Israeli Embassy on Gaza flotilla

Israeli Embassy on Gaza flotilla

Israel expresses its regrets for the loss of lives on board the ship which tried to violate the blockade on Gaza. There was no intention whatsoever to harm people. I want to stress that all casualties are the responsibility of the organizers of the flotilla.

The flotilla was warned in advance that they won't be allowed to continue their trip; however, they insisted on trying to break the blockade. The whole Israeli aim was a preventive measure, not an aggressive one. Five of the six ships co-operated with the Israeli Navy – the violence came only from one ship.

A state of armed conflict exists between Israel and the Hamas. Under international law, Israel has the right to protect the lives of its citizens from Hamas attacks. Consequently, it has taken measures to defend itself, including the imposition of a maritime blockade to curb Hamas rearmament. In spite of this, food and medicines are transferred daily to Gaza through the land crossings.

Under international maritime law, when a maritime blockade is in effect, no vessels can enter the blockaded area.

In line with Israel's obligations under international law, the ships participating in the protest flotilla were warned repeatedly that a maritime blockade is in effect off the coast of Gaza and were given due notice of its exact coordinates.

Israel warned the flotilla that a maritime blockade is in effect off the coast of Gaza, and repeatedly offered the flotilla organizers to land in the port of Ashdod, and to transfer their aid to Gaza through the existing overland crossings, in accordance with established procedures. The flotilla organizers rejected this offer, stating clearly that "this mission is not about delivering humanitarian supplies, it's about breaking Israel's siege." (Greta Berlin, AFP, 27May10).

While the organizers claim to have humanitarian concern for the residents of Gaza they did not have similar concerns for the fate of the abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, and when asked, refused to even make a public call to allow him to be visited by the Red Cross.

The intention of the flotilla participants to resist Israeli Naval personnel was made clear in numerous television interviews on 30 May given by the organizer. The Israeli Navy was met with violent opposition, and over a dozen Israeli personnel were hospitalized, some in critical condition.

1 June 2010

Embassy of Israel

ENDS

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