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Friday, October 8, 2004
Archives: Fake Israeli ambulances were used as a taxi service for Palestinian operative purposes

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Center for Special
Studies (C.S.S)
Special Information Bulletin June 2004
www.intelligence.org.il/eng/sib/6_04/amb.htm for illustrations

Fake Israeli ambulances were used as a taxi service for Palestinian
operative purposes: a transport network operated by members of Force 17 (the
Palestinian apparatus charged primarily with Arafat's security) smuggled
Palestinian activists - members of various security apparatuses and wanted
terrorists -- from the West Bank into Israel. The security personnel and
terrorists disguised themselves as critically ill patients and exploited the
special privileges granted to the ambulances passing through military
barriers. Apparently it is only one of a wide range of tactics prevalent in
the West Bank and used by the Palestinians in their ongoing violent
confrontation with Israel.

One of the fake Israeli ambulances belonging to a Palestinian network and
operated by Force 17,
which was also used as transport to smuggle Palestinian activists - members
of the
security apparatuses and wanted terrorists -- from the West Bank into
Israel.
www.intelligence.org.il/eng/sib/6_04/amb.htm for illustrations

Overview

In May 2004 the Israeli police exposed a Palestinian transport network
based in the village of Al-Azaria, just southeast of Jerusalem, which used
fake Israeli ambulances to smuggle Palestinian activists -- members of the
security apparatuses (mostly Force 17) [1 ]and wanted terrorists -- from the
West Bank into Israel. They were successful because they exploited the
special privileges granted to ambulances and critically ill Palestinians
patients to pass with relative ease through Israeli military barriers.

[1]Force 17 was formed in the early 1970s by senior Fatah officers, has been
involved in terrorism since the early 1980s and has perpetrated deadly
attacks against Israeli targets. Following the signing of the Oslo
Agreements between Israel and the PLO (Sept 13, 1993), Force 17 was to have
been merged into the PA security forces. In reality, however, Arafat kept
the unit apart from the official Palestinian forces. Consequently it still
acts under his authority alone, and is responsible for both his personal
safety and that of other senior Palestinian Authority (PA) officials.

The tactic was used by a transport network organized and operated by Force
17 activists in the villages of Al-Arazia and Abu Dis, just southeast of
Jerusalem. Israeli police investigation revealed that some of the members of
the network also belonged to the Fatah/Tanzim apparatus, while others were
involved in various criminal activities .

The documents which fell into Israeli police hands revealed that on
humanitarian pretexts, upper-echelon PA individuals ( including Arafat
himself ) provided aid to the ambulance company operated by the network (See
Appendices A and B ). In Israeli assessment, however, they were motivated
not only by humanitarian concerns but were also aware of the company's
smuggling operations. Reportedly, after the affair was exposed, one of the
local Force 17 commanders was chastised in a telephone conversation
originating from Arafat's office, most likely because of the embarrassment
caused by unwanted media coverage.

It should be noted in this context that the Palestinian Ministry of Health
made a point of vigorously denying the story when it appeared on Israeli TV.
Moreover, the Palestinian Minister of Health, Dr. Jawad al-Tibi, accused the
Israeli government of "fabricating lies" intended to justify its [alleged]
continued breaking of international and humanitarian law (Al-Shuruq Ramallah
Internet site, May 28,2004). Saeb Erekat (who in his capacity as Minister
for Local Government signed one of the documents concerning a request for
aid to the ambulance company, see Appendix D) claimed that Israeli's accusat
ions were "another attempt to destroy the Palestinian Red Cross and Red
Crescent."

The ongoing Israeli police investigation has revealed the following facts:

The transport network, based in the village of Al-Azaria, just southeast of
Jerusalem, operated smoothly. It had three fake Israeli ambulances, each
with yellow license plates (West Bank license plates are either blue or
green) and Hebrew and English (but not Arabic) inscriptions on the sides and
front . They belonged to an Abu Dis ambulance service called Jerusalem
Ambulance, run by Khamis Hussein Muhammad al-Maghribi (See picture of one
such fake Israeli ambulance on front page).
www.intelligence.org.il/eng/sib/6_04/amb.htm for illustrations

The original vehicles were deemed not roadworthy in Israel and were to be
dismantled . They were illegally transformed into fake Israeli ambulances,
fitted out with loud speakers, flashing lights, the Hebrew and English
inscription " General Health, Jerusalem Ambulance " on the side and the
emblem of one of Israel's HMOs .

The Palestinian transport network used a number of drivers, most of them
Force 17 activists , who, as residents of East erusalem, had the same ID
cards as ordinary Israelis. They presented them to the soldiers at the
barriers to facilitate crossing. They never received any formal training as
ambulance drivers or paramedics . Furthermore, in the network's possession
were found forged documents used by the drivers, including one attesting to
the fact that the driver had taken an 88-hour first aid course (See
Appendices C and D ).

Under Israeli police interrogation, Khamis al-Maghribi admitted that he
served as a cover and that in actual fact the transport network was operated
and directed by Force 17 activists. Hence, besides providing real emergency
service, the "ambulances" were actually used as a means of transport to
smuggle members of the Palestinian security apparatus (including senior
Force 17 members) and wanted terrorists. Accordingly they were taken from
the PA-administered territory on the West Bank to East Jerusalem and even
crossed the Green Line into Israel; in fact he said as much in a letter to
Arafat (See Appendix A ). It should be noted that most of the time the
ambulances drove from Al-Azaria to East Jerusalem and Ramallah (the Muqata ,
Arafat's headquarters), and sometimes to Hebron and other places on the West
Bank.

PA activists -members of various security apparatuses and wanted
terrorists -- transported by such ambulances disguised themselves as
critically ill patients, using oxygen masks and saline drips . Thus,
exploiting the special privileges granted to all ambulances and patients and
respected by the Israeli soldiers out of humanitarian considerations, they
fooled them and avoided the routine security checks made at the barriers .

To sum up: Abbas al-Sayyid's extensive activity clearly demonstrates that
there can be no distinction between the operational-terrorist activity and
the political, propaganda, organizational and financial activity of Hamas
senior political activists or operatives. For Al-Sayyid served as a senior
activist and operative in both the operational field and the
civilian-political infrastructure of the Hamas movement in the West Bank,
and the Tulkarm region in particular. In this respect, he kept close ties
with both political and operational senior cadres within Hamas and even with
Hamas headquarters in Damascus . At the same time, he was involved in
planning terror attacks designed to cause mass murder among civilians. It
should be noted that these patterns of activity, combining both the
political and operational fields, are similar to activities of senior Hamas
activists and operatives in other cities (for example, Abu al-Hija', leader
of Hamas in Jenin, and Abd al-Khaleq Natsheh, a senior Hamas figure in
Ramallah, all of whom responsible for the deaths of dozens of Israeli
civilians).

Appendix A
A request from Khamis al-Maghribi to Yasser Arafat for aid
www.intelligence.org.il/eng/sib/6_04/amb.htm for illustrations
Translation
Jerusalem Emergency Service
The Center for First Aid in Jerusalem [in Arabic]
[J.E.S. logo]

Jerusalem, POB 51571
Tel: 02-2790733
Mobile phone: 052-287217
The Organization for the Liberation of Palestinian
The Palestinian National Authority
Office of the President
April 28, 2003
(File number?) 11389
In the name of Allah the all-merciful
His Excellency, the President, Yasser Arafat, may Allah preserve him,
President of the State of Palestinian
The blessing of noble Jerusalem
In re: Attacks on and burning of ambulances
Your son, citizen Khamis Hussein al-Maghribi, [resident of] noble [i.e.,
East] Jerusalem, Director of the Jerusalem Emergency [Service] located in
al-Azaria [which is] in the Jerusalem district [appeals to you]. I am [also]
the owner of two ambulances fully outfitted with [medical] equipment. [2]
Since the 1980s I have been providing first aid and emergency [services,
including] the transportation of the critically ill to the hospitals of
noble Jerusalem within the Green Line . I have taken part in every event
[i.e., offered my services], from the blessed Al-Aqsa mosque and the suburbs
to different areas. That is because I feel I belong to this territory [i.e.,
"Palestine"] and its people, and there are many senior individuals who will
testify to that .
[I would like to note that] our center is the only one in the region of
noble Jerusalem authorized [to provide emergency services]. [ Moreover,] I
have at my disposal private ambulances, some of them with yellow [Israeli]
license plates, which transport the sick and wounded from all areas to
hospitals in Jerusalem itself and within the Green Line .
[However,] two days ago, a treacherous (?), treasonous (?) hand attacked us:
the center's ambulances were set on fire and burned completely, medical
equipment included. [As a result,] the Jerusalem district is in [dire] need
of the renewal of our services and the situation is urgent. [It should be
noted that] damages inflicted on the two (?) ambulances amounted to the sum
of $41,000.
Your honor the President,
[As a result of that event,] the center has been paralyzed and will no
longer continue its activities unless your Excellency comes to our aid .
Therefore, I have written [you] this letter, in the hope of receiving
[urgent] aid [from you], so that I can replace [as quickly as possible] the
equipment of the Jerusalem Center for Emergency Service, and [for the
immediate renewal of] services to the needy residents of the district, both
inside the jurisdiction of the Jerusalem municipality and outside it.
[I have only] feelings of complete respect for your Excellency, [and the
solution to] the problem is given over [to your consideration].
Together, hand in hand, [we will act] to build our country, independent
Palestine, with noble Jerusalem as its capital.
Your innocent son,
The Jerusalem Center for Emergency Service
Khamis al-Maghribi
[Stamp and signature]
[Handwritten addition:]
His honor the President, may Allah preserve him,
A blessing from Jerusalem,
I hereby request [your] aid and quick intervention in light of Jerusalem's
[dire] need for the Jerusalem Center for Emergency Service. [If you help us]
I will be eternally grateful.
May Allah protect and preserve you,
Your faithful servant,
Dr. Emile Jarju'I (?) [Dr. Jarju'i's full name is Emile Musa Basil Jarju'i,
a member of and representing Jerusalem in the PLO Legislative Council and
Executive Committee, a resident of East Jerusalem (Sheikh Jarrah quarter), a
pediatrician who carries an Israeli identity card]
[Handwritten addition]

[To:]
Dr. Al-Shibi [Dr. Ahmad al-Shibi, served as Minister of Health in the
Palestinian government established in October 2002]
Dr. Mundhir [Dr. Mundhir Wasif 'Abd al-Qadir Sharif formerly served as
Deputy Minister of Health]
Ministry of the Treasury
They are to be given an ambulance [from those] which have recently been
acquired.
Yasser Arafat
[Identifiable signature]
April 28, 3003

[2]The "ambulances," as noted, were fake Israeli ambulances.
A request from Khamis al-Maghribi to Yasser Arafat for aid
Original Document
www.intelligence.org.il/eng/sib/6_04/amb.htm for illustrations

Appendix B
A request from Saeb Erekat to the Palestinian Minister of Health to allocate
an ambulance to the Jerusalem Center [for Emergency Service]
www.intelligence.org.il/eng/sib/6_04/amb.htm for illustrations

Translation
In the name of Allah the all-merciful
The Palestinian National Authority
Ministry of the Local Government [The seal of the
Palestinian Authority The Palestinian National Authority
Ministry of the Local Government
(in English)
Dr. Riadh al-Zanun , may Allah preserve him
Minister of Health
Blessings [unclear] and the State [of Palestine]
October 17, 2002
[Possibly January 17, 2002]
[Handwritten addition:]
[Unclear]
Yunis al-Khatib [Director of the Palestinian Red Crescent]
Attention: [? unclear]
Copy: Minister [? unclear] Saeb
[? unclear]
[Signature]
[Unclear]

In re: Aid in allocating an ambulance to the Jerusalem Center for Emergency
Service

I hereby ask your Excellency for aid in allocating an ambulance to the
Jerusalem Center [for Emergency Service]. The center is the only one
[authorized] in the area. [At the moment] it serves most of the Jerusalem
district [unclear] with [only] one ambulance. [As stated] there is no other
center for emergency [services] in the area which can transport [critically]
ill and wounded residents.
Note [written by Saeb Erekat, who signed the document]: The Center's
ambulance has yellow [Israeli] license plates and can travel freely without
prior permission. [The whole note is emphasized in the original].
May you be a [firm] support and source of inspiration for [our] country
forever
Dr. Saeb Erekat
Minister of Local Government
[Stamp]
[On the right]
[Stamp]
Ministry of Health, Office of the Minister
In mail
Reference: 916 [unclear]
October 20, 2002
[Possibly January 20, 2002]
[Handwritten addition:]
[Copy to?] The [Jerusalem] Center [for Emergency Service]
A request from Saeb Erekat to the Palestinian Minister of Health to allocate
an ambulance to the Jerusalem Center [for Emergency Service
Original Document
www.intelligence.org.il/eng/sib/6_04/amb.htm for illustrations

Appendix C
A forged certificate of Khamis al-Maghribi from a Magen David Adom (Israeli
Red Cross)
course qualifying him as a paramedic-ambulance driver found among his papers
www.intelligence.org.il/eng/sib/6_04/amb.htm for illustrations

Appendix D
Forged certificates found in the possession of drivers of fake Israeli
ambulances. Six of the seven certificates belong to three individuals, i.e.,
one in Hebrew, one in Arabic.
www.intelligence.org.il/eng/sib/6_04/amb.htm for illustrations

Jerusalem Ambulance
Name: Muti 'Awdah Mulhim
Course: First Aid 88 hours
ID#: 900734575
Jerusalem District
Valid till : 2005 Jerusalem Ambulance

Ahmad Mahmud 'Uthman
Course: First Aid 88 hours
ID#: 929221747
Jerusalem District
Valid till: 2004

Jerusalem Ambulance
Name: Mu'awiyah 'Alif al-Saman
Course: First Aid 88 hours
ID#: 039738430
Jerusalem District
Valid till: 2004 Jerusalem Ambulance

Name: 'Arif 'Issa Musa 'Iyad
Course: First aid 88 hours
ID#: 410719314
Jerusalem Distruct
Valid till: 2004

Jerusalem Emergency Service
J.E.S.
Name: 'Arif 'Issa Musa 'Iyad
Course: First aid 88 hours
ID#: 410719314
Valid till: 2004

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