Israel: Al-Qaeda Planned to Hit US Embassy

Authorities say they foiled plot in Tel Aviv and attacks elsewhere
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 22, 2014 11:41 AM CST
Israel: Al-Qaeda Planned to Hit US Embassy
A general view of the US embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel.   (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Israel says it has foiled a major plot by al-Qaeda that included a planned attack on the US embassy in Tel Aviv, reports the AP. The Shin Bet security agency arrested three Palestinians it says were recruited indirectly by al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. The alleged plot called for suicide bombers to hit the embassy and the Jerusalem Convention Center simultaneously, and then for subsequent bombs to go off when first responders arrived, reports the Jerusalem Post.

Another attack was planned on a passenger bus near Jerusalem. Authorities say an operative in Gaza who worked for Zawahiri recruited the three men separately via Facebook and Skype. One was supposed to go to Syria first to learn how to make bombs, and then help other foreign terrorists enter the country with fake Russian passports, says Shin Bet. (More Israel stories.)

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