Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to apologise for Israel's deadly commando attack on the flotilla heading towards the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid that left nine people dead. He also termed the global outrage over the incident as "international hypocrisy".
He spoke both in Hebrew and then in English at a special press conference in his office.
"Once again Israel faces hypocrisy and a biased rush to judgment. What would you do? How would your soldiers behave in similar circumstances? In your heart, you all know the truth," the Washington Post quoted Netanyahu as saying.
"This might sound like an impossible plea, request or demand," he continued, adding, "Israel should not be held to a double standard. The Jewish state has a right to defend itself like any other state."
If ships were allowed to sail to Gaza without inspection as the flotilla organisers had demanded, nothing could stop Iran from sending high-level weapons to Hamas in Gaza, said Netanyahu.
Already, he said, Hamas has missiles that can hit major Israeli cities such as Ashkelon, Beersheba and even Tel Aviv. Very soon, their missiles will also be able to reach the outskirts of Jerusalem.
"Israel can not permit Iran to develop a Mediterranean port a few dozen kilometers from Tel Aviv," claimed Netanyahu.
"The same countries that are criticising us today should know that they will be targeted tomorrow," he said.
Under international law, Israel had every right to intercept the ship, he said.
