The following is my latest column in The
Jewish Link of Bergen County, in which I contemplate the apparent indifference
by the international community following Iran’s brazen attempt to smuggle
deadly weapons to terrorists in Gaza:
CONFISCATION
WITHOUT CONDEMNATION
By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.
In light of the
usual chatter on the world stage and the ongoing dialogue that takes place
amongst members of the international community, the eerie silence of the world
was both conspicuous and confounding.
After Israeli
forces recently seized an arms shipment in the waters approximately 1,000 miles
south of Eilat, the world was largely silent. The “Klos-C,” which is the vessel
upon which the weapons cache was hidden, was bound for Gaza. In a frightening
revelation, we learned that the weaponry, which came from Iran, was intended to
be delivered to Islamist militants.
The contents of
the weaponry that was confiscated by Israel was certainly great cause for
concern. Among the items that were found hidden aboard the ship under false
bottoms of fake shipping containers were 40 Syrian-made M-302 rockets, which
have a range of between 60-100 miles. Had these rockets reached their intended
destination in Gaza, the terrorists would have greatly enhanced their ability
to easily strike targets throughout Israel, including Haifa, Jerusalem, and Tel
Aviv.
In addition,
Israel impounded 181 120-mm caliber mortar shells, which are the same kind of
rockets that militants in Gaza have been repeatedly firing into Israel since
2001. The Israel Defense Forces also discovered 400,000 7.62-mm caliber
bullets, which is the type of ammunition typically used in the Kalashnikov
rifles that are utilized by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
As shocking as
it was to discover this brazen attempt by Iran to arm militants in Gaza with
high-powered and sophisticated weaponry that could be used to attack Israel, it
was equally as alarming to see the apparent lack of interest by the
international community in the aftermath of this troubling incident.
Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu was quite blunt in his remarks questioning the absence of
condemnation from the rest of the world.
There is always
widespread condemnation of Israel “when it builds a balcony in Jerusalem,” the
Prime Minister stated, yet there was virtually no public outcry after Iran’s attempt
to secretly provide terrorists in Gaza with deadly weapons.
“I heard only
isolated and weak condemnation of Iran from the international community
regarding this deadly shipment,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said. “By contrast,
we were witness to smiles and handshakes of representatives of the West with
the representatives of Iran in Tehran at the very same time that these missiles
were being unloaded in Eilat.”
Netanyahu’s not-so-subtle
reference to the overly friendly relationship between the European Union and
Iran was with regard to Catherine Ashton, the EU’s foreign policy chief, who
was visiting Iran at the time and met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. While
in Iran, Ashton spoke with Rouhani about entering a new era of cooperation
between the EU and Iran.
Seizing on the
opportunity to once again remind the world about the grave danger posed by a
nuclear Iran, Prime Minister Netanyahu called the international community’s
silence concerning Iran’s effort to arm militants and encourage terrorism “hypocrisy.”
“The world
needs to awaken from its state of illusion and prevent Iran from acquiring the
capability to create nuclear weapons,” said Prime Minister Netanyahu. “The
international community’s decision to ignore the seized weapons ship is biased,
dangerous, and unacceptable.”
Even the United
States, which is one of Israel’s staunchest allies, did not immediately come
forth and denounce Iran following this incident. In fact, it was not until five
days after Israel took control of the hidden arsenal from Iran that it issued a
public condemnation of Iran.
In a somewhat
surprising and perplexing move, the U.S. chose to temper its condemnation with
a qualifying statement addressing its ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent a nuclear
Iran.
“It is
important to make clear that even as we continue efforts to resolve our
concerns over Iran’s nuclear program through diplomacy, we will continue, in
coordination with our partners and allies, to push back against Iranian support
for terrorism, threats against our friends and partners, and violations of
human rights,” said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney.
As Iran
continues to blatantly mock the world by openly supporting terror, the
international community inexplicably believes that it needs to bend over
backwards when it comes to Iran’s nuclear program and blindly trust the leaders
of this rogue nation.
I would posit
that in light of the severity of Iran’s devious and dangerous attempt to
deliver deadly weapons to terrorists intent on destroying Israel and
terrorizing its citizens, nothing short of a swift and strong condemnation is
warranted.
“The
condemnations I’ve heard from the international community in the face of this
murderous shipment have been limp, few and far between,” Netanyahu said.
The Prime
Minister is categorically correct. The silence of the world is absolutely
deafening.
When it comes
to criticizing Israel, the line stretches around the block. There is never a
shortage of folks who relish the opportunity to deprecate the Jewish State whenever
possible.
This incident
is yet another example of the unreasonable double standard with which Israel is
judged and forced to contend with. Whether it is building new housing for its
residents, engaging in measures to defend its borders and its citizens, or a
multitude of other activities, Israel has an eternal target on its back and is
a perpetual magnet for criticism and condemnation.
Sadly, it is
therefore no surprise that after the confiscation of Iran’s illicit weapons
shipment, the widespread international condemnation that theoretically should
have ensued, never really materialized.
N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and a principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on
the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or
www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler
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