Israel: Death Squads
Israel. Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir headed a special hit squad
during his ten years in Mossad. Shamir headed the assassination unit
from 1955-64 that carried out attacks on perceived enemies and
suspected Nazi war criminals. Shamir recruited former members of the
Stern Gang. Washington Times, 7/4/1992, A8
Israel, 1992. Article, "How Israeli Commandos Are Waging an
Undercover War In Occupied Territories." In January 1992, Israeli army
launched all-out offensive to end "Red Intifadeh." Undercover units
"Arabized" produced a rash of deaths under controversial circumstances
leading to claims commando units are death squads. Since Intifadeh began
in 1987, 775 Palestinians killed; 680 more slain by their brethren
mostly for collaboration. Human-rights organizations contend Sayarot
shoot first and ask questions later. Time 8/31/1992, pp. 49-50
Israel, 1992. Israel's assassination squad, Duvdevan or Cherry has
killed one of its own by mistake. Intelligence Newsletter, 7/23/1992, p.
Israel, 1992. Israeli army had discharged commander of undercover
unit for issuing orders to shoot at Palestine activists. Unit code-named
Samson has had three commanders fired or placed on trial within three
years. More than 30 Palestinians killed this year by undercover troops,
who usually dress as Arabs. Washington Post, 8/26/1992, A14
Israel, Honduras, 1981-89. In 1981 Leo Gleser, "co-owner" of
International Security and Defense Systems (ISDS) -- a leading Israeli
"security" firm (Israeli Foreign Affairs 2/1987, 5/1987, /1987, 2/1988,
3/1989) identified repeatedly as an Israeli entity -- began building
Battalion 316, a unit of Honduran military intelligence which
disappeared, tortured, then killed its victims. Honduran General Walter
Lopez Reyes who C-I-C Honduran armed forces 1984-86, said "we had
Israeli advisers in Special Forces. They seconded to Special Forces by
Israeli mod, although they came officially as "non-governmental." Their
front they training security groups but [they really] special operations
courses on how take over bldgs, planes, hostages...Contras also taking
courses...there coordination between them and CIA. Israeli Foreign
Affairs, 4/1989, p. 1,4
Israel, South Africa, 1986-91. Israel trained members of Inkatha hit
squads aimed at African National Congress, a disillusioned former leader
of Zulu organization has revealed. Israeli Foreign Affairs, 2/20/1992,
p. 3
Israel. Ranks as fifth largest exporter of arms in world, according
CIA estimates, and has become essential element global counterinsurgency
business. "Hit lists" used by death squads in Guatemala have been
computerized with Israeli assistance and Uzi machine guns the standard
weapon of death squads. Covert Action Information Bulletin (Quarterly),
Summer 1988, p. 5
El Salvador, 1989-91. According to confidential Salvadoran military
sources, decision to murder six Jesuit priests was made at a 15 November
1989 meeting of senior commanders (CO) at the Salvadoran military
school. Those allegedly present were: Colonel Benavides, CO of the
school; General Juan Rafael Bustillo, then CO of Salvadoran Air Force -
in 1991 assigned to embassy in Israel; General Emilio Ponce, then chief
of staff - in 1991 minister of defense; and Colonel Elena Fuentes, CO of
1st brigade. Initiative for murders came from Colonel Bustillo. For a
listing of direct and circumstantial evidence supporting allegation, see
statement of Rep. Joe Moakley, Task Force on El Salvador, 11/18/1991
Guatemala, 1981-89. Israeli Knesset member General Peled said in
Central America Israel is 'dirty work' contractor for U.S. Helped
Guatemala regime when Congress blocked Reagan administration. Israeli
firm Tadiran (then partly U.S.-owned) supplied Guatemalan military with
computerized intelligence system to track potential subversives. Those
on computer list had an excellent chance of being "disappeared." It was
"an archive and computer file on journalists, students, leaders,
leftists, politicians and so on." Computer system making up death lists.
Cockburn, A. & Cockburn, L. (1991). Dangerous Liaison, p. 219
Guatemala, 1970-87. Violence by security forces organized by CIA,
trained in torture by advisors from Argentina, Chile. Supported by
weapon, computer experts from Israel. Marshall, J., Scott P.D., and
Hunter, J. (1987). The Iran-Contra Connection, p. 133
Honduras, Israel. During Contra war Honduran military intelligence
officers on double salary from CIA and Colombian drug cartels, who saw
advantage of using Honduran airstrips for transiting cocaine under cover
of war effort. Israelis also trained Honduran death squads. Cockburn, A.
and Cockburn, L. (1991). Dangerous Liaison, p. 225
