We hear all the time that Israel broke international law when they boarded the Gaza flotilla ships in International waters... well did they? Prof. of law Ruth Lapidot explains... Textual content of video: Important to note: - The situation between Israel and Hamas is Armed Conflict - this means that you can control ships going to Gaza even at high seas. - The rules on blockades are still under international customary law, ie no international treaty Definition of blockade: - One state prohibits the entry and exit of both neutral and enemy ships and aircrafts to an area which is considered by this party to be an area subject to this blockade. The sources of the law on blockade: - Paris Declaration Respecting Maritime Law; - London Declaration concerning the Laws of Naval War; - Guides to Law of Naval Operations by leading countries; - San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea. Conditions of blockade legality: - Declare if and when you apply a blockade; - You have to apply and enforce the blockade; - You must not cut off the territorial sea of another state; - The blockade must apply to everybody. - Must permit passage of humanitarian assistance, BUT: the state that applied the blockade can decide when, where and through which port the aid will reach the coast AND A neutral organization/group can examine where the supplies go; - You may not starve the civilian population: In the 18 months prior to the Gaza flotilla, over one million tons of <b>...</b>

Published: 2010-07-01
Uploaded: 2010-07-23
Author: Joniversity