'Hamas leader is brain behind Dutch flotilla'
By JPOST.COM STAFF
LAST UPDATED: 06/30/2011 18:08
'De Telegraaf' report says Amin Abu Rashid spotted training with Gaza-bound crew in Greece; Edelstein: Participation shows intent to provoke.
The 'Mavi Marmara' Photo: Reuters/Emrah Dalkaya
Hamas
leader from Holland Amin Abu Rashid has been seen in recent days
training with a Gaza-bound flotilla crew in Greece, according to a
report by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf on Thursday.
Rashid,
described as the "brain" behind the flotilla, helped arrange the
purchasing of the Dutch boat expected to be used in the expedition, De Telegraaf reported.
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Rashid also allegedly organized the majority of the funding for the flotilla, the report said.
The
participation of a Hamas member in the Gaza-bound flotilla proves that
the flotilla does not have humanitarian intent, but is actually a
provocation and a terror operation, Public Affairs and Diplomacy
Minister Yuli Edelstein said in response to the report.
"The
participation of Hamas member Amin Abu Rashid in the flotilla, who is
known for fundraising money for Hamas terror operations, is clear proof
that this is not a humanitarian flotilla, but a provocation and a terror
operation in disguise of a flotilla," Edelstein said.
"In the
previous flotilla, Abu Rashid expressed his intentions to clash with IDF
soldiers and we must take into account that this will be his intention
in the current flotilla. Israel is prepared for every scenario and the
world's countries must now reinforce the country seven-fold," the
minister added.