IDF vows to block 'Freedom Flotilla' aid convoy to Gaza
Navy to enforce 20-mile exclusion zone but will offer to deliver activists' cargo to Hamas-ruled territory.
By Barak Ravid, Anshel Pfeffer and Jack KhouryIsrael will attempt to block the 'Freedom Flotilla' of pro-Palestinian demonstrators heading toward Gaza with humanitarian supplies, the forum of seven senior ministers decided on Wednesday. Humanitarian cargo, however, would be unloaded and inspected at Ashdod and sent to Gaza via the United Nations.
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Hamas boats prepare for the arrival of the 'Freedom Flotilla' in Gaza, May 26, 2010 |
| Photo by: Reuters |
The flotilla's organizers seek to disrupt Israel's efforts to limit supplies into the Hamas-controlled territory.
After hearing from defense officials, the ministers decided not to allow the ships to dock in Gaza, but to let the cargo through.
The ministers decided that the ships would be directed to Ashdod by force if necessary. The activists would be arrested and expelled from the country. At the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Zvi Hauser was a dissenting voice - he suggested that the ships 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 the 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.
The ministers decided that foreign journalists would be allowed to be present on Israel Navy ships during the operation in a bid to produce more favorable coverage abroad.
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 captive Israeli soldier Gilad 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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Who says that the Israeli government does not cooperate with Hamas. Last night another qassam fell quite near my kibbutz; tomorrow Israel will make it easier for the Hamas to convince the world that it has no other method of protecting the citizens of Gaza. It is clear that PM Natanyahu is working hand in glove with Hamas to sink the State of Israel and not the flotilla. Before the blockade, there were no tunnels and there were no flotillas. All products entering Gaza were checked by the IDF. Since the blockade all manner of articles, the good and the bad, enter without any inspection at all. Even the the fools in charge of this debacle must be aware of their mistake. Only their reluctance to pay the political price for their ineptitude keeps them from admitting their mistake and redressing the snafu..
An excellent opportunity for the navy to hone its skills against a possible sea borne attack. They are an army of Irans dupes on board the boats. The attempt is to steal Israeli clothes by juxtaposing this with the Exodus events in 1948. Its an Idea thought up by the insolent "genius" of Ahmadinijad. He uses a curved mirror to look at history and reflects the distorted image back at Israel. Israel needs to be strong because if it gives in, the winner is not just a flotilla of fools but the lies and distortions of Ahmadinijad
Yet another "PR" disaster in the making no doubt.
To all of you on the boats - good luck and thanks! You are giving the people of Gaza hope as well as material needs. I for one will be pushing the govt here to enforce protection for you all.
Terrorism continues, then the siege continues. That's the way it's gonna be, like it or not. Problem is, the Israel haters want it both ways. Thank goodness they won't get their double standard. Keep the siege Israel. Until the rockets stop.
Israel is the occupier, and has been for 43 years. international law says that, even the israeli gov doesn't deny that!
israel will make himself "idiot of the year" again. let this "activist" to the strip, they should unload their gooods, celebraiting some days with their "friends" and then they go home. but know, the whole world media will zoom on israel and loughing about us because of a handful "adventurists" wich will arrive gaza.
LET THEM INN...AND KEEP THEM THERE...IHEY LOVE THE gazans,LET THEM STAY TILL THEY GROW MOLD...
I apeal to the like minded and decent people of israel to ensure they do everything possible to let the boats through. for humanities sake can we not see that the majority of these people just want to live. And live in peace we will when we show that we get above this trageic situation because we only have one world. We must learn to show mercy because only then can we rightly claim to be wanting peace' leading by example for the sake of peace.
tell me again why Gaza is not occupied territory
This sounds like a power trip to me. If the goods will be delivered after a security check, why not just set up a spot on shore where the material can be checked when it arrives. It would serve the needs of security while expediting delivery of the goods (unless delaying their arrival is the idea behind this nonsense).
Yea, the Israeli Army is going to set up an inspection station at the Gaza port. What a nitwit. If not at the Gaza port they will need to intercept the boats at direct them elsewhere
So you're suggesting that the Israeli's conduct an invasion of Gaza so they can set up a inspection post at the port where they will arrrive. How many soldiers do you think they'll need to prevent being wiped out. Do you think before you write
If they stop the flotilla and claim that their action is legal, then they are admitting that they still occupy Gaza. In which case, the blockade is a war-crime, under the Fourth Geneva Convention. However, if they persist in denying that they occupy Gaza, then their action would be an act of war, enforcing a blockade which is itself an act of war. Either way, the international community must defend its citizens even if it lacks the moral strength to defend the people of Palestine.
Breaking International Law, Israel will attack and detain 700 people on 7 boats. I am guessing that there will be about 40 Palestinian boats come out from Gaza as well and Israel will attack and sink a number of them in the eyes of the world. This is not going to play out well for Israel. Israel, the game is up. The blockade and siege of Gaza is (will be) over. It will happen later this month or sometime in the next year as convoy after convoy arrives at the shores of Gaza. You of course will keep on attacking and kidnapping the people on the boats until you understand the futility. You will kill a number of them and then be pilloried internationally. Better for decent Israelis to push your government to treat Gazans fairly and come to a peace agreement with them.
I guess you have never read the Hamas Charter. Peace with those people is impossible. You should educate yourself before you make laughable suggestions.
"...the navy intends to deliver the ships' aid cargo to Gaza..." It will be deep sixed faster than you can mutter barbarous siege.
Where is the innovative and wise leadership to turn this into an opportunity ? The authorities could 1) Invite the flotilla to Ashkelon to meet Israeli authorities first 2) Deliver a message of Israeli peace to the people the flotilla wiil meet in Gaza 3) Come back to Ashkelon to deliver the response All this could be done under the jurisdiction of the Navy, thereby defusing the volatility of the situation altogether. If the flotilla rejects this move towards a peaceful dialogue then at least it is exposed for what it really is.
Israel threatens the use of force yet again against those who only seek to relieve human suffering: and then it wonders why it has so many enemies. Never has a country been so blind and stupid. Will it ever come to its senses ?
I didn't think the Israeli government could become a bigger laughing stock but they've proved me wrong.
The latest declaration Neclownyahu was that some spare parts for wheel chairs and some Wood sticks used to build new homes could help Hamas build dreadful rockets... Why would he order the supplies to be shipped then? This Zionist navy declaration is showing how Israel is lying to its teeth. It is proving by their offer that the blockade is political and about demography... not about Hamas or kitchen-made Rockets...
Where are North Korean torpedoes when we need them?
wouldn't it be simpler (and better) to start working with UN and others to get basic and needs goods to Gaza, with appropriate supervision, of course...
"Appropriate supervision" from the UN? Hahahahahahaha good one. Will the UN be as effective in preventing Hamas from importing weapons as it was with Hezbollah?
Thats the way to Go. Kudos!
Turkey is pushing her way to take the place of Al-Quida. Unless stopped by the army,Turkey will in a short time become the # 1 Terrorist Organization. What a pity that will be !
Turkey really really badly wants to be a part of the European Union, and will never give that up to support terrorist activities aimed towards Israel. However, their nationals doesn't agree with the blockade of Gaza (as much of rest of the world excluding the U.S.), but this does not make them supporters of Al-Qaida (which you should learn how to spell before you engage in intl. discussions)
i think turkey would made an military answer. dont forget - northern cyprus (with turkish bases) is just a jump from israel.
Sholud find it,s awy in most of the worlds press and keep Gaza at the topf of peoples minds. Mission accomplished but only with Israel,s undying efforts.
One more stupid and shameful decision by the Israeli government. Continuing the blockade and the collective punishment of 1.5 million innocents - who do you guys think you are? Shame on you.
This exposes the fiction of Israel "withdrawing" from Gaza.
International waters are infested with Somali Muslim Arab pirates and Indonesian Muslim pirates. Gaza declared war on Israel. At times of war... Remember WWII? Many battles on international waters. Israel has the right to defend agains next door jihadists. They want to be sure that weapons are not being smuggled. This is just propaganda, because basic goods are let through the border with Israel.. You know Arab Judenrein Gaza shares a border with Arab Egytp too, don't you? Why don't their cousins open their side of the border?
I can't understand why Israel would want to willingly participate in making such a powerful video that will make Israel look so bad. Dumb move.
I wish they fought this hard to free Gaza from Hamas terrorist control.
If the activists only bring drama israel can ignore them and let them go about their business instead of blocking them in Gaza's waters.