Israelis evacuated from Amman hotel hours before bombings

Ha'aretz News

By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent

10/11/2005

A number of Israelis staying on Wednesday at the Radisson hotel were evacuated before the bombing by Jordanian security forces, apparently due to a specific security alert. They were escorted back to Israel by security personnel.

The Foreign Ministry stated Wednesday that no Israeli tourists are known to have been injured in the blasts. Representatives of Israel's embassy in Amman were in contact with local authorities to examine any report of injured Israelis, but none were received. There are often a number of Israeli businessman and tourists in Amman, including in the hotels hit Wednesday.

Israel's counter-terror headquarters on Wednesday recommended Israeli citizens not travel in Jordan. Travel warnings regarding Jordan were tightened a few months ago, but many Israelis still visit the country. Many also visit other regions such as the Jordanian Arava and the ancient city of Petra.

NOTE: Just hours after this report came out, this story was changed to read: "No truth to report of Israeli evacuations before Amman bombs"

Since the changed article was kept at the same URL address as the original, the effect was to completely wipe out evidence of the original article. Had we not received this original article from a subscriber with the article printed within the body of the email, we would not have seen the original.

The story of the hour is obviously: Was this a "Black Op" operation by either the United States or Israel? The attack occurred on November 9, which in the Middle East is written "9/11". Notice the date of the article, above, is November 10, 2005, written as "10/11/2005"