IDF Blocks Libyan Ship, Captain Changes Course
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
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Eight Navy warships have blocked the path of a Libyan ship trying to reach Gaza, and military sources said the Cuban captain is steering the vessel to El Arish, Egypt, despite denials by activists onboard. The Navy ships' formation at sea had prevented any chance of the ship's continuing to Gaza without trying to run the blockade and risking a disaster
An Al Jazeera reporter said that port workers at El Arish are preparing to receive the vessel.
Israel and officials of a foundation named after Libyan President Muaamar Qaddafi (pictured) held indirect secret talks to avoid a clash on the high seas, the London Guardian reported Wednesday morning. The meditator was Austrian businessman Martin Schlaff, accordingto a German media outlet
Qaddafi's representatives wanted guarantees that the 2,000 tons of humanitarian aid on board will reach Gaza, while Israel insisted that it be delivered via ports in Israel or in Egypt.
The ship's captain earlier had said the vessel had undergone repairs for a malfunctioning engine. He earlier stated he would head for Gaza and contradicted his own word and a statement by the owner of the ship, said to be loaded with humanitarian aid, that it would sail for El Arish, instead of trying to challenge the Israeli Navy’s embargo over the coastal waters where it has sovereignty.
Israel originally had given the boat a midnight ultimatum to shift course before the report that the boat was in need of repairs. The Cuban-born captain told Navy radio operators he would change course.
Navy ships are continuing to track the ship, wanting to prevent another clash similar to the May 31 battle with Turkish terror activists, nine of whom were killed after brutally attacking virtually defenseless Navy commandos who had expected to be confronted by pacifists.
The Libyan ship is carrying 21 passengers from Libya, Syria, Nigeria, Cuba, Algeria and Cuba. The ship is sponsored by a charity organization, named after Libyan President Muaamar Qaddafi. The organizers of the project said there are no weapons on board, and it may be trying to stage a public relations coup by forcing the Navy to stop it and then prove it had peaceful intentions.
The Mavi Marmara ship’s crew that clashed with the Navy on May 31 later was found to be without any humanitarian aid.
On Tuesday, a Greek businessman who owns the Almathea stated that if the Navy challenges the ship, “We will choose to sail to the port of El-Arish and transfer the assistance by ground to Gaza.”
A report published by the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center claims that the sole mission of the Libyan foundation responsible for sending out this ship to Gaza is to “break the siege”. According to the published findings, the Libyans intend to pressure Israel to agree to allow the entrance of goods into the Gaza according to the “rules of the game” determined by Hamas.
In addition, the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center report shows that there are political considerations behind the Libya-sponsored flotilla, as Libya is interested in strengthening its position within the Arab League. The move is also expected to increase national political support for the organizer of the ship, Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi, son of Muammar al-Qaddafi.
U.S. State Department spokesman Phillip Crowley told reporters Tuesday that the United States urges “all those wishing to deliver goods [to Gaza] to do so through established channels so their cargo can be inspected by the government of Israel and transferred by land crossings into Gaza.” He called on parties involved to “act responsibly.”
"We have urged the Libyan government to avoid any unnecessary confrontation," he added.
(IsraelNationalNews.com)
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/138585
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