British government warns against flotilla participation
Israel approves of UK's move.
By HERB KEINONGaza Flotilla 311(photo credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The British Foreign Office has issued a travel advisory recommending that its citizens not take part in flotillas trying to break the Gaza blockade, something Israel is lobbying other countries to do as well.The travel advisory for “Israel and the Occupied Territories” that wasplaced on the Foreign Office’s Web site soon after the May 31 flotillaraid reads that “participating in a convoy of this kind brings a realrisk of injury or death. We strongly advise against anyone attemptingto break the naval blockade in this way.” The advisory also reads, “Weadvise against all travel to Gaza (including the waters off Gaza).”One Israeli Foreign Ministry official said that statements such asthese were significant because they make it clear that the governmentsthat issue the advisories view the attempt to break the blockade asnegative, and hint that those who insist on taking part in theflotillas should not later come to their home governments looking forsupport.
