The Dutch authorities have ordered unprecedented security measures to protect American, Israeli and Jewish buildings and other establishments throughout The Netherlands from possible terrorist attacks.
The Justice and Interior Ministries ordered the strong measures in urgent telex messages to all provincial governors and attorney generals after receiving reports from reliable sources abroad that Americans, Israelis and Jews in general have been targeted by terrorists.
Similar precautions have been taken in Norway, Sweden and Denmark following warnings from Interpol, the international police information clearing house. Sven-Ake Hjalmroth, head of the Swedish security services, said, “We take the Interpol warning very seriously indeed.”
He said it referred specifically to Jewish and Israeli institutions and installations. Swedish officials said the threat was presumably from the Abu Nidal terrorist network known to have carried out the fatal attacks on EI AI passenger facilities at the Rome and Vienna airports December 27.
HEAVILY ARMED POLICE VISIBLE
In The Netherlands, heavily armed police and gendarmerie were highly visible near dozens of American and Israeli institutions, Embassies, travel bureaus, airline offices, schools and even at restaurants owned or frequented by Jews, Israelis or Americans.
The annual conference of The Netherlands Zionist Organization opened here Saturday night under heavy police protection. Security forces patrolled the building and an armored car was stationed at its entrance.
In Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen, armed police set up defensive battle positions outside Jewish schools and synagogues. Local Jews, contacted by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in those capitals, said they would carry on as usual without fear, but welcomed the special security precautions in their behalf. According to reports, Jewish premises in Spain are also targeted by terrorists. Spain is expected to establish diplomatic relations with Israel shortly.
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