Defense Minister Ehud Barak slammed on Tuesday the organizers of this year’s planned “Freedom Flotilla” to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, saying “the flotilla intended to go to Gaza is nothing but a provocation.”
Speaking at a tribute dinner to IDF reservists, Barak said: “The facts and figures are clear and visible – there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza. If the flotilla organizers are so sensitive to human suffering, they should direct their efforts to ensure the immediate release of Gilad Shalit, or at least work to arrange regular visits with him by the International Red Cross.”
Hamas terrorists kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit more than five years ago, and have been holding him in Gaza ever since. Since his kidnapping, the terror organization has refused to allow Shalit to have any visits by the Red Cross.
Due to Hamas’ refusal to allow Shalit this basic right of a hostage, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said last week he would put an end to the many benefits and privileges enjoyed by Hamas terror prisoners in Israeli prisons.
In his remarks on Tuesday, Barak also addressed the Israeli government’s decision to order the IDF to interdict the flotilla.
“In accordance with the Cabinet’s decision, I instructed the IDF to stop the flotilla if the ships do not comply with the requests to turn to the Ashdod or El Arish ports,” he said. “We are monitoring the situation continuously, especially due to the realization that there may be violent elements on the ship.”
Earlier on Tuesday, there were reports that the activists taking part in the flotilla are planning to kill soldiers using chemical weapons.
The activists denied this, saying the charges of plots to kill are simply excuses for the IDF to justify violence.