Barak: Lebanon must stop Gaza sail
Defense minister urges Beirut to stop Gaza-bound Miriam, set to sail Sunday; says sail an 'act of provocation,' ship will not be allowed to reach Strip
Defense Minister Ehud Barak urged Beirut Friday to stop the Lebanese ship carrying women activists who announced they will try and reach the Gaza Strip, in an attempt to breach its blockade.
In a statement released by the Defense Ministry, Barak urged Lebanon to "exercise responsibility and stop the Gaza-bound flotilla set to leave its waters."
Barak stressed that Israel will allow the ship to dock in Ashdod or Egypt, but will have no choice but to stop it, should it try to reach Gaza.
"This act is meant to assist a terror group that wants nothing but to hurt and murder Israeli citizens," said Barak.
Thursday saw the organizers of the Miriam say they will begin making their way to Gaza on Sunday. Nevertheless, Cyprus, whose territorial waters the ship is supposed to cross on its way, announced it will deny it entry.
The Cypriot ambassador to Lebanon said that the Miriam will be turned back when it reaches Cyprus.
Barak stressed that Israel allows humanitarian aid into Gaza "subject to security checks and in accordance to international rules and guidelines."
Israel, added Barak, has called on the elements in the international community, which have influence over Lebanon, to act to stop the "provocation flotilla," as he called it.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has instructed the Israeli mission to the UN to file an official complaint with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the UN Security Council over the planned flotilla.
The Foreign Ministry said that Israel is operating in the international arena to stop the sail, deemed "an unnecessary provocation." Every nation in the area, including those which do not have diplomatic relations with Israel understand such a sail is damaging to the entire region, Lieberman said.
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