Lighters commemorating 9/11 attack seized en route to Gaza
(Communicated by the ISA (Shabak) )

Tuesday, September 10, 2002
In the context of the monitoring process carried out by security forces
in order to uncover the smuggling of arms and ammunition to the
Palestinian Authority, cigarette lighters depicting the attack on the
World Trade Center next to an image of Osama Bin Laden, were found. The
lighters were to be sold in Palestinian Authority areas.

In June 2002, the security forces carried out an inspection of crates
that had arrived in the port of Ashdod. The crates were destined for the
Palestinian Authority. In the course of the inspection of the containers
- that were supposed to have contained toys - weapons, including
pistols, were seized.

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, such as occurred in the
Palestinian Authority in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks.
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.