Radio Exchange Between Israeli Navy and 7th Flotilla Ship Regarding Transfer of Aid to Gaza, 5 June 2010

In this audio recording of the radio transmission between the Israeli Navy and the 7th flotilla ship, the Israeli Navy offers to transfer all humanitarian supplies on board to Gaza through land crossings in coordination with a third party (including a number of independent aid organizations), so that the Navy would not have to board the ship. Additionally, the Israeli Navy offers that if the ship redirects to dock at Ashdod Port, the cement on board will be transferred into Gaza in coordination with an aid organization to ensure that it is used for civilian purposes.

The following is a transcript of the radio transmission recording:

Israeli Navy: I’d like to propose something else. First I’d like to make clear it is not our desire, I repeat, it is not our desire, to board your boat. My proposal is as follows: We escort you to Ashdod Port. At the Port of Ashdod you’ll undergo standard inspections, standard of all incoming vessels, and we’ll take it from there in terms of expediting your loading of cargo trucks at the port.

7th Flotilla Ship: How about this for a suggestion…you stop, have a cup of tea, and we’ll continue on to Gaza. We cannot go into Ashdod and off load. I have explained already for circumstances we’ve already gone through that we cannot off load in Ashdod, over.

Israeli Navy: I’ve just been informed I may have not been clear in detailing our previous offer, so I’d like to go over another detail in case you feel I was not clear. Should you agree to come with us to Ashdod and off load your cargo, your cargo would not be delivered to the people of Gaza by the State of Israel. We could do it through an intermediary under the U.N. or an NGO, we have several available willing to help. If you weren’t aware of this issue, it is possible, and we would like to bring this to your attention.

7th Flotilla Ship: The Irish government, I think, had been in talks with the Israeli government seeking safe passage for this ship into Gaza and I think that the best compromise that they could come to was to send this aid to Ashdod. We are further asking to let this ship go to Gaza, over.

Israeli Navy: I’m still hoping we can take this a step ahead and reach a solution.

7th Flotilla Ship: I do too, over.

Israeli Navy: It has been brought to my attention that should it result in the way I proposed, of you coming into Ashdod under escort and offloading the cargo in Ashdod Port, the cement that you said is the bulk of your cargo will be transferred to Gaza. That’s the assurance I have just been given by my superiors. To the best of my knowledge that would be precedent setting. It would something you could take back to your supporters, to your fellow passengers, to the people you say you want to support, and to the government you say you are rebuking for not doing more for Gaza.