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Statement by Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon on the IDF Seizure of Arms Ship


yaalon“This morning, Wednesday March 5, 2014 Israeli naval Special Forces successfully intercepted and seized an Iranian arms vessel in the Red Sea, approximately 1,500 kilometers from the Israeli coast. Weapons of strategic significance were discovered on the Iranian vessel, including rockets capable of reaching various distances. The arms were destined to reach terror organizations in Gaza via Sudan. The IDF and Israeli intelligence’s interception of the vessel successfully prevented the smuggling of these weapons whose ultimate purpose was to target Israeli civilians and disrupt life in Israel.

“It has once again become clear that Iran continues to be the greatest exporter of terror in the world, with the express purpose of destabilizing the Middle East. This, while in complete violation of international law and abuse of open maritime trading routes. Iran supplies financial support, arms and training to terror organizations in the region and around the world, and its failed effort to transfer the weapons discovered this morning, is additional evidence. The Iranian regime continues to deceive the world; while it shows its smiling face it continues to be the biggest threat to world peace.

“This Iranian attempt to transfer weapons to Gaza is additional evidence that Gaza is a terrorist entity under Iranian auspices preparing to strike deep into Israel.

“At this time, IDF forces are searching the shipping containers on board the Iranian vessel and questioning the crew, who do not appear to have been aware of the vessel’s contents.

“I would like to express my appreciation to the IDF Chief of Staff and Commander of the Navy who commanded the operation; to the IDF Intelligence Corps, Naval Intelligence and the Mossad; to the IDF Air Force pilots who escorted the Naval ships en route to their objective; and to the sailors and commanders of the Navy’s missile boats and special forces who carried out their operation smoothly and professionally.

“We will continue to act responsibly and with prudence, and take all necessary measures at our disposal to ensure the security of Israel’s citizens.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)



3 Responses

  1. We must NEVER forget that the ultimate thank you and hakoras hatov goes to the RIBONO SHEL OLAM. The IDF are only his messengers. HODU LASHEM KI TOV KI LEOLAM CHASDO.

  2. This will be used to glorify the IDF while this is not even an IDF matter. It is a Mossad matter.

    The job of the IDF is to kill, eliminate those responsible for sending the ship. Iran can send ten ships like these; one will get through. The IDF needs to kill those responsible for sending the ship. That will ultimately stop the shipments.

    But the IDF doesn’t kill anyone anymore. They have forgotten what an army is; a killing machine. All the soldiers I know have not killed even one Arab in their three years of service. How shameful! And for that they want to draft our young talmidei Torah, to walk around with 60 lbs on their backs and a gun that will never shed a drop of enemy blood? For a country officially at war, if 100 dangerous enemies died every month, that would be a nice start.

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