kosovo 07:49 Temperatures to drop sharply as severe storm hits Israel 09:26 Minister Majadele stable after surgery to stop bleeding on his brain 06:12 Interior Min. mulls 'absorption grant' for T.A.'s African refugees 05:17 PM gave Winograd panel details of post-war decision-making 08:50 Gov't to fund fortification of 3,600 homes near Gaza, instead of 8,000 08:52 Knesset passes draft bill outlawing membership in racist organizations 06:35 Expert: Suspect's footprints found on pants of murdered Golan girl 17:35 Egypt: No Gaza border deal without consent of Israel, PA Previous Editions Select Day 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb 08 feb 07 feb 06 feb 05 feb 04 feb

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