Early reports out of London yesterday morning indicated that Scotland Yard was alerted to an impending terror attack shortly before it occurred, and that a warning to the Israeli Embassy resulted in Israeli Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in London for a conference, remaining in his hotel room instead of attending a meeting.
Below is an example of an early report from Israel National News that states in pretty unambiguous terms that “Scotland Yard had intelligence warnings of the attacks a short time before they occurred. “
Army Radio quoting unconfirmed reliable sources reported a short time ago that Scotland Yard had intelligence warnings of the attacks a short time before they occurred.
The Israeli Embassy in London was notified in advance, resulting in Finance Minister Benjyamin Netanyahu remaining in his hotel room rather than make his way to the hotel adjacent to the site of the first explosion, a Liverpool Street train station, where he was to address and economic summit.
…Israeli officials stress the advanced Scotland Yard warning does not in any way indicate Israel was the target in the series of apparent terror attacks.
and a similar AP story:
British police told the Israeli Embassy in London minutes before Thursday’s explosions that they had received warnings of possible terror attacks in the city, a senior Israeli official said.
Israeli Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had planned to attend an economic conference in a hotel over the subway stop where one of the blasts occurred, and the warning prompted him to stay in his hotel room instead, government officials said.
…The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the nature of his position….
A Google News search turns up many similar stories, but they are all datedlined early yesterday morning except for a lone evening report from Al Jazeera. . They were soon replaced by new reports like this one from Haaretz:
Israeli Embassy strongly denies report it received early warning of attacks
A spokesman for the Israeli Embassy in London strongly denied Associated Press reports indicating British intelligence services informed embassy security officers of terrorists’ intentions attack an Israeli target…
But here is where it really starts to get interesting. The Information Clearing House
web site includes the following headline:
Scotland Yard has denied reports they were warned of an attack by Israel
But when you click on the link you get an article with a totally different headline and no mention whatsoever of Israel or Scotland Yard.:
Last Updated: 01:03 UK, Friday July 08, 2005
Some 37 people have been confirmed dead and 700 were injured in a series of terror attacks on London. The death toll is expected to rise.
There are indications suicide bombers were involved and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the attacks bore the hallmarks of al Qaeda.
The first blast hit a train leaving Liverpool Street Station between Moorgate and Aldgate East at 8.51am. Seven people are confirmed dead in the blast.
At 8.56am another blast hit a train between King’s Cross and Russell Square, killing 21 people.
Seven people were later killed in an explosion at Edgware Road Tube station at 9.17am. Three trains are believed to have been hit.
At 9.47am a number 30 bus at Upper Woburn Place was hit by a fourth blast. Emergency services have confirmed at least two people were killed in this attack.
London hospitals have reported a total of 300 wounded arriving by ambulance after the blasts.
The city remained chaotic into the evening as millions of people struggled to make their way home – and come to terms with the bombings.
A previously unknown group calling itself the “Secret Organisation al Qaeda in Europe” said it carried out the attacks as revenge for British “military massacres” in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Forensics experts are combing the bomb sites to locate any evidence.
Tony Blair flew back from the G8 summit in Scotland to take personal charge of the situation – describing the attacks as barbaric.
The Union Flag will be flown at half mast on all Government buildings on Friday in recognition of the loss of life.
Chances are this is all the result of an erroneous early report, but it is curious nevertheless.