Former Israeli liaison to the U.S. Congress Yoram Ettinger said that rather than employing aid from the US and others in order to improve the quality of life of the Arabs living under Arafat\'s control, this smuggling attempt proves that, \"The PLO has abused donors money\" and has violated commitments fueling more terror and violence at the expense of both Arab and Jewish blood. Ettinger also recommends that the US Congress should suspend all transfers of funds to the PLO and all affiliated organizations until they uproot their terrorist infrastructure.
Former Labor MK Yossi Beilin dismissed the significance of the Palestinian
weapons acquisition program by pointing out that despite the Karin A incident, the Sharon Administration is continuing security talks with the PLO as if nothing happened.
Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (Labor) addressing a Saturday night Labor Party forum stated that the quiet in Israel over the past week was a tactical move by Arafat and nothing more. He added that there is nothing to indicate a change in policy by the PLO regarding its obligation to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure operating in PLO controlled areas.
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said that the seizing of the ship is an important turning point for the PLO in choosing, \"Whether they support terrorism or they are against it.\" Since the ship was carrying Iranian weapons, Foreign Minister Peres will next week call upon the leaders of the international community to declare Iran as a terror-supporting state.
Dr. Aaron Lerner of the Independent Media Review and Analysis (IMRA) notes that just last week the Sharon administration decided in a \"gesture\" to the Arabs to extend the range for Arab fishermen so that they could reach off-shore areas that have more fish. This despite an IDF warning that it would make it more difficult to monitor the boats. Lerner also points out that most Israelis commenting on the raid believe that this sole successful operation stopped the PA from equipping itself with illegal weapons. The IDF on the other hand has made no such claim. Lerner questions whether this attempt by the PLO to acquire advanced weaponry is just the, \"tip of the iceberg.\"
The New York Times quoted senior officials in the Bush administration stating that the weapons freighter seized by Israel was most likely intended for Hizbullah and not the PA. These statements come in direct contradiction to Israeli intelligence and despite the fact the Karin A freighter is a PLO vessel and was being operated by PLO naval personnel.
Former Labor MK Yossi Beilin dismissed the significance of the Palestinian
weapons acquisition program by pointing out that despite the Karin A incident, the Sharon Administration is continuing security talks with the PLO as if nothing happened.
Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (Labor) addressing a Saturday night Labor Party forum stated that the quiet in Israel over the past week was a tactical move by Arafat and nothing more. He added that there is nothing to indicate a change in policy by the PLO regarding its obligation to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure operating in PLO controlled areas.
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said that the seizing of the ship is an important turning point for the PLO in choosing, \"Whether they support terrorism or they are against it.\" Since the ship was carrying Iranian weapons, Foreign Minister Peres will next week call upon the leaders of the international community to declare Iran as a terror-supporting state.
Dr. Aaron Lerner of the Independent Media Review and Analysis (IMRA) notes that just last week the Sharon administration decided in a \"gesture\" to the Arabs to extend the range for Arab fishermen so that they could reach off-shore areas that have more fish. This despite an IDF warning that it would make it more difficult to monitor the boats. Lerner also points out that most Israelis commenting on the raid believe that this sole successful operation stopped the PA from equipping itself with illegal weapons. The IDF on the other hand has made no such claim. Lerner questions whether this attempt by the PLO to acquire advanced weaponry is just the, \"tip of the iceberg.\"
The New York Times quoted senior officials in the Bush administration stating that the weapons freighter seized by Israel was most likely intended for Hizbullah and not the PA. These statements come in direct contradiction to Israeli intelligence and despite the fact the Karin A freighter is a PLO vessel and was being operated by PLO naval personnel.