Israel Matzav

Iranian aid flotilla to Gaza canceled

Well, here's some good news for a change: The Iranian aid flotilla to Gaza has been canceled, although a separate Iranian ship is still heading for Gaza via the Caspian Sea (Hat Tip: Memeorandum).

One of the organizers of an Iranian aid flotilla that was to said to Gaza in efforts to break Israel's naval blockade on the territory, announced Thursday that the event has been cancelled due to "Israeli threats."

Army Radio reported that a separate Iranian ship, carrying 60 Iranian activists, was being prepared to sail to Gaza via the Caspian Sea. This after the Lebanese media reported several days ago that Egypt has denied Israel's request to prevent Iranian ships from passing through the Suez Canal toward Egypt.

I guess the Iranians decided that there are better ways to start a war.

Meanwhile Thursday, the U.S. State Department issued a statement calling the aid flotillas to Gaza irresponsible.

"Mechanisms exist for the transfer of humanitarian assistance to Gaza by member states and groups that want to do so," the U.S. State Department said regarding Lebanese plans to ship aid to Gaza. "Direct delivery by sea is neither appropriate nor responsible, and certainly not effective, under the circumstances."

And I guess the US State Department has finally decided that sitting on the sidelines and letting every country in the region challenge Israel is not very appropriate, responsible or effective under the circumstances.

What could go wrong?

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 3:25 AM