Delays plague flotilla of Gaza activists
By Tobias Buck in Jerusalem
May 30 2010 Last updated: May 30 2010 15:11
A flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip faced a series of delays and technical problems over the weekend, but activists said on Sunday they would launch their attempt to break the Israeli blockade of the territory as soon as possible. The Israeli navy has been preparing to intercept the convoy at sea and bring all boats and passengers into the port of Ashdod, setting the stage for a confrontation.
Activists suggested they would try to arrive off the Gaza coast on Monday after mechanical problems on two boats forced a delay to the original plan of landing Sunday. Israeli politicians again lashed out at the organisers of the flotilla, amid mounting concern among policymakers that the convoy will fuel international criticism of the country’s policy towards Hamas-ruled Gaza. Danny Ayalon, Israel’s deputy foreign minister, said on Sunday: “This is a provocation intended to delegitimise Israel.”
The “Free Gaza” convoy is made up of at least eight boats carrying some 700 pro-Palestinian activists from around the world, as well as 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian supplies. It represents the most ambitious attempt yet to break Israel’s sea and land blockade of the Gaza Strip. Apart from brief interruptions, Egypt’s border with the territory has also been sealed for years.
The flotilla has presented the Israeli government and military with an acute dilemma: letting the boats pass would severely undermine Israel’s policy of restricting the flow of goods and people into and out of the strip. The Israeli government says the blockade is necessary to pressure Hamas and prevent the supply of arms to Gaza-based militants. Israel also argues that there is no humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip because basic supplies are allowed to enter Gaza. The measures have all the same drawn harsh condemnation from human rights groups and parts of the international community.
The expected naval confrontation also carries risks for Israel. Many policymakers there are already concerned about what they see as a sharp decline in Israel’s international standing. They fear that images of Israeli navy boats forcefully intercepting a flotilla of ships carrying aid to Gaza will almost certainly provide fresh ammunition to the country’s critics. The Israeli dilemma was summed up by Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, who said on Saturday: “If the ships reach Gaza, it’s a victory for Gaza. If they are intercepted and terrorised by the Zionists, it will be a victory for Gaza, too, and they will move again in new ships to break the siege of Gaza.”
There may also be diplomatic repercussions. The boats are sailing under a variety of international flags and include writers, journalists and legislators from countries such as Ireland, Sweden and Turkey. At least three boats are flying the flag of Turkey, which has traditionally been a strategic ally of Israel’s but which has grown increasingly critical of Israeli policies, especially over the past year.
Oh, I'm sure they'll get that Australian PR twat to say something...
This is an international incident that needs to be up before the UN. As far as I can make out, this took place in international waters, which makes this a major crime. I'd like to see how the U.S and U.K can show indifference to this.
There is no low to which Israel will not plunge. It was utterly inconceivable that they would mount an armed assault with live ammunition on such a well publicized peaceful mission. One can only hope that there are serious ramifications for this shameful crime.
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