Science, Technology and Space Minister Danny Danon
Science, Technology and Space Minister Danny DanonFlash 90

Science Minister Danny Danon (Likud) called on Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein Saturday night to investigate MK Basel Ghattas' (Joint Arab List) presence on "Freedom Flotilla 3," approaching Gaza. 

Danon asked Weinstein to examine whether Gaza falls into the category of a "hostile territory," which a Knesset candidate is forbidden to enter. 

At the beginning of his letter to the Attorney General, Danon asserted, "at this time, MK Basel Ghattas is making his way on a boat that will dock off the Gaza coast, and through his actions harms the naval blockade imposed by the state of Israel on the Gaza Strip."

Danon noted the Security Cabinet's 2007 decision to declare Gaza a "hostile territory," as well as the Basic Law which states that a candidate who illegally visits an enemy state during the seven years preceding an election may not run for the Knesset. 

The minister asserted that if Ghattas should enter Gaza, he must be precluded from running in elections for the 21st Knesset. 

According to Danon, "instead of helping reduce disparities in Israel's Arab sector, [the constituents who] elected him, Basel Ghattas has decided to continue to encourage the terrorists organizations in Gaza."

"He must know that if he illegally enters Gaza, he will not be a member of the next Knesset," Danon added. "The campaign of delegitimization he is trying to lead against Israel has only one end - failure." 

Four ships set sail from Crete for Gaza on Saturday; they are expected to arrive between Monday and Wednesday.