© FreeGaza.orgThe farewell party to one of the boats in Turkey saw a huge crowd 'violently' wave flags and sing songs of hope for the 800 voyagers
Foreign minister says 'there is no humanitarian crisis in Strip,' calls fleet of aid ship en route to Gaza 'an attempt at violent propaganda against Israel.' We will not allow violation of our sovereignty, he addsHours before its arrival, the foreign minister lashes out at the Gaza flotilla.
Avigdor Lieberman said Friday afternoon that "the flotilla is an attempt at violent propaganda against
Israel, and Israel will not allow a violation of its sovereignty at sea, in the air, or on land."
Lieberman, who spoke during a visit to the Forgein Ministry's situation room, added, "There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and despite the
Hamas leadership's war crimes and rocket fire, Israel is conducting itself in the most humanitarian manner, and is allowing the entrance of thousands of tons of food and equipment to Gaza."
The Foreign Ministry on Friday held a situation evaluation along with representatives from the ministry.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, Palestinians are preparing for the arrival of the ships. Palestinian and Turkish flags have been hung at several locations across the Strip.
As the Free Gaza ships made their way to the shores of the Strip on Friday morning, the organizers broadcast
live footage from one of the ships.
Moments after the footage was published on Ynet, the number of viewers tripled, and the organizers replaced the live feed with propaganda films displaying images from Gaza during
Operation Cast Lead. Minutes later, the broadcast from the ship was renewed.
© FreeGaza.orgThe crowd then released doves of peace as the ship left port - a clear act of violent propaganda against Israel which is of course, virulently allergic to peace
The Israel Defense Forces said they would block access to the live footage as the ships near the shores of Gaza, meaning a takeover of the ships will be done secretly.
Before the live feed was replaced with the propaganda, a camera was planted on one of the ships broadcasting activity on it. Flags of Algeria, Turkey, Sweden, Ireland and the Palestinian Authority could be seen in the background.
Turkish could occasionally be heard being spoken, and several of the activists could be seen looking to the waters of the Mediterranean and taking pictures.
A calm atmosphere was seen in the footage, with mattresses on the deck and occasional announcements to the passengers in Turkish.
On Thursday, the Israeli Navy
prepared for the expected encounter with the aid flotilla making its way to Gaza. IDF sources said they were concerned that terrorists may try to use the "Freedom Flotilla" to enter the Strip or smuggle in weapons.
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