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Israel asks UN to help block planned Gaza flotilla
[Arab News] Israel asked the United Nations... aka the Oyster Bay Chowder and Marching Society... on Friday to help prevent activists sailing to Gazoo on the first anniversary of the bloody Israeli seizure of a Turkish ship that tried to reach the blockaded Paleostinian enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office quoted him telling UN Secretary-General  the ephemeral Ban Ki-moon that a mission of around 15 ships expected in late May "was being organized by jihad boy elements, among others, with the goal of creating a provocation and bringing about a flare-up." The Free Gazoo Movement, a pro-Paleostinian activist umbrella group, said the May flotilla would comprise 15 ships with international passengers including Europeans and Americans."We sail not just for Gazoo," 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 Gazoo. 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 Gazoo, many of whose 1.5 million Paleostinians are aid-dependant, but still keeps close control of the sea access. Regarding the new sailing, Netanyahu said Israel was "committed to acting firmly against the flotilla," according to the statement. It did not say what the prime minister expected the United Nations to do. The Free Gazoo Movement has called the blockade illegal and flagged persistent Paleostinian poverty in the territory. It has championed non-violent political action in a comprehensive challenge to Israel. Posted by: Fred 2011-04-02 |
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