Given that an effort is underway by the vessel Estelle to break the Gaza blockade, and that Greek citizens intend to participate – and bearing in mind the UN positions on the need to supply humanitarian aid to Gaza through official channels, the stated intention of the Israeli government not to allow vessels to approach the Gaza coast, and the immediate danger to human life and safety that is entailed in participating in the endeavor in question, particularly in light of the events of 2010 – the Foreign Ministry urges the Greek citizens not to participate in the Estelle initiative.
Greece’s positions on the need to lift the Gaza blockade and improve the humanitarian situation in the region are well known. Equally well known is Greece’s principled stance on the need to respect international law and avoid the use of force. We have made these positions clear to all interested parties.
In addition to urging the Greek citizens not to participate in the endeavor in question, and within the framework of the Ministry’s concern for the lives and safety of Greek citizens who are abroad, the Foreign Ministry’s Secretary General, Ambassador Kaskarelis, on the instructions of Foreign Minister Avramopoulos, today called Israeli Ambassador Aryeh Mekel to the Foreign Ministry, reiterating to him Greece’s well known positions and stressing the obvious: that the Israeli authorities ensure the safety and protect the lives of the Greek citizens who are reportedly to participate in the attempt to break the Gaza blockade.
It is to be noted that the vessel Estelle has not entered Greek national waters.
October 17, 2012