Thursday, May 27, 2010

Shalit family's offer to back Gaza flotilla declined

Kidnapped soldier's family asks organizers of aid mission to urge Hamas to allow international organizers to visit him. Family's attorney: I thought they supported human rights

Ahiya Raved
YNET News

Gilad Shalit's family offered to support the international flotilla to Gaza if its participants would demand that Hamas permit various organizations to visit the kidnapped Israeli soldier and allow him to receive packages.


Members of the campaign for Shalit's release said the organizers of the international aid mission to Gaza declined the offer. Attorney Nick Kaufman, who approached the Free Gaza Movement on behalf of the kidnapped soldier's family, told Ynet that he offered the flotilla's organizers the family's full support provided that "in addition to their demand that Israel lift its blockade they will urge Hamas to allow the soldier to receive letters and food packages from his family and allow international organizations to visit him."


According to Kaufman, he was referred to the movement's legal counsel, who rejected the offer. "I thought this movement supports human rights, as it claims, but according to the reaction it seems that it is only interested in provocation and expressing support for a terror group that doesn't really care about human rights," said the attorney.


On Wednesday the IDF announced its plan of action vis-à-vis the "break the siege" flotilla making its way to the Gaza Strip. The convoy, organized by activists from around the world, is slated to arrive to the Gaza shores during the upcoming weekend.


According to its plan, the IDF will alert the participating ships, within different ranges, and urge them to turn around. If the vessels continue to advance – its passengers will be detained by the navy and returned to their countries in accordance with the Ministry of Interior.


The IDF also decided it will transfer the humanitarian supplies carried on the ships to the Gaza Strip, after they undergo a security check.

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