Backlash to Flotilla Strike

ASI-Report - Backlash to Israeli Flotilla strikes

Worldwide: On 31 May 2010 the Israeli navy intercepted a flotilla of ships carrying aid and pro-Palestinian activists to the Gaza Strip. Israel had in the preceding days prepared to confront the flotilla, which it had repeatedly warned against attempting to break Israel’s longstanding blockade on the Gaza Strip; Israeli officials stated that they gave the flotilla the option of docking in the Israeli port of Ashdod and transporting the aid through Israel after a security inspection. The navy acted to intercept the flotilla when the organizing group, the Free Gaza Movement, turned down the offer and decided to proceed toward Gaza. The situation deteriorated after Israeli commandos raided the ships and some 10 pro-Palestinian activists were killed in ensuing clashes on one of the vessels. Israel has voiced its regret of the deaths, but defended the actions of its soldiers; officials claimed that activists aboard one of the flotilla ships provoked a violent response by attacking the security forces with live fire and light weaponry. The Free Gaza Movement announced on 1 June that it has two additional vessels that will again attempt to break the Israeli blockade against Gaza. Israel has already stated that any further attempts will be met with force, raising the potential for another confrontation between activists and Israeli military forces.

The development has stoked anger and condemnation against Israel, and anti-Israeli demonstrations are now occurring in many locations worldwide, particularly in the wider Muslim world, but also in non-Muslim countries.

REACTION - DEMONSTRATIONS

On 1 June thousands of people staged protests in several Indonesian cities; in Australia, as many as 4,000 of people staged a peaceful demonstration in Sydney's Sydney Square near Town Hall and St. Andrew's Cathedral on the evening of 1 June. A demonstration Israel was staged outside the Turkish Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 1 June.

Two demonstrations were staged in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 1 June; approximately 300 people participated in a protest at the U.N. building, while approximately 300 others protested at the U.S. Embassy, calling for action to be taken against Israel. One protester reportedly attempted to kill himself with a box cutter before fellow protesters stopped him, but no other incidents of violence were reported. Another demonstration is planned at the U.S. Embassy on 4 June. Over the past 24 hours, protests have also occurred in Israel (both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem), Lebanon and Iran.

On 31 May approximately 10,000 protesters gathered in cities across Turkey, including Ankara, Adana and Istanbul, where a group of demonstrators attempted to storm the Israeli Consulate.

Thousands of protesters gathered at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry in Cairo; smaller demonstrations took place in other cities across Egypt. Approximately 3,000 people took to the streets in Baghdad.

Protesters were also staged demonstrations in Europe and the United Kingdom. Thousands of protesters rallied in at least 20 cities across Greece.

In Athens, police officers in riot gear used teargas and stun grenades to disperse approximately 3,500 people who threw stones, bottles and pieces of concrete, and set fire to barricades outside the Israeli Embassy.

At least 2,000 people demonstrated peacefully in Thessaloniki. In Paris, approximately 2,000 demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli Embassy, prompting police officers to use teargas against the crowd. In Sweden, approximately 5,000 people marched from central Stockholm to the Israeli Embassy, where they held a peaceful rally. Demonstrations were also reported in Italy, Norway and Cyprus.

In London, more than 1,000 people demonstrated outside the Israeli Embassy; however, there were no reports of violence. Additional protests were scheduled in Europe on 1 June.

Israel is also experiencing a political backlash; Turkey, with whom Israel’s once had close relations that have steadily deteriorated in recent months, has been the most outspoken critic of Israel’s actions. Turkey, France, Spain, Greece, Denmark and Sweden summoned the Israeli ambassador in each country to condemn the deadly assault, the European Union and the United Nations called for an investigation into the use of force while demanding that Israel immediately and unconditionally allow the flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Turkey also withdrew its ambassador to Israel and canceled military drills with the country.

ASI Comment: Israel experienced similar reactions when it launched its military campaign in the Gaza Strip in December 2008, and ties with many countries will likely remain strained for the foreseeable future, particularly if additional confrontations occur between Israeli military forces and other ships attempting to break the blockade. Protests against Israel and in support of the Palestinians are likely to continue in the coming days and weeks, but will likely soon begin to decrease in their size and intensity. However, while demonstrations are ongoing, travelers should seek to avoid any gatherings regardless of size due to the potential for violence. The developments have heightened security concerns for Israel and its interests, increasing the potential for incidents of violence directed against Israelis or Israeli facilities. The backlash has prompted Israel’s National Security Council Counter-Terrorism Bureau (NSCCTB) to issue a “severe” travel warning for Israelis in Turkey, where the reaction to the raid has been the most severe. The NSCCTB warned against the possibility for “violent outbreaks against Israelis” there.

In line with the increase in security concerns are concerns regarding potential attacks inside Israel; on 1 June authorities killed two suspected Palestinian militants who were attempting to infiltrate Israel via its border with the Gaza Strip. Officials suspect that the two intended to carry out retaliatory attacks for the naval raid. Further such incidents are possible, including in the West Bank territory and in Israel proper, especially in locations with large Palestinian populations. Travelers and expatriates should exercise caution in countries where anti-Israeli actions have occurred and should avoid Israeli facilities as a precaution.