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Police Arrested in Jerusalem in Raid Uncovering Religious Underground Movement

May 16, 1951
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Acting on information that members of an extreme religious group are contemplating sabotaging the building in which the Israeli Parliament meets, Israeli police early this morning carried out a raid in the Mea-chearim district of the city and arrested about 40 suspects.

The raid resulted in the discovery of a small ammunition dump containing hand grenades and “Molotov cocktails.” Printed pamphlets found by the raiders revealed the existence of an underground zealot movement — “Brit Kanaim” — which apparently plans opposition to the Israel Government because of the new mobilization law which introduces compulsory military service for Orthodox women.

After today’s raid, the Inspector General of the Israeli police arrived in Jerusalem to conduct a personal investigation. In the meantime, large police details are guarding all entrances to Jerusalem and are searching all outgoing vehicles.

Later in the day, it was announced that an arms ache was found in an educational institution of the Agudah Laborite Organization. The police also claim they discovered the bomb with which it was intended to blow up the Parliament. However, the police authorities have not proved as yet any definite connection between the arms and the printed material, which contained the addresses of hundreds of members of the extremist religious Neturei Karta group and plans to sabotage the Parliament.

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