httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvS9PXZ3RWM
by Jennifer Hanin
There are those around the world that assume breaking the Gaza blockade means aiding Gazans. What if we told you the opposite is true. That the flotillas and the urgent need to break the blockade has nothing to do with Gazans and everything to do with political provocation and Hamas? Unlike what Israel’s enemies report, the blockade is legal and enforceable. It was not imposed to starve civilians or to deny necessary items for survival or progress. It was imposed by the Israeli government on January 3, 2009 as a direct response to ongoing terrorism. Simply put, the blockade remains today to prevent arms smuggling and acts of terrorism.
Israel’s enemies know that in order for the blockade to remain legal it has to be consistently enforced. Every time you hear of a group of “peace activists” or “humanitarians” sailing ships to “aid” Gazans this couldn’t be further from the truth. These ships carry items that even in loosest sense can’t be construed as aid. The video above of the Turkish Mavi Marmara sailed by the IHH, who incidentally, bowed out this time, shows what they do transport: metal clubs, knives, firebombs, rocks, power tools, sling shots and other non-aid items. There is not a peace activist in the world who could testify in a US court and claim without perjuring themselves that these items are “aid” for Gazans.
The flotilla mission is simple: to delegitimize Israel and break the legal blockade in an effort to arm Hamas. Flotilla organizers could care less about human life or they wouldn’t con those onboard into believing they were on a humanitarian mission. Recent reports suggest 10 ships with representatives from 20 countries are sailing to Gaza in an effort to break Israel’s legal blockade. If any of these “representatives” cared about human rights they would make donations through recognized places of entry that Israel and other countries use. Israel has a right and a duty to enforce its blockade and protect its citizens. Unlike the flotilla parade of weapons that continue to break international laws via lawfare, Israel is within its right to capture any merchant vessel that breaches its blockade to protect its sovereignty.
Jennifer Hanin is an Act For Israel founder, blogger and author of Becoming Jewish.
