MK Simon: Give flowers to flotilla activists
MK Simon: Give flowers to flotilla activistsIsrael news photo: Win 7 album

Knesset Member Daniel Ben-Simon is suggesting the IDF take a new approach this month in dealing with flotilla activists determine to break Israel's blockade of Gaza.

“Let's redirect them to the Ashdod beach,” Ben-Simon said, “and then receive them with flowers.

“We will prove that we can resolve conflicts not only by force, but also gently, and we'll repair the damage that was caused [in the past]. It will probably improve our relations with the Turks.”

The flotilla, organized by the terrorist-linked IHH organization, is expected to set sail from Turkey in mid-June led by the Turkish-sponsored Mavi Marmara vessel, one of six ships in a flotilla that attempted to break the blockade of Gaza last year.

It was aboard the Mavi Marmara on May 31, 2010 that nine terror activists died when they attacked IDF commandos as they boarded to redirect the ship it to Ashdod port. The ship, which later was found to have carried no humanitarian aid whatsoever, was manned by terrorists brandishing metal poles, clubs and knives. The commandos were armed only with paintball guns and small pistols.

A European flotilla contingent is expected to leave from Marseilles, in the south of France as well. Co-organizer Claude Leostic told reporters that “hundreds” of people from 60 different countries would attempt to breach the blockade of Gaza aboard some 15 ships.