Israel Accuses French Consulate Worker of Smuggling Guns from Gaza

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A French consulate worker was charged in an Israeli court Monday with arms smuggling following his arrest on accusations he used an official car to transport dozens of guns from the Gaza Strip to the occupied West Bank.

Israeli officials were quick to note that the worker from France's Jerusalem consulate acted on his own without his superiors' knowledge and that diplomatic relations between the two countries were not affected.

But the delicate case comes ahead of a planned visit next week to Israel and the Palestinian territories by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and French diplomats are sure to face questions over it.

The arrested French citizen and several Palestinian suspects are accused of belonging to a gun-running network that eventually sold the weapons to arms dealers, Israel's Shin Bet domestic security agency said in a statement.

It alleged that Romain Franck had taken advantage of reduced security checks for consular vehicles to transport the weapons out of the Palestinian enclave.

The Shin Bet said he was motivated by money, with the indictment alleging he was paid a total of around $5,500.

"The consulate employee smuggled the arms on a number of occasions in recent months while using the French consulate's consular car, which underwent a more lax security inspection at the border crossing, as is the case with this type of car," the statement said.

"The consulate employee transferred arms on five occasions, during which he transferred some 70 pistols and two automatic rifles."

A total of nine suspects have been arrested and six were charged in court in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba on Monday, including Franck. 

Officials provided varying ages for Franck as either 23 or 24. He was arrested on February 15, but the case was previously kept under a gag order as the investigation continued.

- 'Very seriously' -

Franck spoke through an interpreter to confirm his identity during the brief court appearance, where his remand was extended until March 28. Two French diplomats were at the court to monitor the proceedings.

Those arrested also include a resident of east Jerusalem who worked as a security guard at the French consulate, the Shin Bet said.

The statement said the French consulate employee received the guns from a Palestinian in Gaza who worked at the French cultural center in the strip.

He then smuggled them into the West Bank to another person who eventually sold them on to arms dealers, it said.

Gaza, run by Islamist group Hamas, has been under an Israeli blockade for over a decade but weapons have been smuggled in through tunnels from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

News of the arrest emerged on Sunday, but the details had still been unclear.

A spokesman for France's embassy in Israel said Sunday "we take this case very seriously and are in close contact with the Israeli authorities."

Franck "has benefited and continues to enjoy the consular protection" provided to French nationals, he said.

A French diplomatic source said Monday that Franck had been screened by security before he was hired and no issues were detected.

According to the source, Franck "did not deny the facts" after his arrest.

A Facebook page in his name did not show any overt signs of political engagement and features pictures of his travels in the region.

The Shin Bet called the incident "very severe."

"The immunity and privileges given to foreign representatives were cynically abused to smuggle dozens of weapons that could be used for terror attacks against Israeli civilians and security forces," it said.

"The investigation was conducted in cooperation with the Israeli foreign ministry while constantly updating the French authorities."

- Ties 'won't be affected' -

An Israeli official said on condition of anonymity that while authorities were taking the case "very seriously," diplomatic relations were not affected.

"Relations with France are excellent and won't be affected by this affair," the official said.

"We thank the French authorities for their cooperation."

Those entering and exiting the Gaza Strip through the Erez crossing with Israel undergo strict security checks by Israeli authorities, but these measures are eased for diplomatic visitors.

The Palestinian enclave, home to some two million people, is sealed off from Israel by a wall and fencing.

Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza have fought three wars since 2008.

Israeli authorities carry out regular operations to seize weapons in the West Bank, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967.

Comments 1
Thumb janoubi 19 March 2018, 13:41

"during which he transferred some 70 pistols and two automatic rifles."

and that of course was going to tip the arms balance in favor of the Palestinians.!