Jewish organizations on Tuesday stepped up their security around the world after
two attacks were carried out against Israeli targets in India and Georgia the
day before.
An official for a large Jewish group, who asked to speak on
condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said they had
instructed their staff to take precautionary measures.
“The danger is
real and we have to be very careful,” said the official. “The safety of our
representatives is Paramount. At the same time we won’t be deterred or
run away to anyplace.”
Avi Ofir, a Jewish Agency for Israel official in
Tblisi – the Georgian capital where a bomb was defused near the Israeli embassy
on Monday – said they were already on high alert before the attempted
attack.
“I can’t talk specifics, but in general we got instructions
before it occurred because of the anniversary,” he said, referring to the
anniversary of the assassination of Hezbollah leader Imad Mugnihyah, who died in
a bomb blast in Damascus in 2008. Hezbollah claims Israel was behind the attack
and vowed revenge.
Ofir said his family in Israel was slightly worried
about the situation, but that he calmed them down.
“When they hear about
it in the media it sounds bad,” he said.
Ofir said he would was under
orders to remain vigilant, but that most of the Jewish community’s activities
were being carried out as usual.
“Life goes on,” he said.