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Navy displays weapons seized on Victoria cargo ship

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The Israeli Navy yesterday displayed some of the 50 tons of weapons it found on board the Victoria cargo ship it intercepted in the Mediterranean on Tuesday morning. Reviewing the display of weapons, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “To all those who questioned and attacked and criticised Israel for stopping Gaza-bound ships in order to check them, here is the answer.” Netanyahu said the weapons originated in Iran, and had passed through Syria en route to terrorist groups in Gaza.”It is our duty, not just our right, to stop these ships and remove their weaponry,” Netanyahu added. The arms found on the cargo ship included six C-704 radar guided anti-ship missiles, thousands of mortar shells and almost 67,000 AK-47 rifle bullets. Referring to the anti-ship missiles, Defence Minister Ehud Barak said that these missiles could have challenged Israel’s control of the coast and could threaten offshore gas fields and pipe lines. “This is an item that could change the mode of conduct around the coast of the Gaza Strip,” Barak said.

The Navy yesterday decided to release the Victoria, after they questioned the captain and crew who said they knew nothing about the weapons hidden in the containers. The weapons will be transported to an army storehouse, while the Victoria will continue its route to Alexandria, Egypt.