Dear Editor:
To read the international press or listen to certain world leaders, you would think that Israel attacked the LOVE BOAT. As the Prime Minister of Israel pointed out, this was not a love boat – this was a boat of hatred. From what I know, Israel’s soldiers were attacked with metal bars, baseball bats, chairs, knives, machetes and even their own captured guns.
The flotilla of ships which was trying to reach Gaza was organized by IHH (Insani Yardim Vakfi – “humanitarian relief fund”), a Turkish foundation with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, and Free Gaza, which describes itself as a human rights group. The IHH allegedly has known links to global jihadi networks, openly supports Iran-backed Hamas, and maintains close ties with the Muslim Brotherhood movement, a global umbrella Islamic organization of which Hamas is a branch, as well as mujahideen groups in Afghanistan.
The State of Israel approached the organizers of the flotilla – prior to their departure and late, while at sea – and invited them to dock at the Port of Ashdod for the sake of transferring their cargo to Gaza, subject to security inspection. The organizers of the flotilla intentionally ignored repeated warnings – including messages from the European Union – and rejected offers by Israel and Egypt to transfer humanitarian goods.
People are not starving in Gaza. In fact, Israel has delivered 2/3 of a ton of supplies to every man, woman and child in Gaza this year alone. The need for the blockade comes from the terrorist nature of Hamas which allows and has encouraged terrorists to use Gaza as a launching pad for sending rockets towards Israeli civilians.
Israel has and continues to express its desire for peace and continues to extend its hand to all those who are willing to participate in moving forwards to true peace.
Israel’s actions are aimed at blocking arms and explosives shipments to Hamas, which is at war with the Jewish state. Since Israel gave up all of Gaza in 2005 with hopes for peace, Hamas and other terrorists operating from Gaza have fired more than 7,000 rockets and mortar shells aimed at Israeli civilians. Why would anyone want to allow Iran-backed Hamas to re-arm with more rockets?
No country should be expected to let hundreds of foreigners and tons of supplies unload without clearing first making sure they are not bringing weapons – or the ingredients for making weapons. Israel should not be held to a different standard than the rest of the world.
The time for peace between Israel and her neighbors is now. Real peace will begin when the world community treats Israel with the same rights as other countries – including Israel’s right to defend its citizens.
Sincerely
Daniel Pivano