The Palestinian Authority, caught red-handed smuggling a huge shipment of weapons, now resort to their usual tactics of blustery denial and conspiracy theories. According to Israeli authorities the ship had been bought by the Palestinian Authority, was skippered and partly staffed by officers of the Palestinian naval police, and senior Palestinian officials were involved in financing and carrying out the smuggling operation.

The announcement had the immediate effect of shifting the public focus of General Zinni’s mission to what Israeli officials say are continued Palestinian preparations for violence with the acquiescence and even support of Mr. Arafat.

“This is further proof that the Palestinian Authority has not changed its intention of achieving its aims through terrorism and violence,” Deputy Defense Minister Dalia Rabin-Pelosoff said in a radio interview.

As if we needed any more proof.

“Jewish plot!” screams the PA:

The Palestinian Authority denied the Israeli assertions, saying they were deliberately timed to undermine the American envoy’s mission after two weeks of relative calm that have followed a call by Yasir Arafat, the Palestinian leader, to halt armed attacks on Israelis.

“These allegations are false,” said Yasir Abed Rabbo, the Palestinian minister of information. “The Palestinian Authority has nothing to do with this ship.” …

Mr. Abed Rabbo said the Israelis were trying to hijack General Zinni’s agenda and turn it away from the recent progress toward restoring calm and moving toward a resumption of talks.

“We wonder why they chose this particular time, when Zinni was meeting with President Arafat, to make such a declaration,” Mr. Abed Rabbo said.

Uh… maybe because this particular time is when you tried to brazenly sneak in some weapons, right under Anthony Zinni’s nose?