ASHDOD: Israel on Thursday said a flotilla of activist aid boats bound for Gaza was a "cheap political stunt" as it unveiled a port facility where it intends to divert the boats and detain those on board.
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists hope to arrive in Gaza over the weekend aboard nine ships loaded with 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid and building materials in a bid to highlight Israel’s closure of Gaza’s borders.
"They call themselves human rights activists, but they remain silent when it comes to Hamas’ deliberate targeting of Israeli civilians and the brutalities of the Hamas regime in Gaza," government spokesman Mark Regev said.
"If they were really interested in the wellbeing of the people of Gaza, they would have accepted the offer of Egypt or Israel to transfer humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, along with the other 15,000 tons sent every week. Instead they have chosen a cheap political stunt."
Israel has vowed to divert the ships to its southern port of Ashdod, where it will detain the activists before deporting them. It then plans to inspect the aid shipment before transporting it to Gaza by land.
Part of the port has been cordoned off and prepared to deal with the activists. Chemical toilets have been set up as well as large, air-conditioned tents housing immigration booths and areas for people to be searched.
Containers blocked off what appeared to be a holding area, which was covered by tarpaulins to provide shade.
The activists have vowed to proceed despite the threats and have said the boats will carry some 750 activists from more than 60 countries as well as dozens of public officials from European and Arab countries.
The aid supplies will include 100 prefabricated houses and 500 electric wheelchairs, as well as medical equipment and construction materials.
"We are determined to break Israel’s blockade and will not be intimidated," said Fintan Lane, an Irish pro-Palestinian activist aboard one of the boats.
"The people of Gaza have a right to access to the outside world and the right to determine their own future.
"The suffering that Israel is causing is an outrage and the international community must stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people," he added.
Israel and Egypt have sealed Gaza off to all but basic humanitarian aid since Hamas — which is blacklisted as a terrorist group by the European Union and the United States — seized power in June 2007.
Hamas on Thursday said Israel’s threats to intercept the flotilla amounted to "Zionist piracy."
"The occupation’s threat to prevent the Freedom Flotilla from arriving in the besieged Gaza Strip is Zionist piracy and a violation of international law," senior Hamas leader Ismail Radwan said in a statement.
"The occupation is concerned about these ships… because they grant legitimacy to engagement with the Palestinian government and confirm that the attempts to isolate Hamas have failed," he added.
