The team of assassins who killed Hamas arms dealer Mahmoud al Mabhuoh wore tennis outfits in order to avoid detection. The Dubai police who just released video, photographs and the names of the alleged team of killers consider the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad a leading suspect in the murder plot.
The Israeli newspaper, Ha’aretz, did not miss the irony when it reported that simultaneous with these police revelations, the Israeli tennis star Shahar Peer landed in The United Arab Emirates (UAE) where she is competing in the Dubai Tennis Championship. The headline in the Hebrew version of Ha’aretz read, “Without Costume Disguise: Shahar Peer Accompanied by 16 Security Guards Plays Tennis In Dubai.”
The Dubai police have released the names and pictures of 11 people they claim were members of the hit team. According to the Israeli news media, five to seven of the names are shared by Israeli citizens. One of those names, “Adam Melvyn Mildiner” belongs to a UK-born man who lives near Jerusalem. Ha’aretz reports that the picture that Dubai authorities released did not appear to match a picture on a social networking site belonging to Mildiner, though “it had some similar features.” Mildiner vehemently denies that he was part of a plot to murder Mabhuoh.
Shahar, who is currently ranked 22nd in the world among female tennis players, was denied entry into the Dubai tournament last year, apparently due to her nationality. The refusal to allow the Israeli to participate was a cause célèbre among Israeli Jews and the actions of the UAE were strongly criticized by the Women’s World Tennis Association (WTA) who levied a stiff fine against the Dubai organizers. The tournament officials claimed, according to the British daily, The Independent, that Peer’s presence "would have antagonised [their] fans who have watched live television coverage of recent attacks in Gaza."
The assassination of Mahmoud al Mabhuoh was widely applauded in the Israeli media. The Israelis claim that he was responsible for two separate widely-publicized murder/kidnappings of their soldiers in the 90s. He is also reported to have been a major Hamas arms merchant. The comments of Hamas officials, who gave Mabhouh a martyrs’ funeral in Syria while pledging revenge against Israel, tend to validate these claims. The Israel government, as is their custom, refused to comment on whether their spy agency participated in the Dubai attack.
If the Mossad is found to be involved in the Mabhouh assassination, it will be the biggest embarrassment for the spy agency since its botched attempt to kill the current Hamas leader, Khaled Meshal in Jordan in the 90s. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has vowed to investigate the use of British passports in the assassination. The Dubai police chief says it will seek the arrests in the case, soon.
Shahar Peer is playing beyond all expectations. She has advanced to the fourth round by defeating the top seed, Caroline Wozniacki and is now considered to be a contender to win the championship.
It remains to be seen if this week will be considered a victory or a defeat for Israeli public relations. The outcome hinges on the results of criminal investigations in Great Britain and Dubai, the forehand of the young tennis player and the ability of her 16-man security team to keep her safe.
