Israel is uptight about flotilla from Lebanon

17.06.2010 While Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) continues tracing Iranian vessels heading for the Gaza Strip, Israeli Navy is in advanced readiness status because of anxiety about another "peaceful flotilla" would sail off Lebanon; due to short distance, Israeli mariners might have not enough time to detain the convoy.

We recall that early this week a cargo ship left Iranian coast and will expectedly try to break the blockade not later than coming weekend, reports Zman.

Another Iranian vessel is about to head for Gaza early next week. However, IDF is much more concerned about several fast-speed vessels from Lebanon, possibly, with Hezbollah militants on board.

Presumably, Israeli Coast Guard vessels will try to stop "the liberators of Gaza" by requiring them to give up off the Strip coast. That worked during Operation Cast Lead when Iranian ship tried to break the siege and was stopped without boarding of commandos.

Israeli president Shimon Peres tries to persuade different parties of Knesset to urgently create government of national unity. He concerns much of the recent incidents related to interception of Freedom Flotilla; talking to parliamentary fractions, he tees off on government which, in his opinion, has no distinct policy orientation.

Peres warns that Israel's stance at international scene is becoming worse day by day. Spontaneous economic boycott declared by some European countries could take organized character soon; that would lead to deterioration of relations at political level.

It was previously repeated that Israeli government had approved establishment of inquiry panel to investigate the incident around the Flotilla caused death of nine people.

Leaders of some countries were not put up with Israel's decision to conduct internal investigation even with participation of foreign observers. According to AFP, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, French president Nikolas Sarkozy, and Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Israel must conduct international investigation as required by UN Security Council. Last week UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon appealed for international community's participation in the inquiry.