The naval closure Israel imposed on the Gaza Strip led to a wave of protest actions by pro-Palestinian organizations, most of which centered around so-called "aid" convoys and flotillas. One of the most prominent was the Mavi Marmara flotilla.
The convoys and flotillas are part of the campaign to delegitimize Israel. Convoys and flotillas are organized by anti-Israeli networks and activists from the Middle East and around the world.
The flotillas are not fundamentally intended to bring supplies to the Gaza Strip but rather to challenge Israel, erode the legitimacy of its naval closure and strengthen the position of the de-facto Hamas administration; the convoys have basically the same purpose. The convoy and flotilla organizers seek to hamper the IDF's freedom of action to prevent weapons and terrorist operatives from entering the Gaza Strip.
The international community rejected the claim of the closure's illegitimacy, stating that aid could be transferred overland to the residents of the Gaza Strip without flotillas to challenge Israel. The international community has been critical of the convoys and flotillas and expressed reservations regarding them. According to the UN Palmer Commission Report, which addressed the issue, Israel's naval closure of the Gaza Strip is a legitimate security measure taken in self defense.