Maale Adumim is within view of Abu Dis on the east, while Jerusalem is a short distance to the west.  With ~35,000 residents, Maale Adumim would be called a 'bedroom' community in the US. It boasts a small shopping center, small commerical centers, medical clinics a college, numerous schools and synagogues and a full-care medical facility.  Most residents are employed in Jerusalem or other urban areas, while a few work in the local industrial zone. 

Neither fences nor walls surround the city and there are no military base. Guards are only stationed at checkpoints at the road, shopping mall and school entrances. Therefore, an attack during the day would target only CIVILIANS. 

Jerusalem, is the same as any larger city but with the addition of high profile religious sites. It is no more difficult to enter than Maale Adumim. The main difference is the higher level of readiness in Jerusalem due to the frequency and international sensitivity of attacks there.

While the lab was first discovered in September, the report lists a 4th arrest on Thursday.

From Debkafile's report:

Palestinian bomb-rocket workshop uncovered in Jerusalem's Abu Dis village

October 16, 2009, 3:56 PM (GMT+02:00)

On Sept. 17, a Shin Bet-undercover police unit detained three Palestinians fabricating bombs and using pipes as components for rockets in a covert workshop in the Abu Dis village of Jerusalem, DEBKAfile's counter-terror sources report. They worked in the grocery storehouse under the direction of an engineer. The terror cell planned a rocket assault on Jerusalem and Maaleh Adummim. The facility also contained a large cache of side arms which the suspects admitted had been stocked ready for terror attacks in the city.

Their questioning led to the arrest Thursday, Oct. 15 of a fourth Palestinian under orders to carry out shooting attacks in Jerusalem and Hebron.  [more:  DebkaFile]

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Over the last month there has been a significant increase in incidents of local terrosits cells throwing rocks at vehicles in Judea, Sameria, Hebron and Gush Katif.  There have also been 2 reports of shots being fired at vehicles, with one driver injured.  Local Imams, especially those on the Temple Mount have been issuing a call to arms, some even speaking of a third intifada.    

On leaving Maale Adumim for a trip to the airport 2 weeks ago, some residents found they had a military escort for the length of passing an Israeli-Arab village [Isawiya] located on a hill overlooking the northern access road to Jerusalem.  While guards have sometimes been posted in various areas along this road, to have an escort was very unusual.

Just as anti-semitic incidents and international condemnations have been rapidly increasing, the local and regional agitation has increased in volume.  

It would appear we are well on the way to a crisis, both local and international on several fronts -- Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Hizbollah, Hamas, Iran.