The cargo boat sailed from the Tripoli port in Lebanon a few days ago, docking in Cyprus before continuing its journey to the Gaza Strip. While at sea, the cargo boat was contacted by Israel, clarifying that it would not be permitted to enter Gaza because of security risks in the area.
Starting yesterday evening, the Israel Navy has been making direct contact with the boat and continued to clarify that the ship would not be permitted to enter the Gaza Strip’s coastal waters. The boat crew stated their intentions of changing their destination to the port in El-Arish, Egypt.
During the morning hours today, 05 February, the cargo ship changed its bearing, and began heading towards the Gaza Strip, contrary to the claims made by the boat crew last evening.
Disregarding all warnings, the cargo boat approached the Gaza shores. The actions of the boat crew raised suspicion, as it could threaten security concerns, or furthermore, the boat could be used for smuggling banned equipment (weaponry, etc.) in to or out of the Gaza Strip.
As a result of the actions taken by the boat crew, an Israel Navy force intercepted, boarded, and took control of the cargo boat, directing it towards Ashdod, Israel. No gunshots were fired on board during the boarding and capturing of the cargo boat. The boat crew will be taken for questioning by the Israeli Police, and any humanitarian goods found on the boat will be transferred to the Gaza Strip.
Any organization or country that wishes to transfer humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, can do so via the established crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip with prior coordination.
Note: The true motivation of the ship’s voyage can be discerned by the fact that not only were a number of journalists invited to join, but also on board was Hilarion Cappuci – a former Greek Catholic bishop who was caught in 1974 smuggling weapons bound for Palestinian terrorists in the trunk of his official church vehicle while entering Israel from Lebanon.
Addendum: Haaretz reports that despite earlier claims that the boat was carrying tons of humanitarian aid, a search of the ship revealed “about 150 bottles of mineral water and a few dozen kilograms of food and medicine.”
Question: is Gaza occupied by Israel? If not then why is Israel blockading Gaza. Seriously you want your cake and eat it. Making out that under international law you can do one thing as you don’t occupy Gaza then claiming another as it suits. Dumb.
Thank you for your comment. We have responded to your query as a longer “Frequently Asked Question” which you can find here.
Response to Peter Lorenzo:
1) “is Gaza occupied by Israel?”
According to the Fourth Geneva Convention, an occupation requires A) the presence of a national military force in the territory of another country, and B) the military force must assume governmental functions within the territory.
Neither of these defining requirements match the situation in Gaza. Therefore, Gaza is definitely not occupied by Israel.
2) “why is Israel blockading Gaza”?
The partial blockade of Gaza is a security measure, and has nothing to do with occupation. Gaza is an actively hostile territory, and Israel is under no obligation to open the border to Gaza. When the US imposed a naval blockade on Cuba, it did so well within its rights under international law, and it was certainly not occupying Cuba. The manner in which Mr. Lorenzo phrases his question is deceptive, by attempting to create a false hypocrisy where none exists. Israel’s policy vis-a-vis Gaza is consistent in both legal terms, and in moral terms. Humanitarian aid does get through. Has Hamas shown any mercy toward the Israeli civilians hurt by their attacks?
The question was of course rhetorical but always good to see the Geneva convention used as a reference point. Perhaps in that case ou may also wish to reference the relevant parts on proportionality and use of banned weapons..amongst other useful resources.
Maybe a link to the flouted UN resolutions? The issue relating to the illegal construction of settlements under international law and so on…?
The so-called deception was also ironic I am presuming your response is not. Yes Israeli citizens have been hurt in rocket attacks and I do not seek to defend them. But come on talk about falsehood and deception, the strain and trauma of the rockets is one thing but there were very few injuries to Israeli citizens from the thousands of rockets fired. The desire to make like-for-like argument is really futile when looking at the destruction of Gaza largely from an unchallenged and superior armed force.
Yet another response to Peter Lorenzo:
Proportionality? How are 7,000 rockets fired into southern Israeli towns proportional to the (non-existent) threat these towns pose to Gaza?
Banned weapons? You’ll have to come up with some real evidence before I ever believe your claims.
Do you really need a link to the Fourth Geneva Convention? Try Google.
“The issue relating to the illegal construction of settlements…” You obviously haven’t read the document. I’m starting to think you’re just too lazy. Don’t sprain your mouse finger, here it is for you:
http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/92.htm
In Article 49, it says:
“The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.”
Israel did not deport or transfer anyone. The Jewish towns of the West Bank were developed voluntarily. No coercion was used. As for the text of the Convention, it referred to the deportation of German Jews into the Nazi occupied territories which housed the death camps. Quite a different set of circumstances, you will have to admit.
“Yes Israeli citizens have been hurt in rocket attacks and I do not seek to defend them.” It is painfully obvious that you could care less about the safety of Israelis.
Nice Article, although our oppinions differ a little you make a good argument.