Israel Institute of New Zealand director, Dr David Cumin, is calling on the Government to distance itself from a decision by Labour MP, Dr Duncan Webb, to host a meeting featuring Unite Union National Director Mike Treen in which Mr Treen will be speaking on his recent participation in the so-called \u2018international freedom flotilla\u2019 against Israel.<\/p>\n
Dr Cumin has called the event \u2018an explicit endorsement of terrorism\u2019 and says that Mr Treens participation in the flotilla, and subsequent description of it, are both dishonest and in flagrant violation of the sovereignty of a State with which New Zealand has traditionally enjoyed warm diplomatic relations.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr Treen supports the terrorist actions of Hamas \u2013 something he\u2019s entitled to do as an extremist \u2013 but in hosting the event, the Labour Party is giving its endorsement to that extremism\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr Treen has made much of the fact that he was allegedly attacked and detained by Israeli forces while onboard the \u2018Al Awda\u2019. However, the UN report authored by former NZ Prime Minister, Sir Geoff Palmer, states that violation of a lawful blockade constitutes unlawful activity and an interception in international waters is entirely correct if the vessel is attempting to breach a blockade. That means that the detention of Mr Treen was inevitable and lawful, given his attempt to breach a legal blockade\u201d. Dr David Cumin<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Dr Cumin notes that the Israeli blockade is entirely legal, noting that the BSA has ruled it is irresponsible for NZ media to refer<\/a> to it as \u201cillegal\u201d and citing the UN Palmer Report which considers the blockade \u201ca legitimate security measure in order to prevent weapons from entering Gaza by sea\u201d.<\/p>\n
Dr Cumin also noted the cynical nature of the flotilla and suggested that kiwis would be disgusted to know that it carried virtually no \u2018aid\u2019 for Palestinians.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis group, like the last, has admitted that their cargo is not nearly as important as the publicity \u2013 in fact Richard Sudan of Iran\u2019s Press TV UK<\/a> is even quoted as saying \u201cThere is also some medical aid on board, although the amount of medical aid is merely a gesture. We\u2019re talking just a few boxes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMeanwhile Israel sends thousands of truckloads of aid to Gaza each week<\/a> while Hamas and other militant groups\u00a0continue to indiscriminately send flaming kites, mortars, and missiles over the border<\/a>. If Treen and others truly cared about delivering aid, they could easily do so via Israel\u201d.Dr David Cumin<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
If Dr Webb insists on endorsing Mr Treen and the \u2018flotilla\u2019 in a similar way to Marama Davidson\u2019s involvement in the stunt two years ago, then Labour will similarly be endorsing terrorism and turning their backs on international law.<\/p>\n
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