WASHINGTON - Israel has urged Lebanon and the international community to prevent two Lebanese-sponsored ships, the Julia (also known as Naji al-Ali) and Junia (also known as Miriam), from sailing to Gaza.

In a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council Wednesday, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Gabriela Shalev called on Lebanon's government "to demonstrate responsibility" and prevent the two ships from leaving: "such action will prevent any possible escalation."

As Shalev's letter noted, "It cannot be ruled out that these vessels carry weapons or individuals with provocative and confrontational intentions." Israel and Lebanon remain in a state of hostility. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has called on Lebanese citizens to participate in flotillas. Organizers of this flotilla have expressed their wish to become "martyrs."

Acknowledging these circumstances, U.N under-secretary-general for political affairs Lynn Pascoe told the Security Council on Wednesday July 21 that "such convoys are not helpful to resolving the basic economic problems of Gaza and needlessly carry the potential for escalation."

This latest provocation is unnecessary: Under Israel's June 20 policy, there are appropriate mechanisms for sending aid to Gaza.

All goods that are not weapons or material for war-like purposes are now entering the Gaza Strip through appropriate mechanisms that ensure their delivery as well as their civilian nature. In a statement released July 10, Defense Minister Ehud Barak made clear Israel's policy: "It is possible to bring goods to the Gaza Strip via the port of Ashdod after they are checked to ensure that weapons and combat materials don't reach Gaza."

Currently, Israel facilitates the transfer to the Gaza Strip of approximately 800 truckloads of supplies (15,000 tons) per week.

Recognizing these actions, and that "Israel has legitimate security concerns," the Quartet declared (June 21) that it "urges all those wishing to deliver goods to do so through established channels so that their cargo can be inspected and transferred via land crossings into Gaza. The Quartet emphasizes that there is no need for unnecessary confrontations..."

The U.S. State Department issued (June 23) a similar statement to that of the Quartet, adding that "mechanisms exist for the transfer of humanitarian assistance to Gaza by member states and groups that want to do so. Direct delivery by sea is neither appropriate nor responsible, and certainly not effective, under the circumstances."

About the ships:

The Julia and Junia are expected to sail from the Lebanese port of Tripoli on either Friday or Saturday.

The funds to purchase both ships were raised by Yasser Kashlak, a Palestinian businessman who heads the "Movement for a Free Palestine." Kashlak's organization, along with Lebanese NGO "Reporters Without Borders", also took out newspaper advertisements to raise money for the flotilla.

The Julia is expected to include correspondents from Reporters Without Borders. Members of the Lebanese Parliament may also be on board.

The Junia's passengers, as originally announced, were to all be women, and would be carrying medicine and children's food. The Junia's organizing committee was led by Sama al-Hajj, the wife of the former head of Lebanese General Security.