Boarding of the “Al-Karame” Ship

1. 20 July 2011 Boarding of the “Al-Karame” Ship

2. Focal Points On 19 July 2011, the Israel Navy intercepted the “Al-Karame” ship, which was trying to enter the Gaza Strip in violation of the lawful blockade of the territory. The activists rejected repeated calls by the navy to turn back. Israeli forces boarded the vessel with no resistance from the activists. Israel has imposed a maritime security blockade on the Gaza Strip’s coast to prevent the smuggling of arms and supplies to Hamas and other terrorist organizations in accordance with international law.

3. Focal Points Any vessel wishing to transfer goods into the Gaza Strip has the option to unload its cargo at Ashdod Port in Israel or an alternative port in Egypt. The goods are then transferred into the Gaza Strip by land, pending security inspections to ensure that there is no admittance of goods constituting a security risk to the State of Israel Any attempt to breach the maritime security blockade in spite of these alternatives is a clear provocation. Several of the organizers of the flotillas have publicly stated that their goal – as was the case with previous flotillas – is not humanitarian but rather to breach the Israeli maritime security blockade by all means, in what is clearly meant as a provocation. Flotillas whose sole aim is to breach the naval security blockade as a provocative action have already been condemned by the European Union and the United States, which have backed Israel’s policy on goods transfers. 3

4. All aid for Gaza should gothrough "legitimate crossings and established channels” "The secretary-general called on all governments concerned to use their influence to discourage such flotillas, which carry the potential to escalate into violent conflict" Top: Ban Ki-Moon, UN Chief Bottom: Martin Nesirky, UN Spokesperson

5. Details of the Events The Israel Navy has boarded the “Al-Karame” vessel approximately thirty nautical miles west of the Gaza Strip. The boat, which was sailing under the French flag, set sail from Greece on 16 July 2011. The boarding followed questioning and negotiations in French, during which the activists refused to arrive at the Ashdod Port. The Israel Navy had offered the passengers to deliver any goods through the existing land channels and informed them that if they persist in their attempt to breach the naval blockade, the Israel Navy will use necessary means to prevent them from doing so.

6. Details of the Events 6 Passengers on board the vessel did not resist during the navy’s boarding of the vessel. The soldiers operated in line with relevant procedures and took every precaution necessary to avoid harming the activists while ensuring the safety of the soldiers. The vessel was taken to the Ashdod port. Following the boarding, the passengers received medical examinations and were offered food and beverages. Activists were subsequently taken to a holding facility, where the Israel Police and the Ministry of Interior began the process of questioning the passengers, with the intent on sending all the activists to their home countries via Ben Gurion Airport.

7. Video of the Event

8. Video of the Event

9. Video of the Event

10. Please note that these videos can also be accessed on the IDF Spokesperson’s Youtube channel: The French Boat, Al-Karama, Declares its Destination as Gaza Port http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naWhcDoX22Y&feature=channel_video_title Israel Navy Boarding Al-Karama http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyEWv964W9M Al-Karama Passengers Moved to Israel Navy Boat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7ACZUHq1go Video of the Event

11. Passenger List by Country • There were sixteen passengers on board the “Al-Karame” vessel. Their countries of origin are: • Canada • France • Greece • Israel • Sweden • Tunisia

12. The Maritime Blockade Right:: Map of Israel’s maritime security blockade Israel’s security blockade of the Gaza Strip was imposed in accordance with international law. All restrictions imposed on the transfer of goods to the region are aimed at ensuring the security of Israeli citizens by preventing a Hamas military buildup. Attempted Breaching of the Blockade The entry of a vessel into a blockaded area without permission constitutes a breach of the naval blockade. According to international law, if there are reasonable grounds to believe that a vessel has breached the blockade, it may be captured. Moreover, a vessel may be captured when attempting to breach a naval blockade if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the vessel intends to breach it, even before the vessel reaches the blockaded area. In such a case, the capture must take place outside of territorial waters of neutral states. Picture of something 12

13. Examples of Iranian Weapons Transfers Recent instances of arms-smuggling to Gaza demonstrate the necessity of Israel’s policy of a naval security blockade on the Strip. Picture of something Monchegorsk Francop Victoria

14. Hamas In 2007 the terrorist organization Hamas staged a violent coup on the Gaza Strip, obtaining de-facto authority over the area. Hamas has since transformed the Strip into a launching point for terrorist activity, staging attacks against Israel’s civilian population, facilitating the smuggling of weapons into the Strip and supporting other terrorist organizations in perpetrating attacks. Rocket and Mortar Fire from the Gaza Strip: Recent Terrorist Attacks: On 7 April 2011, a Hamas cell launched a Kornet AT missile at an Israeli school bus, injuring the driver and killing a16-year-old and. Rockets Mortars Thus far in July 2011, fourteen rockets and mortars have been fired by terrorists from the Gaza Strip at Israeli citizens. Hamas’ Rejection of International Community Conditions: • Recognition of the State of Israel’s right to exist • Cessation of hostile terrorist activity against Israel • Recognition of agreements between Israel and the PA Unclassified || Slide 14