Palestinians Celebrate 9/11 Attacks
(Updated September 2002)
In the context of the monitoring process
carried out by security forces to uncover the smuggling of
arms and ammunition to the Palestinian
Authority, Israeli security forces carried out an inspection
of crates destined for the PA that had arrived in the port
of Ashdod in June 2002. The containers - that were supposed to have
contained toys - instead were filled with weapons.
Also found were lighters depicting the terrorist
attacks on the World Trade Center of September 11, along
with an image of Osama
Bin Laden. The lighters were intended for a Palestinian
dealer in Khan Yunis, in the Gaza
Strip.The planned distribution of these lighters in the
Palestinian Authority was designed to be yet another expression
of support for the terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda
organization.
Last year's expression of support included
the distribution of sweets in the streets of the Palestinian
Authority after the attacks, as well as mass celebrations
in which shots were fired in the air as a mark of joy. Adults
and children were seen waving pictures of bin Laden in Palestinian
streets. In addition, leaflets were distributed in the Palestinian
Authority emphasizing the importance of jihad and calling on Muslims to stand up and take pride in their victory over the United
States.
Sources: Israeli Government Press Office, (September 10, 2002) |