Israel: Gaza aid convoy can unload cargo in Ashdod for inspection
Israeli officials reiterate that there is no shortage of humanitarian aid in Gaza, but say that 10,000 tons of aid carried by ships will be transferred to Gaza after inspection.
By Barak Ravid and Yuval Azoulay Tags: Gaza Freedom FlotillaIsrael on Thursday said a flotilla of activist aid boats bound for Gaza was an "outright provocation," saying however that the organizers of the aid convoy were invited to unload their cargo at the Israeli port of Ashdod, where it would be transferred to Gaza following an inspection.
 |
A Turkish cruise ship carrying pro-Palestinian activists en route to Gaza |
| Photo by: Reuters |
The "Freedom Flotilla" consists of nine ships loaded with 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid and building materials, all headed toward Gaza in defiance of a three-year Israeli closure on the territory, home to 1.5 million Palestinians.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak spoke with the foreign ministers from several countries on Thursday, while the Director-General of the Foreign Ministry, Yossi Gal, individually summoned the representatives of the countries participating in the aid convoy. The two made it clear that there is no shortage in humanitarian aid to Gaza, as food, fuel and supplies are regularly transferred into Gaza by international organizations.
The defense minister told the foreign ministers that "Hamas, which rules Gaza, is a terror organization supported by Iran. It smuggles weapons and rockets with the sole purpose of harming Israelis, as it has done many times in the past."
The minister explained that Hamas has been holding Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit captive for four years, in complete isolation and in prevention of Red Cross intervention. "For these reasons Israel must oversee the waters in the area," Barak said.
The Israel Defense Forces announced that troops, especially the navy, have completed the preparations for the flotilla, which will likely arrive in the region over the weekend. The preparations included a compound at the Ashdod port consisting of air conditioned tents equipped with computerized stations, metal detectors, and seating for the activists manning the ships. The IDF is preparing for the arrival of some 800 peace activists. The IDF said that they were ready to carry out the government's decision to prevent the ships from reaching the Gaza shore.
Sources within the defense establishment said Thursday that the activists will be given the option of signing documents allowing Israeli authorities to deport them from the country. Israeli officials will escort them to buses that will take them to Ben-Gurion International Airport where they will be placed on planes to take them back to their countries of origin. However, the defense establishment believes that the operation will not go smoothly and that most of the ships' passengers will try to create provocations and confrontations. In case of violence, the Israel Prisons Service will jail the activists in Be'er Sheva and initiate the deportation process from there.
The IDF said Thursday that much thought was put into the preparations for the convoy's arrival. The plans include trained navy forces boarding the ships, with the aid of dogs, to search for weapons and explosives as well as wanted terrorists. The IDF said that they did not know whether the ships carried these items or people, but that they were preparing for any possible scenario to prevent potential catastrophes.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
Israel is in a no win situation, and the demonstrators can become martyrs to the cause by being sent to Prison. The impact of Members of the European Parliament imprisoned for attempting to visit Gaza will be immense. It will make the Palestinian boycott look like a drop in the ocean.
After these self proclaimed "humanitarians" refused to acept a package for Shalit, Israel should not transfer a single item to Gaza from their cargo whether or not it poses a security threat.
After these self proclaimed "humanitarians" refused to acept a package for Shalit, Israel should not transfer a single item to Gaza from their cargo whether or not it poses a security threat.
Surely this will help bringing peace to all the People of the M.East.
These goods once sold can help pay for the needy Israeli families whose loved ones were murdered by Hamas terrorist. The boats can also be sold and the proceeds handed over to charity instead of being used to support terrorism in Gaza.
Let those on board stew in the summer heat, it will cool off their ardor
I think i know which one is more trustworthy.
Any shortage of aid is due to the fact that much is stolen by Hamas and never gets to the civilians for which it was intended. Likewise, anything this convoy brings in is also likely to be stolen.
After all, Gaza has a new Olympic-size pool, fancy restaurants, wind-surfing competitions on the beach and much more nice things. See here: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/05/25/fancy-restaurants-and-olympic-size-pools-what-the-media-won%E2%80%99t-report-about-gaza/#ixzz0p7Vahy00
all those "nice things" were made by settlers for their use and never imagined that Palestinians will have them. thak you israel.
let them in and they get supplies they can use but not nessarily need to survive .israel can't win this battle
I think the activists are hoping for a ham fisted oafish action from the Isralei government and will get it.
Seems you forgot all about The Karin A & Santorini, both posing as innocent merchant vessels, upon inspection they were found to be loaded with arms & ammo destined for Hamas and their associates Don't worry about Hasbara, saving Israeli lives is far more important If a single bullet or arm is found on board any of the ships, all the smugglers should be tried and interned as provided for by Israeli law If you're so all fired concerned, why didn't you book passage, it was a Golden opportunity to express your beliefs in person? Nothing quite like a buttinsky who's never been there telling others how to go about protecting themselves
I fully agree 100%. Jailing 800 people including members of Parliaent from all over Europe will be a win win situation for the Israeli people.
I fully agree 100%. Jailing 800 people including members of Parliaent from all over Europe will be a win win situation for the Israeli people.
Why should the relief vessels bound for Gaza have to unload their humanitarian cargo for inspection at Ashod. Why than should not all cargo bound for Israel be unloaded at Port Said for inspection?
Israel has no legal or moral right to use armed violence against these ships. But then Israel has not had legal or moral right on its side for some time. These aid workers are like the crowds who wanted to tear down the Berlin Wall and the IDF have cast themselves as the Stasi. Great hasbara.
I thought the Zionists were out of Gaza and the brutal occupation was over. Obviously they never miss an opportunity to oppress the Palestinians.
You obviously are not following what has been happening. Israel pulled out of Gaza. Hamas used this as an opportunity to attack Israel. Israel responded. Hamas continues to smuggle in arms to kill more Israelis. Hamas openly admits to fighting a war of genocide against Israel. Try reading the Hamas charter and look at their propaganda. Get it now?
You obviously are not following what has been happening. Israel pulled out of Gaza. Hamas used this as an opportunity to attack Israel. Israel responded. Hamas continues to smuggle in arms to kill more Israelis. Hamas openly admits to fighting a war of genocide against Israel. Try reading the Hamas charter and look at their propaganda. Get it now?
A creative compromise. Unexpected, but certainly welcome.
No chance! They would filter out the "non-essentials", like concrete and paper.
time is running out for israel.... its going to get a lot worse. as far as gaza is concerned, do the right thing and lift the blockade. the siege is purely out of cussedness
Barrages of inbound rockets from Gaza, do tend to make the recipients rather cussed Let's just say, that blocking the convoy helps to eliminate the potental for the import of more weapons Think, if you can, of the "KARIN A & SANTORINI", which posed as innocent merchant vessels, both found to be loaded to the gunwales with instruments of death AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION CAN RESULT IN SAVING HUNDREDS OF INNOCENT ISRAELI LIVES
wont happen that way..
Since at least one of the ships is from Turkey ,Israel should think to send Humanitarian aid to the Kurdish population in south east Turkey who endure daily harassement and killing by the turkish army. I want to see any Turk who will denny that.
Israel should play with their electronics and have them whirling in circles out on the sea so they all get sea sick and won't have stupid ideas again. Gaza was Egypt and the border there is closed too. No-one wants a terrorist to cross over. However I want Gilad Shalit home and no more rockets.