Statement by IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Shaul Mofaz regarding
interception of ship Karine A
January 4, 2002
(Communicated by the IDF Spokesman)
Following are remarks by IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Shaul Mofaz
regarding the interception of a ship carrying 50 tons of war
materiel destined for the Palestinian Authority:
"With the break of dawn on Thursday, January 3, 2002, IDF forces
took control of the ship Karine A, which was carrying about 50
tons of warfare and sabotage equipment, meant to be smuggled into
the Palestinian Authority area.
In a daring and complicated mission carried out by navy commando
troops, air force pilots and the intelligence, the IDF took
control of the ship, which is now in our hands.
This operation, executed about 500 kilometers from the shores of
the State of Israel was professional, precise, coordinated, and a
complete surprise done without a single casualty.
I would like to emphasize the courage and valor of the commando
warriors, who made this mission a success.
On the Karine A, we found about 50 tons of varied warfare, most
of it from Iranian origin. From the small part that we checked
already, we can tell you that it includes: long range Katyusha
rockets, Sagger and LAW anti-tank missiles, mortars, mines,
advanced explosive equipment, weapons and sniper rifles, bullets
and much more.
It must be emphasized that the smuggling attempt is in direct
violation of all existing agreements between the Palestinian
Authority and Israel, which clearly state the amount and type of
weapons that the PA is permitted to possess. Once again, we see
that the PA is not committed to withholding any agreement and is
capable of posing a threat through the uses of long range
weapons, weapons which have nothing to do with self-defense or
law enforcement.
If warfare equipment of this kind had reached the hands of
terrorists acting against us, it may have dramatically altered
the security of the citizens of the State of Israel and the
soldiers of the IDF, and drastically increased the terror
activity against us.
This mission is another milestone in our effort to dry the swamp
of terror, which exists in the heart of Judea, Samaria and the
Gaza Strip. It undoubtedly saved many lives.
The link between the staff aboard the ship and the PA and its
leaders is, without a doubt, clear and undeniable. The ship
itself is owned by the PA and the captain is a senior officer in
the Palestinian naval police.
The smuggling attempt emphasizes, and points directly at the PA's
intentions to continue a strategy of terror and violence,
increasing and escalating over time.
The PA is immersed from head to toe with terror and doesn't
understand that in a world after the horrible events of September
11, 2001, they cannot achieve their goals through the use of
violence and terror.
This attempt points directly at the close cooperation between the
PA, Iran and other terror organizations.
Moreover, the PA claims that its people are in a tough economical
situation as a result of the conflict. However, its decision to
devote the large financial resources necessary to purchase this
warfare equipment shows once again that the PA is using the
suffering of its people, in a cynical way, for its own private
purposes.
The IDF will continue to fight terror anytime, anyplace and under
any conditions. We are not limited to fighting terror in Judea,
Samaria and the Gaza Strip. We will strike terror wherever it
endangers our safety and security. We will stop and block those
who try to hurt us.
We will operate everywhere, at any distance, as far as that
distance may be in order to ensure the security of the citizens
of the State of Israel.