Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Turkey Refused Israel's Request To Intercept "Victoria"

Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reports that originally, Israel had asked Turkey to intercept the cargo ship Victoria:
Israel affirmed Wednesday that Turkey refused an Israeli request to intercept the "Victoria" cargo vessel which, according to Israeli sources, carried weapons being smuggled to help Palestinian activities in the Gaza Strip.


According to Maariv Israeli newspaper, Israel requested Ankara to intercept the cargo vessel, a request which Turkey flatly refused.

Israel had stopped the ship which was hoisting the Turkish and Liberian flags, indicated the newspaper, adding that the cargo consisted of weapons suspected to be shipped to Palestinian factions.

Israel, however, did not hold any of the two states accountable for the items discovered on the ship, indicated the newspaper.

Meanwhile, the Jerusalem post indicated that a cargo vessel, intercepted early Tuesday morning, contained Chinese-made anti-ship missiles and other kinds of weaponry.
No surprise there, considering the current state of Israel-Turkey relations, but it was respectful of Israel not to cast any doubts on Turkey's claim that they did not know there were weapons on the ship.

These days, that kind of respect doesn't work both ways.

Do you think that by the time May rolls around and the "Freedom Flotilla II" sets sail, Israel's right to inspect ships headed for Gaza will be more respected?

Me neither.

Hat tip: IMRA

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