Israel Foils Plot to Kill Olmert

Israel thwarted a plot by Fatah militants to attack a convoy carrying Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to the West Bank town of Jericho in August, AFP reports. Plotters  reportedly included members of an elite group directly under the command of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Three men were arrested by Palestinian police and later released.

The plot was uncovered two months ago—before the day of the meeting, Aug. 6—but was revealed yesterday as Olmert left for France and Britain to discuss preparations for a new round of Mideast peace talks. Israelis were annoyed that the men, who admitted the plot, were released. "We feel great displeasure over this issue and we will not ignore it,"  Olmert said, adding that he has no intention "to stop the negotiation effort." (More Israel stories.)