On Wednesday, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu addressed foreign diplomats who came to view the many weapons that were found by the IDF on the seized “Victoria” ship.
“To all those who have asked, attacked and criticized Israel for blockading Gaza, for stopping and searching ships destined for Gaza, well here is the clearest possible answer, here, today in Ashdod, why it is our duty, not just our right, to stop and disarm such ships,” said Netanyahu.
“The deadly weaponry that you see here originated in Iran,” he added. “We see the writing. Defense Minister Ehud Barak is holding, in a plastic bag, a greeting written in Farsi, for those using some of these weapons. They originate in Iran. They passed through Syria and were en route to terrorists in the Gaza Strip. But, as has been said, their final objective was Israeli citizens. We have already experienced that and have been hit by thousands, if not tens of thousands, of rockets, missiles and mortar rounds, which have already been fired at Israeli citizens.”
Netanyahu described how “Everyday, Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas and other terrorist elements attempt to smuggle weapons into Lebanon and Gaza. This is the axis of terrorism: Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas and the other terrorist organizations. This is the axis of terrorism in our region and this is the axis of terrorism that we have to deal with and, ultimately, break. It is our desire to prevent terrorism, maintain security and create a chance for peace here.”
Defense Minister Ehud Barak praised IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz for the success of the naval operation that seized the “Victoria” and said in relation to weapons that were found: “We managed to avert a disaster here, but I have no doubt that the other side will continue to try and perpetrate one.
“We are dealing here with an axis involving Iran, Syria and Hizbullah whose purpose is to strengthen terrorism in the Gaza Strip,” added Barak. “The struggle against them must continue in the air, sea, land, anywhere.”
Gantz gave a description of the weapons that were seized on the ship and said that the naval operation was “a task done that was done in silence, secrecy and with determination. What you see here is the end result. We do not have to be proud of successes, but rather be satisfied by our professional achievements. We must continue to operate to prevent the smuggling of weapons.”