Several weeks ago, the Shabak investigated a French embassy driver suspected of smuggling weapons from Israel into Gaza. He regularly drove from Jerusalem (presumably on behalf of the consulate located there) to Gaza as part of his work assignment. The driver was arrested and has been kept incommunicado during that time period. Earlier today, foreign media published the story which apparently had been under gag order or censorship in Israel. In the past four hours, Israeli sources have also published the story, meaning the gag or censorship order has been lifted.
פרשה בטחונית: סוכנות הידיעות הצרפתית מדווחת כי נהג מהקונסוליה הצרפתית בירושלים עצור בישראל בחשד של הברחת נשק לעזה תוך נצול חסינות דיפלומטית. הוא אזרח צרפתי בשנות ה-20 לחייו. הוא יופיע מחר בבית המשפט בדרום הארץ. ב-2013 נתפס עובד שגרירות צרפת כשניסה להבריח זהב מירדן לישראל
— Yossi Melman (@yossi_melman) March 18, 2018
The embassy staffer, who is a French citizen, does not have immunity according to Israeli security journalist, Yossi Melman. But his vehicle did have immunity. Which raises an interesting question: if his vehicle had immunity, how did Shabak know what was in it? Either they violated diplomatic immunity in searching it; or they already knew what was in it due to either a sting or communications intercept. A security source I consulted has refused comment on the matter.
The gag order was likely lifted after the Shabak and police had completed their investigation. Likely, during this period (when suspects are denied legal representation and tortured at will) the suspect either confessed or the authorities feel satisifed with the evidence they’ve obtained and case they’ve built.
The suspect’s name has not been published. I am trying to find out his identity.
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
I’ve a feeling Israel wouldn’t have done this unless they were sure they had a good case — not if it involved the French embassy. Of course, they may have lured the driver into attempting this act; but that wouldn’t actually be illegal.
GRANTING the legality of Israel’s blockade of Gaza, it may turn out she didn’t do anything wrong here. After all, she has to do something legal at least occasionally. It can’t be helped.
[comment deleted: off topic]
The gentlemen in question is named on this page: http://www.maariv.co.il/news/military/Article-628306
In other news, yesterday, just by where I work in central Tel Aviv – a car bearing an official “République Française” sticker was towed.
The picture is circulating for over a year. You should highlight the fact it isn’t from the current incident.
The guy is also blamed for running rifles and pistols.
How do you know the guy drove a vehicle that enjoyed immunity? This is an unbased assumption.
@ Ariel Koren: No it isn’t. First, Yossi Melman said so. It’s right there in front of your eyes in the tweet in the post. Can’t you read? Second, the Shabak statement today said the same. Stop being ignorant.
No it isn’t. Melman’s Post says nothing about the car.
Whose eyes need to be checked?
@ Ariel Koren: All you had to do was click the tweet and read one of the first tweets in the thread from Melman: לא. למיטב ידיעתינהוא היה עובד מקומי בלי חסינות. למכונית יש חסינות
It was right there under your nose. Now go and read the thread.
I also note you failed to mention the Shabak statement which also mentions this. Do your homework before you make false accusations.
He imported KNIVES?
@ Elisabeth: Sorry for the confusion. I didn’t know what he allegedly smuggled and used this photo as an example since these were smuggled (but not by him). Today, the Shin Bet has claimed he smuggled pistols and 2 assault rifles.
According to Israeli press, he smuggled 70 pistols and 2 assault rifles from the Gaza strip to the west bank
@ fyi: It is a claim made by Shabak and parroted by the Israeli media. I’m not saying he didn’t do it. But statements made on such subjects in the media are often self-serving and come from military or intelligence agencies. THey should be treated with skepticism. I’m also not discounting the possibility he was entrapped by intelligence agents, a tactic used liberally by the FBI regarding Muslim terror suspects.
‘…entrapped by intelligence agents, a tactic used liberally by the FBI regarding Muslim terror suspects.’
…and Richard wins the Colin Wright Prize for Understatement for this week, hands down and running away.
At last report, recruiting a ‘terrorist’ earned you an average of just under 100k. That’s good money for a few hours of chatting up some moron in a trailer park.