US President Barack Obama's commitment to Israel's security is an "insurance policy," National Security Adviser Uzi Arad said Monday.
Speaking to the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Arad said that the US president had "openly" confirmed that his country would not allow "Israel's security to be challenged."
"Obama's administration acknowledges Israel's need to respond to every threat it may face," he told the committee.
Arad also addressed the Libya backed aid ship the Amalthea that might attempt to break the blockade of Gaza despite Israeli warnings not to do so.
"The Libyan ship will not be allowed to arrive at Gaza, but the humanitarian aid aboard will arrive."
Also commenting on the Libyan ship on Monday, National Infrastructures Minister Uzi Landau told Israel Radio that the Navy will stop the Libyan aid ship currently at sea if it attempts to reach Gaza port .
This is a government decision we are all behind," Landau said, stating that the Navy would not use paintball guns as they did previously, having learned lessons following events on board the Mavi Marmara last month.
He also reiterated Israel's standpoint regarding the matter, specifically that Hamas is a terrorist organization and that Israel would not allow the transfer of any cargo via Gaza port.
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=181179
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