An IDF military court has sentenced master terrorist Fuad Shubaki to 20 years in prison for part in the Karin-A weapons ship. Shubaki, 70, was the PA’s finance minister under Yasser Arafat, the man who had the final say on funds. He was also viewed a very close confidant to the late Arafat, with some stating he was his ‘right hand man’. The court’s decision follows a three-year trial.

Shubaki arranged the funding for the ship, which was carrying an unprecedented cargo of weapons and ammunition, a multimillion dollar deal involving over 1,000 tons of weaponry. The ship was stopped by Israeli naval commandos in the Red Sea on January 3 2002, intercepting the vessel as it made its way to Iran, presumably to arm Israeli’s enemies, including Hizbullah and Hamas. The operation was carried out in international waters.

Shubaki told the Judea Military Court that he is a peaceful man, associated with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) for close to 30 years, denying connection to the weapons ship.

In 2006, IDF commandos raided a PA prison in occupied Yericho and apprehended Shubaki along with terrorists connected to the assassination of Tourism Minister Rechavam Ze’evi, after Israel learned the PA was planned to release them. Shubaki told the military court that after 8 years in prison, his health was poor and all he seeks is to return home to his children, his family. The court however was unmoved by his impassioned plea, handing down the sentence despite his advanced age as his supporters pointed out.

The court did however stipulate it was sentencing him to 20 years despite the fact the prosecutor was seeking 25, signaling consideration for his age was indeed weighed in the sentencing decision.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)