David Farrar: No the activists are not kidnapped

The purpose of the so called aid flotilla to Gaza isn’t to deliver aid (they could deliver it via the normal route). It is to get arrested.

It is worth noting Israel has failed at times to get enough aid into Gaza, which they have a responsibility to do. However it is worth noting that the worse appears to be over. The JP reports:

A kilogram of flour, which cost between NIS 80-100 about three weeks ago, is now priced at NIS 18. A kilogram of sugar, which costs NIS 300, now costs NIS 50. A kilogram of pasta dropped from NIS 100 to NIS 10. A kilogram of rice, which was NIS 120 three weeks ago, now sells for NIS 30. Oil, lentils, and hummus, which previously went for NIS 90 per kilogram/liter, have now dropped to NIS 30, NIS 20, and NIS 10, respectively.

One can demand Israel does a better job of getting aid into Gaza, without thinking these flotillas have anything to do with actually helping get aid in.

The activists claim the naval blockade is illegal. The media repeat their claims without question. They ignore the fact that the naval blockade has been found by a UN panel to be legal, chaired by no less than NZ’s Sir Geoffrey Palmer. The report is here. Key conclusions are:

• Israel faces a real threat to its security from militant groups in Gaza. The naval blockade was imposed as a legitimate security measure in order to prevent weapons from entering Gaza by sea and its implementation complied with the requirements of international law.

• All humanitarian missions wishing to assist the Gaza population should do so through established procedures and the designated land crossings in consultation with the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Any media story on the blockade that doesn’t mention these conclusions is not giving readers the full story.

The activists on board know they will get arrested. They’ll be disappointed if they don’t. Their aim is publicity, not aid. They also know Israel will deport them as soon as possible. The Green Party hosted press conferences in NZ are pure performance.

David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders