AJC Praises Israel for Preventing Terror Attack Against U.S. Embassy

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Jan 23, 2014, 11:51 ET

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC praised the Israeli government for thwarting a planned Al-Qaeda attack against the American Embassy in the heart of Tel Aviv, as well as other targets in the country.

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"Bravo to Israel's intelligence and security services for nipping this in the bud," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "Without Israeli vigilance, this could have resulted in a major tragedy. It is another telling reminder that Israel and the U.S. stand shoulder-to-shoulder against the jihadist forces taking aim at Western sites, and that both countries rely on one another in confronting this transnational threat."

Israeli officials announced they had apprehended three Palestinians. Two of the suspects are from Jerusalem and one is from the West Bank. Reports suggest they were recruited by a terrorist in Gaza with links to Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. Their goal reportedly was to attack the American Embassy, the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, and Israeli buses, with the aim of killing, maiming and kidnapping.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee