Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., December 05, 2008 Kislev 8, 5769 | | Israel Time: 03:18 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 13:31 28/11/2008
ANALYSIS / Israel cannot defend against attacks such as one at Mumbai Chabad house
By Amos Harel
Tags: Hezbollah, Israel news 

Since last February, the defense establishment has been involved in a worldwide effort to protect Israeli citizens and Jewish centers from attack by Hezbollah as revenge for the assassination of Imad Mughniyeh. Serious attacks have been thwarted during that time. But the terror attack in Mumbai, in which the local Chabad House was a secondary target, indicates that Israel will never quite cover local Islamic terror in developing nations.

It is possible, with tremendous effort and close cooperation with foreign intelligence services, to stop Hezbollah cells when they plot attacks on Israeli embassies. Unofficial delegates can be briefed to be alert and cautious. But it is all but impossible to protect the Israeli tourist or delegate caught in such a ferocious and coordinated attack as the one in India this week.

On Thursday afternoon, events at Mumbai Chabad House took a dramatic turn. Indian security forces, in a strategy reminiscent of Russian operations in the face of similar kidnappings, are not allotting time to negotiate with the terrorists. Against a challenge of these proportions, the Indians opted to immediately storm the target sites, even at the price of the lives of hostages.
Advertisement
Israel has traditionally handled hostage situations differently. Frequent use of negotiations has not led to surrender to terrorist demands, but to their weakening, and the acquisition of valuable intelligence for rescue units. In the Mumbai hotels, the scenario was very different. Elite Indian commando forces battled dozens of hostage-takers in urban territory with the bodies of the victims lying on hallway floors. But at Chabad House, maybe because it was a smaller site, the Indians opted to delay storming the building.

Chabad center in Mumbai

As far as Israel is concerned, the terror attacks were preceded only by vague alerts of possible attacks on Israeli targets in India (more specific threats against the Chabad House in Thailand led to private security during the Jewish holidays). Although intelligence gathering on international Islamic terror is a high Mossad priority, and even though Military Intelligence has expanded its operations since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the information is very limited. Chabad House is a prominent and well-known target and, like other sites attacked on Wednesday, is considered a "soft" target. In other words, no real security.

The delay in storming the building apparently allowed time for Israeli involvement in analyzing the tactical conditions and exploiting expertise in negotiating with hostage-takers. The Israeli army has a detailed plan for rescuing hostages abroad, but it is unlikely India would have allowed it. Why did the attackers also choose a Jewish target? A senior researcher at the Institute for Counter-Terrorism, Lior Lotan, says that Chabad House was a secondary target, a hit on the "Smaller Satan" while attacking the "Great Satan," the "Crusaders," Western tourists and relations between the West and Indian authorities.

Dr. Yoram Schweitzer of Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies says Al-Qaida's interest in Israel has increased over the years. Since 2002, there have been a series of attacks on Jews and Israelis, from the attack in Mombasa, Kenya, to Katyusha rockets fired into Israel from Jordan and Lebanon. Also the broad security cooperation between Israel and India increased motivation for the attack.

However, the extent of Al-Qaida's involvement in the attack is still unclear. The Indians opted to point the finger at neighboring countries- meaning Pakistan and its intelligence services-for operating Islamic extremists. According to Schweitzer, Al-Qaida preferred suicide attacks over a shooting onslaught (the two types were combined Wednesday) or mass hostage-taking. However, targeting tourism and using it to harm the Indian economy is well suited to Osama bin Laden and his followers and their philosophy. The terrorists hit hotels, a train station and a cinema simultaneously sites that are crowded, frequented by tourists and almost completely without security. The inspiration came from somewhere.

The attack does appear to be a success for the terrorists. It indicates careful planning, effective implementation and control over a large number of subcells. Above all, it is a huge failure by the Indian defense establishment, surprised in the heart of their financial capital, apparently also missing the terrorists' arrival by boat from Pakistan. Brave police officers, including the Mumbai counterterror chief, died trying to stop the attack. When the dust settles, higher-ups in Indian intelligence will have a lot of explaining to do.

Related articles:
  • Reports differ over release of Mumbai Chabad center captives
  • IN PICTURES / Mumbai ravaged by deadly terror attacks
  • Hezbollah terror chief Imad Mughniyah killed in Damascus blast
  • Chabad center in Mumbai
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Settler rampage
    Video shows settler shooting Palestinian in the stomach from point-blank range.
    Living side by side
    An historic Chicago synagogue neighbors Barack Obama's house.
      1.   uh.....Amos 12:08  |  Ken 28/11/08
      2.   DUH - NO ONE can prevent attacks 12:38  |  spyguy 28/11/08
      3.   Was it a good idea to kill Imad Mughniyeh ? 13:07  |  Manny Goldstein 28/11/08
      4.   True, but... 13:44  |  Gershon 28/11/08
      5.   Sorry, Manny 14:05  |  Tex 28/11/08
      6.   can not or will not? 14:18  |  Avi 28/11/08
      7.   So Mannie..let me get this straight.. 14:26  |  Avi 28/11/08
      8.   Was it a good idea to kill Mughniyeh? Wrong question. 14:27  |  Raymond in DC 28/11/08
      9.   And a definition for TERRORISM is still undecided! 14:40  |  Avi 28/11/08
      10.   the terrorist fired into crowds and then asked for US and UK 15:19  |  passports...jews 28/11/08
      11.   Mannie don`t try appease them they would kill you also 15:38  |  Aby 28/11/08
      12.   Israel has never ever defended jews abroad 16:05  |  Patricio 28/11/08
      13.   Chabad Center attack can NOT be random 16:11  |  The Sceptic 28/11/08
      14.   To Manny: The policy of `targeted assassination` 16:30  |  Gene 28/11/08
      15.   Defending itself 17:13  |  Piccolo 28/11/08
      16.   Israel attacks. 17:34  |  S 28/11/08
      17.   #8 Did you read any of the news about these attacks?? 17:56  |  JonathanInTelAviv 28/11/08
      18.   they hate us 17:57  |  Jared 28/11/08
      19.   Harel - "Why did the attackers also choose a Jewish target?" 18:24  |  chet 28/11/08
      20.   under this traitorous cowardly government 18:29  |  chaim 28/11/08
      21.   Livni`s defeatism encourages Indian style terror attacks 18:29  |  Bob Gervitz 28/11/08
      22.   To Jared 18:34  |  David LG 28/11/08
      23.   Earth to S, Earth Calling S, Come in S 18:38  |  Mark Lincoln 28/11/08
      24.   Asymmetrical warfare 18:46  |  Mark Lincoln 28/11/08
      25.   Analysis / of course not 18:49  |  Mark Lincoln 28/11/08
      26.   Maybe these Jews need to come home to Israel 19:03  |  Bennie 28/11/08
      27.   Chet - look at the pattern of attacks 19:28  |  Mark Lincoln 28/11/08
      28.   Palestinians left on their own 20:03  |  Art 28/11/08
      29.   If you cut the head of the snake you can 20:44  |  Yuri 28/11/08
      30.   For #19 Mark Lincoln - Israeli Target 20:52  |  chet 28/11/08
      31.   when haven`t tehy been enraged? 20:59  |  Art 28/11/08
      32.   S - only Palestinians under occupation? 21:08  |  marbpl 28/11/08
      33.   Chet I see lots of attempts 21:25  |  Mark Lincoln 28/11/08
      34.   I`ll be your Huckleberry,..... 21:39  |  Gideon Reader 28/11/08
      35.   To Chet 21:44  |  David LG 28/11/08
      36.   We dont hate you 21:55  |  Usman 28/11/08
      37.   @ Mark, Chet 22:24  |  Max 28/11/08
      38.   Terrorism can and be fought with terror. 22:25  |  17 28/11/08
      39.   One of the ways to stop terrorism 22:45  |  Mordy 28/11/08
      40.   To Manny# 3 23:05  |  e.m.Jordan is Palest 28/11/08
      41.   chet 23 - forget it 23:07  |  ChanahS 28/11/08
      42.   To # 24 marhpl - `Palestinians` are Occupied??? 23:49  |  Dagma 28/11/08
      43.   Chet: Deplorable 00:27  |  Tex 29/11/08
      44.   Gaza Market Supplies running low 00:57  |  Great White North 29/11/08
      45.   To # 24 S - `Palestinians` are not Under OCCUPATION 00:57  |  Dolly 29/11/08
      46.   This is just the beginning 01:00  |  Josh 29/11/08
      47.   To # 9 S - "Palestinians` born in their own country 02:00  |  Natasha 29/11/08
      48.   You can only encourage people to be security minded on their own 02:54  |  UsedToPostHere 29/11/08
      49.   re: S 02:58  |  UsedToPostHere 29/11/08
      50.   `Palestinians` are not Under OCCUPATION 03:10  |  Mark Lincoln 29/11/08
      51.   protecting a soft target 05:11  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 29/11/08
      52.   protecting a soft target 05:38  |  Mark Lincoln 29/11/08
      53.   What can one do? 05:53  |  Mark Lincoln 29/11/08
      54.   So is there a point defense? 06:02  |  Mark Lincoln 29/11/08
      55.   Mark Lincoln 07:34  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 29/11/08
      56.   Dolly...misguided 07:58  |  Palestinian Brit 29/11/08
      57.   #51 CJK - even a fortress can be defeated 08:34  |  spyguy 29/11/08
      58.   CJK - Mark is correct - nothing can be done 09:13  |  spyguy 29/11/08
      59.   Radically anti-stupid 09:48  |  Johan Sterk 29/11/08
      60.   Manny Goldstein @ 3 -Should Israel change her policies 10:19  |  The Threadmill 29/11/08
      61.   To Palestinian Brit @ 56 - NoT Misguided at all 11:16  |  Dolly 29/11/08
      62.   To Usman # 36 - Jews and the Holocaust..... 12:22  |  Dagma 29/11/08
      63.   Indian Jews and Its Links 12:51  |  Jerry 29/11/08
      64.   Cipora - degrees of protection 14:52  |  Mark Lincoln 29/11/08
      65.   Actually, that is not true - 15:39  |  Bitin Dawg 29/11/08
      66.   For Mark Lincoln - Jewish Target 15:50  |  chet 29/11/08
      67.   Chet, yes one target was a `Jewish` target 17:13  |  Mark Lincoln 29/11/08
      68.   To David LG # 35 - No truer Words...... 18:36  |  Dagma [second time] 29/11/08
      69.   Chet: Loves To Hate Jews 18:38  |  Tex 29/11/08
      70.   For #67 Mark Lincoln 20:00  |  chet 29/11/08
      71.   Dogmatic 20:01  |  Mark Lincoln 29/11/08
      72.   Usman, your misconceptions are the root of your erroneous conclus 21:05  |  bbl 29/11/08
      73.   To Dagma # 62 22:40  |  Aziz 29/11/08
      74.   The only long term solution is to forget about retribution 07:20  |  Greenberg 30/11/08
      75.   re: Greenberg 19:02  |  UsedToPostHere 30/11/08
      76.   Jews disliked for ages 23:33  |  Judy 30/11/08
      77.   Chabad Attack Mumbai 10:19  |  Stephen Lowe 01/12/08
      78.   re: Stephen Lowe 02:56  |  UsedToPostHere 05/12/08
     Read & React
    Israeli Arab leaders vow to sail to Gaza to break blockade
    Responses: 130
    Settlers rampage in Palestinian areas after Hebron eviction
    Responses: 164
    Editorial: Jewish terrorists are holding hostage Israel's future
    Responses: 53
    Ari Shavit: Pakistan is as dangerous as Iran
    Responses: 30
    Shlomo Avineri: The State of Israel as the kingdom of evil
    Responses: 17


    More Headlines
    02:21 Israel braces for settler violence following Hebron evacuation
    02:23 ANALYSIS / No other word than 'pogrom' for settler acts in Hebron
    23:27 Abbas aide: Settler attacks could scupper peace process
    02:05 Obama's Palestinian friend
    17:39 State Prosecutor closes Bank Leumi probe against Olmert
    16:05 Report: Syria won't renew peace talks until Israel clarifies Golan plans
    07:50 At synagogue overlooking Obama's house, blacks and Jews live side by side
    22:55 High voter turnout for Labor's second primary this week
    22:11 Top rightist MKs won`t head new national-religious party Habayit Hayehudi
    20:36 Mumbai Jewish community on edge after attacks in India
    19:39 Ex-N.Y. Governor Eliot Spitzer debuts as columnist for online magazine 'Slate'
    02:38 Water flowing into the Kinneret slower than ever, report finds
    00:22 Gilad Shalit's parents reportedly contact PIs to acquire information
    21:32 UN forum: Israel systematically violating Palestinian human rights
    21:23 IN PICTURES / The evacuation of 'House of Contention' in Hebron
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Living in Israel Studying in English
    Click & Meet our students from all around the world
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Car rental in Israel
    Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
    www. israel-property.com
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved