FREEDOM FLOTILLA: REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS- LESSONS LEARNED**
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"Turkey Taking Sides Ends Its Regional Role"
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"INTERVIEW WITH General (R.) Dr. Ephraim Sneh
Conducted by Antonia Dimou
1. The Free Gaza movement says it intended to deliver aid to Gaza to get around the Israeli blockade and to pressure the international community to review its sanctions policy and end its support for continued Israeli occupation. Do you agree with this public statement and what do you believe was the aim of the Gaza-bound flotilla?
At first, let's remind the true facts. On September 9th, 2005, Israel evacuated its last soldier from Gaza Strip. Not a shred of Israeli presence was left there. 8.000 Israeli settlers were evacuated as well. From this day and on, the Palestinians could turn Gaza to a Mediterranean Dubai. To bring investors, to start development projects, the entire world was ready to help. Instead, Hamas, the Palestinian version of Taliban, turned Gaza, with the massive help of Iran, to a base of terrorism, launching rockets and missiles to Israeli civilian towns and villages. In mid-June 2007, Hamas took full control of Gaza through a brutal coup-detat, slaughtering Abu-Mazen's supporters and enforcing the extremist version of Islam. Yes, Gaza should be freed, from Hamas brutal, medieval regime.
2. Why did Israel want to stop the flotilla and what is the view of Israel for the Free Gaza Movement, an umbrella organisation of groups like the Turkish IHH?
They don’t want to free Gaza. They want to support the military regime of Hamas in Gaza. To allow the flotilla, means to allow naval route of supply to the terrorist base of Hamas and Iran.
3. What is the objective of the Israeli blockade on Gaza imposed in 2007 and what has been its impact until today?
The Hamas take over in June 2007 created a new situation. Till then, 750 trucks used to cross the border with Israel daily. In that time, I was the Deputy Minister of Defense and I was in charge of it. But when you have terrorists on the other side of the border, it is impossible to maintain cross-border movements as it was before. Recently, the Government of Israel, allowed most goods to be imported to Gaza, but the security conditions do not allow trade as it used to be. I support the idea of handing the control over check-points to Fayyad's government but Hamas will not allow it to happen.
4. There is mounting criticism that Israel breached international standards and human rights law through its use of armed force. There are even questions being raised about the violation of international maritime law by Israel. Can you comment on that, and according to your view was the Israeli action legal?
No other democratic nation could act differently. Do you imagine what the Turks would do if a flotilla was moving to support the PKK?
5. Do you believe that the recent Gaza-bound flotilla has become a precedent that may inspire other countries and/or organisations to adopt similar efforts in the name of Gaza?
There are a lot of organizations which sympathize with Hamas. Part of them out of solidarity with the extreme Islamist movement, like IHH. Part of them because they think that to hate Israel is the current bon-ton of some ultra-liberal circles and anarchists in Europe. So it will continue. Not only organizations. States like Libya and Iran may send their provocative flotillas.
6. What are the likely political repercussions and the lessons learnt from the recent events?
I can tell you what the lesson is for us, the Israelis: to be better prepared. To act in a more sophisticated way. Not to enter to traps.
7. Let’s come to the recent situation between Turkey and Israel. How much do you think will the recent tension affect the strategic nature of the Israeli-Turkish relationship? And what is your view of the new Turkish foreign policy as promoted by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, particularly in regards to Turkish-Israeli relations?
I strongly believe that two regional strong democracies – Israel and Turkey, should be in good relations. Once we used to be strategic allies. Once I toyed with the idea of an alliance of the three big democracies of the East-Mediterranean: Greece, Turkey and Israel. We share some basic interests. To remind you, till 2008 we accepted Turkey as an honest broker between us and Syria. But I am afraid now that the new Turkish policy went too far. I told my Turkish colleagues: "I have no problems about your new policy. But there is one red-line that you can't cross - taking side with the mortal enemies of Israel - Iran and Hamas".
The Turkish flotilla and Turkey’s vote against Iran sanctions in the UN Security Council – all this means that Turkey takes side. Beside the damage to our bilateral relations which I cherish very much, if Turkey sides with the fanatic Islam, it can't pursue the constructive regional role that it wants to play.
* General (R.) Dr. Ephraim Sneh is Chairman of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Strategic Dialogue at Netanya Academic College and President of the Silver Bullet Ltd. He was Member of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) in 1992-2008, and Chairman of the Knesset sub-committee on Defense Planning and Policy in 2003-2006. He also served twice as Deputy Minister of Defense in 2006-2007 and in 1999-2001, Minister of Transportation in 2001-2002, and Minister of Health in 1994-1996. General (R.) Dr. Ephraim Sneh led the first secret negotiations between Israel and the PLO in 1988-1989. He is the author of two books "Responsibility" [1996], and "Navigating Perilous Waters": Israel Strategy for Peace and Security [2002].
2. Why did Israel want to stop the flotilla and what is the view of Israel for the Free Gaza Movement, an umbrella organisation of groups like the Turkish IHH?
They don’t want to free Gaza. They want to support the military regime of Hamas in Gaza. To allow the flotilla, means to allow naval route of supply to the terrorist base of Hamas and Iran.
3. What is the objective of the Israeli blockade on Gaza imposed in 2007 and what has been its impact until today?
The Hamas take over in June 2007 created a new situation. Till then, 750 trucks used to cross the border with Israel daily. In that time, I was the Deputy Minister of Defense and I was in charge of it. But when you have terrorists on the other side of the border, it is impossible to maintain cross-border movements as it was before. Recently, the Government of Israel, allowed most goods to be imported to Gaza, but the security conditions do not allow trade as it used to be. I support the idea of handing the control over check-points to Fayyad's government but Hamas will not allow it to happen.
4. There is mounting criticism that Israel breached international standards and human rights law through its use of armed force. There are even questions being raised about the violation of international maritime law by Israel. Can you comment on that, and according to your view was the Israeli action legal?
No other democratic nation could act differently. Do you imagine what the Turks would do if a flotilla was moving to support the PKK?
5. Do you believe that the recent Gaza-bound flotilla has become a precedent that may inspire other countries and/or organisations to adopt similar efforts in the name of Gaza?
There are a lot of organizations which sympathize with Hamas. Part of them out of solidarity with the extreme Islamist movement, like IHH. Part of them because they think that to hate Israel is the current bon-ton of some ultra-liberal circles and anarchists in Europe. So it will continue. Not only organizations. States like Libya and Iran may send their provocative flotillas.
6. What are the likely political repercussions and the lessons learnt from the recent events?
I can tell you what the lesson is for us, the Israelis: to be better prepared. To act in a more sophisticated way. Not to enter to traps.
7. Let’s come to the recent situation between Turkey and Israel. How much do you think will the recent tension affect the strategic nature of the Israeli-Turkish relationship? And what is your view of the new Turkish foreign policy as promoted by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, particularly in regards to Turkish-Israeli relations?
I strongly believe that two regional strong democracies – Israel and Turkey, should be in good relations. Once we used to be strategic allies. Once I toyed with the idea of an alliance of the three big democracies of the East-Mediterranean: Greece, Turkey and Israel. We share some basic interests. To remind you, till 2008 we accepted Turkey as an honest broker between us and Syria. But I am afraid now that the new Turkish policy went too far. I told my Turkish colleagues: "I have no problems about your new policy. But there is one red-line that you can't cross - taking side with the mortal enemies of Israel - Iran and Hamas".
The Turkish flotilla and Turkey’s vote against Iran sanctions in the UN Security Council – all this means that Turkey takes side. Beside the damage to our bilateral relations which I cherish very much, if Turkey sides with the fanatic Islam, it can't pursue the constructive regional role that it wants to play.
* General (R.) Dr. Ephraim Sneh is Chairman of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Strategic Dialogue at Netanya Academic College and President of the Silver Bullet Ltd. He was Member of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) in 1992-2008, and Chairman of the Knesset sub-committee on Defense Planning and Policy in 2003-2006. He also served twice as Deputy Minister of Defense in 2006-2007 and in 1999-2001, Minister of Transportation in 2001-2002, and Minister of Health in 1994-1996. General (R.) Dr. Ephraim Sneh led the first secret negotiations between Israel and the PLO in 1988-1989. He is the author of two books "Responsibility" [1996], and "Navigating Perilous Waters": Israel Strategy for Peace and Security [2002].
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"Lift the Siege on Gaza as soon as Possible"
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INTERVIEW WITH Ambassador Marwan Abdelhamid
Conducted by Antonia Dimou
1. Critics have accused Free Gaza movement of deliberately provoking a confrontation with Israel and argued that the attempt to break the siege was political and not just a humanitarian relief operation. Do you agree with this view and what do you believe was the aim of the Gaza-bound flotilla?
Israel attacked the Freedom flotilla in international waters, killing nine Turkish nationals, in a process of piracy in the daytime; it has proved that the fleet was carrying humanitarian aid to the three-year besieged people of Gaza.
Against Israeli allegations, as known to the whole world, there was no weapon on the ships. Instead, one Israeli soldier was killed, nine Turks were killed, and more than forty passengers of these ships were wounded.
The whole world no longer accepts the Israeli siege imposed on over a million and half Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
2. In the days after the flotilla event and in response to critics, Israel has claimed that it has the legal argument to enforce a naval blockade on Gaza in accordance with the Gaza-Jericho agreement of May 1994. Under the agreement between the PNA and Israel, the latter reserves the right to patrol 20 nautical miles of those waters "without limitations" and to take "any measures necessary against vessels suspected of being used for terrorist activities... or for any other illegal activity". Can you comment on that?
Was a fleet of freedom to help the people of Gaza, a terrorist act?! Note that the crime of piracy took place in international waters, what is the relationship of this aggression, with the Oslo agreements?! Were the Representatives and the citizens of Europe, America and the world terrorists?! Was the cargo of the Freedom flotilla loaded with weapons and explosives, or with foodstuff and medical supplies to prevent Israel's blockade on the people of Gaza?
3. Following Israel's unilateral disengagement from Gaza in August 2005, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that the territory was no longer occupied. However, since September 2007, Israel has declared Hamas-ruled Gaza a "hostile entity" and blockaded the Strip. What has been the objective of the Israeli blockade on Gaza and what has been its real impact up-today?
Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza since the signing of the Oslo agreements in 1994, and a separation between Gaza and the West bank, because Tel Aviv does not long for the establishment of an independent Palestine state in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem., Note that the Oslo agreements provide for the geographical unity and for unity in all political and legal aspects of these areas. The world must know that Israel is preventing Gaza students from studying at universities in the West Bank, and patients from receiving medical treatment at hospitals in the West Bank. Israel also discourages the economic unity and prevents the movement of goods and people between the West Bank and Gaza. The announcement by Israel of Gaza as hostile entity after the Hamas takeover was in fact in line with the Israeli policies since Oslo.
4. In a recent interview with an Egyptian television channel, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said that the state of the Palestinian cause was like that of a hijacked airplane and added that the decision on the Palestinian reconciliation was in Iran's hands, because Hamas obeyed Iran, and thus was thwarting the reconciliation. Do you believe that the recent Gaza-bound flotilla has become a precedent that may inspire other countries and/or organisations to adopt similar efforts exploiting the “Gaza card”?
There is regional interference, this is no secret, in the Palestinian internal affairs. It's not just Iran alone; there are Arab countries which prevent the restoration of Palestinian unity. Liberty Fleet had a pure humanitarian goal, and not the goal of recruitment in Gaza.
Intensifying international pressure on Israel to lift the unjust siege on our people in the Gaza Strip is urgent, whether by sending ships or in any other way. The lift of the siege on Gaza must happen as soon as possible.
5. The Palestinian camp seems to be deeply divided. How can reconciliation be possible between the secular outlook of Fatah movement and the Islamist worldview of Hamas? Could Marwan Barghuti, the leading figure of the second Intifada who is imprisoned in Israel, bring about reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas?
These political forces are all for one people. The democratic choice of people and the principle of evolution to power are the foundations for the protection of the internal unity of the Palestinians. Suspension of external interference in Palestinian affairs is urgent.
6. Israeli Premier’s predecessor Ehud Olmert made an offer, the establishment of a Palestinian state on far more than 90 percent of the West Bank, a division of Jerusalem and the return of a few thousand refugees to Israel. Was this offer genuine and can such an offer serve as a genuine basis for the creation of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state?
We have heard in the media this proposal by Olmert. But the Palestinian people insist that Israel withdraws from all occupied lands of 1967, implements the resolutions of International Law including resolution 194, accepts the right of Palestinian refugees to return and ends settlement activity. As it is evident, there can be no peace under occupation and with the expansion of illegal settlements.
7. Before the flotilla intercept operation, Hamas seemed to be on the defensive domestically in the West Bank and Gaza and was blamed for prolonging the 3-year split with Fatah. In the day after the flotilla event, what do you believe is the standing of Hamas and what are the likely political repercussions and the lessons learnt?
We are not interested in determining the goals of Hamas, we are interested in lifting the siege that is imposed on our people in Gaza. This is the basis.
* Amb. Marwan Abdelhamid is member of the Central Council of the PLO, President of the General Union of Palestinian Engineers (GUPE), Vice President of the World Federation of Engineering Organization (WFEO). He was advisor to the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and served as Ambassador of Palestine to Greece.
** SOURCE: SPECIAL EDITION OF MIDDLE EAST OBSERVER, Issue #3, Vol. 1, June-August 2010
Against Israeli allegations, as known to the whole world, there was no weapon on the ships. Instead, one Israeli soldier was killed, nine Turks were killed, and more than forty passengers of these ships were wounded.
The whole world no longer accepts the Israeli siege imposed on over a million and half Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
2. In the days after the flotilla event and in response to critics, Israel has claimed that it has the legal argument to enforce a naval blockade on Gaza in accordance with the Gaza-Jericho agreement of May 1994. Under the agreement between the PNA and Israel, the latter reserves the right to patrol 20 nautical miles of those waters "without limitations" and to take "any measures necessary against vessels suspected of being used for terrorist activities... or for any other illegal activity". Can you comment on that?
Was a fleet of freedom to help the people of Gaza, a terrorist act?! Note that the crime of piracy took place in international waters, what is the relationship of this aggression, with the Oslo agreements?! Were the Representatives and the citizens of Europe, America and the world terrorists?! Was the cargo of the Freedom flotilla loaded with weapons and explosives, or with foodstuff and medical supplies to prevent Israel's blockade on the people of Gaza?
3. Following Israel's unilateral disengagement from Gaza in August 2005, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that the territory was no longer occupied. However, since September 2007, Israel has declared Hamas-ruled Gaza a "hostile entity" and blockaded the Strip. What has been the objective of the Israeli blockade on Gaza and what has been its real impact up-today?
Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza since the signing of the Oslo agreements in 1994, and a separation between Gaza and the West bank, because Tel Aviv does not long for the establishment of an independent Palestine state in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem., Note that the Oslo agreements provide for the geographical unity and for unity in all political and legal aspects of these areas. The world must know that Israel is preventing Gaza students from studying at universities in the West Bank, and patients from receiving medical treatment at hospitals in the West Bank. Israel also discourages the economic unity and prevents the movement of goods and people between the West Bank and Gaza. The announcement by Israel of Gaza as hostile entity after the Hamas takeover was in fact in line with the Israeli policies since Oslo.
4. In a recent interview with an Egyptian television channel, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said that the state of the Palestinian cause was like that of a hijacked airplane and added that the decision on the Palestinian reconciliation was in Iran's hands, because Hamas obeyed Iran, and thus was thwarting the reconciliation. Do you believe that the recent Gaza-bound flotilla has become a precedent that may inspire other countries and/or organisations to adopt similar efforts exploiting the “Gaza card”?
There is regional interference, this is no secret, in the Palestinian internal affairs. It's not just Iran alone; there are Arab countries which prevent the restoration of Palestinian unity. Liberty Fleet had a pure humanitarian goal, and not the goal of recruitment in Gaza.
Intensifying international pressure on Israel to lift the unjust siege on our people in the Gaza Strip is urgent, whether by sending ships or in any other way. The lift of the siege on Gaza must happen as soon as possible.
5. The Palestinian camp seems to be deeply divided. How can reconciliation be possible between the secular outlook of Fatah movement and the Islamist worldview of Hamas? Could Marwan Barghuti, the leading figure of the second Intifada who is imprisoned in Israel, bring about reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas?
These political forces are all for one people. The democratic choice of people and the principle of evolution to power are the foundations for the protection of the internal unity of the Palestinians. Suspension of external interference in Palestinian affairs is urgent.
6. Israeli Premier’s predecessor Ehud Olmert made an offer, the establishment of a Palestinian state on far more than 90 percent of the West Bank, a division of Jerusalem and the return of a few thousand refugees to Israel. Was this offer genuine and can such an offer serve as a genuine basis for the creation of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state?
We have heard in the media this proposal by Olmert. But the Palestinian people insist that Israel withdraws from all occupied lands of 1967, implements the resolutions of International Law including resolution 194, accepts the right of Palestinian refugees to return and ends settlement activity. As it is evident, there can be no peace under occupation and with the expansion of illegal settlements.
7. Before the flotilla intercept operation, Hamas seemed to be on the defensive domestically in the West Bank and Gaza and was blamed for prolonging the 3-year split with Fatah. In the day after the flotilla event, what do you believe is the standing of Hamas and what are the likely political repercussions and the lessons learnt?
We are not interested in determining the goals of Hamas, we are interested in lifting the siege that is imposed on our people in Gaza. This is the basis.
* Amb. Marwan Abdelhamid is member of the Central Council of the PLO, President of the General Union of Palestinian Engineers (GUPE), Vice President of the World Federation of Engineering Organization (WFEO). He was advisor to the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and served as Ambassador of Palestine to Greece.
** SOURCE: SPECIAL EDITION OF MIDDLE EAST OBSERVER, Issue #3, Vol. 1, June-August 2010
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