hypocritical and dangerous publicity stunt, and it joins international leaders in urging flotilla organizers to cancel their plans.
forcing it to respond militarily to their provocations. It is puzzling that principled people would participate in an act that violates international law and essentially supports the terrorist regime Hamas, which governs Gaza. The U.S. State Department announced on June 24 that giving
material aid to terrorist entities like Hamas is a violation of American civil and criminal law.”
Israel, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and U.S. officials have all urged the flotilla organizers to cancel their plans and stressed that
there is no need for a flotilla, as aid can be delivered to Gaza through official entry points in Israel and Egypt. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned last Thursday that there could be violence. “….We think it’s not helpful for there to be flotillas that try to provoke actions by entering Israeli waters and creating a situation in which the Israelis have the right to defend themselves.”
“The flotilla organizers are trying to bait Israel into responding militarily to their breach of the naval blockade of Gaza to make Israel look like an
aggressor,” says Rothstein. “In the past five years, Hamas fired over 10,000 rockets into Israeli communities. The blockade is a legal measure to prevent Hamas and other terrorist groups from freely importing weapons for their ongoing war against Israel. Israel has repeatedly offered to deliver humanitarian aid through proper entry points after officially inspecting them for weapons. The flotilla organizers have refused to comply.
Israel and international organizations like the United Nations transport 6,000 tons of food, fuel, materials, and other supplies into Gaza
daily through official channels. The May 2010 flotilla refused to comply with these official channels for delivering goods to Gazans. When Israel tried to enforce the naval blockade, Turkish terrorists aboard one of the ships attacked Israeli personnel with knives, metal bars, and guns. Nine of the Turkish terrorists were killed. Reports have surfaced that members of the 2011 flotilla also plan to use violence, including the use of chemical weapons, against Israeli personnel.
In contrast, in June 2011, the European convoy “Miles of Smiles 3” arrived at the Israel/Egypt Rafah land crossing, and members of its 10 European human rights organizations transferred 30 tons of medical supplies, ambulances, baby goods, and wheelchairs into Gaza.
There was no disruption because the organizers were focused on delivering supplies, not delegitimizing Israel by provoking a violent
confrontation.
“We hope that activists will put their energies into constructive actions that will help promote peaceful coexistence instead of joining destructive, dangerous publicity stunts like this flotilla, which lends support to the most repressive forces in the region, such as Hamas,” said Michael Dickson, director StandWithUs Israel office.
During last year’s Gaza flotilla StandWthUs created www.flotillafacts.com with statistics, backgound and video clips including those from the Mavi Marmara. The site contains links to templates for pro-Israel, anti-Hamas signs, which include slogans such as “Free Gaza — From Hamas,” “Peace Activists Don’t Use Knives and Clubs” and “Stand with Israel.” A downloadable PDF with a breakdown of facts is also available on the site.
*
Preceding provided by StandWithUs