Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman says the boarding of the ships in international waters was legal under international law. He described the Gaza flotilla as an attempt to undermine Israel's sovereignty.
Speaking to Channel 10 news on Monday night the FM said: "Israel is a sovereign state and cannot accept the undermining of its sovereignty. Israel has stopped ships in international waters before and when ships refuse to
accede to warnings and obey instructions, we have the right to board them under international law."
He went on to say that the passengers on board the ship "were not peace
activists but terror supporters."
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‘They came for war’ Barak: Flotilla organizers to blameLieberman praised the soldiers who he said "showed great restraint and
bravery while under attack by hooligans, anarchists and terror
supporters". He also expressed appreciation of pressures under which
foreign ministry employees and IDF spokesperson who, he said, had been
working relentlessly throughout the day.
Lieberman said that Israel had warned the Turkish government through
"both formal and informal contacts. All our efforts were
rejected. The aim of this ship was violence, they prepared an ambush and
were equipped with arms, an officer was stabbed." He noted that Israel
allows countries to send aid to Gaza through its territory, after
checking that it has no military purpose and that many countries do so.