Speaking to Ma'an late Friday in Athens, the flotilla organizers remarked that this year’s embattled effort to sail to Gaza likely spelled the end of the Freedom Flotilla movement.
The act of sailing to Gaza is "a tactic," one of them said. "Maybe it’s run its course."
Asked Saturday about the immediate plans for the flotilla, a spokeswoman speaking on behalf of the organizers remarked that "Right now, it’s uncertain … there is a holding pattern."
Maan, Organizers: Gaza flotilla era may be over, July 3, 2011
If indeed the Freedom Flotilla movement is over, it is not by accident, but rather because Israel was able to successfully use diplomatic channels to thwart the flotilla.
Arutz Sheva outlined Israel's diplomatic successes against the Flotilla:
The flotilla effort has been severely crippled by a successful Israeli diplomatic campaign that has pointed out that the activists' real aim is to cause a clash with the IDF on the high seas, similar to the violent confrontation last year aboard the IHH-terror linked Mavi Marmara ship.When word came out that a second flotilla was being planned, the discussions about Israel's options seemed to center around military and technological responses.
The United Nations has stated several times that there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and Israel has lifted the land embargo except for weapons. “Dual purpose’ materials can be shipped after examination by Israel shows that the times will be used for peaceful purposes.
Without support from most mainstream media, flotilla activists were dealt blow after blow as Turkey, and now Greece, have barred ships from heading for Gaza under suspicion that they may be violating international law.
Lloyds insurance company, after being warned of possible violations, cancelled its coverage of the flotilla boats following a warning by the Israel Law Center that it would be liable for lawsuits. Similar legal warnings were sent to suppliers of maritime communications equipment.
Who would have thought that Israel's best bet would be a diplomatic response--especially considering the worldwide condemnation of Israel's blockade of Gaza on the one hand, and the fact that the Israeli government is under the control of the "right wing" Likud.
And yet it appears that Israel may be on the verge of having actually pulled this off.
Hat tip: P. David Hornik
Technorati Tag: Israel and Gaza Flotilla and Middle East.
1 comment:
From your mouth to G-d's ear. I am crossing my fingers and toes that the situation is indeed a fiasco and shows these folks for the agenda that they really subscribe to.
Sometimes you have to use the same weapon that your enemy takes up, and this was all done peacefully, without bloodshed.
Amen
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