John Francis responds to Dor Shapira SMH (Letters 14/7) PUBLISHED July 14, 2009
Dor Shapira neglects to mention that while Israel was indeed given security control of territorial waters, Palestinian fishermen were also accorded a 20 nautical mile fishing limit, which Israel has repeatedly and unilaterally reduced to as little as three miles.
He also did not mention the Israeli navy’s harassment of Gazan fishermen, the destruction of nets, confiscation of boats, firing on or near boats without reason, bans on fishing without genuine reason and bans on the import of spare parts and repair materials.
Shapira referred to the tonnage allowed through the crossings in the past few months during a three-hour window, but did not mention that Israel opens and closes crossings as it sees fit. Only a few days ago all three crossings were closed “for technical repairs”, even though one, Kerem Shalom, is open only on Fridays. Politicians who take these trips to Israel then spout platitudes for the Palestinians are doing themselves and fair-minded Australians a disservice.
Dor Shapira’s letter “Under Israeli Control”, The Sydney Morning Herald, 13 July 09
Regarding “Politicide or politic: Gillard and the Gaza muzzle” (July 10). Accusations of piracy do not take into account the internationally recognised Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on West Bank and Gaza (1995), which determines that territorial waters off the Gaza coast are under Israeli security control.
On June 30 an Israeli naval force took control of a cargo boat attempting to enter the Gaza Strip. Following radio calls, which were ignored, the boat was boarded and directed to Ashdod. The ship and cargo were undamaged, and passengers were handed over to the relevant authorities. They were provided with diplomatic access and legal representation, then sent home at Israeli Government expense.
The law of Cyprus, from where the boat departed, states that ships must dock at recognised ports only, and, according to Cyprus authorities, Gaza is not one of these. So the boat and its passengers were in contravention of Cyprus law. Before leaving Cyprus, the vessel was instructed by the Israeli authorities that humanitarian aid is permitted to enter Gaza through land channels, and that attempts by sea would be intercepted. At Ashdod, the Israeli authorities assumed responsibility for ensuring the humanitarian aid on board was sent to the citizens of Gaza.
In the last few months, 300,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid has been received by Palestinians in Gaza by land. In December and January, a Israeli suspension of hostilities for three hours a day ensured a resupply of relief materials and the evacuation of foreign nationals, foreign passport holders and chronically ill patients for treatment in Israel.
Hamas continued to fire rockets during this. Twice, as reported by international news wires, humanitarian convoys were fired upon by Hamas in Gaza, and the materials confiscated or stolen.
The protesters on the boat claimed its purpose was to break the siege, when, in truth, the stunt was a political provocation that deliberately flouts recognised international agreements.
Dor Shapira, spokesman, embassy of Israel, Canberra
Subscribe to our RSS feed.
Follow Us on Twitter