NEW YORK: The Middle East diplomatic Quartet on Saturday discouraged new flotillas from sailing to Gaza to provide humanitarian aid, it said in a statement. "The Quartet recognizes that Israel has legitimate security concerns that must continue to be safeguarded," said the group, representing the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations. "Members of the Quartet are committed to working with Israel, Egypt and the international community to prevent the illicit trafficking of arms and ammunition into Gaza and believe efforts to maintain security while enabling movement and access for Palestinian people and goods are critical," the statement added. Pro-Palestinian activists were outraged when Greece banned all Gaza-bound ships from leaving its ports for a second day on Saturday. Greece said they were acting to protect the activists. Greek authorities cited Israel's "declaration to use violence against those who attempt to break the blockade," as well as a United Nations plea for member states on the Mediterranean "to use their influence to discourage" the missions, as reasons for their decision. According to the Quartet's statement, the group "remains concerned about the unsustainable conditions facing the civilian population in Gaza," and added that conditions have improved over the last year, including an increase in the scope of goods and materials moving into Gaza. "In this context, the Quartet strongly urges all those wishing to deliver goods to the people of Gaza to do so through established channels so that their cargo can be inspected and transferred via established land crossings." Greece's Civil Protection Authority confirmed Saturday that the ban on departures of ships "with Greek and foreign flags from Greek ports to the maritime area of Gaza" was in place "until further notice." On Friday evening the US boat Audacity of Hope tried to depart Greek waters just an hour after Athens announced its ban: they were quickly intercepted by a coastguard vessel with masked, armed men on board. Coast Guard officials were on alert for any other attempts to defy the ban, but differences emerged among the flotilla organizers over plans to get the remaining four boats into international waters and on to Gaza. France's chief diplomat Alain Juppe said the Quartet is scheduled to meet in Washington on July 11 to continue their meditations on the Israel-Palestinian peace process.
