Int’l Law Expert Dr. Robbie Sabel: IDF action in international waters legal

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 31 May 2010

IMRA asked Hebrew University international law expert Dr. Robbie Sabel about
the legality of the IDF action in international waters.

Dr. Sabel explained that a state, in a time of conflict, can impose an
embargo, and while it cannot carry out embargo activities in the territorial
waters of a third party, it can carry out embargo activities in
international waters.

Within this framework it is legal to detain a civilian vessel trying to
break an embargo and if in the course of detaining the vessel, force is used
against the forces carrying out the detention then that force has every
right to act in self defense.

Dr. Sabel noted that there is a long history of embargo activities in
international waters.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il