Clinton opposes Gaza aid flotilla

2011-06-24 07:05

Washington - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday said she opposed plans by pro-Palestinian activists to sail aboard several ships to the Gaza Strip in defiance of an Israeli naval blockade.

"We do not believe that the flotilla is a necessary or useful effort to try to assist the people of Gaza," the chief US diplomat told reporters.

"Just this week, the Israeli government approved a significant commitment to housing in Gaza. There will be construction materials entering Gaza," Clinton said.

"And we think that it’s not helpful for there to be flotillas that try to provoke actions by entering into Israeli waters and creating a situation in which the Israelis have the right to defend themselves," Clinton said.

On May 31 2010, Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish activists, including one who also had US citizenship, when they boarded a Turkish vessel that was part of a flotilla trying to break the Israeli-imposed blockade of Gaza.

A group of pro-Palestinian activists, led by several Turkish groups, have said they plan to sail within the next few days to Gaza, mainly from Greek ports.

- AFP