Israeli police intercepted a large shipment of weapons intended for Arab rioters in the east Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Post reports. Israeli authorities seized two shipping containers from China, which arrived in Ashdod, consisting of fireworks, knives, and Tasers. The fireworks were hidden within Christmas decorations bound for the mostly Arab Christian neighborhood of Beit Hanina in east Jerusalem.
The containers included 18,000 prohibited fireworks, 5,200 commando knives, 5,500 Tasers, 4,300 flashlights capable of being converted into Tasers, and 1,000 swords.Click here to watch Israeli authorities uncover the weapons shipment.
Jerusalem detectives collaborated with Israeli tax and customs officials in the undercover investigation. Police arrested three of the suspects after they claimed the containers at the Ashdod port and dropped them off in an Afula storehouse.
In recent weeks, Palestinian rioters increasingly used fireworks as a weapon against Israeli police and soldiers, especially in East Jerusalem. Potentially deadly firecrackers and large roman candles have been fired at Israeli security personnel. Some are capable of penetrating protective police gear, including shields.