Ambassador Gabriela Shalev
Photo: Reuters
'Lebanon flotilla may be linked to Hezbollah'
Ambassador Gabriela Shalev sends UN Secretary-General letter urging international body, community to stop Gaza-bound Lebanese ship. Letter state Israel reserves right to take 'necessary measures' to stop it
WASHINGTON – Israel's Ambassador to the UN Gabriela Shalev sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Friday, expressing Jerusalem's "concern" that the Gaza-bound Lebanon flotilla may be affiliated with Hezbollah.
The "Miriam" is set to sail from Lebanon to the Gaza Strip on Sunday, carrying 50-75 women. Israel believes some of the women have ties to the militant Shiite organization. Organizers claim the ship will carry humanitarian aid.
Concern
Roni Sofer
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
Earlier, Barak issued a statement urging Lebanon to stop the sail, while Lieberman ordered the Israeli mission to the UN to lodge an official complaint on the matter with the UN Security Council and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
In the letter, Shalev said that Israel had information suggesting the Miriam will be joined by a second ship, the "Naji al-Ali."
The sail, she wrote, "Is cause for great concern and demands the international community's attention."
In light of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the fact that the ships are sailing off the coast of Lebanon – which Israel sees as an enemy state – "Israel reserves the right to take the necessary measures, as stated by International Law, to stop these vessels from breaching the maritime blockade.
"One cannot dismiss the concern that these vessels may carry weapons or hostile individuals," Shalev wrote, adding that Israel – in conjunction with the UN and UNRWA – has established an agreed upon route through which humanitarian aid can be delivered to Gaza Strip.
"Israel calls on the Lebanese government to act responsibly and stop these ships from sailing to Gaza. Such a move would prevent possible escalation.
"Israel also urges the international community to exert its influence against such sails and the participation in them," she concluded.
Roni Sofer contributed to this report
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