Netanyahu convenes special meeting on Islamic State threat

Attendees discuss measures Israel can take to prevent the possibility of the establishment of Islamic State cells in the Jewish state.

By HERB KEINON, JPOST.COM STAFF
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. (photo credit: REUTERS)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu convened a meeting in his office Wednesday to discuss terror threats from organizations like Islamic State and other similar groups.
Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch, Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) head Yoram Cohen, Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino, and Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein were among those at the meeting where the participants discussed what legal measures could be taken against those expressing sympathy for these groups, and what tools could be used to keep the organizations from using the Internet to further their goals.
Measures were discussed during the meeting to prevent the possibility of the establishment in Israel of Islamic State (ISIS) cells or those that identify or seek to aid the extremist organization, The Jerusalem Post's Hebrew-language sister paper Ma'ariv reported.
A review of the danger posed by Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS, to nearby countries in region was also presented along with an overview of the international organization being former against the group.
The special meeting called by Netanyahu preceded a speech by US President Barack Obama scheduled for later Wednesday during which he is expected to lay out his strategy for defeating Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
The new policy in Obama's speech will be his expressed intent to strike the group in Syria, after months of deliberation among members of the National Security Council.
The "comprehensive strategy," as described by one White House official, will involve "US military action and support for the forces combating ISIL [Islamic State] on the ground– both the opposition in Syria and a new, inclusive Iraqi government."
Speaking from the State Floor of the White House, Obama will also discuss a coalition of partners he has rallied to the fight, which thus far includes the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
Michael Wilner contributed to this report.