Wednesday, November 4, 2009
This is ten times the amount of weaponry that was on the Karin-A back in 2002. It's just one more example of how a rogue state like Iran can destabilize an entire region. Talks and agreements don't count for much. Things will change when the regime changes.
Here's video from the IDF:
The IDF Spokesperson reports: 500 Tons of Weapons for Hezbollah Intercepted by Israeli Navy, 4 Nov 2009
Massive Arms Shipment Intended for Hezbollah Intercepted by Israel Navy
Roughly 500 tons of weapons, rockets, and missiles was uncovered aboard the cargo vessel "Francop" flying an Antiguan flag, which was intercepted and brought to the Ashdod port. The Israel Navy force which intercepted the ship included naval commandos, missile boats, intelligence and explosive experts.
36 shipping containers with 500 tons of weaponry were found on the ship disguised as civilian cargo, and hidden among hundreds of other containers onboard.
Israel Naval and Engineering Corps forces are currently unloading the containers and are sorting through the various types of weaponry found aboard.
The naval commando force boarded the vessel and conducted an initial search. The search was conducted in accordance with the usual search protocols as dictated by International Law.
Following the initial search and after it became clear that the vessel was carrying weapons, the vessel was directed by the Israel Navy to dock at the Israeli Ashdod Naval base for additional searches and a detailed inspection of the hull's cargo. It should be emphasized that the captain of the ship agreed to the search. The Israel Navy conducted all activity without any force.
The weapons found onboard the ship originate from Iran, and were intended for the Hezbollah terror organization, for use against the State of Israel and its citizens. The weapons uncovered at sea last night constitute a harsh violation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1747 and 1701 that strictly forbid Iran from exporting or trading any form of weapons.
This is a well-known Iranian technique, taking advantage of cargo ships flying different flags in order to smuggle containers loaded with large amounts of highly volatile weaponry to terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah.
Following the necessary inspections of the boat, it is expected to be released...
They also provide this background: List of Past Iranian Attempts to Smuggle Weapons
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a report here: Israeli naval force intercepts Iranian weapon ship. At the end there's a list of the various UN Security Council resolutions Iran is in violation of.
The New York Times reports here. Syria is saying, "What? There were no weapons on that ship. Who are you going to believe, the Syrian Arab Republic or your lying eyes?"
Noah Pollak at Contentions asks the salient questions: The New Karine A
What will Obama say about all this? Being that evidence of Iranian-Syrian hostile intent complicates the administration's desire for "engagement," whatever that means anymore, the answer is: probably nothing.
What will the human-rights hustlers say? Where is Judge Goldstone? Where is the flurry of outraged press releases from Human Rights Watch? These weapons are intended for one purpose only -- to terrorize Israeli civilians and drag the region into war. Isn't this the kind of thing that should outrage peace-loving human-rights activists? HRW has condemned Israel for violating international law over the way it funds public schools. I would bet a large sum that HRW will say nothing about the 500 tons of arms Iran just tried to send to Hezbollah. Priorities, you see.
And where is the UN Security Council? The arms ship violates numerous UNSC resolutions banning Iran from exporting weapons and forbidding the arming of Hezbollah. Don't expect any leadership from the Obama administration on this score, either; to make a big deal out of Iranian bad faith would be tantamount to admitting that the engagement policy is the stuff of fantasy.
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Here are some updates on that illicit Iranian arms shipment. All material courtesy of the IDF: The various weapons on board the intercepted ship 'Francop' include 20,000 fragmentary grenades, 9000 mortar shells, 3000 106 millimeter artillery shells, ... Read More
It's far from the first solid evidence that Iran is directly responsible for dead Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan, but here is more visual proof of the connection. The arms seized on the Francop (see here and here) match up... Read More
That is how the Soviets and assorted Communists did it. Destabilizing democracies around the globe for half a century. The Western Left is attracted to the sexy glamour of violent revolution and anti imperialism.
Well the good thing is that eventually when everyone in Lebanon has tons of Russian guns stashed, they'll use them against one another.
Is it just me or is the world media ignoring this story?
Arabs arming themselves to kill civilians, no story.
Israelis destroy civilian targeting weapons hidden in someone's basement, war crime, off with their heads!