Police Commissioner Assaf Hefetz has warned that terrorist groups may launch attacks in order to change the course of Israel’s May 29 national elections.
Addressing a meeting of police commanders to review preparations in the run-up to the elections, Hefetz said that even though Israeli security forces have cracked down on terrorist groups, some of these groups may still be able to carry out attacks.
Hefetz said special security measures were being taken to prevent such attacks.
Last week, police found the body of a terrorist in eastern Jerusalem, saying that he was killed when a bomb he was preparing exploded prematurely.
Police think that the terrorist was on his way to carry out a suicide bombing against Israelis in downtown Jerusalem. The man planned to detonate the explosive, which was estimated to have weighed more than 20 pounds, at a bus stop or on a bus, police said.
Support for the government of Prime Minister Shimon Peres slipped after the series of suicide bombings in late February and early March.
Political observers contend that another terrorist attack could cause Israeli voters to support Peres’ more hardline opponent, Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu.
Islamic militants believe that a Netanyahu victory could seriously impede the Middle East peace process, which they staunchly oppose.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
