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Netanyahu: Blockade of Gaza Still Necessary
(Ha'aretz) Barak Ravid - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the political-security cabinet on Tuesday that Israel's naval blockade was still necessary to prevent weapons from being smuggled into Gaza. "We know from the experience of Operation Cast Lead that the weapons entering Gaza are being turned against our civilians," Netanyahu said. "Gaza is a terror state funded by the Iranians, and therefore we must try to prevent any weapons from being brought into Gaza by air, sea and land." He emphasized that the large amounts of weapons that could be brought by sea made the threat a completely different affair. "Opening a naval route to Gaza will present an enormous danger to the security of our citizens. Therefore, we will stand firm on our policy of a naval blockade and of inspecting incoming ships." "It's true that there is international pressure and criticism of this policy, but [the world] must understand that it is crucial to preserving Israel's security and the right of the State of Israel to defend itself."