Sonja Karkar (VIC) responds to Dor Shapira SMH Letters 14/7 PUBLISHED July 14, 2009
The Interim Agreement to which Dor Shapira refers (Letters 13/7) required Israel, amongst other things, to provide for safe passage for Palestinians between the West Bank and Gaza Strip and to construct and operate sea and airports in Gaza. That safe passage was never established and the current 30 month siege has cruelly isolated Palestinians in Gaza even more. The Palestinians were never allowed to operate a seaport and Israel destroyed their airport. Israel has also violated one of the conditions which allows Palestinians freedom to fish within 20 nautical miles off the Gaza coast and a 2006 agreement to open Gaza’s main crossing points. In other words, Israel is in breach of numerous agreements and is certainly in breach of international law: the occupation remains to this day. As an Occupying Power, Israel is legally responsible for the well-being of the Palestinian people and has an obligation not to interfere in any arrangements made to alleviate the humanitarian crisis. The boat to Gaza is just one of many international efforts to end Israel’s punishing siege of the entire Palestinian population. Israel’s criminal actions are plain for all to see and so too is the embarrassing silence of our governments and media.
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
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