An al-Qaida-linked Algerian terror cell that was broken up by Italian police last fall was planning to carry out attacks on targets in Oslo, Norway, including the city's main synagogue.
Anne Sender, president of Norway's Jewish community, told The Jerusalem Post during a telephone interview from Oslo that local authorities had informed her shortly after the suspects were arrested in November that there existed a credible terrorist threat against the synagogue.
The plot came to light only this week in the wake of a report on Monday in the Norwegian Verdens Gang (VG) newspaper.
"At the time, we were informed by the government that some people had been caught in Italy and that police had found plans indicating that they were targeting the synagogue in Oslo," Sender said.
She added that the threat was considered sufficiently serious that, in its wake, Norwegian police decided to adopt additional, unspecified measures to boost security at the synagogue.
The terrorists, who resided in Italy but were allegedly plotting attacks against sites in Oslo, belonged to an Algerian-based group known as the GSPC, a French acronym which stands for the Salafist Group for Call and Combat.
The GSPC, which has links to al-Qaida, is a splinter faction that broke away from Algeria's Armed Islamic Group in 1996.
Sender praised Norwegian police, but nonetheless expressed concern over the community's security with the approach of the High Holidays.
"To be honest, I do think people are a bit nervous now," she said. "We have good contact and cooperation with the police, but we need to be prepared and to put more security measures in place."
In the past few months, Oslo has been the scene of a number of anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist incidents, including an attack on the synagogue last month, where an unknown perpetrator smashed glass windows and scrawled graffiti on the site after defecating near the entrance.
"99 percent of the time it is fine, it is safe, and there is no problem at all, but we do have these incidents," added Sender. "Maybe we are a little na ve, but we always seem to think that Norway is separate, that it is different and that it is unaffected by what goes on in the rest of the world."
The Salafist Group for Call and Combat (GSPC) has emerged in recent years as a major source of recruiting and other support for al Qaeda operations in Europe. A splinter faction of the Algerian-based Armed Islamic Group (GIA), the GSPC is engaged simultaneously in efforts to topple Algeria's secular government and to organize high-profile attacks against Western interests on the continent.
Re: Al-Qaida cell targeted Oslo synagogue (Jewish Masjid)
I think the term "Jewish Masjid" is derogatory for jews because "Masjid" means "a place for prostration" (and Jews dont prostrate in their prayers), in Arabic language, "synagogue" is known as "mab'ad" ("a place of worship" or "temple")
Re: Al-Qaida cell targeted Oslo synagogue (Jewish Masjid)
I can't comment. Shame on the psychotic fringe group Al-Qaeda and whomever is supporting them, be it Muslims or the West.
"This world is a blank price tag, and whatever value you put on it, is what its worth to you. I have made this world priceless and worthless, so therefore I have placed my value in the afterlife."
Al-Quaeda is making us Muslims look bad. Why are they so extreme??
There is always going to be good and bad people every where. American troops are some good who actually try not to kill civilians and then there are some who intentionally kill civilians. If it wasnt for al qaeda who would be defending iraq, afaganistan? Then america and all the kaffirs would walk all over us thinking there is no one to help us we are helpless.
Re: Al-Qaida cell targeted Oslo synagogue (Jewish Masjid)
with respect here...
question...
if al qaida is such an enemy...why doesn't the law abiding muslims in the world do something about it? naming names and places.
Some one out there knows who and what and where...
Why are the types of bin laden still free to control terrorism?
He's one man in the desert that controls the world using a bunch of mad killers that have no morals nor respect for their fellow man/woman/child.
All in the name of Allah....
Thats bullcrap..their nothing but cowards & murderers.
Otherwise they would have the guts to show their faces, not hide behind masks..
If they think they are proud soldiers fighting for a cause...why hide...why sneak about and blow innocent people up and run away to do it again another day...to me, that's a cowards way of fighting, and there is no honour in that.
nothing but disgust & condemnation...
Re: Al-Qaida cell targeted Oslo synagogue (Jewish Masjid)
it wasnt for al qaeda who would be defending iraq, afaganistan?
If it wasn't for Al-Queda the Taliban would still be in power, because no way the United States would exert such power politics on a nation that had no interest to the American Foreign Policy. The only reason troops are in Afgahnistan is because of Al-Queda.
Re: Al-Qaida cell targeted Oslo synagogue (Jewish Masjid)
format_quote Originally Posted by therebbe
If it wasn't for Al-Queda the Taliban would still be in power, because no way the United States would exert such power politics on a nation that had no interest to the American Foreign Policy. The only reason troops are in Afgahnistan is because of Al-Queda.
George Bush had planned to go on crusade war agiasnt iraq and Taliban before 911 even happened. If america is in afganistan so what they were getting a heavy blow thats why they told canada to go in. Now canada is getting there soldiers killed every day. So Taliban is doing pretty good defending themselves because the ultimate power is with them Allah S.W.T
Re: Al-Qaida cell targeted Oslo synagogue (Jewish Masjid)
format_quote Originally Posted by Islamicboy
George Bush had planned to go on crusade war agiasnt iraq and Taliban before 911 even happened. If america is in afganistan so what they were getting a heavy blow thats why they told canada to go in. Now canada is getting there soldiers killed every day. So Taliban is doing pretty good defending themselves because the ultimate power is with them Allah S.W.T
I would agree maybe with Iraq, but I completly disagree with taking out the Taliban. Afgahnistan is of no use to the USA therefore, the only reason Bush would sen young boys to dies against the Taliban was because of 9/11. There might have been an Iraq war, but definitly no Afghanistan war if it wasn't for Osama.
Re: Al-Qaida cell targeted Oslo synagogue (Jewish Masjid)
format_quote Originally Posted by lavikor201
I would agree maybe with Iraq, but I completly disagree with taking out the Taliban. Afgahnistan is of no use to the USA therefore, the only reason Bush would sen young boys to dies against the Taliban was because of 9/11. There might have been an Iraq war, but definitly no Afghanistan war if it wasn't for Osama.
I could not agree more. OBL and the support for him is the only reason the US went to Afganistan. As far as Iraq, I think Bush had his sights on them even before he got to the White House.
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