Under U.S. pressure, Netanyahu may ease Gaza blockade
PM considers easing naval blockade on Gaza; Clinton: We are evaluating ways of expanding flow of aid to Gaza while protecting Israel's interests.
By Aluf Benn and Natasha Mozgovaya Tags: Gaza flotilla Benjamin Netanyahu GazaPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prepared to consider easing the naval blockade of Gaza and involving international players in its enforcement.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a statement on Israel's raid on a Gaza aid convoy in Jerusalem on June 2, 2010. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
In so doing, he is acceding to pressure from Washington, which opposes continuing the blockade in its present format and demands that Israel make it easier to send civilian goods to Gaza.
But while he is willing to have the blockade focus mainly on preventing arms smuggling to Hamas and to allow international involvement in supervising Gaza-bound cargoes, he insists on carefully scrutinizing any proposals to ensure their feasibility, rather than making a hasty decision in response to pressure stemming from Monday's botched raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla.
And so far, he has no plans to ease the land blockade.
Easing the naval blockade is part of an "exit strategy" that Washington devised in separate talks with Israel and Turkey. It will also include an investigation into the legality of the raid.
On Wednesday, as a gesture to Ankara, Israel released all the flotilla's passengers without instituting criminal proceedings against them.
In his speech on Wednesday, Netanyahu stressed that it would be possible to bring huge quantities of arms into Gaza by sea ¬ far more than are now arriving via the smuggling tunnels from Sinai. He also warned that Iran is trying to supply Hamas with rockets capable of reaching Tel Aviv.
On Thursday, Netanyahu held a series of discussions on whether and how to investigate the raid. He opposes any probe that would force Israel Defense Forces soldiers and officers to "lawyer up" before embarking on an operation, saying that would destroy the IDF's ability to fight. Therefore, he objects to either a state commission of inquiry or a governmental inquiry panel, or to any probe of the army's decision-making process.
However, he is willing to investigate two issues: whether it was legal to conduct such a raid in international waters, and whether Israel used excessive force. Senior Israeli officials believe the respective answers are "yes" and "no": International law permits defensive operations on the high seas, and the use of force was reasonable and proportionate. Had the soldiers not been attacked by the Mavi Marmara's passengers, no casualties would have occurred ¬ just as none occurred on the other five ships.
On Monday, the day of the raid, Netanyahu asked U.S. President Barack Obama to veto any UN Security Council condemnation of Israel, but Obama refused. He did soften the declaration's wording, but not by as much as Israel would have liked.
Following a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton commented on the issue, saying that "we are evaluating ways of expanding the flow of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza while protecting Israel's legitimate security interests."
"There's a great deal of consultation going on, as well as work in our own government, to determine ideas that we would share with the Israelis and other international partners, because as I have said before, we have to deal with the situation in Gaza in a way that both protects Israel's legitimate security interests and fulfills the needs of the people of Gaza. And that is what we're seeking," she added.
Clinton also reiterated the U.S. position that "we expect the Israeli government to conduct a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation that conforms to international standards and gets to all the facts surrounding this tragic event."
"We are open to different ways of assuring that it is a credible investigation, including urging appropriate international participation," she said.
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this is typical of the bleeding hearts with myopic vision. Shalit is held in violation of geneva conventions.
the foreign participants always look the other way.
Bibi would be foolish to do this. The blockade and bombs of Cast Lead gave us security better than the pullout of 2005. Arabs use land for terror. Now they want to use sea for terror. Israel has had enough of rocket launching into her schools. If its not from Gaza, its from Lebanon. After? They will be shot from Iran with deadly nukes. The West should thank Israel before sending terror wheelchairs to Gaza. If Israel was not there, Iran would throw those rockets at Europe!!!
Bibi bows daily to extortion and blackmail. It is time for a strong leader. The blockade busting has nothing to do with goods but with supporting the hamas destruction of israel. what about shalit. Mealy mouth bib should resign
may god bless you our friends in israel with every decision you'll ever do.
Now,, I can enjoy meeting my relatives whom I have been prevented from meeting them since 11 years, so far!! will this include a link between Gaza and the West Bank ? Joseph, Gaza.
Our government is pathetic and our news media is even worse. The news coverage is appalling and the Democrats and Republicans in Congress along with VP Biden sided with Israel, even though one American is among the dead. I guess support for Israel trumps Nato and our Constitution to protect Americans and our ally Turkey.
Mr Obama never puts pressure on jihadist terrorists and on their supports
or face the prospect of a Turkish Naval vessel escorting the aid flotilla that is currently being assembled in Turkey.
the hamas and al-qaeda want to end blockade to bring 5000 katyusha and launch against israel?! we say no to rocket. Iran will ship uranium to Gaza, make nuclear katyusha that will threaten world!!! we say yes to blockade and no to nuclear katyushas!!!
...he could start allowing the Gaza fishermen access to their fishing grounds. That would also be helpful. But in the long term I will wait and see what happens for real.
3rd parties supposedly guaranteeing Israel's security have always welched on their responsibilities. Remember U Thant suddenly pulling UN forces on Nassar's demand out of Sharm setting the stage for the 6 Day War?
till then .. lip service at best
Israel should retain full control of the naval blocade. International bodies have always done a horrible job on this front. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the current format of the naval blockade. Netanyahu should stand up for what he believes in, with our full support.
Thanks to the present government's irresponsible and thoughtless actions, Israel, and Israelis, are substantially less secure, both inside and outside Israel. The government should resign and the sooner the better for us all.
It would be a huge mistake to allow any ship to enter gaza. As long as hamas is working with iran syria and huzbulla to destroy the great neation of Israel, the only democracy in middle east, hamas should not be allowed to have any access to anything except of which Israel finds it to be no threat to her security.
what a Joke, do u ppl believe your own BS?
The only pirates of the Mediterranean.
This is very hopeful news if it is true. This would help to appease both sides a bit. Seriously, there's no reason why chocolate should not be enjoyed by Gazan children.
Obama pulls the strings and Bibi dances to the American tune-I thought we were an independent nation? Time for Obama's Bibi Baby to go Bye Bye.
Remember how this gasbag was going to commit to stopping construction in the WB? He is not to be trusted and says only what he thinks will appease the US. Then he goes on and does the opposite.
Israel's Government should resigning and settled retired. Israel needs a new start.. in PEACE with new leaders. Otherwise no way out of that trap, what they built by their own.