Israel and the Palestinian Authority traded barbs over an alleged plot to assassinate Ehud Olmert.
Sunday’s accusations followed revelations by the Shin Bet security service that it had uncovered a Palestinian plot to kill the Israeli prime minister as he attended a summit with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Jericho in August.
Israel tipped off the Palestinian Authority, which arrested several suspects, only to release them within weeks, the Shin Bet said.
Addressing his Cabinet, Olmert voiced “discomfort” with the events, but said they would not halt progress toward the upcoming U.S.-sponsored Israeli-Palestinian peace conference in Annapolis, Md.
The Palestinian Authority denied that the suspects it held were would-be assassins. Israel had described the suspects as members of Abbas’ Fatah faction.
The August summit in Jericho was the first to be held in the Palestinian Authority in years. Israeli officials had earlier expressed satisfaction with P.A. security efforts.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
