Pinoy seafarers urged not to join new Gaza aid flotilla

MANILA, Philippines - Israel has requested the Philippine government to ask Filipinos not to participate in the new aid flotilla being organized by Lebanon and Iran because these activities may put them in harm’s way.

Israeli Ambassador Zvi Vapni wrote the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) about the information the Israeli government received regarding a new aid flotilla planning to reach Gaza.

Vapni said the flotilla was arranged by an organization in Lebanon and claimed to have on board 50 journalists from Lebanon and 25 activists from Europe.

“We respectfully request the government of the Philippines to ask their citizens not to participate in these activities that may put them in harm’s way. Furthermore, we ask that an effort be made to use the influence of the government of the Philippines in preventing those flotillas to begin with,” Vapni said.

“Please be informed that we are also aware of other flotillas being organized in Lebanon and in Iran, and they too will be treated with the same measures,” he added.

Since Lebanon is in a state of war with Israel, the Israeli government has no reason to believe that the boats will not carry weapons, ammunitions and militant activists.

Vapni said the boat will not be allowed to enter Gaza Strip because it is under legal maritime blockade.

He said that genuine humanitarian aid could be transferred through known international organizations or brought to the Israeli port of Ashdod, from where it will be sent to the Gaza Strip by land.

He emphasized that there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza, mainly because Israel enters 15,000 tons of supplies every week.

“Hence, this flotilla, and others like it, is not a humanitarian effort but a media provocation,” he said.

“Israel will take all necessary steps in order to prevent entry of any boat attempting to break the blockade. And since this coming flotilla is from a country with no diplomatic ties with Israel, the people on board, after being apprehended, might not be able to go back to their countries,” Vapni added.

He also asked the DFA to alert Filipino seamen who might be part of the flotilla.

Vapni cited an incident involving Filipino seafarers on board a flotilla from Ireland loaded with donations. The seamen were unharmed because they coordinated with Israel and were requested to leave after unloading the goods.