Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., October 12, 2008 Tishrei 13, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:05 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File
Israel warns Hezbollah: We won't tolerate arms smuggling
By Barak Ravid
Tags: weapons, iran, hezbollah 

Israel warned Hezbollah Wednesday it intended to put an end to the arms smuggling into Lebanon. Israel said the Shi'ite group is using the arms to bolster its position domestically and as a strategic threat on behalf of Iran.

During a meeting Wednesday of the political-security cabinet on Hezbollah, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said "Israel will not acquiesce to the continued smuggling of arms."

During the meeting, the ministers were updated on continued Syrian transfers of advanced military hardware to Hezbollah, including air defense systems, in an effort to limit the freedom of operations of the Israeli air force in Lebanon, particularly in reconnaissance and surveillance operations.
Advertisement
The ministers were briefed on intelligence assessments, which hold that Hezbollah is interested in a confrontation with Israel over the air force overflights, which will allow the organization to carry on with claims it serves as a "shield" against Israeli "aggression."

The ministers were also alerted to the possibility Syria may transfer Hezbollah more sophisticated weaponry than is currently in the Shi'ite group's arsenal.

The cabinet agreed that Israel could not reconcile with the transfer of advanced systems and said the entry of such weapons into Lebanon must be stopped.

Intelligence officials stressed Israel's deterrence vis-a-vis Hezbollah and Syria was very high, and noted there was serious concern in Syria and Hezbollah that any provocation would result in a severe Israeli response.

In recent weeks, Israel has applied heavy pressure on a number of world leaders, foreign ministers and UN Secretary General Ban, asking they intervene to prevent the arms smuggling into Lebanon through Syria.

Intensive diplomatic efforts were made to prevent the transfer of the arms from Syria to Hezbollah, including "quiet" messages to a number of governments and to the UN, where Israel made it clear it would not accept the transfer of anti-aircraft missiles to Hezbollah.

Israel has warned that any such transfers would be perceived in Jerusalem as "a violation of the strategic balance" in the region.

In response to the Israeli signals, a number of international diplomats conveyed to Syria warnings against the transfers to Hezbollah.

Israeli sources said that even though the transfers have been blocked at this stage, this is a temporary gain and in the coming months there is likely to be another attempt to transfer the weapons to Hezbollah and to deploy them in Lebanon.

During the Second Lebanon War, Hezbollah was found to have advanced Russian-made anti-tank missiles that Syria had transferred to the Shi'ite group.

Israel protested to Moscow and delivered physical evidence of the missiles, and Russia promised to investigate the matter but to date has not admitted that weapons of its manufacture were transferred to Hezbollah from stocks sold to Syria.

Related articles:
  • IAF: Hezbollah anti-aircraft missiles could threaten Israeli planes
  • Israelis in West Africa: We live in Hezbollah state
  • Israel urges int'l pressure to stop Hezbollah arms smuggling
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Produce problems
    Jordan Islamists protest imports of fruit grown on 'land taken by Zionists.'
    Payback time?
    America's opponents in the Mideast: Financial crisis is divine punishment.
      1.   The Wrong Address 04:29  |  Ron 07/08/08
      2.   Power balance 04:46  |  Fadhil 07/08/08
      3.   Russia & Georgia - more kadima/labour appeasement 04:54  |  Arie 07/08/08
      4.   Israel is crazy 04:59  |  Wendy 07/08/08
      5.   The title is nothing but humorous 05:10  |  noor 07/08/08
      6.   Yeh, end it now or we might get mad! 05:50  |  Jeffrey 07/08/08
      7.   every day another desperate attempt at denying reality 05:52  |  Pablo B 07/08/08
      8.   Someones not sleeping well @ night! 05:54  |  Ya Gareeb 07/08/08
      9.   Israel warns 06:02  |  Dudka 07/08/08
      10.   Truth Is Hezbollah Knows It Can Get Away With It Under Kadima 06:08  |  Shepherd 07/08/08
      11.   Israeli warnings don`t scare the lebanese 06:29  |  Aounist 07/08/08
      12.   Looks like israel is wetting her pants 06:35  |  Igor 07/08/08
      13.   weapons transfer 06:48  |  wally 07/08/08
      14.   Sheperd has it wrong about Kadima & Labor 06:57  |  Afikoman 07/08/08
      15.   Shameful 07:00  |  Emile 07/08/08
      16.   Israel warning thr wrong party.... 07:03  |  Edward 07/08/08
      17.   The Lebanese terrorist group, the Hezbollah, is a dangerous... 07:16  |  Jean Van Daem 07/08/08
      18.   An open question to Lebanese Christians 07:18  |  Daniel 07/08/08
      19.   Dear Fadhil, are you serious???? 07:19  |  Akiva P 07/08/08
      20.   Israels worst nightmare is a mirror image of themselves next door 07:23  |  Natallie Durson 07/08/08
      21.   SINCE WHEN DOES ISRAEL WARN HIZBULLAH 07:24  |  Ronnie Rab 07/08/08
      22.   These are defensive weapons--totally appropriate 07:27  |  Ben 07/08/08
      23.   Hezbollah terrorists know that the defeatist Livni will cave in 07:34  |  Jonathan Davis 07/08/08
      24.   negotiations w ith Israel 07:36  |  ka 07/08/08
      25.   Pablo B do you know to read? 07:40  |  Dan 07/08/08
      26.   Hebanon`s parliamnet voted to make Hezbo Legal? 07:41  |  Dan 07/08/08
      27.   Yey! The Hezbanese parliament will vote to reduce earth gravity 07:43  |  Dan 07/08/08
      28.   Yey! The Hezbanese parliament will vote to make earth smaller 07:44  |  Dan 07/08/08
      29.   Yey! The Hezbanese parliament will vote to legalize Hash 07:46  |  Dan 07/08/08
      30.   The Hezbanese parliament will vote to half the price of beer 07:48  |  Dan 07/08/08
      31.   Or What?? Israel`s warnings have no weight 07:52  |  Peter 07/08/08
      32.   Wally, Na-zi-rallah said himself that they have 40,000 missiles 07:53  |  Dan 07/08/08
      33.   No Hezbo terrorist, no overflights 07:53  |  Duhhhhhhhhh 07/08/08
      34.   Kadima must go 07:55  |  Maurice 07/08/08
      35.   Russia...yeah 08:15  |  Nora 07/08/08
      36.   #4 - Hey Pablo... 08:18  |  JES 07/08/08
      37.   SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ISRAEL? 08:24  |  indrajaya 07/08/08
      38.   Emile in Lebanon 08:24  |  George 07/08/08
      39.   #10 - Oh, excuse us Wally... 08:25  |  JES 07/08/08
      40.   The Straw Tiger Roars 08:40  |  Steve 07/08/08
      41.   WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? 08:41  |  BOB KING 07/08/08
      42.   SO WHO THREATENS WHO? 08:57  |  VIPER 07/08/08
      43.   Fadhil - Singapore 09:00  |  geoff 07/08/08
      44.   OLMERDE , PUSH THE BOTTOM, BEFORE YOU GO 09:21  |  BOB KING 07/08/08
      45.   to nora 09:24  |  josh 07/08/08
      46.   Never make threats you can`t carry out 09:28  |  Clickfool 07/08/08
      47.   BAN ARMS TO ISRAEL 09:36  |  Dan Panad 07/08/08
      48.   Israels` Right?? 09:41  |  Vincent 07/08/08
      49.   Israels` Right?? 09:41  |  Vincent 07/08/08
      50.   Classic Chutzpah from the Israelis 10:08  |  Damian Lataan 07/08/08
      51.   UHHHH (Yawning)...another warning... 10:11  |  Marwan 07/08/08
      52.   Israel warns Hezbollah: 10:12  |  Ralph 07/08/08
      53.   Well now they are scared.... are we idiots? 10:22  |  Ilan 07/08/08
      54.   lebanon warns israel 11:02  |  ClearCut 07/08/08
      55.   Hypcocracy at it highest forms 11:21  |  gus 07/08/08
      56.   Hezbollah are not listening 11:27  |  Zoe 07/08/08
      57.   Emile 11:40  |  Walid 07/08/08
      58.   Hezbollah is wrong 11:52  |  Indrajaya 07/08/08
      59.   Vincent 12:05  |  Walid 07/08/08
      60.   #36 Jes 12:14  |  Paul Wood 07/08/08
      61.   STOP! 12:22  |  THE TEACHER/INSTRUCT 07/08/08
      62.   Israel should warn Syria and Iran 12:38  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 07/08/08
      63.   Dan Panad of Same 12:52  |  x-ray 07/08/08
      64.   iran nuclear issue 12:52  |  celtic spirit 07/08/08
      65.   Support of No. 10 13:11  |  Jerri i 07/08/08
      66.   Israel has and will tolerate this existential threat 13:13  |  Avi 07/08/08
      67.   yala fight 13:29  |  Firas 07/08/08
      68.   PANAD Israel has its own arms industry & Singapore buys 13:35  |  PETER SM 07/08/08
      69.   CLEARCUT Israel wants Lebanon to know,no more surprise attacks! 13:41  |  PETER SM 07/08/08
      70.   WOOD.Iran attacked your countries marines oin the high seas 13:48  |  PETER SM 07/08/08
      71.   Arms smuggling. 13:50  |  Buick from Boca 07/08/08
      72.   Cipollata Cone 13:51  |  Bill 07/08/08
      73.   To # 47 Ban arms... 13:52  |  Jerri i 07/08/08
      74.   PETER SM Australia has a huge sheep industry 13:53  |  Swagman 07/08/08
      75.   Israel warns Hezbollah 13:55  |  Steven 07/08/08
      76.   ClearCut is so right when he says that 13:56  |  Star of David 07/08/08
      77.   d an ffrrom singapore and a post which is total crap 13:57  |  victor hardman 07/08/08
      78.   PETER SM Its clear 13:59  |  Frank 07/08/08
      79.   IGOR Israel has never been stronger and progressing 14:02  |  PETER SM 07/08/08
      80.   Peter SM it was actually very shallow water 14:05  |  Jim 07/08/08
      81.   lebanon needs air defenses 14:09  |  matt 07/08/08
      82.   LATAAN.If Israel wanted the Litani it could have had it in 1948 14:12  |  PETER SM 07/08/08
      83.   Peter SM How can you live there 14:19  |  dave 07/08/08
      84.   Clickfool # 46. 14:21  |  David Nigel Braham 07/08/08
      85.   VIPER A Hesballah thug was killed in Syria.Hezb.blames Israel 14:22  |  PETER SM 07/08/08
      86.   #70 Peter SM 14:31  |  Paul Wood 07/08/08
      87.   Peter SM A nine year old boy was shot in the head 14:41  |  Jim 07/08/08
      88.   JIM The Persian Gulf is NOT shallow water.Here is the story,CNN 14:41  |  PETER SM 07/08/08
      89.   Victor Hardman and a post full of widom 14:47  |  ralf 07/08/08
      90.   To nbr 82 Litani River 14:58  |  Vincent 07/08/08
      91.   Israel has to suspend peace talks w/Syria if they keep permitting 15:00  |  ivo 07/08/08
      92.   For David Nigel Braham # 84 15:25  |  Clickfool 07/08/08
      93.   #88 Peter SM 15:33  |  Chris Linthwaite 07/08/08
      94.   Damian Lataan 15:33  |  Joe 07/08/08
      95.   11: Auonist wants an Islamic state in Lebanon 16:04  |  Chris The Leb 07/08/08
      96.   The bullies threaten while diplomacy hibernates 16:27  |  Tosefta 07/08/08
      97.   #31 "Paper Tiger"? 16:28  |  John Allen 07/08/08
      98.   Walid #57 16:37  |  Emile 07/08/08
      99.   #94 Joe of London 16:40  |  Chris Linthwaite 07/08/08
      100.   Who gave the upstarts in Israel a license to police others? 17:45  |  Dutch 07/08/08
      101.   Israel is all about enforcing UN resolutions 18:02  |  Natallie Durson 07/08/08
      102.   Jim in UK 18:40  |  rich 07/08/08
      103.   Ronnie Rab 18:43  |  rich 07/08/08
      104.   Paul Wood 18:46  |  rich 07/08/08
      105.   #62 Oh Cipora, really! 19:25  |  ballistic 07/08/08
      106.   a bit late 19:35  |  David Zion 07/08/08
      107.   Emile, good to hear another voice from Lebanon these days - 19:38  |  ivo 07/08/08
      108.   #104 Rich 19:43  |  Paul Wood 07/08/08
      109.   Sabre Rattling 20:03  |  Isa 07/08/08
      110.   rich 20:15  |  jim 07/08/08
      111.   #60 - Well, Paul.... 20:44  |  JES 07/08/08
      112.   To Ivo #107 21:37  |  Emile 07/08/08
      113.   What Dan doesn`t know, Daniel Carmon can tell him 21:41  |  Pablo B 07/08/08
      114.   You think Iran and Hezbollah are connected? 21:42  |  Elizabeth 07/08/08
      115.   And what will IDF do about arms smuggling? Nothing! afraid of Hiz 21:50  |  Uzi Hirschberg 07/08/08
      116.   #96 Tosefta..I`ll Take Some Of Your Comments.. 22:00  |  KATHY 07/08/08
      117.   LINTHWAITWE The Chamberlin approach really worked well 22:05  |  PETER SM 07/08/08
      118.   DURSON Confused? Arabs are all about sidelining the UN 22:17  |  PETER SM 07/08/08
      119.   # 112 Emile,Emile,Emile..You Say the Need Of A Strong Leader?? 22:34  |  K 07/08/08
      120.   To Pablo #113 22:38  |  Emile 07/08/08
      121.   #96 An Addendum To Tosefta.Sent you a post,already. 22:42  |  KATHY 07/08/08
      122.   What Is The Issue 23:22  |  Bernie 07/08/08
      123.   Hezbolla is a bigger threat to Lebanon than 23:24  |  Naftalli Durson 07/08/08
      124.   Ralphy boy #52 23:57  |  EDBTZ 07/08/08
      125.   And Naftali (123) not forget about Ahmedinejad is even bigger 00:12  |  Lakshmini 08/08/08
      126.   syria must be told it and its assets are on the line no free card 00:45  |  ralph 08/08/08
      127.   #4, Wendy, Why is Israel Crazy / 01:32  |  Gary 08/08/08
      128.   #23, Jonathan ,Great Article 01:37  |  Gary 08/08/08
      129.   DORIS.To make sure Lebanon does not try a 3rd cross border attack 01:44  |  PETER SM 08/08/08
      130.   Fahdil # 2 01:46  |  Sabra 08/08/08
      131.   #58 Oh Indra` Very Sensible Post For A Change. 01:56  |  K 08/08/08
      132.   WOOD.A sovereign state that threatens Israel can expect 02:07  |  PETER SM 08/08/08
      133.   JIM @86 Changeing the subject instead of admitting he was wrong. 02:35  |  PETER SM 08/08/08
      134.   Hezbollah terrorists know that the defeatist Livni will cave in 03:18  |  Robert Schwartz 08/08/08
      135.   # 94 Chris The Leb.re:Auonist Etc,etc.Sent you a post.Not Out! 03:36  |  anonymous 08/08/08
      136.   #116 Kathy sees red 03:44  |  Tosefta 08/08/08
      137.   PETER SM: a sovereign state will not threatens Israel 03:59  |  the Devils Advocate 08/08/08
      138.   DEVILS Ad.Hesballah is threatening now! You know well why there 04:36  |  PETER SM 08/08/08
      139.   PETER SM history lessons 07:48  |  northern neighbor 08/08/08
      140.   #39 Jes 07:50  |  ballistic 08/08/08
      141.   Or else we will drop fliers that say "stop it Hezballah" 07:52  |  Fortuna Benmayor 08/08/08
      142.   Somebody wake them up! 08:03  |  Jim 08/08/08
      143.   Peter SM #138 08:08  |  Vincent 08/08/08
      144.   Fear and loathing over Syrian sky 10:12  |  allang 08/08/08
      145.   #140 - Veracity, ballistic? 11:55  |  JES 08/08/08
      146.   viewed by SAM heatseeker, IAF says "Hello Igla, goodbye pension!" 22:07  |  Bl4ckP0pe 08/08/08
      147.   viewed by SAM heatseeker, IAF says "Hello Igla, goodbye pension!" 22:15  |  Bl4ckP0pe 08/08/08
      148.   Is israel any better than it was in 2008 RIGHT ??? 23:00  |  M. S. 08/08/08
      149.   #147 Bl4ckP0pe 03:51  |  * BEN JABO 09/08/08
      150.   More Meaningless Threats - Israel`s Specialty 19:09  |  Tod Zuckerman 09/08/08
      151.   What a shame for Israel... 22:41  |  Oggy 10/08/08
      152.   too much talk little action 13:46  |  Taha Mokhtar 08/09/08
     Read & React
    Austrian far-right leader Joerg Haider dies in car crash
    Responses: 71
    Livni tells residents of Acre: Don't take law into your own hands
    Responses: 286
    2 Arab-owned homes torched, 12 arrested in Acre violence
    Responses: 151
    Israel grants rare entry to cancer-stricken Iranian boy
    Responses: 116
    Mideast Muslims hail U.S. financial crisis as divine punishment
    Responses: 67


    More Headlines
    22:38 Three Jewish rioters hurt, Arab home set ablaze as Acre violence resumes
    15:56 Austria far-right leader Joerg Haider dies in car accident
    21:14 Mideast Muslims: U.S. financial crisis is divine punishment
    19:41 Jordan Islamists protest imports of fruit grown on 'land taken by Zionists'
    19:42 Finance Minister: No Israel banks will collapse in global crisis
    00:32 For U.S. Jewish groups, crisis means less in donations, more needy
    21:51 Palestinian farmers, settlers clash near West Bank settlement of Yitzhar
    23:20 Israel grants rare entry to cancer-stricken Iranian boy
    08:03 Livni tells Acre residents: Don't take law into your own hands
    13:55 Fatah welcomes Hamas assent of Egypt's reconciliation plan
    21:24 Sarah Palin accused of improperly firing state worker
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Dial 013 for your long-distance calls
    and get all your money back
    US CITIZENS
    Vote for real change. Request your ballot today!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
    www. israel-property.com
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved