Ships forcing their way [violently] into Gaza will do nothing to aid the people
there. Existing land crossings are more than capable of meeting their
needs. International aid organizations and the private sector of Gaza
ensure that all the necessary food, medicine and clothing are provided
to the Strip via Israel.
In a typical week, 15,000 tons of supplies enter Gaza. Truckloads of
meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, milk powder,
baby food, wheat and other staples arrive in Gaza on a daily basis.
Building materials are also shipped in, when monitored by International
organization so as not to be commandeered by Hamas for the fortification
of bunkers.
Since the ceasefire in January 2009, well over a million tons of
humanitarian supplies entered Gaza from Israel - that is almost a ton of
aid for each man, woman and child in the Strip.
The land crossings remain the most efficient system to transfer goods
to Gaza, and the flotilla organizers are well aware of this fact. The
organizers also know that since December 2008, their ships have been
denied permission to land.
Israel has invited the organizers of the flotilla to use the land
crossings, in the same manner as all the reputable international
organizations.
However, they are less interested in bringing in aid than in
promoting their radical agenda, playing into the hands of Hamas
provocations. While they have wrapped themselves in a humanitarian
cloak, they are engaging in political propaganda and not in
pro-Palestinian aid.
If the organizers were truly interesting in providing humanitarian
aid - as opposed to engaging in publicity stunts - they would use the
proper channels to ensure delivery of any supplies.
