Two Israelis Arrested in east Tennessee Transporting Suspicious Materials

Various local news broadcasts ^ | May 9, 2004 | who knows what evil?

[who knows what evil?]

My apologies in advance on this story; I just happened to catch this on several different newscasts a few minutes ago, and I am going by memory as best I can. Unicoi County (Tennessee) sheriffs arrested two Israeli men after a high-speed chase down mountain roads in this east Tennessee locale. While the sheriff was in pursuit, local witnesses noticed that materials were being thrown from the truck as it sped by, well over the posted speed limits. These witnesses were able to locate some of these items; one of which included a jug whose contents became "unusually hot" after the ingredients inside were shaken together. (Goes into the "Hey, y'all...watch this" category, WKWE.) Upon arrest, the police noted that the cab of the truck contained a "Learn How to Fly" brochure, along with passports and Florida licenses that "just didn't seem to add up". The Israelis claimed they were "just in the process of moving some furniture up to Boston". The police also stated that these two Israelis are "not being cooperative in any way." The FBI is investigating the nature of the substance in the jug that was recovered, which has been classified as an "inflammable fuel."

My questions:

1. What ELSE was in this (big yellow) 25-foot Ryder truck?
2. If they were travelling from Florida to Boston, what were they doing on a two-lane back road in the mountains of east Tennessee, several hundred miles WEST of Interstate 95; the most direct route from Florida to Boston?
3. What is the volatile substance in the jug, and why did they wish to avoid getting caught with it? (Why else would they pitch it?)
4. Why are they interested in "Learning How to Fly?"
5. Were they REALLY going to Boston, or were they MORE interested in the nearby Nuclear Fuel Services plant, or, G-d forbid, the huge Eastman Chemical Plant, about thirty miles further up the road?

It will be interesting to see if the national media picks up on this.

[Arkinsaw]

It does not surprise me at all that Tennessee police called them "Israelis" to the media. When's their next KKK meeting, BTW? Or do they have to return to their group home after work? ...idiots. People won't know who they're really talking about unless they say, even in Tennessean, "Ayrabs."

The good thing is that it looks like you have no urge to head south. Hope it stays that way.

[The Scourge of Yazid]

Why is it that anytime the words, "suspicious", "domestic terrorism", or "tragic incident" are mentioned in the context of a story, they're subsequently followed by the words "Ryder truck"

These guys need to hire some good PR men.

[VaBthang4]

Why no description of race? Nationality means nothing...it's paperwork presented...what is their race?

[adam_az]

My guess is that it's drug related.

[Grut]

...materials...thrown from the truck...included a jug whose contents became "unusually hot" after the ingredients inside were shaken together.

Seems like the jug would have already been pretty well shaken! A little journalistic license, perhaps. AKA 'making things up'.

[Bronzewound]

The good thing is that it looks like you have no urge to head south. Hope it stays that way.

Thanks for saving me the trouble.

[who knows what evil?]

These people take FOREVER to post news stories to their websites. If the above AP story isn't enough, you can contact WCYB News Department at 276-645-1522 or the WJHL News Department at 423-926-2151. Both of these networks broadcasted this story. To clarify; I am NOT from Tennessee, and don't know much about 'moonshine'. The Unicoi County Sheriff stated on camera that their paperwork identified them as 'Israeli'. Take that for what it is worth. I just pray to G-d that these guys don't have any other friends running loose.

[proxy_user]

Arabs and Jews are both from the same racial stock. Perhaps it would be more helpful to know their religion.

But I've never heard of any Arabs named "Shmuel", so you have to wonder.

[TheLion]

Maybe the media called them that. They don't believe there are any terrorists.

[Warren_Piece]

I wish these people would save their vitriol for jihadists instead of some stereotypical idea of Tennesseans. The men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan defending their butts are disproportionally made up of people from TN, AL, MS, GA and FL.

Besides, according to the story above, they were Isrealis. Apology accepted.

[Glenn]

It does not surprise me at all that Tennessee police called them "Israelis" to the media. When's their next KKK meeting, BTW?

Great job of stereotyping, moron.

Tennessee had the good sense to vote for Bush in 2000. Can we assume from your critique that he was elected by members of the KKK?

[CathyRyan]

I know the area. I bet the sheriff knew about these guys the minute they set foot in the Co. People in that of East TN call the sheriff if they see a stranger's car pass their house. If you are are not a good old boy you need to be on your way to church.

[who knows what evil?]

Why is it that anytime the words, "suspicious", "domestic terrorism", or "tragic incident" are mentioned in the context of a story, they're subsequently followed by the words "Ryder truck".

These guys need to hire some good PR men.

LOL! That may be so, but they did show the truck on camera...it was a 'Ryder'.

[gitmo]

Take a swig.

[Diddle E. Squat]

It does not surprise me at all that Tennessee police called them "Israelis" to the media. When's their next KKK meeting, BTW? Or do they have to return to their group home after work? ...idiots. People won't know who they're really talking about unless they say, even in Tennessean, "Ayrabs."

Shmuel Dahan and Almaliach Naor, both from Israel,

Given how they have already charged them with giving false names, it is likely that the above names released by the authorities are their actual names. I dunno, how many Palestians are named Shmuel?

So it appears you are the one rushing to wrong conclusions based on stereotypes, and now come off looking like an idiot. But do you have the guts to apologize to the Southerners and police who you accused of being incompetent racists?

[Warren_Piece]

Sorry, I forgot to add ARKANSAS. Sorry - I know y'all are southern too, we just disowned you after Bubba.

[olde north church]

make the two guys drink some

[Diddle E. Squat]

My guess is that it's drug related.

Yep, the most likeliest scenario, though espionage or even turncoats could be possible. I'm not ruling anything out, though usually these things end up being aberrations rather than part of a conspiracy.

[Rebelbase]

I'm suspicious that these were actually Tennessee cops. There is no mention of a dog being shot during the vehicle stop.

[jackbill]

Shmuel doesn't strike me as a name that one would associate with an Arab.