Thread: Clinton says Flotilla will Provoke Israel

Clinton says Gaza flotilla an attempt to provoke Israel, not ‘necessary or useful’

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday criticized activists planning to challenge Israel’s sea blockade of the Gaza Strip, saying their efforts are neither “necessary or useful” in helping the Palestinian people of Gaza.

A day after the State Department warned Americans against participating in the planned flotilla, Clinton said the flotilla, which Israel has said it will thwart, is not helpful and will only increase tensions. She noted that Israeli authorities had this week approved new shipments of housing construction material to enter Gaza legally and that the aim of the organizers appeared to be to merely provoke Israel into using its right to defend itself.

This makes absolutely no sense to me. Israel is illegally destroying Palestinian houses and putting up settlements. The Palestinians want to block the import of construction equipment/materials for these settlements. And somehow that is a provocation of Israel to defend itself?

What does Hillary think would be helpful?

Isn't the border open with Egypt now?