Detroit Jewish News

June 15, 2017

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2168010 Serving Our Community For Over 45 Years! 5FMFHSBQI3Et4PVUIýFMEt XXXHMBTTNBOHFOFTJTDPN Jeff Stewart Assistant New Car Sales Manager Serving the Community Since 1969 248-636-2736 Glassman Genesis Valet Service Complimentary Maintenance Heidi Budaj Oren Segal A Dearborn man, said to be trained in bomb mak- ing by terrorist group Hezbollah, is among two people arrested and accused of planning attacks on American and Israeli targets. The Department of Justice identified the suspects as Samer El Debek, 37, of Dearborn and Ali Kourani, 32, of the Bronx, N.Y. Both were arrested June 1; El Debek was taken into cus- tody in Livonia following an FBI raid at his Dearborn home. "Recruited as Hezbollah operatives, Samer El Debek and Ali Kourani allegedly received military-style training, includ- ing the use of weapons like rocket-propelled grenade launch- ers and machine guns," said acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon Kim. "At the direction of his Hezbollah handlers, El Debek allegedly conducted missions in Panama to locate the U.S. and Israeli embassies and to assess the vulnerabilities of the Panama Canal and ships in the canal." El Debek also allegedly conducted missions in Thailand. Authorities say he is a naturalized U.S. citizen who was first recruited by Hezbollah in 2007 and received military training in Lebanon. Based on information he provided to the FBI, "FBI bomb technicians have assessed that El Debek received extensive training as a bomb-maker and has a high degree of technical sophistication," according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's office for the Southern District of New York. Investigators have determined El Debek was paid a salary by Hezbollah for many years. ADL APPLAUDS ARRESTS The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) welcomed the arrests and said the organization's Center on Extremism has been tracking Hezbollah's activities in the U.S., which typically focus on credit card fraud and cigarette smuggling in an effort to funnel money to the Lebanon-based terrorist orga- nization. Founded in the 1980s, Hezbollah is responsible for numerous terrorist attacks that have killed hundreds of people worldwide. Officials characterized the recent arrests as "surprising" and "rare." "[These arrests] may be the most significant Hezbollah- related arrests ever in the U.S.," said Oren Segal, director of the ADL's Center on Extremism. "People often forget that prior to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Hezbollah was responsible for the deaths of more Americans around the world than any other terrorist organization. We are thankful to law enforcement for their work fighting terrorism and will continue to push for policies and initiatives designed to limit the influence, capability and reach of Hezbollah." According to published reports, El Debek moved to Michigan from New York about a year ago and worked as a truck driver. Both men are charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization and a long list of other charges. Penalties range from 10-20 years in prison for each count. Both suspects appeared in Manhattan Federal Court June 5 and were denied bond. "I don't think there's a need for panic," ADL Michigan Regional Director Heidi Budaj said about the local arrest so close to home. "But do I think there's a very apparent need for all of us to remain vigilant. If you see something, say something." • To report an anti-Semitic or hate crime, contact the ADL at (248) 353-7553 or fill out their online form at michigan.adl.org. 18 June 15 • 2017 jn Hezbollah Arrest Local man among two arrested on federal terrorism charges. ROBIN SCHWARTZ JN CONTRIBUTING WRITER jews d in the G V 2185720 EVENT SPONSOR MJS Packaging GOLD SPONSOR Greektown Casino Ron Yolles (Diversifi ed Portfolios, Inc.) SILVER SPONSORS Abilita Belfor USA Group, Inc. Comerica Bank and Comerica Securities Jacob & Weingarten P.C. Pratt Industries UHY LLP Certifi ed Public Accountants GOLF CART SPONSOR Perlman Insurance Agency HOLE SPONSORS American Comb Corporation Apple Marketing Ashton Young, Inc. The Bittker Family Cambridge Consulting Group Contractors Steel Company 35th ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC EVENT AT TAM O'SHANTER WAS A GREAT SUCCESS! We want to thank our Sponsors who have made this event possible! Thanks to event Co-Chairs, David Lubin and Michael Fishman and their Golf Classic Committee for another successful event. Proceeds from the event benefi t and strengthen B'nai B'rith programs, BBYO and Hillel's on College Campuses and Great Lakes Region's College Scholarship Fund. Credit Union One David Leader Management, in loving memory of David Leader Detroit Jewish News Dorfman Chapel Gil Sales Company Greis Jewelers Hickey, Cianciolo, Finn & Atkins PC International Industrial Contracting Corporation jay-cee sales & rivet, inc. Jiffy Signs LBF Group PLLC-CPAs & Advisors Mitchell Folbe, MD, P.C. Security First Insurance Agency Sports Gallery Stein, Rouff & Associates Steven Kaplan West Bloomfi eld Township Supervisor Willoway Day Camp Hole-In-One Prize is Compliments of Feldman Automotive of Novi.

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