Israeli Negev Residents Trade in Weapons with Judea and Samaria Elements

During 2009, we have witnessed an increase in weapons trade between Israeli Negev residents and Judea and Samaria elements. This phenomenon poses the risk of weapons falling into the hands of terror elements using it to execute attacks.

In response, in late 2009 (November-December) ISA and Israeli police made arrests of weapons merchants. As a result of this operation 4 Israeli citizens from the Negev towns, Aruar and Kasifa and a Hebron resident were interrogated.

Upon the termination of the interrogation, the interrogees were brought to trial for offences of trading in equipment of war, possession of weapons, conspiracy to commit a crime and weapons offences. The campaign of arrests, submission of indictments and incrimination of others generated an effective deterrent to weapons merchants in the region and reduced the extent of this phenomenon.

Below are details on the indictments submitted against the prominent weapons merchants:

• Samer Git, born in 1978, resident of Hebron. His indictment indicated: trading in equipment of war and possession of weapons, including: a Karl Gustav rifle, a telescopic sight, handguards and magazines for M-16 rifles, ammunition, a bomb and a hand grenade.

• Yousef Abu Saaluk, born in 1976, resident of Aruar. His indictment indicated: conspiracy to commit a crime and weapons offences: trading, purchase, attempt to purchase, transport, carrying and possessing many weapons, including: AK47, M-16, Uzi, Karl Gustav, Tavor, several types of hand-guns, a telescopic sight and ample ammunition.

• Walid Abu Saaluk, born in 1987, resident of Aruar. His indictment indicated: conspiracy to commit a crime and weapons offences: trading, assistance to purchase, transport, carrying and possessing many weapons such as: Uzi, Karl Gustav and AK47 rifles, several types of hand-guns and ammunition.

• Ali Abu Goda, born in 1961, resident of Kasifa. His indictment indicated: conspiracy to commit a crime and weapons offences: trading, purchase, transport, and possession of numerous weapons such as: M-16 and Uzi rifles and several types of hand-guns.

• Sliman Abu Goda, born in 1976, resident of Kasifa. His indictment indicated: conspiracy to commit a crime and weapons offences: trading and possession as well as solicitation for weapons offences: purchase and possession of ammunition including: several types of hand-guns, a telescopic sight and ammunition.