Israel Preparing for Flotillas Like on Eve of War - Ashkenazi: We Can’t Let Gaza Become an Iranian Port

Israel Preparing for Flotillas Like on Eve of War

23/06/2010
Current Israeli preparations ahead of the arrival of the Lebanese and Iranian provocation flotillas are reminiscent of war preparations.

The Israeli occupation army and political rank are engaged in the drawing of lessons from the previous Navy raid.

Still, the commissions of inquiry appointed by the Israeli army chief of staff and the prime minister have yet to complete their reports and the state comptroller has yet to even commence his investigation.

Behind this surge of activity, is the prime minister and ministers' understanding that they were overly complacent during preparations for the previous Turkish flotilla. This led to impairments in the government's decision-making process.

In order to prevent similar mistakes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been frequently convening the Security Cabinet, consulting his colleagues and reaching decisions pertaining to various aspects of treatment of the next flotillas, over the last few weeks. The Security Cabinet is the body appointed by the government to handle security issues on its behalf. The forum of seven top ministers, which has no legal standing, in comparison, is rarely convened by Netanyahu.

The National Security Council appears to be more involved this time around in preparing materials regarding the next convoys for the political rank. In addition, the governmental PR outline has stepped in and is issuing materials meant to support Israeli hasbara in relation to methods employed by the State to stop future aid flotillas.

The Israeli army is currently focusing on two main aspects. One, is correcting serious impairments which were found in intelligence collection and evaluation prior to the previous raid. The army is examining ways to increase cooperation and coordination between various Israeli army intelligence bodies.

The other aspect is improving the Israeli army's abilities to enforce the siege using non-violent methods.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is also drawing personal lessons. He convened a number of evaluation meetings prior to his trip to the United States last week and presented their conclusions to the Security Cabinet. Israeli Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, who is replacing Barak during his absence, also convened status evaluation meetings in order to monitor the next flotillas and preparations to stop them.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry and Minister Avigdor Lieberman are also far more involved this time around in political and diplomatic efforts to prevent the Lebanese sail. Previously, such efforts were conducted almost exclusively by Barak.

Some elements in the defense system and governmental rank claim that the intensity of preparations is exaggerated and more driven by the attempt of the parties involved to fend off future pubic criticism and less by the will to improve the decision-making process.

Ashkenazi: We Can’t Let Gaza Become an Iranian Port

23/06/2010 Israeli occupation forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said Tuesday that Israel mustn't allow Gaza to become an “Iranian port”, addressing the events of the recent Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

Speaking to ultra-Orthodox soldiers in Kiryat Shmona, the chief of staff said "We have a natural right to examine and prevent the inflow of weapons into Gaza."

Despite the international outcry over the killing of nine Turkish activists in a May 31 raid, Israel insisted on maintaining a naval blockade it says is necessary to keep “weapons shipments” out of the hands of “Gaza's Hamas rulers”.

"For those who are truly concerned about the [humanitarian] situation in Gaza and wants to bring medical supplies," Ashkenazi continued, "they are welcome to dock in Ashdod. We will examine [the cargo] and let it in if needed." "It is important that we stand up for this right," Ashkenazi asserted. "We cannot allow Gaza to become an Iranian port."

The chief of staff went on to say that "this is no longer an issue facing the Israeli towns around Gaza. They could be bringing missiles capable of reaching other towns." "If a flotilla comes out of Lebanon, we will handle it," the Israeli occupation forces chief added, referring to plans by Lebanese activists to sail additional aid ships to Gaza. "If they seek peace, that's how we'll respond. If not, we will do what we have to do."

In regard to last month's raid on the Turkish aid ship Mavi Marmara, Ashkenazi said that "following initial investigations, the fighters acted superbly under the circumstances." "I salute them," he said of the commandos who raided the ship. "It was an unusual situation and they reacted the way they should."

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