Zinni’s latest attempt to mediate between Palestinians and Israelis

Fewer attacks – Arms smuggling prevented?

U.S. peace envoy General Zinni is visiting Israel and the Palestinian territories. Expectations as to a successful outcome, however, are low. According to official sources, the Israeli navy has seized a ship in the Red Sea which was said to be carrying 50 tonnes of weapons for use by Palestinian militants.

On his second attempt to mediate between Israel and the Palestinians, the U.S. envoy to the Middle East, General Anthony Zinni, arrived in Jerusalem last Thursday. In order to avoid tensions being fuelled by extremists, all sides treat the visit, which is scheduled to last four days, as a low-profile event. Zinni’s last visit, which was not limited as to its duration, was accompanied by a spate of Palestinian suicide bombings in which three dozen Israelis were killed. The frustrated general had returned to Washington for consultations before Christmas.

A thwarted attack?

The current visit is taking place at a time when, according to Defence Secretary Ben-Eliezer, Palestinian violence has dropped to its lowest level during the current second Intifada, which began fifteen months ago. However, Israeli security circles claim that ‘the truce’ in relative terms – there are still several exchanges of fire and attempted attacks every day – is not a result of Palestinian efforts to ease tensions but rather a consequence of preventive action taken by the Israeli army.

During advances into Palestinian villages in Cisjordan in the last few days, special units have arrested several Palestinians who were suspected of being involved in carrying out or planning assaults. Although the Israeli army seems to have moved away from its policy of illegal killing, six Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip at the beginning of this week during alleged attempts of infiltration. On Friday morning, an activist of the Islamist Hamas was killed, too. Israeli army spokesmen said that a larger assault was thereby thwarted. A special unit set out when it became known that an attack on Israeli settlers was imminent. The suspected terrorists were captured near Nablus. According to military sources, one of the potential assassins was killed when he began to shoot at the soldiers. Two further suspected assassins were arrested.

Despite scepticism among security circles, the army has slowed the encroachment of Palestinian towns in Cisjordan and relaxed restrictions of movement for Palestinians. This gesture of good-will, it was said, was made in the run-up to the visit although it meant a greater risk for the State. Military circles emphasised that this relaxation increased the risk of attacks considerably, which was proved by the thwarted attack on Friday. The army is convinced that Arafat will never take any rigorous steps to destroy extremist organisations. Therefore, it is argued, he has to be forced to take tactical measures which will temporarily calm the situation and enable temporary agreements to be negotiated. A permanent settlement can only be reached, according to these Israeli strategists, with Arafat’s successor.

Who staged it? Israel reports on ship smuggling armaments for Palestinians

At a special press conference on Friday, the Israeli chief of staff Shaul Mofaz announced that a ship had been intercepted by the Israeli navy about 500 kilometres off the Israeli coast in the Red Sea the previous evening. The 50 tonnes of weapons and armaments on board the ship were planned to be smuggled into Palestinian territories. According to officials, the 4,000-tonne vessel is owned by the Palestinian Authority; the captain was an officer of the Palestinian coast guard. The cargo was said to consist of various missiles that have a range of up to 20 kilometres, shells, anti-tank missiles, mines and a large amount of explosives. A part of the armaments was said to have been supplied by Iran.

Iranian origin

According to this information, the load was stored in 80 special containers which can be transported to the coast under water. The containers were probably planned to be thrown into the water and pulled to the coast by smaller boats. Since a part of the weapons was from Iran, Foreign Minister Peres announced he would call upon the international community to declare Iran a nation that abets terror. Defence Minister Ben-Eliezer stated that this incident showed that the Palestine Authority was preparing military action.

Missiles of dangerous range

The crew of the ‘Karine-A’ was completely taken by surprise by the Israeli operation which was supported by the air force and was carried out without any casualties. The Israeli chief of staff pointed to the fact that, according to the Oslo Agreements, the Palestinian Authority had no right to own offensive weaponry as detected on the ship. If the smuggling had been successful, it would have increased the risk for both Israeli citizens and military dramatically. The missiles whose range would have enabled Palestinians to target densely populated Israeli settlements represent a most serious cause for concern.

Arafat’s National Authority dismisses allegations

Abu Rudeineh, advisor to the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Yasser Arafat, dismissed the allegations: the Palestinian government knew nothing about the ship. Rudeineh said, the Palestinians were investigating the reports but it appeared to be an Israeli attempt at a propaganda move aiming to sabotage General Zinni’s mission.

Source: Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 5 December 2002