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Israeli lawmakers scrap Georgia trip after terror threat

“A conversation was held with lawmakers by the Knesset Guard,” the parliament confirmed.

A view of Tbilisi, Georgia, June 28, 2019. Photo by Rudy Kirchner/Pexels.
A view of Tbilisi, Georgia, June 28, 2019. Photo by Rudy Kirchner/Pexels.

Knesset lawmakers canceled their planned participation in an “Israeli Week” conference in Georgia after authorities received indications of a terrorist threat facing participants, Arutz 7 reported on Wednesday.

“In light of a situational assessment conducted ahead of any travel by members of Knesset, a conversation was held with lawmakers by the Knesset Guard,” which protects lawmakers, the Knesset said in a statement. “We cannot elaborate further for security reasons.”

The conference, organized by the Israel-Georgian Chamber of Commerce, starts on Thursday and will highlight business and public initiatives in support of the Jewish state, as well as campaigns to fight Jew-hatred.

Itsik Moshe, head of the Israel-Georgian Chamber of Commerce, told Arutz 7 that participants include mayors, representatives from global organizations and business leaders, including from the Jewish state.

Three years ago, a terrorist cell directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps tried to assassinate Moshe in Tbilisi, he noted.

“Despite the diplomatic balancing act dictated by the regional environment, Georgia has long been considered one of the most pro-Israel countries among the former Soviet states,” said the businessman.

In August, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi.

“We have excellent relations with the Jewish community in Georgia and the many Israeli tourists here, and we would be happy to visit Israel,” Kobakhidze told Ben-Gvir at the time.

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