Russia sending 25 armoured vehicles to Palestinians
21/03/2008 - 19:05:43Israel’s Defence Ministry said today it has agreed to let Russia deliver 25 armoured vehicles to Palestinian security forces in the West Bank.
The move is meant to bolster moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in his struggle with Islamic Hamas militants.
Russia had proposed shipping the armoured vehicles to Palestinian security forces two years ago, but Israel initially opposed the move, fearing the vehicles would fall into Hamas’ hands.
Later, the deal was bogged down by Palestinian plans to mount the vehicles with guns – something Israel refused to approve.
Israeli Defence Ministry spokesman Ronen Moshe said today that the shipment of unarmed vehicles was authorised this week during the visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
