The Gaza Boat Protest

1. Prior to the boats’ arrival along the Gaza coast:

a. Israel is closely monitoring the flotilla. This action constitutes an intentional provocation. Consequently, Israel will do everything it can to prevent it.

b. In accordance with the Interim Agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which was supported by the international community, the Israel Navy is exclusively responsible for the safety and security of the maritime zones off the coast of Gaza.
2. In the event that the boats will be allowed to proceed to Gaza:

a. The campaign is orchestrated by a handful of agitators who tried to draw the State of Israel into a confrontation in the open sea, with broad media coverage. This is not an expression of concern for the residents of the Gaza Strip, but rather a political protest that serves only the Hamas and terrorism.

b. This campaign is an intentional provocation undertaken by organizations and activists, some of whom have a long history of employing provocative tactics. Such groups, though flying the banner of human rights, are troublingly silent in the face of the gross violations perpetrated by Hamas which have caused so much suffering to Israelis and Palestinians alike. This action, which seeks to grant legitimacy to the Hamas terrorist regime, is immoral and flies in the face of the clearly stated position of the international community.

c. Israel continues to reserve its right to determine regarding entry into the Gaza Strip. In this case, Israel merely decided not to be dragged into the provocation that the protesters so eagerly sought to instigate.

d. Israel's policy remains unchanged, and it will continue to examine each case upon its merits.

3. Israel's humanitarian policy towards Gaza:

Despite ongoing Hamas terrorism and attacks against the inland crossing points, Israel permits the transfer of large quantities of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip on a daily basis, and allows the passage of patients and accompanying individuals into Israel, and the West Bank for medical treatment. Consequently, there is no justification for this provocation.

4. Israel’s security policy vis-à-vis the Gaza Strip:

The Gaza Strip under the Hamas regime has become a terrorist entity. Hamas smuggles and manufactures arms in a military buildup that is continuing despite the current state of calm, in blatant violation of the understandings laid out in the Egyptian initiative which established the calm.




מח' מידע ואינטרנט – אגף תקשורת