The IDF is showing Iran that Israel has a very long reach. Commandos took control of a ship carrying weapons for Syria and Hezbollah.
An Israeli Navy commando force seized control over a suspicious vessel in the early hours of Wednesday morning, which was found to be carrying weapons.
The ship is believed to have come for Iran, destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon and meant to dock in Syria.
The incident took place some 150 kilometers off the coast, near Cyprus. A fleet of smaller ships approached the vessel, sailing under the Antiguan flag, and boarded it.
The crew members showed no resistance. The ship was found to be carrying at least five containers of ammunition and weapons, under the guise of a civilian delivery.
The cargo included rockets, grenades, mortar shells and missiles. “This could be bigger than Karin-A,” a military source said.
The firm running the ship says it had no idea it was being used for weapons smuggling.
“We did not know there were weapons on the ship. We knew that we were delivering containers, but we are not legally permitted to check what is inside them. This is the responsibility of the customs authorities at the ports where we anchor. We do not know what happened on the ship. We are waiting, just like you are, for answers.”
How did the arms get on the ship? That is a very good question. Will we get answers? I think we will.
He added, “This is the first time something like this happens to us. I hope this will not damage the relations between Cyprus and Israel, because it is just business for us.”
Will we get UN condemnation? I think we won’t. But all in all: An awesome operation from IDF commandos. Something to give Iran pause, one would think.
Ah, yes, Meryl, this illustrates one of the theological aspects of the founding of the State of Israel. Killing Jews and preparing to kill Jews is no longer a risk-free sport. When figureatively speak the mobs howl down the street shouting for Jewish blood they now have to consider that the Jews at the end of the street may have guns.
This does take the edge off the moral stance of people who cannot act and are therefore saved from the problems involved in action, no matter how righteous. I can live with this.
The results of the 1967 war pretty much guaranteed that Israel would remain invincible from conventional military attack from states in the immediate region as long as she maintains her moral courage and willingness to act. The problem, as with any semi-secure power, is corruption from within and drift of purpose. As a state that literally has the protection of God, she enjoys a position unequaled among the peoples of history. Unfortunately, that privileged position confers responsibility without guaranteeing happiness or security. How and if she will meet this challenge is, in my opinion, one of the most thrilling questions of the human condition, and one which will no doubt continue to have important lessons for the rest of the world.
As for a more mundane question, nations are usually referred to in the feminine, but Israel was a man. I wonder what the etiquette is?
I think that all these seized wepons should be returned to Hamas in Gaza as soon as possible. As the container ship is no longer availbale, the weapons should all be returned, one by one, by air mail, under their own power.
“We are for peace. Always.” — ‘Anna’, V pilot
And the ever-popular poster from the first miniseries: The Vistors are our friends.