Israel drops terror alert

This,officials in New Delhi believe,is going to have a huge positive impact on the ongoing tourist season,especially since Goa in India is an extremely popular destination for Israeli nationals.

The alert was issued on October 15 this year and had been classified as very high level concrete threat and had recommended that Israelis refrain from frequenting popular tourist spots,Chabad-Lubavitch centres and other Jewish sites. This warning had stated that the terror organisation that was responsible for the Mumbai terror attacks was plotting several more attacks in India,targeting tourist sites,Chabad centers and also Goa.

In the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks last year,terrorists had gone into the Chabad House in the city and killed six people,including Rabbi Gabriel and his wife Rivka Holtzberg. Their son,Moshe,had a miraculous escape.

In New Delhi,security and intelligence agencies are reading this development of cancelling the travel alert as a consequence of charges filed by American prosecutors against Chicago-resident David Headley,accused of reconnaissance of more terror targets and helping the terrorists in carrying out Mumbai attacks. Israel,however,still advises its citizens to refrain from going to Jammu and Kashmir.

The advisory also recommends that Israelis avoid sites that do not have official security personnel screening people at the door. Despite the suspension of the warning,it is best to remain in secure places and exercise extreme caution at all times, states the bulletin.