J E R U S A L E M, Oct. 29 - Israel deported 12 American Christians today, suspecting them of planning violent acts to hasten the Second Coming of Christ during the millennium year, a police spokeswoman said.
The 12 Americans were put on board an El Al Israel Airlines flight bound for Newark, N.J., at 1 a.m., police said, hours after two Britons were deported to London.

More to Be Deported

This is the third deportation of Christian doomsday groups in a year as Israel tries to prevent any provocative acts by fanatics during year 2000 celebrations.
The deportees were from 21 people arrested by Israel Monday. They were members of two Christian groups who lived on the Mount of Olives, across from the Old City of Jerusalem.
The group included 17 Americans, two Britons and two Australians. One of the Australians was released when it emerged that she already had an airline ticket for home.
The others will be deported in the coming days when spaces on outgoing flights become available, police spokesman Rafi Yaffe said.

"A Threat to Public Order"

The 21 members of the House of Prayer and Solomon's Temple groups said they only provided housing to needy Christians and guided tours around the Old City. Some of them had lived in Israel for some time.
Police say they were suspected of laying the infrastructure for apocalyptic groups to take root on the Mount of Olives, where tradition says that Jesus will arrive in the Second Coming.
"Israeli police have information that the deportees pose a threat to public order," said the Interior Ministry statement. The entire group is to be deported, it added.
One of the Americans, who identified himself as Brother Raymond, from Sacramento, Calif., said from a police van after he was arrested Monday that the police operations were "the work of the devil."

Not the Only Ones

Israeli police have been on alert for Christian fanatics who may believe they can facilitate the Second Coming of Christ in the millennium year through violent acts or mass suicide.
A special police unit has been established to deal with the threat.
The latest high-profile sweep came as Christian pilgrims begin to head to Israel for the 2000th celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Israel deported 14 members of the Denver-based Concerned Christians in October 1998, on suspicion they planned to commit mass suicide at holy sites in Jerusalem to bring about apocalyptic events and the Second Coming of Christ.
Members of another group, 25 Irish and Romanian Christians deported earlier this month, said they were a legitimate religious group dedicated to helping disabled people.
They accused Israeli police of treating them roughly before they were deported. The police said the group was "an extreme Christian cult."
Irish officials insisted the group was not dangerous.

JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel deported twelve American Christians today, suspecting them of planning violent acts to hasten the Second Coming of Christ during the millennium year, a police spokeswoman said.
The 12 Americans were put on board an El Al Israel Airlines flight bound for Newark, N.J., at 1:00 a.m., police said, hours after two Britons were deported to London.
This is the third deportation of Christian doomsday groups in a year as Israel tries to prevent any provocative acts by fanatics during 2000 celebrations.
The deportees were from 21 people arrested by Israel Monday. They were members of two Christian groups who lived on the Mount of Olives, across from the Old City of Jerusalem.
The group included 17 Americans, two Britons and two Australians. One of the Australians was released when it emerged that she already had an airline ticket for home.
The others will be deported in the coming days when spaces on outgoing flights become available, police spokesman Rafi Yaffe said.
The 21 members of the House of Prayer and Solomon's Temple groups said they only provided housing to needy Christians and guided tours around the Old City. Some of them had lived in Israel for some time.
Police say they were suspected of laying the infrastructure for apocalyptic groups to take root on the Mount of Olives, where tradition says that Jesus will arrive in the Second Coming.
``Israeli police have information that the deportees pose a threat to public order,'' said the Interior Ministry statement. The entire group is to be deported, it added.
One of the Americans, who identified himself as Brother Raymond, from Sacramento, Calif., said from a police van after he was arrested Monday that the police operations were ``the work of the devil.''
Israeli police have been on alert for Christian fanatics who may believe they can facilitate the Second Coming of Christ in the millennium year through violent acts or mass suicide.
A special police unit has been established to deal with the threat.
The latest high-profile sweep came as Christian pilgrims begin to head to Israel for the 2000th celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Israel deported 14 members of the Denver-based Concerned Christians in October 1998, on suspicion they planned to commit mass suicide at holy sites in Jerusalem to bring about apocalyptic events and the Second Coming of Christ.
Members of another group, 25 Irish and Romanian Christians deported earlier this month, said they were a legitimate religious group dedicated to helping disabled people. They accused Israeli police of treating them roughly before they were deported. The police said the group was ``an extreme Christian
cult.''
Irish officials insisted the group was not dangerous.