Local leaders condemn Iran arms shipment
COMMUNAL groups in Australia this week said Israel’s interception of Iranian medium-range missiles and other arms bound for Gaza last week gives the lie to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s posture of moderation.
Israel has displayed the weapons from an intercepted ship it says was heading for Gaza. The Israel Defence Forces said it found 40 long-range M-302 rockets aboard the Panamanian-flagged Klos-C it intercepted in the Red Sea last week, as well as 181 122mm mortar shells and some 400,000 7.62-calibre rounds.
The arsenal, which had been disguised as a cement shipment, was displayed at a media conference in Eilat by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon and navy chief Vice-Admiral Ram Rutberg.
Claiming the weapons seizure was “exposing the true face of Iran,” Netanyahu said, “Iran completely denies its involvement; it is lying in the most brazen manner.”
Warning the world to wake up to the continuing threat posed by the Iranian regime, he said, “Just as Iran hid its deadly missiles in the belly of this ship, Iran is hiding its actions and its intentions in many of its key installations for developing nuclear weapons.”
Zionist Federation of Australia president Philip Chester condemned the shipment of arms “that have the capability of striking almost anywhere in Israel and was about to find its way into the hands of those who have repeatedly warned of their desire to do so, even at civilian targets.
“The international community has been reminded once again why the State of Israel needs to remain vigilant about its security. There can be no ambiguity in what these weapons were intended for – large scale destruction, murder and terrorism. This is why Israel and indeed the whole world needs to be resolute in its efforts to prevent Iran from gaining a nuclear capability.”
Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council spokesman Dr Tzvi Fleischer said “it is becoming clearer than ever that any talk of ‘moderation’ by the new Iranian government … amounts to self-deception.
“Iran has long been the world’s most significant state sponsor of terrorism and appears to be hell-bent on maintaining that record. Tehran also remains determined to sabotage any hope of Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation.
“The lesson is clear – the international community must not allow this Iranian regime to retain the capacity to quickly build nuclear weapons whenever it suits them, while any promises made by that regime must be subject to the most stringent verification.”
An Israeli Embassy spokesman was not available for comment.
PETER KOHN
Hassan Rouhani
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