Mossad exposes Hamas terror plots across Europe
(JNS) — Israeli intelligence, in close cooperation with European authorities, has recently disrupted Hamas terror cells planning to target Jewish and Israeli sites across the continent, Jerusalem revealed on Nov. 19.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement on behalf of the Mossad, said the disrupted cells were positioned to strike “on the day of command.”
Austrian security forces uncovered a weapons stash in Vienna in September containing pistols and explosives linked to Muhammad Naim, son of senior Hamas politburo member Bassem Naim, who is closely associated with top Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya.
As part of the investigation, it was revealed that the Naims met in Qatar in September.
“The timing of this meeting suggests possible involvement of Hamas leadership in promoting terrorism in Europe, giving activists the authority and approval to advance terrorist operations. The leadership’s broad denials may actually indicate a loss of control over rogue operatives,” according to the statement.
The investigation is also examining the possible involvement of Hamas figures in Turkey in advancing terror attack plots, some of which have already been exposed.
German authorities arrested prominent Hamas network operative Barhan al-Khatib in November after he returned from Turkey, “apparently following the completion of his operational activities on European soil.”
B’nai B’rith says Toronto violated protocol with PLO flag
(JNS) — The Canada affiliate of B’nai Brith has complained to the City of Toronto over the municipality’s decision to fly a PLO flag on City Hall on Nov. 17, the group said.
“Our complaint outlines clear violations of the City’s Flag-Raising Protocol and details how the decision to proceed with the event failed the Jewish community,” wrote B’nai B’rith Canada in a statement. “The City must correct this error, review how approval was granted, and amend its procedures to prevent a similar occurrence.”
The flying of the flag marked the anniversary of the PLO’s 1988 declaration of “Palestinian independence,” during the First Intifada. The PLO, or Palestinian Liberation Organization, was then a designated terrorist entity in Canada, B’nai Brith Canada noted.
Toronto city officials have defended flying the PLO flag, noting that the city’s official protocol says that, “The manner in which flags may be displayed in Canada is not governed by legislation, but rather by established practice which the City of Toronto also observes.”
B’nai B’rith Canada had protested the plan to fly the PLO flag on City Hall in advance, the statement noted. In September, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia announced formal recognition of a “State of Palestine” despite objections by Israel, the United States and mainstream Jewish community representatives in the recognizing countries.
Peru to buy $23.8 million worth armored vehicles from Israeli firm
(JNS) — Peru’s interior ministry has contracted, through a tender, the purchase of 56 armored vehicles manufactured by Kibbutz Sasa-based firm Plasan for the National Police for approximately $23.8 million, the Peruvian press reported.
The contract was awarded to Plasan Sasa Ltd. on Nov. 7, and involves the acquisition of the “Sandcat EX12” multipurpose 4×4 armored vehicle, according to newspaper La República.
Plasan received the highest weighted score in the tender — 89.26 points — besting competitors from the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Canada and even Israeli company Shladot, Hebrew-language finance outlet Globes reported.
Plasan’s short delivery time of 250 days was a main advantage for the Israeli firm, located in the Upper Galilee, the report added.
The Sandcat EX12 model was reportedly designed specifically for the Peruvian police and is aimed at improving crowd control and preventing civil disturbance.
However, La República reported that Brig. Gen. Monish Datta, representative of Indian firm DCM Shriram Industries, submitted a formal appeal on behalf of a consortium with Israeli partner Gaia Behri that contests the legitimacy of the tender process, demanding to rescind the contract.
“The [evaluation] process did not adhere to the rules established in the international contracting guidelines,” Datta wrote, the Peruvian newspaper reported.
Graffiti during Mexican protests calls out Claudia Sheinbaum
(JTA) — Mexico’s Jewish community has condemned antisemitic graffiti apparently directed toward the country’s Jewish president during an anti-government protest on Saturday.
The graffiti painted on the door of the Supreme Court building said “puta judia,” in what has been widely interpreted as a reference to Claudia Sheinbaum. It also included a crossed-out Star of David.
The graffiti was painted during a youth-led protest that responds to rising violence, crime and corruption, particularly by drug cartels. Dozens of people were reportedly arrested and injured in Saturday’s protests.
“The Jewish Community of Mexico strongly condemns the antisemitic remarks and expressions” during the march, the community said in a statement on Sunday. “Antisemitism is a form of discrimination according to our constitution and must be rejected clearly and unequivocally.”
Sheinbaum, elected last year, is Mexico’s first Jewish president. She has not made her Jewish identity a part of her public persona and is not a regular participant in the country’s tight-knit Jewish communities.
Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, also condemned the graffiti. “Israel strongly condemns the antisemitic and sexist slurs directed at Mexico’s President Sheinbaum,” he posted on social media.
