AJC Condemns Gaza Activists Bid for Direct Confrontation With Israel

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May 27, 2010, 02:43 ET

NEW YORK, May 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Jewish Committee condemned the pro-Hamas "Free Gaza" organization, which is currently sailing a flotilla of ships to the Gaza Strip in the guise of an aid convoy, for its deliberate attempt to seek direct confrontation with Israel.

"Despite its name, the agenda of 'Free Gaza' is to legitimize the enslavement of Gaza under the Hamas regime," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "These so-called humanitarians aren't so much concerned with the people of Gaza as with doing Hamas's bidding. Their sole aim is to smear Israel as an 'aggressor' by means of a direct confrontation at sea."

The "Free Gaza" ships left Turkey last Saturday bound for Gaza. Among the funders of the flotilla is the Turkish Islamist organization Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH,) an affiliate of the "Union of Good" umbrella body created by Hamas. "Union of Good" was designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. Treasury Department in November 2008.

"Free Gaza" refused an Israeli offer to transfer the supplies which its ships are carrying via Israel's land crossings with Gaza.

The group also refused a direct appeal from the family of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier kidnapped by Hamas four years ago, to try to take him food packages and letters.

Israel, which facilitates the delivery of around 15,000 tons of aid into Gaza each week, has since said that the ships will be diverted to the port of Ashdod.

Israeli officials have continually stressed that, contrary to the politically-inspired allegations of "Free Gaza," there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza and that substantial supplies are entering across the border crossing.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee