According to informed Middle Eastern security officials, the Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad terrorist organization is plotting to disrupt President Obama’s visit to Israel next month with attacks aimed at derailing Israeli-Palestinian talks,
The officials stressed there is no known threat against Obama himself or against any U.S. targets. Rather, Islamic Jihad is planning for possible attacks against Israeli targets within the West Bank as well as inside major Israeli cities before and after Obama’s trip, said the officials.
The officials fear Iran is trying to disrupt planned Israeli-Palestinian dialogue aimed at creating a Palestinian Authority-led state. Obama’s visit is ostensibly aimed, among other things, at restarting long stalled peace negotiations.
Since Hamas itself does not oppose the talks, Iran has directed to Islamic Jihad, largely funded by Tehran, to carry out attacks, said the officials.