Security was stepped up this week around Prime Minister Shimon Peres and Internal Security Minister Moshe Shahal after threats were issued against them.
Security officials said those threatening Shahal included followers of self- styled Yemenite leader Uzi Meshulam, who was imprisoned in 1994 after he and his armed followers were seized after a shootout with police.
The violent confrontation took place amid repeated calls from Meshulam and his followers for a government inquiry into the alleged disappearance of Yemenite children during the 1950s.
The heightened security measures were expected to be in effect throughout the week.
In addition to the protective measures for Peres and Shahal, some 20,000 Israeli police and soldiers were deployed throughout the country this week amid warnings of possible terrorist attacks.
Along with the security measures, police were taking steps to prevent election fraud.
Shahal and Police Commissioner Assaf Hefetz said police had been mobilized to prevent the buying and selling of identity cards, which Israeli citizens must present in order to vote.
Interior Minister Haim Ramon said the problem was particularly acute in fervently Orthodox areas in Jerusalem and had to be dealt with urgently.
Ramon made the comment at the Cabinet meeting Tuesday – the current government’s last such meeting.
At the end of the meeting, the Cabinet approved the establishment of a center to commemorate the late Yitzhak Rabin.
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