Except that wasn't quite the question Steven

Except that wasn't quite the question Steven. I didn't ask why Israel might intercept, and insist on inspecting, a ship purporting to carry lentils, but which conceivably might not be carrying lentils.

I asked why did Israel ban the entry of lentils into Gaza. Does this not lend credence to the claim that the siege has nothing to do with " security " whatsoever.

As the mission led by John Kerry asked, " when were you last blown up by a lentil bomb? "

Lentils are an important staple food stuff among Arabic peoples in that part of the mid east. Clearly the siege has more to do with collective punishment ( unequivocally illegal under international law ) and the facilitation of the policy of " putting them on a diet " . And of course Israel has considerable form so far as collective punishment is concerned.