Press Release from the Spokesman of the Israeli Embassy in Wellington

Israel is pleased that organisers of the convoy have chosen to bring their goods via the formal land border with Egypt known as the Rafah Border Crossing, and have not confronted the Israeli navy by attempting to breach Israel’s legal blockade of Gaza. The naval blockade is in place to ensure no materiel enters Gaza, which can be used by individuals or groups for terror activities against Israel.

Israel stresses again that there is no lack of any goods in Gaza and certainly no humanitarian crisis whatsoever.

Roughly 150 tons of goods enter Gaza on a daily basis through the Israeli border crossings. Exact daily statistics are available for anyone to view.

Israel regrets that some New Zealand citizens are supporting so called “human rights groups”, whose sole purpose is to delegitimize Israel’s right to exist. Unfortunately, these groups do not act with the same fervor towards returning the kidnapped Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit back home. Surely this Israeli citizen, held for over 4 years without a visit from any international aid organisation such as the Red Cross, also deserves the same “human rights” of which they preach.

Israel shall continue to do all in its ability to protect its citizens from the continuing threat looming from the Gaza Strip while simultaneously continuing the steady supply of goods into Gaza in order to minimize the effects on the Palestinian population.

ENDS

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