Israel's permission for pro-Palestinian activists to sail into Gazan waters does not mean it has lifted the sea blockade on the Hamas-ruled enclave, said Israeli officials on Saturday.
The 40-odd international human rights and peace activists reached the Gazan coast Saturday afternoon after over 30-hour sailing in the Mediterranean Sea, despite earlier speculations that the Israeli government, which had said all options would be considered against their bid to break the Gaza blockade, would not allow them into Gazan waters.
The surprising green light given by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak was just a "one-time" incident, and did not constitute a government decision to allow sea access to the blockaded Palestinian territory, local daily The Jerusalem Post quoted defense officials as saying.
"It was clear from the beginning that this whole operation was a provocation aimed at making Israel look bad," said a senior defense official, adding "we decided to let them through in order not to play into their hands."
The exceptional opening for the two boats, respectively named the Free Gaza and the Liberty does not mean that Israel would allow additional ships into the coastal strip, amid fears that they may be used to transport weaponry and explosives to Hamas, which is blacklisted by Israel as a terrorist organization, said the official.
The official added that Gaza is currently not under a humanitarian crisis and is receiving sufficient food and supplies from Israel via the ground-based crossings. Israel had suggested that the activists deliver their medical aids via Israel-Gaza landborder crossings.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Aryeh Mekel said that the leadership of the country made the decision based on two reasons: to prevent a media provocation at high sea; because we knew who was on the boat and the equipment they were bringing in was humanitarian equipment for deaf people.
He emphasized that the decision was made on a one-time basis, and should not be seen as a precedent.
Israeli officials had said that they fear greenlighting the two boats would become a dangerous precedent.
The activists, organized by the U.S.-based Free Gaza Movement, were welcomed by thousands of Gazans. Yet local media speculated that at some time, they might ask Israel to let them into the country so they could fly back home. No decision has yet been announced on whether they will be granted permission.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article