Israel attacks aid convoy

[Michael]

http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/files/4629293801_40dcca3f3d_o.jpg

Defying Blockade, Cargo and Passenger Vessels Head for Gaza

JERUSALEM — Israel braced Friday for a showdown with a flotilla of nine vessels carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists and thousands of tons of supplies headed for Gaza. It was the most ambitious attempt so far to break Israel’s maritime blockade of the Hamas-run coastal enclave.

Source (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/world/middleeast/28mideast.html)

Israel attacks aid flotilla

TORONTO — Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says commandos who raided a Gaza aid flotilla, killing nine and injuring dozens of others, were under attack and acting in self defense.

Netanyahu spoke after a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The Israeli leader was cutting short his visit in Canada Monday and canceling a visit planned Tuesday with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington so that he could return home.

Netanyahu says Israel wanted to check the cargo to ensure it contained no weapons.

He says this was done successfully with five ships, but the sixth did not cooperate.

He says hundreds of people on board that ship beat, clubbed and stabbed soldiers, and there was a report of gunfire. He says that forced soldiers to attack.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

JERUSALEM (AP) – Israeli police say 16 pro-Palestinian activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla have been sent to jail after a deadly confrontation at sea. Dozens of other activists are to be deported.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says the activists were taken ashore and were jailed in the southern desert town of Beersheba after refusing to identify themselves.

The six-ship flotilla was carrying 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid along with 600 people, all civilians, which included 1976 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire of Northern Ireland, European legislators and an elderly Holocaust survivor, Hedy Epstein, 85.

Source (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/30/israel-attacks-palestinian-aid-flotilla_n_595033.html)

Wow. It sure looks like this refugee supply convoy was "politically unacceptable" to Israel. Therefore Israel they had to kill people. Nothing new here - or unusual. Just another day in the life of a nuclear armed rogue nation spitting on the rule of law. Ho hum. :rolleyes:

I especially liked the part about how Israel's commandos "came under attack" when they "raided" the ships. Apparently this 'unprovoked attack' against Israel is fully justified licence to kill women and children.

What's it going to take to stop this immoral monster that is Israel?

[Michael]

Btw, this sure looks like an act of piracy by Israel since the ships were in international waters when attacked by Israel.

Where's NATO's fleet to combat this instance of piracy by a rogue state actor?

[Michael]

Looks like this story is picking up steam...

Israel's Memorial Day Attack on Gaza Aid Flotilla

Washington DC woke up this Memorial Day morning to the shocking news that an Israeli commando team had stormed the "Freedom Flotilla", a Turkish aid ship headed towards Gaza, killing (at last count) ten and wounding dozens. Israeli claims that their actions were a necessary move against an extremist-linked threat fall flat in the face of what looks to the world like an outrageously disproportionate military response to a publicity-seeking aid mission in international waters. The details are still murky, and I expect that as all sides throw out their propaganda fast and furious they will become murkier yet.

I'm not going to try to keep up with the breaking events, as world governments and publics scramble to figure out how to react. Instead, I'll just say that the bottom line for Washington is that the U.S. can not ignore this or try to hope that it will pass quickly so that it can resume business as usual. It is rapidly spiraling into one of the most intensely galvanizing issues in the Arab media -- and around the world -- since the Israeli war on Gaza itself. If Obama goes ahead and meets with Netanyahu as if nothing happened, then his administration's outreach to the Muslim communities of the world is effectively over.

Source (http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/05/31/a_gazan_memorial_day)

Looks like Israel 'jumped the shark' here with a completely unjustified bloody attack in international waters.

As far as I can see, the only act of terrorism I see here was committed by Israel.

[Donkey]

There will always be those only too happy to defend the indefensible.

[Americano]

The US just reaffirmed its alliance with Israel. Neither care if oppressed Muslims receive subsistence aid or not. This calls for one of my totally dissatisfied emails to the White House. It makes me feel better to vent.

[Mind's Eye]

Next time, the Turkish Navy should escort this convoy from start to finish.

I don't know who the Hell these Israeli's think they are in refusing aid to these people - it is high time we ( U.S. ) finally tell them " No. ".

This act sure put us in a bind over sanctions against Iran. If we side with Israel, there will be none. Perhaps this is what Israel wants. They, like us with Al Qaeda, need a boogey man aka terrorist enemy.

Unfortunately, Turkey will not take this too lightly. And I am sure that another flotilla is being gathered as we speak. If push comes to shove, Israel will be defeated militarily. Short of " the " bomb, that is.

I just hope that the other actors sit this one out.

[MeMyselfAndI]

Some neutral forces are needed there. If there were Russian, Turkish, Iranian, and, maybe, Chinese warships there, the zionist regime would not dare do things like that anymore.

[Non Sequitur]

Some neutral forces are needed there. If there were Russian, Turkish, Iranian, and, maybe, Chinese warships there, the zionist regime would not dare do things like that anymore.

or it could open the way for more chaos. Rationality is not one of Israel's strong points.

[MeMyselfAndI]

or it could open the way for more chaos. Rationality is not one of Israel's strong points.

I doubt that. Russia or China have ships that would easily blow any Israeli navy out of the water. Iran too. Israel is not stupid, they don't want their ships to be destroyed, their men to die.

[WFCY]

I just landed home from a trip overseas, and see this news.

FUCKIN OUTRAGEOUS. Israel zionists.

Will see how it developes. They really think there is no law in this world and they can do whatever they want.

[Michael]

My earlier comment that Israel has "jumped the shark" seems accurate here. From all I'm reading, Israel has committed the biggest diplomatic/tactical blunder of its entire history here.

Turkey is not going to let this go. Turkey is quite likely to sue for damages, demand official apologies and file charges with ICC.

And to think that Turkey was previously the only nation in the Middle East that Israel had even remotely normal relations with. That's gone now.

Israel is truly isolated now. Israel is a rogue nation. That's the meme of the day.

[Americano]

I just landed home from a trip overseas, and see this news.

FUCKIN OUTRAGEOUS. Israel zionists.

Will see how it developes. They really think there is no law in this world and they can do whatever they want.

The US has facilitated that attitude with its never-ending UN Security Council vetoes on condemning Israeli behavior and bottomless military aid.

[Michael]

The US has facilitated that attitude with its never-ending UN Security Council vetoes on condemning Israeli behavior and bottomless military aid.
You can be sure the rest of the world knows this.

US reputation takes a hit for everything Israel does. Everyone just assumes that Israel isn't allowed to burp without US permission. So if Israel does anything, everyone assumes that US gave permission. US official denials are just waste of hot air, because no one outside of the US believes them.

And Turkey is considered to be one of the most geo-strategic countries on the globe. It is the only Muslim nation with a relatively functional 'western' democracy and an actually functional economy.

US relationship with Turkey will take the same hit as Israel's relationship with Turkey (for the same reason - Israel is just an extension of US policy).

[Michael]

There will always be those only too happy to defend the indefensible.

Doesn't look like anyone outside Israel or USA is making any defense here. And even then, they are engaged in a spin game that needs to avoid the facts rather than address them.

The facts of this case are just too damning.

[Americano]

You can be sure the rest of the world knows this.

US reputation takes a hit for everything Israel does. Everyone just assumes that Israel isn't allowed to burp without US permission. So if Israel does anything, everyone assumes that US gave permission. US official denials are just waste of hot air, because no one outside of the US believes them.

And Turkey is considered to be one of the most geo-strategic countries on the globe. It is the only Muslim nation with a relatively functional 'western' democracy and an actually functional economy.

US relationship with Turkey will take the same hit as Israel's relationship with Turkey (for the same reason - Israel is just an extension of US policy).

Considering US foreign policy for the last half-century has included invasion, infrastructure destruction and occupation or supporting dictators with the same motivation in countries not kissing the US ring, Israel's latest atrocity really shouldn't surprise anyone.

Turkey's reaction will be interesting as they aren't a US lapdog and take sovereignty as a serious matter. All those aid ships were flying the Turkish flag and attacked in international waters. Any support the US provides for this Israeli action will be reflected in closer association by Turkey with its largest gas and oil suppliers, Iran and Russia.

[Michael]

Next time, the Turkish Navy should escort this convoy from start to finish.

I don't know who the Hell these Israeli's think they are in refusing aid to these people - it is high time we ( U.S. ) finally tell them " No. ".

This act sure put us in a bind over sanctions against Iran. If we side with Israel, there will be none. Perhaps this is what Israel wants. They, like us with Al Qaeda, need a boogey man aka terrorist enemy.

Unfortunately, Turkey will not take this too lightly. And I am sure that another flotilla is being gathered as we speak. If push comes to shove, Israel will be defeated militarily. Short of " the " bomb, that is.

I just hope that the other actors sit this one out.
Multilateral sanctions against Iran are pretty much toast since that kind of policy NEEDS the support of Turkey's leadership (and that ain't going to happen now!).

And yes, I agree that Israel is just like the USA in being dependent upon an external enemy to justify their own regimes.

[Michael]

Some neutral forces are needed there. If there were Russian, Turkish, Iranian, and, maybe, Chinese warships there, the zionist regime would not dare do things like that anymore.
With respect to the Middle East, Turkey is the closest thing to being "neutral" there.

Israel just shot themselves in the foot, attacking the one and only country in the Middle East that treats Israel with any respect. That bodes ill for Israel.

And yes, it would be interesting if the Turkish Navy were to escort another aid convoy to Gaza. That would really up the stakes here for Israel.

Don't forget that Turkey is a full member of NATO. That means any external attack on Turkey is equal to an attack against NATO (NATO Article 5 states that 'an attack against one, is an attack against all').

[Donkey]

According to ye olde bbc, Egypt is opening the Rafah crossing.

Wow.

[Michael]

According to ye olde bbc, Egypt is opening the Rafah crossing.

Wow.

That shows what kind of heat Egypt is taking for their part in the monsterous Gaza debacle - that the Israelis so ineptly put on the world's front pages yesterday.

As I've noted above, the attack on the aid convoy has turned into a massive cluster-fuck for Israel on so many levels. Looks good on them. If the criminal blockade of Gaza is opened, that at least is good news.

[Zarquon]

NATO (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/01/nato-wants-probe-of-israe_n_596366.html) Secretary General Rasmussen has condemned(source doesn't mention this bit) the attack and called a meeting in Brussels.
The international reaction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reactions_to_the_Gaza_flotilla_clash ) so far.

[Michael]

NATO (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/01/nato-wants-probe-of-israe_n_596366.html) Secretary General Rasmussen has condemned(source doesn't mention this bit) the attack and called a meeting in Brussels.
The international reaction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reactions_to_the_Gaza_flotilla_clash ) so far.

A key legal fact is that none of the six ships that comprised the 'flotilla' were officially Turkish flagged.

If that was the case, since Turkey is a full member of NATO, then that would have been an act of war against NATO since NATO specifically includes the Mediterranean domain and the act occured in international waters.

Indeed, the USA would be at war with Israel by definition! :lol:

But the 'aid flotilla' was entirely a 'civilian/private' venture that merely originated in Turkey. That removes the all important NATO Article Five (the 'attack against one is an attack against all' clause). One would hope that the Israelis would never be that stupid.

[WFCY]

from the wiki link:

So far only the Netherlands has expressed support for Israel.

Wtf Holland?!

[Michael]

from the wiki link:



Wtf Holland?!

You're right. That sounds fucking weird. :ummm:

[Donkey]

Couldn't turn up anything on the news about it... is the wiki sourced? I didn't search all that thoroughly though.

[Donkey]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/middle_east/10243813.stm

Should be interesting to see how Israel handles this ship. My guess is take custody and plant weapons. Just hope they don't manage to kill anyone else.

[Michael]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/middle_east/10243813.stm

Should be interesting to see how Israel handles this ship. My guess is take custody and plant weapons. Just hope they don't manage to kill anyone else.

Looks like they already have.

June 5 (Bloomberg) -- Israeli naval vessels seized an aid ship heading for the Gaza Strip with no violence and are bringing it to the Ashdod port, according to an army spokeswoman and the organizer of the boat.

The MV Rachel Corrie was boarded by the Israeli navy in a peaceful takeover in international waters and the crew and passengers put up no resistance, army spokeswoman Avital Leibovich said.
Source (http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-06-05/israeli-navy-seizes-gaza-aid-boat-with-no-violence-update1-.html)

[MeMyselfAndI]

Israel has even attacked an American ship in the past: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Liberty_incident

[Americano]

Israel has even attacked an American ship in the past: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Liberty_incident

I'm sure the US loaned them the money to compensate the US for the damage in the settlement. Israel is the US hired ME gunslinger.