Israel Warns U.N. Gaza Flotilla Holds “Dangerous Consequences”

Foreign Ministry director-general Dore Gold has sent a warning to the United Nations about the explosive potential of the Gaza flotilla which seeks to break the Israeli blockade of the Hamas enclave.

In a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Gold wrote that “This attempt to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza holds the potential for dangerous consequences. The flotilla’s sole purpose is to create provocations that pose security risks, and constitute a breach of international law,” The Jerusalem Post quoted him as saying on Tuesday.

Gold called upon Ban to issue an “unequivocal condemnation” of the flotilla, and cited the UN’s own Palmer report which upheld the legality of the blockade.

But with or without UN condemnation, he said that Israel would maintain the blockade.

“My government has a fundamental duty to protect its citizens and prevent weapons from reaching the hands of terrorists in Gaza. Any vessel attempting to enter the maritime zone adjacent to the Gaza Strip will be considered in violation of the maritime blockade, and Israeli authorities will take all the necessary measures to enforce the naval blockade and prevent all vessels from approaching this area, in accordance with international law,” he stated.

This article appeared in print on page 26 of the June 24th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.