GSS DEFENDS METHODS AS VITAL TO SECURITY

ISRAEL LINE TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1998

  The General Security Services revealed information on Monday indicating
that several attempts to kidnap Israeli dignitaries from the political,
judicial, academic and media establishments have been foiled during the last
year, MA'ARIV reported.
  According to the GSS, the intended victims were to be held as hostages
until the release of Palestinian terrorists currently incarcerated in
Israel. GSS sources also said that several suicide bombings were stymied.
  These revelations came during a briefing to the High Court of Justice,
which is currently debating the viability of physical interrogation of
terrorist suspects. The GSS told the Court that current methods resulted in
the frustration of the planned terrorist activities. GSS head Ami Ayalon
added that without the use of physical interrogation, Israel's ability to
protect its citizens would be severely compromised.
  MA'ARIV also reported that the GSS provided the High Court of Justice with
terrorist statistics, saying that within the past two-and-a-half years, 96
Israelis have been killed and 707 injured as a result of terrorism.