Gaza aid convoy refuses to deliver package to Gilad Shalit
Activists reject offer by father of captured IDF soldier to mediate with government if they agreed to carry parcel and letter.
By Nir Hasson Tags: Israel news Gilad Shalit Gaza Strip
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A Turkish cruise ship carrying pro-Palestinian activists en route to Gaza |
| Photo by: Reuters |
A group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators sailing toward Gaza with humanitarian supplies on Thursday have refused a request by the father of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit to deliver a package and letter to his son.
Activists rejected Noam Shalit's offer to mediate on their behalf with the government, which has vowed to block the flotilla's entry to Gaza, if they agreed to his request.
A forum of seven senior ministers decided on Wednesday that Israel would attempt to turn back the 'Freedom Flotilla', on course to enter a 20-mile Israeli-imposed exclusion zone off Gaza this weekend.
The government said it would allow the United Nations to transfer the flotilla's humanitarian cargo to Gaza after security inspections at the Israeli port.
Activists responded to the decision by vowing to continue their mission to disrupt Israel's efforts to limit supplies to the Hamas-controlled territory.
Eight ships, including four cargo vessels, were heading toward Gaza in defiance of a three-year Israeli closure on the sliver of desert territory, home to 1.5 million Palestinians.
"We are planning on going. This is not going to stop us. The boats are already on their way," said Greta Berlin, a spokeswoman for the Free Gaza Movement.
At Wednesday's meeting, ministers decided that the ships would be directed to Ashdod by force if necessary. The activists would be arrested and deported. Cabinet Secretary Zvi Hauser offered a dissenting voice, suggesting that the ships should be allowed to dock in the Strip.
The flotilla is expected to approach Gaza by the weekend. A senior source in Jerusalem said the forum of seven convened to discuss potential negative media fallout abroad if the navy intercepts the ships. The ministers met before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left on a trip to Europe and North America.
In a bid to produce more favorable coverage, the forum decided to allow foreign journalists aboard Israel Navy ships during the operation.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak surprised his colleagues at the meeting when he described a suggestion by journalist Eitan Haber, who reportedly proposed that the demonstrators be greeted at Ashdod by women soldiers dressed in white. They would give the activists letters destined for Shalit, after which their ships would be allowed to sail on to Gaza.
Another participant suggested that a collection of rockets that had been fired at the Sderot area from Gaza be put on display at Ashdod Port for the activists and foreign media to see.
The Israel Defense Forces expects that the ships will refuse to retreat and there will be a confrontation at sea with the navy. The flotilla is thought to be carrying nearly 800 passengers, including 350 Turkish nationals.
Most of the others are from European countries and the Muslim world.
Among the passengers are 35 parliamentarians and a number of Israeli Arabs, including the head of the Arab Higher Monitoring Committee, Mohammed Zeidan; the head of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement, Raed Salah; and Knesset member Hanin Zuabi (Balad ).
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Only to Israelis would it occur to allow humanitarian aid to a population on the condition that the activists voice their support to Israel and condemnation of the opposition entity (Hamas). The Gazan people themselves, the people in need, have nothing to do with Israel or Hamas. They simply are people in need. Imagine if Humanitarian aid delivery to Sudan was allowed only on the basis that the activists declare their support of the government there? Humanitarian aid is by supposed to be independant of politics. Its delivery of aid to people who are in need because of circumstances beyond their control (be it Israel's seige, or Hamas' stupidity).
these activists only care about bashing israel, they dont care about human beings, not even about palestinian human beings. if they cared and if they really wanted to deliever goods to the palestinians, they would agree to the offer.
I am yet to see anyone of these activists that are actually pro Palestinian. You want to make a difference? you want to be pro Palestinian? Go teach children in Gaza! go Educate! teach peace! teach tolerance. Teach self determination. Instill in the Palestinian children that they can make choices for themselves to live happily. But why would you want to do that?? You are pro nothing but hate.
This line says more than all the article. Why "activists" would reject "offer by father"?
This line says more than all the article. Why "activists" would reject "offer by father"?
because Hamas would've been a problem. This convoy is not a political issue. Its a humanitarian issue. They have no concern for Hamas or Israel per se. They have the interests of the Gazans. Obviously, Shalit is also a human being, and his rights are being abused by Hamas, but this is not about politics, this is not about Hamas, it's about the Gazans in need. Shalit need to be freed, and a package is not much to ask to be delivered to him, perhaps these same activists can ask to deliver that package independant to this current aid convoy, so as not to compromise the entire convoy in general because of Hamas. The way people on this talkback have protrayed the rejection by the humanitrians and human rights activists to Shalit's package is dissapointing. They seem to have missed the obvious problem with politicizing the delivery of aid. The article should include the reason why the activists rejected the package, to serve as clarification. Also, they should also give the reason why Shalit's father is are trying to policize the humanitarian aid by conditioning it to delivery of things to Gilad Shalit.
Israel must allow humanitarian aid through, and free marwan barghouti in exchange for shalit
Israel should absolutely insist that the Hamas "ruling authority"in Gaza Immediately and publicly renounce their goal of destruction of Israel. Without this any such convoy must be regarded as providing aid to a hostile terrorist group.
Again Israel shows its true colors. It calls for peace, and is yet willing to direct a humanitarian ship with force. The flotilla is right not to accept on behalf of the Shalit's or to engage on behalf of Israel. That is not their mandate anymore then peace is the mandate of Israel.
the mission is to drum up support to lift off the murderous and illegal siege of 1.3 Million Palestinians by Israel not to work as a postman for Noam Shalit. it is all up to the Israeli government to release Shalit from prison: to release some of the abducted Palestinians amongst some 10,000 abductees by the Israelis.
Hmm, so one Israeli POW, although in a insufferable prison, equates to 1.6 million is a larger prison. I don't think so.
They should be turned back and definitely NOT allowed to even come to Ashdod
"Free Gaza",but not "Free Shalit"? Of course,because Shait is a Jew...
These benevolent, princpled human rights activists have no interest in human rights when the human in question is of the Israeli persuasion -- held as a prisoner with no access to visitation by the IRC, in complete contravention of international law. If they think human rights applies only to one side, why should we take anything they say seriously? Let them land and make a statement condemning Hamas for its war crimes. If they don't, it is quite clear that their goal has absolutely nothing to do with human rights, and one would have to be a fool to be deluded by their facade.
There are hundreds of Palestinian children in Israeli jails who are often prevented from seeing their families through petty bureaucracy. And they can't see their families during during interrogation by the Israeli military which can last days.
read the first post which explains why - these are two very different situations involving completely different players and power brokers. Do you think its ok to punish an entire population for the policies/actions of its government?
I have to wonder why the Free Gaza people said no. I'm sure there's a reason, but it's not mentioned in this article nor others on the same topic I've read.
non violently sink all ship and non violently sink the hamas boat hamas is a wound in the palestinian body
I am getting more and more proud whenever I see the Turkish flag on the ship. Thanks to all activists from all arround the world on helping the Gazans.
One thing has nothing to do with the other; the guy who watches his kids go to bed hungry at night because he can't afford food (blockades raise up prices) has nothing to do with those holding Shalit.
The guy who knows that Shalit is held captive isolated from the whole world,deprived of basic human rights and doesn't protest about this,has anything to do with those holding Shalit. Besides,I've never ever seen a "skeleton" Gazan boy.Have you?