JERUSALEM, April 1 (Reuters) – Israel asked the United Nations on Friday to help prevent activists sailing to Gaza on the first anniversary of the bloody Israeli seizure of a Turkish ship that tried to reach the blockaded Palestinian enclave.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office quoted him telling U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that a mission of around 15 ships expected in late May “was being organised by Islamic extremist elements, among others, with the goal of creating a provocation and bringing about a flare-up”. The Free Gaza Movement, a pro-Palestinian activist umbrella group, said the May flotilla would comprise 15 ships with international passengers including Europeans and Americans.
“We sail not just for Gaza,” the group said in a March 31 posting on its Website. “We sail to confront an entire apartheid regime that must be dismantled through citizen action.”
Citing security needs, the Israeli navy stopped a six-vessel flotilla in international waters on May 31, 2010 as it tried to reach Gaza, which is ruled by the Hamas Islamist group.
Marines killed nine Turkish activists in melees aboard the lead ship, fraying Israel’s once-strong ties to Ankara.
Israel has since eased commercial traffic over its land crossings with Gaza, many of whose 1.5 million Palestinians are aid-dependant, but still keeps close control of the sea access.
Regarding the new sailing, Netany… >>>
