JERUSALEM, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Israel is seeking international help in turning back the latest so-called aid ship ready to set sail to Gaza.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak announced Saturday he had spoken to the United States and France to enlist their diplomatic help in preventing the Miriam from leaving Lebanon for Gaza.
Barak's office said in a written statement that he made his request earlier in the day by telephone directly to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.
"The defense minister clarified that Israel enables humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip after being checked (for contraband) in Ashdod Port, thus the flotilla's attempt to reach Gaza is an unnecessary provocation," the statement said.
The organizers of Sunday's voyage said their cargo includes books, toys and chemotherapy drugs.
Ynetnews said the nature of the assistance Barak sought was not discussed in detail; however, Barak has said in recent weeks that he has recognized that international intervention was needed to avoid confrontations at sea between aid ships and the Israeli military.
