Weddings fill in vacuum of lack of Palestinian - Israeli action
Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/12/1998

Palestinian and Israeli officials alike have proved that social events can sometimes replace stalemated talks. According to press reports appearing on Wednesday, former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres received information on a thwarted Hamas bombing attack from a senior officer in the Palestinian intelligence force in the West Bank at such an event.

Ahmed Tibi, advisor to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat on Israeli affairs, held a special party for the wedding of his brother. He invited a number of officials and celebrities from all parties to the event, including Peres and Tewfiq Tirawi, the officer in charge of Palestinian Intelligence in the West Bank.

Peres told Israel's Channel One television on Monday night about the successful move of the Palestinian government and said it was done with close coordination between Palestinian intelligence and the Israeli General Security Services. Israel denied knowledge of the report and said no attacks by potential Islamic militants had been foiled in the last few months, either by the Palestinian government or by Israel. "The Palestinian official did not ask me to keep this information a secret and I therefore permitted myself to report the incident," said Peres.

Palestinian sources confirmed that Hamas had planned to perpetrate a massive attack in Israel and that their attempt had been thwarted by the Palestinian government. According to the Palestinian sources, the information about the planned attack reached the Palestinian government last Wednesday. Immediately afterwards, suspected members of Hamas were rounded up in Ramallah.

Previous Stories:
  Palestinian official criticizes Israel for barring Palestinian officials' entry   (8/11/1998)
  Israelis believe Palestinian state will see light, but support it less   (7/28/1998)
  Palestinians could use chemical components in suicide bombings   (7/27/1998)

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