Al Qaida Cell In Israel, Plotted To Shoot Down President Bush's Helicopter

Six Israeli Arabs, including four residents of east Jerusalem,  suspected of planning to set up an Al Qaida cell in Israel, and plotting to kill US President George W. Bush,were arrested by security forces in June and July this year.

Details released by the Shin Bet on Friday said two cell members are students at Jerusalem's Hebrew University and the six members belonged to a  closed religious sect and met frequently at the Al Aksa mosque to discuss their activities.

The suspects were identified as,Ibrahim Nashaf, 22 of Taibe a phsyics student at Hebrew University,  Mohammed Najem, 24 of Nazareth studied chemistry at Hebrew University, Yusef Samarin ,21, a resident of Beit Hanina in east Jerusalem, Anes Shweike, 21 a resident of Jabel Mukaber and Kamal Abu Kweidar,22 a resident of Jerusalem’s Old City.

Najem a chemistry student lived in the Hebrew University dormitories on Mount Scopus, and from his room had a view of the helicopter pad located in the university’s stadium. He used the camera on his mobile phone to take footage of President George W. Bush's helicopter taking off and landing at the pad,  and then linked up on extreme Al Qaida websites chat forums where he sought advice on how to shoot President Bush’s helicopter down.

The six were indicted at Jerusalem's District Court on Friday for membership in a terror organization, some were charged for aiding the enemy at a time of war, possessing propaganda material in favor of a terror organization, soliciting and attempting to solicit others to join a terror organization.07/20/08