Netanyahu Bodyguard's Guns Go Missing From His Suitcase

JERUSALEM — Israeli security officials say four pistols disappeared from the suitcase of a bodyguard accompanying Israel's prime minister in the U.S.

The Shin Bet, Israel's domestic security service, says the luggage was checked in for a flight from Washington to New York but ended up in Los Angeles – without the four 9mm Glock handguns.

A Shin Bet spokesman said Wednesday it is not clear whether the guns disappeared before or after the luggage was put on the wrong flight.

He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with Shin Bet rules.

Israeli and U.S. officials are investigating the incident.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday, then flew to New York for meetings with American Jewish leaders.

Comments

[bilo rile me]

05:09 AM on 07/08/2010

So, Netanyahu's security is disarmed, and Netanyahu was without protection for some amount of time. Jason Bourne may be on the loose, again...

[profco]

07:55 PM on 07/07/2010

According to the NRA website (I'm no gun toter, but I figured they'd know!), based on detailed information from TSA, "Firearms carried as checked baggage must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container and declared to the airline at check-in. Only the passenger may have the key or combination. Small arms ammunition must be placed in an appropriate container: 'securely packed in fiber, wood, or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.' Under TSA regulations, ammunition may be packed in the same locked container as the unloaded firearm, but airline rules may differ.
Some airlines, as private businesses, have imposed additional restrictions or requirements, such as limiting the number of guns that can be transported in a single case, or providing different standards under which gun cases may or may not be exempt from excess baggage limitations. Especially for international flights, many airlines follow industry guidelines that limit ammunition to 11 lbs. per passenger."

If the case with the guns was locked, as it is required to be, and only the passenger can have the key, how could the guns have been stolen? (Unless the bodyguard did not follow the rules for travel with weapons.)

[agxphoto]

06:53 PM on 07/07/2010

They probably didn't pay the additional baggage fee.

[RepublicanStones]

05:46 PM on 07/07/2010

It's grand, the USA is paying for those weapons anyway.

[caffeineod]

06:25 PM on 07/07/2010

in more ways than one...

[HazemOne]

05:26 PM on 07/07/2010

Wow!!!

I am totally surprised that the Israeli Prime minister did not fly his own plane to the US. Seems that the US and Israel would be much smarter than this.

Also, what business would a diplomat have to check baggage in a public US airport. Seems that he would be exempt from domestic regulations.

[mathew]

09:15 PM on 07/07/2010

Wow!!!

I am totally surprised that the Israeli Prime minister did not fly Air Force One.

[HazemOne]

03:17 AM on 07/08/2010

Wow!!!

What a great Idea since the last type of crisis we need for some wacko to knock off the Israeli Prime minister resulting in yet another blood bath overseas.

Your comment was really superb - you should repeat this stroke of genius at every available opportunity in the future.

[HolyKow]

04:46 PM on 07/07/2010

This is reason number one why you ship your weapons to your final destination address. Declaration of weapons in luggage is like attaching a locator beacon to your guns for thieves.

HK

[clarendon67]

04:09 PM on 07/07/2010

These guys claim to have the best security in the world and someone stole a gun out of a bodyguard's suitcase. Unbelievable. Maybe someone from Louisiana stole it to take to church.

[MIKEinNYC]

02:50 PM on 07/07/2010

And these guys, the Israelis, are supposed to have the tightest security in the world?

Often when there is a security-related concern being spoken about on TV or radio they trot out Israeli security "experts". How do they explain this?

They have some 'splainin' to do!

[Hutzpanit]

03:44 PM on 07/07/2010

*luggage was checked in for a flight from Washington to New York but ended up in Los Angeles – without the four 9mm Glock handguns.*

It's not like they flew El Al or their own private jet from Washington to NY. They boarded a flight and placed their pistols in luggage which was then mixed up and sent to another state (California). Someone that works in luggage management has some 'splainin' to do!

Why is this even news though?

[HolyKow]

04:44 PM on 07/07/2010

Because they are trying to make us fear that these 4 9MM glocks will put on red bandanas and listen to Ice T singing 'Cop Killer' and go out, on their own, and execute a mass shooting.

Ya know, 'cause guns kill people, right?!

hk

[HolyKow]

04:52 PM on 07/07/2010

This was a criminal in the baggage system, not the Israelis...

Nothing to do with their security, they were just following the FAA rules...

But I suppose I am now an Israeli apologist for pointing this out....

hk

[Markovich]

01:56 PM on 07/07/2010

Israel's IDF To Appeal Human Shield Ban

The practice of using human shields is against international law

The Israeli Defence Ministry will appeal against a supreme court ruling banning the use of Palestinian human shields in raids, officials said.

Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz is prepared to make a personal appearance in court to defend the practice, ministry officials added.

BBC NEWS. Hat tip to NWO. This is despicable. Israel forced teenagers to "mediate" disputes with militants that the teenager wouldn't even know. Kick down doors, walk in front of soldiers.

It's TIME AMERICANS got to know the REAL ISRAEL they hide from you on the American news. They don't hide it in Europe. That's why not one European country supports Israel or vetoes for Israel at the United Nations.

This is America's embarrassment. That embarrassment begins with blackouts on Israel's darker news which everyone in the world sees except Americans, more/less, on an average day.

[StCuthbert]

02:24 PM on 07/07/2010

That appeal is from 2005. What's the matter, can't get updated propaganda?

I'm still waiting for the WSJ article.

[Hank007]

03:33 PM on 07/07/2010

In the end, the use of human shields was allowed, with no exception for children.

[admiralj]

01:29 PM on 07/07/2010

More proof that the Shin Bet needs to read the NYT more often. They might not have missed the article on "baggage thefts" by the baggage handlers from NY area airports.

If the Air Marshal's can wear pistols in the cabin, why wasn't there an agreement to let the security service bring them into the cabin in a carry on bag?

[Hugh Briggs]

02:14 PM on 07/07/2010

Because we really want to have Armed Foreign Nationals on US flights. Way to think that one through. Maybe they should have used private flights or shipped/escorted the firearms. Who drops a case of firearms off at the airport anyway?

[admiralj]

02:42 PM on 07/07/2010

Your being naive if you think that there aren't Air Marshal's any flight in the US carrying diplomats from an international hub (NY) city to Wash.D.C. And who in their right mind puts 4 pistols in luggage and checks it with the airline? Everyone knows about luggage thefts by baggage handlers. (I lost a $75.bottle of scotch from my luggage on a flight from Atlanta to Bermuda) Notice. I said they could be carried in a "checked carry on bag". I said nothing about them having an open carry in the cabin. Anyone besides law enforcement carrying pistols aboard flights is illegal.

[Kam Neebing]

01:21 PM on 07/07/2010

They should be able to score 4 Glocks in about 10 minutes in Washington DC.

[Hugh Briggs]

02:14 PM on 07/07/2010

No, they can if they drive across the bridge to VA or MD. Unfortunately, the stereotype of guns being easily available in Washington DC is false, unless they were bought in from MD or VA.

[Opus Loki]

07:44 PM on 07/07/2010

Have to dissagree with you there Hugh. Guns are like drugs. They are everywhere if you look hard enough and in the right place even in D.C.

[CAdawn]

12:49 PM on 07/07/2010

Why would the bodyguard put the guns in checked luggage? It's unbelieveable that the PM of Israel is flying commercial. Why didn't he use EL AL or have the US supply him with a small Lear while he is in our country. Can you picture Obama having to use commercial airlines to get anywhere in Israel?

[Hutzpanit]

03:24 PM on 07/07/2010

El Al from Washington to NY? But I do believe that he should have been flown around on an Israel owned jet.

[caffeineod]

06:31 PM on 07/07/2010

Why does he need to be here, anyway? Nothing is going to change whether he is here or not.AIPAC handles our government better than any other lobby, bar none....Is Obama going to bow or write more checks? We spend more on Israel when we should be spending here.....I hope every bag from israel checked in is stolen now that we know guns are being brought in.

[bill m]

12:45 PM on 07/07/2010

Yes, what we actually know is that 4 guns, brought to the US by israeli secret service, are now to be officially declared "missing". Hmmm Not good.

[DustinTime]

01:10 PM on 07/07/2010

Correct.

[Markovich]

12:41 PM on 07/07/2010

AP reports Mossad spy going to Germany.

Polish court orders Mossad spy suspect extradited‎

[Hutzpanit]

03:24 PM on 07/07/2010

How does this relate to this article?

[Markovich]

03:48 PM on 07/07/2010

is that Q worth your time?

[timesprout]

12:30 PM on 07/07/2010

I think it's been pretty obvious since the baggage handler unions were busted that it's not safe to put anything of value in your luggage anymore. That's what you get when you pay people $10 an hour with no benefits. People that are worth $10 an hour with no benefits. It would be more shocking if all the guns arrived.