Israelis arrest CMA-CGM chartered ship carrying `Gaza-bound` arms

ISRAELI naval forces have seized a Liberian-flagged cargo ship Victoria, chartered by CMA-CGM and operated by Peter Doehle Schiffahrts KG of Hamburg, suspecting it of carrying illegal weapons bound for Gaza, according to New York`s Marine Log.

According to Israeli website Debkafile, the weapons were first delivered by two Iranian warships that passed through the Suez Canal on February 22 and then were transferred to the Victoria at the Syrian port of Latakia.


The Victoria was going to Alexandria Port in Egypt after calling at the Port of Mersin in Turkey.


"This was part of routine activity to maintain security and prevent arms smuggling, in light of security assessments," said an Israeli military spokesman. "Security forces met with no resistance from the crew."


The ship was ordered into Ashdod for inspection. Weapons were found aboard, which the Israelis said "were to be used by terror organisations operating in the Gaza Strip."


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: "The origin of the weapons was Iran, which is trying to arm the Gaza Strip. The seizure was made at sea according to international laws and the ship is being led to Ashdod."


A US State Department front organisation, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), founded and led by American diplomats, has again condemned CMA CGM for its involvement in an illegal weapons shipment relating to Iran.


UANI, linked to the US State Department and the Obama administration, recently attacked CMA CGM for having any business dealings with Iran. It has also attacked Maersk for the same reason.


ComPair Data lists 21 direct services calling at the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas that include 21 of the 25 largest container shipping companies in the world.