Holland to Israel: Give us back the Ingrams
Palestine-Israel-Netherlands, Politics, 7/27/1998

Holland has asked Israel to return all the Ingram sub machine guns which were to be relayed two weeks ago to the Palestinian National Authority. Holland donated those weapons in the aftermath of the Hebron protocol that was signed between the Palestinian government and Israel early in 1997.

By the end of last week, the Dutch ambassdor to Israel presented his official request to the Israeli Foreign Ministry saying that if the Palestinian government was not be handed over all the Ingram sub machine guns, then all should be returned to Holland. The Ingram was considered by Israel as less fatal compared to the Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifles that most of the Palestinian forces use. The Ingrams are to become the personal weapon of most of the Palestinian troops serving in the area of Hebron, where the city center is still under Israeli military occupation and some 400 Jewish settlers live.

According to the Hebron agreement, Israel was to transfer the weapons to the Palestinians within 72 hours after receiving them. The date has since passed two weeks ago, but because of settler opposition, most of the Ingrams have not been transferred. In response, the Dutch decided to put pressure on Israel. The Dutch ambassador clarified that if Israel does not transfer the guns within a short time, Holland will demand them back.

Previous Stories:
  Settlers press for more police in Old City of Jerusalem   (7/25/1998)
  No breakthrough worries Israel as next week's conference may isolate Israel   (7/23/1998)
  US Jewish organization exposes East Jerusalem settler funding   (7/22/1998)

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