Israeli attack on Gaza aid flotilla outrages world

[FarCenter]

20:42, May 31, 2010
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90854/7006575.html

The predawn Israeli naval forces attack against international aid convoy Gaza Freedom Flotilla, in which 20 activists on the board were killed and more than 30 wounded, outraged Arab and world countries.

Robert Serry, UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, and Filippo Grandi, commissioner-general of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), condemned in a joint statement the Israeli attack on Gaza Flotilla.

"We are shocked by reports of killings and injuries of people on board the convoy carrying supplies to Gaza, apparently in international waters. We condemn the violence and call for it to stop. The situation is still ongoing and we are awaiting confirmation of what has happened," said the joint statement.

[jonnyblitz]

1. k & r. nt

[laughingliberal]

2. K & R nt

[Mudoria]

3. I'm not outraged...

[uppityperson]

4. Why?

[Mudoria]

5. Once the "activists" started swinging pipes and chairs all bets are off..

One does not fuck with the IDF lightly. Their PR stunt went badly...

[moondust]

6. Sadly, I have to agree.

A stupid PR stunt and provocation the leaders of which should be held accountable. If they were really serious about delivering aid they should have used diplomatic channels including the U.S., applying pressure repeatedly as necessary. It is particularly dangerous to mess with the IDF when it is under a hawkish right-wing government.

[FarCenter]

7. Diplomatic channels and pressuring the US have not worked

[moondust]

8. Then keep trying and don't give up.

Rather than endangering people's lives foolishly.

[Frank Booth]

11. I'm glad us Democrats can agree that peace activists deserve to die.

[moondust]

13. Gross oversimplification is not helpful. n/t

[Frank Booth]

14. You're right. I should have said how I'm glad us Democrats can agree that Israel

shouldn't be criticized for murdering peace activists trying a "stupid PR stunt."

[uppityperson]

15. After all, can't expect IDF to have any self control, even for a "stunt".

[WinkyDink]

19. Would you have supported an "aid flotilla" to Cuba in 1962?

[Confusious]

22. Bad choice

We only stopped and searched ships for missile parts and nuclear weapons.

Israel is stopping EVERYTHING.

If you don't believe me, maybe JFK will do it for you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W50RNAbmy3M

[bahrbearian]

27. Would you support missiles in Europe aimed at Russian?

Stinger missiles to the Tali ban?
Nuclear secrets to Israel?
Death squads in Nicaragua?
Manifest Destiny?
Arm the World and let it bite you in the ass.

[MadHound]

21. What, after sixty years of beating one's head against that same wall,

You think there's going to be a miraculous breakthrough?

Somehow I doubt it.

[Carolina]

60. they were Freedom Fighters not unlike the civil rights

workers of the 1960s. Israel is a bully, rogue nation

http://www.commondreams.org/

Lying About the Gaza Flotilla Disaster by MJ Rosenberg

It's been one lie after another in the US media about the Israeli attack on the Gaza-bound relief flotilla... The first thing you need to know about the Gaza flotilla disaster is that the intention of the activists on board the ships was to break the Israeli blockade. Delivering the embargoed goods was incidental.

In other words, the activists were like the civil rights demonstrators who sat down at segregated lunch counters throughout the South and refused to leave until they were served. Their goal was not really to get breakfast. It was to end segregation.

That fact is so obvious that it is hard to believe that the "pro-Israel" lobby is using it as an indictment. Of course the goal of the flotilla was to break the blockade. Of course Martin Luther King provoked the civil authorities of the South to break segregation. Of course the Solidarity movement used workers' rights as a pretext to break Soviet-imposed Communism. The bottom line is that the men and women of the flotilla had every right to attempt to destroy an illegal blockade that Israel had no legal standing to impose and which was designed to inflict collective punishment on the people of Gaza. (There is no truth to the story that Israel would have delivered the goods on the ships to Gaza if asked; the Israelis never made that offer and, judging by years of precedent, would have blocked any delivery.)

As for the Israeli argument that its soldiers were attacked, that is ridiculous. Israeli commandos were ordered to board a civilian ship in international waters and the government that sent them claims that the resisting passengers attacked them without provocation. This is like a carjacker complaining to the police that the driver bashed him with a crowbar that was under the seat. Neither carjackers nor hijackers should expect their victims to acquiesce peacefully...

Enough is enough. The Obama administration needs to join the rest of the world in demanding an end to the Gaza blockade as a first big step toward the resumption of negotiations.
The attack on the flotilla was one of the most disastrous blunders in Israel's history. At last, the whole world sees Israel's policy of collective punishment for what it is -- a means to perpetuate the occupation forever. Only the United States government has chosen to close its eyes.

[Dorian Gray]

59. They should have

of course...

But what the IDF did was wrong, and they should be condemned for their overreactive actions.

The whole thing is sad, and it doesn't give me much hope in the region.

[Frank Booth]

9. Yeah. Next time I board a ship in international waters and the ship's occupants get mad,

I'll be perfectly justified in killing 16 of them.

It's like when civilians resist arrest and got shot in the head. The killing's entirely acceptable.

[uppityperson]

12. Only if they have lawn chairs and pipes. After all, can't expect IDF to have any self control

rather like it is women's fault they get raped.
:sarcasm:

[seabeyond]

66. self deleted. nt

[NorthCarolina]

26. Yeah, what good is a gun when your going up against someone with a chair

:eyes:

[EFerrari]

33. The IDF was firing on that ship before they boarded.

What were those people to do? Just sit there and be mowed down?

And thanks to this "PR stunt", the UN had to confront the issue of the illegal blockade again.

More people need to fuck with the IDF and more boats need to challenge the blockade. I hope they keep coming.

[proteus_lives]

36. But not you.

"More people need to fuck with the IDF and more boats need to challenge the blockade. I hope they keep coming."

As you sit behind your computer, hoping more people put their lives in danger.

[EFerrari]

38. I don't have the money to go and you bet, I support anyone who does.

I'd love to go. Are you buying?

[proteus_lives]

41. Sell your computer.

You have plenty of options if you feel passionate about something.

[EFerrari]

42. I think the funds from that sale would get me to Bakersfield.

If Israel blockades Bakersfield, I'd be all set. :)

I really can't complain because there have been times when we could travel to actions. And, there is a lot to do right here, too.

[proteus_lives]

43. To be fair, selling mine would probably only get me to Cleveland..

It's not exactly bleeding edge.

You're right, there is always something to do at home.

[Carolina]

61. Totally agree

[sabrina 1]

44. That is bullshit only in the minds of the ever-dwindling apologists

for this kind of brutality from Israel. The victims were in International Waters, unarmed on a humanitarian mission. They were attacked, and there is video and news commentary reporting events AS THEY HAPPENED, showing the Israelis shooting at the ship BEFORE they boarded it. The Captain was wounded. Everyone on that ship had the right to defend themselves as it was clear before the boarding, that the IDF was bent on harming them, and already had.

Stop with the apologist talking points. No one believes them. This wasn't an incident in that Gaza Strip where the Israelis control the message. This time the world was watching and it has demonstrated to the world how they lie. There were reporters on the ship and there is video.

It is beyond ludicrous to even attempt to defend this, and I am certain that when the victims' bodies are returned to their various countries, the outrage will only increase. And the continued denial of their responsibility, their 'blame the victim' nonsense, will only intensify that anger.

The only way to somewhat defuse the world-wide anger is to admit their wrong-doing, apologize to the victims, their families and their countries and then try to regain some respect by lifting the blockade which is opposed by the entire world, stop their illegal building of settlements and start thinking and talking about making peace with the Palestinians.

Edited to add, people were tweeting from the ship during the attack. Here's one of them correcting the false reports that the passengers attacked first:

http://twitter.com/freegazaorg/status/15090503156

They were shooting people who were asleep!! No wonder they shut down communications and tried to control the press reports. And as the Irish Premier said, 'kidnapped' their citizens.

Israel does not own International Waters ... they had no right to be there.

[liam_laddie]

65. Excellent comment!

I am beyond patience and understanding with those whose knee-jerk defense of anything the Likud/Zionist regime tries, "defending their country." Disgusting! :puke:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

50. Let's say somebody breaks into your while you're sleeping.

He comes into your bedroom and you swing a baseball bat at him. He pulls out a gun and shoots you.

was he justified?

[Quantess]

10. This could be the start of something big.

What's going to happen now?

[malaise]

16. Good

REc

[hayu_lol]

17. Israel has announced for several weeks, exactly what would...

happen if this so-called 'aid' fleet attempted to break the blockade. They, in fact(and facts are few on this episode so far), listed the steps that would be taken.

They would meet the aid fleet and prevent it from entering the exclusion zone. They did this and peacefully too by the way. Had a problem with the 'fleet' paying attention to radio and loudspeaker demands to stop. The lead ship apparently thought stop meant go...since their first act was to throw the throttles to full ahead. So far, it has all been peaceful.

Israel stated, well in advance of this 'aid' fleet's sailing date that the ships would be required to head for a particular port where their cargoes could be landed and inspected...so their passengers could be identified and either sent home(deportation)or held in custody until their cases could be heard.

In order to get these ships to the designated port, it would be necessary to tow them. In order to set up the tow requirements, troops trained for this would have to board each vessel. Two methods of troop transfer were used: inflatable boats and choppers.

No violence up to this point. The Israelis did NOT have to fire on the vessels using their ship-mounted guns. Now, the story has two tales to tell. One, that the Israelis started firing personal weapons before boarding. Pretty hard to do with any accuracy from a pitching inflatable or from a rope coming down from a chopper. Once on board, again we hear two stories--none with much credibility to this point. That the troops opened fire on the peaceful and quiet passengers without cause. The other side of this coin is that passengers apparently were screaming and grabbing anything that could be used as a weapon and attempting to inflict damage on the boarded troops.

Who will you believe?

As to the cargoes, once unloaded and inspected, the materials will be allowed to be transported to Gaza. If contraband is found, a different situation will exist.

This blockade is a publicly declared exclusion zone which has been maintained by a country. This country's gunboats flew it's national flag. The troops were both uniformed and disciplined. The passengers were as polyglot mix as any seen in the mid-east.

Before aiming all your ire at Israel, how about waiting until some detail is known. Israel stated in advance what would happen, step by step, if this assortment of ships/boats attempted to 'break the blockade.' When the attempt was made to do just that, Israel did what it said it would do...Israel generally does what it promises.

Yes, there were some well-intentioned people on those boats/ships. There were also the other side, terrorists, who were there to insure that just this sort of incident happened. I hope they are happy with the results.

[Confusious]

24. Uh, yea we know white phosporus is banned, but

( After denial, denial, denial ) yea, we used it anyways. Why should I believe Israel?

I just list one. There are multiple.

I don't give friends as much leeway as you want me to give Israel.

I believe also, that you would not give the United States so much leeway ( And nor should they be given it ). Am I wrong?

[Moochy]

29. "Who will you believe?"

Certainly not you.

[indepat]

32. When is the world going to learn they had better do exactly as Israel says

or get the shit kicked out of them and Senator Lieberman will criticize the ones getting the shit kicked out of them for having toughened skin which hurts the toes of the kicker? And no matter how heinous Israel's actions should be, it'll be hunky-dore with the US 'cause Israel, being the law of the world, can do no wrong in Uncle Sammy's eyes. :P

Edited for number

[reggie the dog]

47. i think the israeli governement is on some kind of

mission from god, but not a nice mission like in the blues brothers

[EFerrari]

39. The blockade is illegal and it needs to be challenged as hard as possible.

That Israel announced their response ahead of time does not absolve them in any way whatsoever. On the contrary, it makes the killing of those civilians pre-meditated.

[Carolina]

62. Exactly

[Poll_Blind]

18. By the way they're still holding ALL of the 600-700 kidnapped flotilla victims _incommunicado_

Unless something's changed in the last hour, which I don't think it has. There were a number of legislators (German, IIRC), at least on Nobel laureate, Holocaust survivor and many other notable authors, political figures and intellectuals among those abducted by the Israeli military.

During the emergency UN Security Council session requests- no, actually demands from the near-universally outraged delegates included consular access for all those kidnapped.

I don't think it's been granted yet.

Troubling food for thought. I feel for the families of the dead, dying, injured and imprisoned who have no idea what the status of their loved-one, family member, legislator, colleague or friend is.

PB

[NorthCarolina]

20. I'm so sick of Israel and their never ending aggression. I wish the US could cut them loose

and let them fend for themselves, monetarily and militarily.

[cali]

30. I wish we'd cut all military aid

but let's be honest- when it comes to never ending aggression, the U.S. is second to no one.

[NorthCarolina]

31. Yes, true..but Isreal is generally at the heart of US aggression in the middle east

Lift a rock, Israel is there....someplace.

[proteus_lives]

37. Israel is sick of the never ending aggression against them.

They wish the "activists" would cut them loose and fend for themselves.

[reggie the dog]

48. well then they should stop forcing palestinians to live in ghettos

[proteus_lives]

51. And the Palestinians should stop launching attacks against Israel.

[reggie the dog]

52. they will stop once they are not forced to live under apartheid

[proteus_lives]

53. Sorry, they were doing it before.

Fucks-up your meme, huh?

[TommyO]

54. Fighting against their oppressors is what oppressed people do.

[proteus_lives]

57. Really?

Oppressors?

It that you call a guy you tried to wipe-out and failed to do so?

[TommyO]

58. No, it's what I call the state of Israel because of it's brutal oppression of Palestinians

[Carolina]

67. Oh puhleeze

the Palestinians have sticks and rocks; the Israelis have the latest weaponry from the good ole US-AIPAC.

The Israelis routinely terrorize Palestinians by bulldozing their homes and isolating them in blockaded ghettos without adequate food, medical care and basic necessities.

You can spin and defend Israel all you want but this time the world is watching and Israel has exposed itself as the aggressive bully it is.

[Carolina]

63. Israel is a bully, rogue

nation and has been the root of all western problems in the Middle East since it's land grab (with considerable British help) in 1948 of what was called PALESTINE.

Israel is the aggressor.

[newspeak]

68. yep, you're right-"was called Palestine."

I guess some Israelis wish that those Palestinians would just disappear. I saw on the news today in the Israeli parliament, some parliament members attacking a man for supporting the flotilla to Gaza. There are those in Israel who want peace, but I bet most keep silent for fear of retaliation by their blood thirsty neo con brothers and sisters.

[Carolina]

64. Me, too, my NC neighbor

Unfortunately, our AIPAC-owned Congress won't cut off ANY aid, including coddling media coverage, to Israel!

[backscatter712]

23. It's like the Boston Massacre.

Americans, provoked by British repression, got rowdy. The British responded with musket fire, killing three people on the scene, injuring almost a dozen more, with two more dying of musket wounds later.

It doesn't matter if the Americans, or the Palestinians, were throwing rocks or wielding clubs. It doesn't matter if orders were given to the soldiers to open fire, or if somebody lost their cool. The response was a disproportionate, extreme use of lethal force, killing civilians, and the reaction of people at large will be the same - condemnation of the British, or the Israelis.

[Moochy]

28. nuh uh

Clubs, Knives and Chairs!!!1111 they were justified! and besides they are others, non-state terror lovers!

(Summarizing the defenders argument, and saving them the trouble of reposting it.)

[EFerrari]

35. Plus, more and more witnesses and video is confirming that Irael fired on the vessel before boarding

So, as we knew all along, the IDF is full of it.

[TexasObserver]

25. A murderous slaughter.

Israel is an embarrassment to the USA, and indeed, to all civilized nations.

[Echo In Light]

34. K/R

[Truth2Tell]

40. K&R nt

[McCamy Taylor]

45. Shades of Tiananmen Square!

A pr disaster for Israel. An embarassment for the U.S. And of course, death for ten or so humanitarians. There is no good side to this.

[McCamy Taylor]

46. Oh, and by the way, congrats to DU for not tombstoning this thread!

[meow mix]

56. suprised here too i guess DU supports oppression for the most part.

sick

[Rex]

49. How can anyone be shocked after they decided to run over people

with bulldozers...KILLING THEM...people here could only muster a, "well they could have moved" defense. Which is to say Israel has no problems with killing you over your ideology. Sounds familiar (no, I was thinking about America NOT Hezbollah).

I feel for the average person in Israel, how ashamed they must be. Just like Americans. Blood on our hands with not a care in the world!!!!

[meow mix]

55. K&r why they have to be so oppression of civilains?

fuckin bs, and releasing fake videos too