PM Netanyahu, DM Barak on Victoria Arms Smuggling

PM Netanyahu and DM Barak in response to the Victoria Arms Smuggling Incident

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday 16 March 2011, 10.50 am
Press Release: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jerusalem

PM Netanyahu Comments on the Operation to Intercept the Victoria
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today (Tuesday), 15 March 2011, during his tour of the south, said that: "Very early this morning, I approved the Navy's interception of the Victoria. We had a solid basis that onboard the ship was weaponry destined for use against Israel. Considerable weaponry - which was destined for terrorist forces in the heart of Gaza - was found onboard the vessel. The operation was carried out at sea in accordance with all international rules. The weaponry originated in Iran, which is trying to arm the Gaza Strip."

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DM Barak Commends IDF Naval Action
(Communicated by the Defense Minister’s Media Adviser)

Defense Minister Ehud Barak today (Tuesday), 15 March 2011, commended IDF naval commandos and the Israel Navy for the successful operation during which they intercepted the Liberian-flagged merchant vessel the Victoria, which was laden with containers of weaponry for the Gaza Strip.

Defense Minister Barak and IDF commanders had monitored the vessel's progress in recent days and were constantly updated until this morning's action.

Defense Minister Barak said that, "Today, the IDF and its fighters thwarted the smuggling of weaponry - which was due to have been used against the residents of Israel - to the Gaza Strip. The goal of the smuggling was to harm the security of Israel. The IDF acted in order to defend the security of the country. The attempt to smuggle weaponry to Gaza shows that radical elements are continuing in their attempts to attack Israel and undermine regional stability. I commend IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz, GOC Navy Admiral Eliezer Marom and the naval commandos for the successful action. The IDF and the security establishment will continue to act determinedly, and everywhere, to defend the country."

ENDS

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