In line with mounting travel advisors and counter-terror bureau warnings, the military has issued a warning to senior reserve duty IDF officers abroad to exhibit caution, warning of heightened efforts by Hizbullah to abduct them.
 
A special alert has been sent to those officers who are tending to business in Muslim countries, especially those with which Israel does not maintain diplomatic relations. They are being advised to leave the areas and return home. This is in line with a report that appeared in the UAE media, that a number of senior IDF officers left the area due to mounting terror alerts.
 
Defense Minister Ehud Barak has instructed members of his staff to check the possibility of taking legal action to prevent some of them from traveling to especially high-risk countries. He wishes to compel them to adhere to counter-terror warnings rather than leave it up to their judgment.
 
The daily Haaretz reports that a number of senior officers have been warned by security establishment officials, including two major-generals. At least one of them is currently in the United States, and he stated he never stepped foot in any of the Muslim countries referred to in the warning, adding that meetings regarding business in those areas were held in Europe.
 
It should be remembered that a number of years ago, reserve duty colonel, Elchanan Tannenbaum was taken hostage by Hizbullah, leading to a very costly prisoner exchange deal by then prime minister, Ariel Sharon. It was later learned that Tannenbaum was involved in drug dealings.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)