Monday
May312010
Gaza LiveBlog: Israel Forces Attack Freedom Flotilla, Up to 19 Killed (31 May)
Monday, May 31, 2010 at 18:00
0755 GMT, 1 JUNE: Updates continue in our LiveBlog, "The Politics After the Attack", for Tuesday.
2330 GMT: The New York Times reports one administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity concerning the future of Israeli-Palestinian talks mediated by Senator George Mitchell. In terms of the divide between the Israeli Government and the Obama Administration, the official said: “We’re not sure yet where things go from here.”
Mitchell is still expected to attend the Palestine Investment Conference in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Wednesday and Thursday.
2200 GMT: Vice Admiral Eliezer Marom, head of the Israeli Navy, instructs the troops intercepting the Gaza flotilla:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yphfyN0dqi8&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
2110 GMT: The first result of the UNSC emergency meeting: Members urged Israel to lift its economic blockade of the Gaza Strip!
Assistant Secretary-General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco said the bloodshed would have been avoided if repeated calls on Israel to end the "counterproductive and unacceptable" blockade of Gaza had been heeded.
Most members of the 15-nation body joined the call for an investigation.
2030 GMT: IDF releases pictures of weapons found on the Mavi Marmara flotilla ship.
1930 GMT: The opposition leader Tzipi Livni gave an interview to the Turkish channel, TRT. She said that "there was a need to stop these ships" which were "not on a humanitarian mission".
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CkBt79S6M0&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
1915 GMT: Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu criticized Israel harshly at UNSC emergency meeting. Remarkably, he said:
1855 GMT: Speaking to Channel 10, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said:
1845 GMT: Israeli President Shimon Peres, who was scheduled to meet with former US Secretary of State George Shultz on Monday, canceled his meeting. He said:
1830 GMT: IDF released a new statement:
1815 GMT: UN Security Council's emergency meeting started.
1730 GMT: The Mavi Marmara was docked at Ashdod. 500 activists on board will be arrested of deported.
1700 GMT: Finally, pictures of Mavi Marmara reached media after 15 hours. The ship is being escorted by Israeli Navy off the port of Ashdod.
1645 GMT: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he regretted deaths but also added that Israeli troops had right to self-defense.
1620 GMT: The details of the phone conversation between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Barack Obama were given by the White House:
1605 GMT: Turkish daily Hurriyet reported that NATO's spokesman James Appathurai had stated that the organisation would be gathered extraordinarily, at the request of Turkey.
NATO issued a very short statement earlier today: "NATO is deeply concerned about the loss of life in this incident. We look forward to a further establishment of the facts of what has happened."
1600 GMT: IDF said Defne Y, the 5th ship in Gaza flotilla, cleared of its crew - Mavi Marmara currently being brought into Ashdod Port.
1555 GMT: Al Jazeera English correspondent Sherine Tadros reports, "We're hearing 14 activists have agreed to be deported and on way home;50 taken to prison in southern Israel resisting deportation."
1550 GMT: Pictures of wounded activists were released. Plastic handcuffs during the transport of heavily wounded ones are noteworthy.
1548 GMT: The United Nations Security Council will meet on Monday afternoon for an emergency session that will start at 1 P.M., New York time.
1545 GMT: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in Chile: "This is a state terrorism."
1515 GMT: While on his way to Washington, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said: "This is clearly a piracy. Israel must apologize and answer. According to unconfirmed information, we have around 50 wounded and 10 martyries. No country is above the international law."
Meanwhile, tens of thousands people are protesting in front of Israel's Consulate General in Istanbul.
1500 GMT: Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning Israel:
1440 GMT: Israel's Portrayal. Amidst the rush of Israeli depictions of the attack --- with the continuing use of the word "lynching", now from the commandos who carried out the assault --- this story stands out from a "Ron Ben Yishai" in YNet:
Navy commandoes slid down to the vessel one by one, yet then the unexpected occurred: The passengers that awaited them on the deck pulled out bats, clubs, and slingshots with glass marbles, assaulting each soldier as he disembarked. The fighters were nabbed one by one and were beaten up badly, yet they attempted to fight back.
However, to their misfortune, they were only equipped with paintball rifles used to disperse minor protests, such as the ones held in Bilin. The paintballs obviously made no impression on the activists, who kept on beating the troops up and even attempted to wrest away their weapon.
1435 GMT: Washington's Reaction. The US statement, given by White House spokesman Bill Burton, is far more restrained than the UN denunciation of Israel (1330 GMT) and even Britain's expression of concern (1035 GMT). Burton said the Obama administration "deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained" and officials are "currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy".
1430 GMT: The 4th ship in the flotilla is now being brought into port in Ashdod.
1420 GMT: The Israeli Line. The Israeli military has released its version of today's attack on the Freedom Flotilla, complete with an aerial video:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU12KW-XyZE&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
1410 GMT: Glenn Greenwald, in a bitter denunciation of the Israeli attack, offers an overview both of the Freedom Flotilla and of the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
1400 GMT: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cancelled his trip to Washington. He was due to meet President Obama tomorrow.
1330 GMT: The British Government, via Foreign Secretary William Hague, has issued this statement:
1200 GMT: An Al Jazeera correspondent reports from Ashdod: "Israeli hecklers continue to make if hard for us to report the story....They are only heckling Arab media, such as Al Jazeera and Al Arabiyya....While Arab protestors and left-wing Israelis escorted away by police, they don't seem to be doing much to stop the right-wing hecklers."
1105 GMT: The 2nd boat of the flotilla is nearing port in Ashdod.
1045 GMT: Amidst protests in Turkey against the attack on the Freedom Flotilla, the Turkish Ambassador to Israel has been recalled. Israeli authorities have advised citizens not to travel to Turkey.
The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister has condemned Israel: “This operation will leave a bloody stain on the history of humanity.”
1035 GMT: The first ship of the flotilla is now in Ashdod. Al Jazeera English is reporting up to 19 dead.
The United Nations has issued a statement: "Such tragedies are entirely avoidable if Israel heeds the repeated calls of the international community to end its counterproductive and unacceptable blockade of Gaza."
1015 GMT: Justifying the Attack. Back from a break to find more of the same on Israeli side --- Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon has claimed that the deaths resulted from a "provocation" by the passengers of the flotilla: "On the deck we found weapons which were used against the forces. The organizers' intent was violent and the results were unfortunate. Israel regrets the loss of life. We called the organizers once and again the stop the provocations."
Israel Defense Forces are claiming via Twitter, "5 soldiers injured during flotilla mission --- 2 severely and 3 moderately".
0845 GMT: The Arab League has said it will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow over the attack on the Freedom Flotilla.
0830 GMT: More footage of the Israel attack, this time from a Turkish source, complementing the video we have posted, before commandoes boarded the ship. There are graphic images of wounded and a correspondent declaring, "We are under attack from all sides."
0820 GMT: Schools have been closed and shelters opened in the Israeli port of Ashdod, where Israeli forces are towing the Freedom Flotilla.
0815 GMT: We have posted video of the last report from Al Jazeera correspondent Jamal Elshayyal from the lead ship of the Freedom Flotilla, made moments before Israeli commandos boarded. I have asked some questions, in light of Elshayyal's report, about the Israeli account that commandos were merely defending themselves.
0745 GMT: Amidst the presentation by Israeli officials of their version of this morning's events, we post a video --- made before the assault --- by a Free Gaza Movement member: "If You're Watching This, The Flotilla Has Been Attacked". The speaker, Caoimhe Butterly, anticipates the post-attack political contest which is unfolding on this LiveBlog.
0730 GMT: Speaking on Al Jazeera English, Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan counters the Israeli allegations: "None of those [on the ships] was part of Hamas; they were supporters and activists for the human rights of Palestinians."
0725 GMT: As Al Jazeera English tries to assess the Israeli military's press conference, members of the crowd in Ashdod stand behind the reporter with a large Israeli flag.
0720 GMT: Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas has declared three days of mourning for those killed in the Freedom Flotilla.
0715 GMT: The "Lynching" of the Commandos. Israeli military spokeswoman Liebovich responds to a question:
"If you have one soldier and you have a dozen activists attacking that soldier, this is a lynch. When the passengers on this ship are trying to break the soldier's legs and arms, this is what I call a lynch. This is what happened....We had no intention to confront these passengers."
(Liebovich adds that she is "sure" the flotilla's passengers were not human rights activists but were connected with Hamas.)
Readers may compare this "lynch" to the live images aboard the ship when the commandos landed, currently being re-broadcast in the LiveFeed.
0710 GMT: The Israeli Propaganda Push. With communications with the aid ships cut off (CNN rather hopelessly is using vague reports from a correspondent in Cairo and then saying, "We have been unable to contact anyone in the flotilla"), Israeli authorities are trying to fill the space with their case.
Israel Defense Forces spokeswoman Amital Liebovich has given a press briefing that Israeli commandos faced "severe violence" --- a "lynch" --- by the flotilla's passengers with "sharp items" and "knives": "Live fire was used."
Liebovich says six Israeli commandos were injured "as well as" 10 passengers killed.
Liebovich insists, "There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza" and adds, "The passengers of this flotilla...prepared themselves for violence against their soldiers."
Liebovich's press conference is complemented by this Israeli military statement: “During the takeover, the soldiers encountered serious physical violence by the protesters, who attacked them with live fire.” The "lynch" theme had already appeared, before the briefing, in The Jerusalem Post.
0644 GMT: The Israeli Line (cont.). The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pushing a film clip of the Israeli military issuing a warning to the Freedom Flotilla before boarding the Mavi Marmara: "The Israeli government supports delivery of humanitarian supplies to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and invites you to enter the Ashdod port."
I've already seen the clip on Al Jazeera English.
0642 GMT: Contrary to other reports, Israel authorities say the flotilla ships will be towed to the port of Ashdod.
0640 GMT: Political Reaction. Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas has asked the Palestinian Authority to suspend all negotiations --- direct or indirect --- with Israel.
0635 GMT: Israeli Army says four Israeli naval commandos were injured: 1 seriously, 1 moderately, 2 lightly. It claims "light ammunition" was coming from flotilla ships so their troops "fought back".
0625 GMT: The last blog entry from Abbas Al Lawati from the attacked ships:
I've just heard that Israel is expected send divers to take control of vessels from below.
There were reports of helicopters flying overhead a little while ago but it turns out it was a flase alarm. There was, however, a flashing light hovering above one of the challenger ships. It could be a helicopter, possibly commandos. The Mavi Marmara is massive so I doubt commandos will approach us but both Challengers are just small passenger boats.
0615 GMT: The Israeli Line. David Saranga of the Israeli Consulate in New York gives an early indication of how West Jerusalem will defend the military operation, despite the 16 deaths.
Saranga lifts this line from London's Daily Telegraph, in an article on the Israeli attack: "Marine commandos had opened fire after being attacked with axes and knives by a number of the passengers on board the ships, the [Israeli] private channel 10 said."
(Minutes later, Saranga points readers to a page, "The Jewish Internet Defense Force", which recycles the line about axes/knives.)
In Israel, police have declared a heightened state of emergency, deploying thousands of forces around the country. A crowd in the Israeli port of Ashdod have been heckling the crew of Al Jazeera Arabic.
0605 GMT: The Turkish Government has condemned the Israeli attack. A crowd of demonstrators have surrounded the house of the Israeli Ambassador and asked him to leave the country.
The ship attacked this morning, the Mavi Marmara, is Turkish-registered.
0603 GMT: The Israeli attack was on the Mavi Marmara, one of the six ships in the flotilla. In a report from the ship just before communications were cut during the raid, Jamal Elshayyal of Al Jazeera said two people had been killed and organisers were ordering passengers to go inside the ship's cabin. The ship's white flag had been raised.
Sounds of live fire could be heard as Elshayyal reported, despite the raising of the flag of surrender.
0600 GMT: We are continuing the live feed from Turkish outlets of the Freedom Flotilla. Warning: images may be distressing.
0545 GMT: We wake this morning to find that overnight Israeli forces have attacked the six ships of the "Freedom Flotilla" carrying aid to Gaza.
Israel Army Radio says at least 16 members of the convoy were killed and more than 30 injured when troops boarded the flotilla. The assault took place in international waters, 65 kilometres (40 miles) off the Gazan coast.
The attack by armed Israeli soldiers was accompanied by helicopters. Al Jazeera's Jamal Elshayyal, on board one of the ships, the Mavi Marmara, said Israeli troops used live ammunition.
Israeli Army Radio said soldiers opened fire "after confronting those on board carrying sharp objects".
The Free Gaza Movement, the organisers of the flotilla, say the ships are now being towed to the Israeli town of Haifa, instead of the port of Ashdod, where Israel said members of the flotilla would be held in detention. The Movement claims the step is to avoid waiting journalists.
2330 GMT: The New York Times reports one administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity concerning the future of Israeli-Palestinian talks mediated by Senator George Mitchell. In terms of the divide between the Israeli Government and the Obama Administration, the official said: “We’re not sure yet where things go from here.”
Mitchell is still expected to attend the Palestine Investment Conference in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Wednesday and Thursday.
2200 GMT: Vice Admiral Eliezer Marom, head of the Israeli Navy, instructs the troops intercepting the Gaza flotilla:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yphfyN0dqi8&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
Gaza Flotilla Video: Questions from Last Report Before Israeli Attack
Gaza Video: “If You’re Watching This, The Flotilla Has Been Attacked"
2110 GMT: The first result of the UNSC emergency meeting: Members urged Israel to lift its economic blockade of the Gaza Strip!
Assistant Secretary-General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco said the bloodshed would have been avoided if repeated calls on Israel to end the "counterproductive and unacceptable" blockade of Gaza had been heeded.
Most members of the 15-nation body joined the call for an investigation.
2030 GMT: IDF releases pictures of weapons found on the Mavi Marmara flotilla ship.
1930 GMT: The opposition leader Tzipi Livni gave an interview to the Turkish channel, TRT. She said that "there was a need to stop these ships" which were "not on a humanitarian mission".
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CkBt79S6M0&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
Gaza Flotilla Attack: Israel Line “We Are Sorry but It Was a Life-Threatening Situation!”
1915 GMT: Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu criticized Israel harshly at UNSC emergency meeting. Remarkably, he said:
This assault against 600 civilians from 32 countries can never be justified. We watched a live barbarian show.
Israel committed a crime. It is a crime committed by the state itself. Any state committing this crime will loose its legitimacy in the international arena.
The day when the line between terrorists and states blurred is today, a day leaving a bloody stain on the history of humanity.
1855 GMT: Speaking to Channel 10, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said:
Israel is a sovereign state and cannot accept the undermining of its sovereignty. Israel has stopped ships in international waters before and when ships refuse to accede to warnings and obey instructions, we have the right to board them under international law.
1845 GMT: Israeli President Shimon Peres, who was scheduled to meet with former US Secretary of State George Shultz on Monday, canceled his meeting. He said:
Israel is a democratic country with an obligation to defend its citizens and cannot condone the arrival of Gaza-destined goods and ships without inspecting them. The violent and provocative flotilla was backed by Hamas, whose support was that of terror and opposition to peace.
1830 GMT: IDF released a new statement:
The following is a summary of the number of injuries and casualties in today’s incident in which IDF naval forces were met with extremely violent resistance on board the Mavi Marmara. According to the most recent reports, a total of seven soldiers were wounded – four soldiers were moderately wounded, of which two were initially in critical condition, as well as an additional three soldiers who were lightly wounded. Among the violent activists, there were nine casualties as a result of the soldiers defending themselves.
It should be emphasized that both the State of Israel and the IDF made repeated calls to the flotilla, telling them that all goods and humanitarian aid could be transferred according to the secure and approved methods in place today, as is done on a near daily basis. Unfortunately, this was not the case. IDF naval forces were met with premeditated violence, evident by the activists’ use of clubs, metal rods, and knives, as well as the firing of two weapons stolen from the soldiers, causing for defensive action on behalf of the forces who felt their lives were endangered.
1815 GMT: UN Security Council's emergency meeting started.
1730 GMT: The Mavi Marmara was docked at Ashdod. 500 activists on board will be arrested of deported.
1700 GMT: Finally, pictures of Mavi Marmara reached media after 15 hours. The ship is being escorted by Israeli Navy off the port of Ashdod.
1645 GMT: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he regretted deaths but also added that Israeli troops had right to self-defense.
1630 GMT: CNN correspondent Atia Abawi said: "Israeli government confirms that 25 activists are in stages of deportation and at least 50 are detained after not giving them identification".
1620 GMT: The details of the phone conversation between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Barack Obama were given by the White House:
This morning between 10:00 and 10:15 AM CDT, the President spoke by phone with Prime Minister Netanyahu. He said he understood the Prime Minister's decision to return immediately to Israel to deal with today's events. They agreed to reschedule their meeting at the first opportunity. The President expressed deep regret at the loss of life in today's incident, and concern for the wounded, many of whom are being treated in Israeli hospitals. The President also expressed the importance of learning all the facts and circumstances around this morning's tragic events as soon as possible.
1605 GMT: Turkish daily Hurriyet reported that NATO's spokesman James Appathurai had stated that the organisation would be gathered extraordinarily, at the request of Turkey.
NATO issued a very short statement earlier today: "NATO is deeply concerned about the loss of life in this incident. We look forward to a further establishment of the facts of what has happened."
1600 GMT: IDF said Defne Y, the 5th ship in Gaza flotilla, cleared of its crew - Mavi Marmara currently being brought into Ashdod Port.
1555 GMT: Al Jazeera English correspondent Sherine Tadros reports, "We're hearing 14 activists have agreed to be deported and on way home;50 taken to prison in southern Israel resisting deportation."
1550 GMT: Pictures of wounded activists were released. Plastic handcuffs during the transport of heavily wounded ones are noteworthy.
1548 GMT: The United Nations Security Council will meet on Monday afternoon for an emergency session that will start at 1 P.M., New York time.
1545 GMT: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in Chile: "This is a state terrorism."
1515 GMT: While on his way to Washington, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said: "This is clearly a piracy. Israel must apologize and answer. According to unconfirmed information, we have around 50 wounded and 10 martyries. No country is above the international law."
Meanwhile, tens of thousands people are protesting in front of Israel's Consulate General in Istanbul.
1500 GMT: Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning Israel:
Israel has once again clearly demonstrated that it does not value human lives and peaceful initiatives through targeting innocent civilians. We strongly condemn these inhuman acts of Israel. This grave incident which took place in high seas in gross violation of international law might cause irreversible consequences in our relations.
Besides the initiatives being conducted by our Embassy in Tel Aviv, this unacceptable incident is being strongly protested and explanation is demanded from Israeli Ambassador in Ankara, who has been invited to our Ministry.
Whatsoever the motives might be, such actions against civilians who are involved only in peaceful activities cannot be accepted. Israel will have to bear the consequences of these actions which constitute a violation of international law.
May God bestow His mercy upon those who lost their lives. We wish to express our condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased, and swift recovery to the wounded.
1440 GMT: Israel's Portrayal. Amidst the rush of Israeli depictions of the attack --- with the continuing use of the word "lynching", now from the commandos who carried out the assault --- this story stands out from a "Ron Ben Yishai" in YNet:
Navy commandoes slid down to the vessel one by one, yet then the unexpected occurred: The passengers that awaited them on the deck pulled out bats, clubs, and slingshots with glass marbles, assaulting each soldier as he disembarked. The fighters were nabbed one by one and were beaten up badly, yet they attempted to fight back.
However, to their misfortune, they were only equipped with paintball rifles used to disperse minor protests, such as the ones held in Bilin. The paintballs obviously made no impression on the activists, who kept on beating the troops up and even attempted to wrest away their weapon.
1435 GMT: Washington's Reaction. The US statement, given by White House spokesman Bill Burton, is far more restrained than the UN denunciation of Israel (1330 GMT) and even Britain's expression of concern (1035 GMT). Burton said the Obama administration "deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained" and officials are "currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy".
1430 GMT: The 4th ship in the flotilla is now being brought into port in Ashdod.
1420 GMT: The Israeli Line. The Israeli military has released its version of today's attack on the Freedom Flotilla, complete with an aerial video:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU12KW-XyZE&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
1410 GMT: Glenn Greenwald, in a bitter denunciation of the Israeli attack, offers an overview both of the Freedom Flotilla and of the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
1400 GMT: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cancelled his trip to Washington. He was due to meet President Obama tomorrow.
1330 GMT: The British Government, via Foreign Secretary William Hague, has issued this statement:
I deplore the loss of life during the interception of the Gaza Flotilla. Our Embassy is in urgent contact with the Israeli Government. We are asking for more information and urgent access to any UK nationals involved.
We have consistently advised against attempting to access Gaza in this way, because of the risks involved. But at the same time, there is a clear need for Israel to act with restraint and in line with international obligations. It will be important to establish the facts about this incident, and especially whether enough was done to prevent deaths and injuries.
This news underlines the need to lift the restrictions on access to Gaza, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1860. The closure is unacceptable and counter-productive. There can be no better response from the international community to this tragedy than to achieve urgently a durable resolution to the Gaza crisis.
1200 GMT: An Al Jazeera correspondent reports from Ashdod: "Israeli hecklers continue to make if hard for us to report the story....They are only heckling Arab media, such as Al Jazeera and Al Arabiyya....While Arab protestors and left-wing Israelis escorted away by police, they don't seem to be doing much to stop the right-wing hecklers."
1105 GMT: The 2nd boat of the flotilla is nearing port in Ashdod.
1045 GMT: Amidst protests in Turkey against the attack on the Freedom Flotilla, the Turkish Ambassador to Israel has been recalled. Israeli authorities have advised citizens not to travel to Turkey.
The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister has condemned Israel: “This operation will leave a bloody stain on the history of humanity.”
1035 GMT: The first ship of the flotilla is now in Ashdod. Al Jazeera English is reporting up to 19 dead.
The United Nations has issued a statement: "Such tragedies are entirely avoidable if Israel heeds the repeated calls of the international community to end its counterproductive and unacceptable blockade of Gaza."
1015 GMT: Justifying the Attack. Back from a break to find more of the same on Israeli side --- Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon has claimed that the deaths resulted from a "provocation" by the passengers of the flotilla: "On the deck we found weapons which were used against the forces. The organizers' intent was violent and the results were unfortunate. Israel regrets the loss of life. We called the organizers once and again the stop the provocations."
Israel Defense Forces are claiming via Twitter, "5 soldiers injured during flotilla mission --- 2 severely and 3 moderately".
0845 GMT: The Arab League has said it will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow over the attack on the Freedom Flotilla.
0830 GMT: More footage of the Israel attack, this time from a Turkish source, complementing the video we have posted, before commandoes boarded the ship. There are graphic images of wounded and a correspondent declaring, "We are under attack from all sides."
0820 GMT: Schools have been closed and shelters opened in the Israeli port of Ashdod, where Israeli forces are towing the Freedom Flotilla.
0815 GMT: We have posted video of the last report from Al Jazeera correspondent Jamal Elshayyal from the lead ship of the Freedom Flotilla, made moments before Israeli commandos boarded. I have asked some questions, in light of Elshayyal's report, about the Israeli account that commandos were merely defending themselves.
0745 GMT: Amidst the presentation by Israeli officials of their version of this morning's events, we post a video --- made before the assault --- by a Free Gaza Movement member: "If You're Watching This, The Flotilla Has Been Attacked". The speaker, Caoimhe Butterly, anticipates the post-attack political contest which is unfolding on this LiveBlog.
0730 GMT: Speaking on Al Jazeera English, Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan counters the Israeli allegations: "None of those [on the ships] was part of Hamas; they were supporters and activists for the human rights of Palestinians."
0725 GMT: As Al Jazeera English tries to assess the Israeli military's press conference, members of the crowd in Ashdod stand behind the reporter with a large Israeli flag.
0720 GMT: Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas has declared three days of mourning for those killed in the Freedom Flotilla.
0715 GMT: The "Lynching" of the Commandos. Israeli military spokeswoman Liebovich responds to a question:
"If you have one soldier and you have a dozen activists attacking that soldier, this is a lynch. When the passengers on this ship are trying to break the soldier's legs and arms, this is what I call a lynch. This is what happened....We had no intention to confront these passengers."
(Liebovich adds that she is "sure" the flotilla's passengers were not human rights activists but were connected with Hamas.)
Readers may compare this "lynch" to the live images aboard the ship when the commandos landed, currently being re-broadcast in the LiveFeed.
0710 GMT: The Israeli Propaganda Push. With communications with the aid ships cut off (CNN rather hopelessly is using vague reports from a correspondent in Cairo and then saying, "We have been unable to contact anyone in the flotilla"), Israeli authorities are trying to fill the space with their case.
Israel Defense Forces spokeswoman Amital Liebovich has given a press briefing that Israeli commandos faced "severe violence" --- a "lynch" --- by the flotilla's passengers with "sharp items" and "knives": "Live fire was used."
Liebovich says six Israeli commandos were injured "as well as" 10 passengers killed.
Liebovich insists, "There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza" and adds, "The passengers of this flotilla...prepared themselves for violence against their soldiers."
Liebovich's press conference is complemented by this Israeli military statement: “During the takeover, the soldiers encountered serious physical violence by the protesters, who attacked them with live fire.” The "lynch" theme had already appeared, before the briefing, in The Jerusalem Post.
0644 GMT: The Israeli Line (cont.). The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pushing a film clip of the Israeli military issuing a warning to the Freedom Flotilla before boarding the Mavi Marmara: "The Israeli government supports delivery of humanitarian supplies to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and invites you to enter the Ashdod port."
I've already seen the clip on Al Jazeera English.
0642 GMT: Contrary to other reports, Israel authorities say the flotilla ships will be towed to the port of Ashdod.
0640 GMT: Political Reaction. Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas has asked the Palestinian Authority to suspend all negotiations --- direct or indirect --- with Israel.
0635 GMT: Israeli Army says four Israeli naval commandos were injured: 1 seriously, 1 moderately, 2 lightly. It claims "light ammunition" was coming from flotilla ships so their troops "fought back".
0625 GMT: The last blog entry from Abbas Al Lawati from the attacked ships:
I've just heard that Israel is expected send divers to take control of vessels from below.
There were reports of helicopters flying overhead a little while ago but it turns out it was a flase alarm. There was, however, a flashing light hovering above one of the challenger ships. It could be a helicopter, possibly commandos. The Mavi Marmara is massive so I doubt commandos will approach us but both Challengers are just small passenger boats.
0615 GMT: The Israeli Line. David Saranga of the Israeli Consulate in New York gives an early indication of how West Jerusalem will defend the military operation, despite the 16 deaths.
Saranga lifts this line from London's Daily Telegraph, in an article on the Israeli attack: "Marine commandos had opened fire after being attacked with axes and knives by a number of the passengers on board the ships, the [Israeli] private channel 10 said."
(Minutes later, Saranga points readers to a page, "The Jewish Internet Defense Force", which recycles the line about axes/knives.)
In Israel, police have declared a heightened state of emergency, deploying thousands of forces around the country. A crowd in the Israeli port of Ashdod have been heckling the crew of Al Jazeera Arabic.
0605 GMT: The Turkish Government has condemned the Israeli attack. A crowd of demonstrators have surrounded the house of the Israeli Ambassador and asked him to leave the country.
The ship attacked this morning, the Mavi Marmara, is Turkish-registered.
0603 GMT: The Israeli attack was on the Mavi Marmara, one of the six ships in the flotilla. In a report from the ship just before communications were cut during the raid, Jamal Elshayyal of Al Jazeera said two people had been killed and organisers were ordering passengers to go inside the ship's cabin. The ship's white flag had been raised.
Sounds of live fire could be heard as Elshayyal reported, despite the raising of the flag of surrender.
0600 GMT: We are continuing the live feed from Turkish outlets of the Freedom Flotilla. Warning: images may be distressing.
0545 GMT: We wake this morning to find that overnight Israeli forces have attacked the six ships of the "Freedom Flotilla" carrying aid to Gaza.
Israel Army Radio says at least 16 members of the convoy were killed and more than 30 injured when troops boarded the flotilla. The assault took place in international waters, 65 kilometres (40 miles) off the Gazan coast.
The attack by armed Israeli soldiers was accompanied by helicopters. Al Jazeera's Jamal Elshayyal, on board one of the ships, the Mavi Marmara, said Israeli troops used live ammunition.
Israeli Army Radio said soldiers opened fire "after confronting those on board carrying sharp objects".
The Free Gaza Movement, the organisers of the flotilla, say the ships are now being towed to the Israeli town of Haifa, instead of the port of Ashdod, where Israel said members of the flotilla would be held in detention. The Movement claims the step is to avoid waiting journalists.
tagged Abbas Al Lawati, Ahmet Davutoglu, Al Jazeera, Amital Liebovich, Arab League, Atia Abawi, Avigdor Lieberman, Barack Obama, Benjmain Netanyahu, Bill Burton, Britain, CNN, Caoimhe Butterly, Channel 10, Daily Telegraph, Danny Ayalon, David Saranga, Eliezer Marom, Free Gaza Movement, Gaza, George Mitchell, George Shultz, Glenn Greenwald, Hamas, Hurriyet, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel, Israel Army Radio, Israel Defense Forces, James Appathurai, Jewish Internet Defense Force, Mahmoud Abbas, Mavi Marmara, NATO, Osama Hamdan, Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, Palestine, Palestinian Authority, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Sherine Tadros, Shimon Peres, TRT of Turkey, The Jerusalem Post, The New York Times, Turkey, Tzipi Livni, United Nations, United Nations Security Council, William Hague, YNet News in Middle East & Iran
Abbas Al Lawati, Ahmet Davutoglu, Al Jazeera, Amital Liebovich, Arab League, Atia Abawi, Avigdor Lieberman, Barack Obama, Benjmain Netanyahu, Bill Burton, Britain, CNN, Caoimhe Butterly, Channel 10, Daily Telegraph, Danny Ayalon, David Saranga, Eliezer Marom, Free Gaza Movement, Gaza, George Mitchell, George Shultz, Glenn Greenwald, Hamas, Hurriyet, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel, Israel Army Radio, Israel Defense Forces, James Appathurai, Jewish Internet Defense Force, Mahmoud Abbas, Mavi Marmara, NATO, Osama Hamdan, Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, Palestine, Palestinian Authority, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Sherine Tadros, Shimon Peres, TRT of Turkey, The Jerusalem Post, The New York Times, Turkey, Tzipi Livni, United Nations, United Nations Security Council, William Hague, YNet News in Middle East & Iran
Reader Comments (77)
Gaza LiveBlog: Israel Forces Attack Freedom Flotilla, Up to 16 ......
I found your entry interesting do I've added a Trackback to it on my weblog :)...
Gaza LiveBlog: Israel Forces Attack Freedom Flotilla, Up to 19 ......
I found your entry interesting do I've added a Trackback to it on my weblog :)...
[...] They are only heckling Arab media , such as Al Jazeera and Al Arabiyya….While Arab protestors and left-wing Israelis escorted away by police, they don’t seem to be doing much to stop the right-wing hecklers. … Originally posted here: Gaza LiveBlog: Israel Forces Attack Freedom Flotilla, Up to 19 … [...]
Look at this video - from minute 05:50. See how the Israeli forces are being beaten.
I'm sure the navy will release soon videos that show what had happen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQrQ7imhbLU" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQrQ7imhbLU
[...] GMT: We open this morning with apologies for a limited service, as we are also LiveBlogging the stunning development of the Israeli attack on ships carrying aid to [...]
The Press TV reporter (at about 0m 27s) is talking about "several" injuries, including one who is possibly dying, tear gas and stun grenades. If the chronology of the video(s) is accurate and the reporter's comment that they're being 'attacked from all sides' is true then this all happened before the Israeli troops boarded the boat.
Mike,
"PressTV" should be an indicator that only one side of the news will be reported--we all know how well they "objectively" reported on the events around the election. The numerous claims the IDF came on board shooting is another indicator the news is somewhat slanted--as barbaric as this was I highly doubt the IDF came on board shooting. I hope you also noticed this video often reran several portions throughout the entire 10 minute length making it really hard to identify the timing. From my estimation is is way to early to report accurately on the time line of events. Regardless what was the IDF thinking to board ships with live ammo? Just beggers belief they would do something so stupid especially considering they would be attacked. One would think the prudent course was to just physically block the ships if their intent was to turn them back. As much as this will be used for propoganda purposes the reality is Israel is the one to carry the blame for this. They should have know better.
Thx
Bill
Press TV's objectivity (or lack of) is a fair point but I still find it difficult to imagine that the reporter would be talking about stun grenades, boats on all sides, and people being injured, but neglect to mention troops boarding the boat. It certainly doesn't look like the Israeli troops are on their boat at that point- so either he's making the casualties up, or the first injuries happened before the troops stormed the boat.
[...] Gaza Urgent: Israel Forces Attack Freedom Flotilla, At Least 16 Killed - Enduring America [...]
I believe that an Israeli military force could have found a less lethal method to stop the flotilla rather than sending in armed soldiers against civilians
Disabling the boats would have been sufficient to end the standoff without loss of life.
This David vs Goliath incident has left Israel with a public relations nightmare.
Israel is the biggest terrorist of the world.
The reaction of the Israeli soldiers was clearly panicked, and Israel's denying it is counter-productive. But before you condemn Israel as a whole ask yourself what other country's soldiers would subject themselves to kidnapping and lynching?
Mike,
Was he on the boat that was the center of the attack? Maybe I missed it? One plausible scenario is if you look at a number of the videos it shows the IDF soilders bottled up at one end of the ship. Taking this into context these folks could continue to broadcast as long as the troops remained contained. However I am not sure because one would think these guys could not have continued to air their footage during such an attack if live ammo was being used(people usually scatter when that happens) seeming to indicate they were on another vessel. Its all so confusing but with time I think we will be able to place everything into context. Thanks for your feedback.
Thx
Bill
This was probably a suicide mission cloaked in non-violence. Those on the flotilla expected IDF intervention. That's why they were armed with pistols and clubs.
He says he's on the Marmara, which is the one in the IDF video Scott posted at 14.20.
It would be useful to see IDF footage from after they arrived on the scene, but before they rappelled onto the boat- then we might have a better idea of whether the people the Press TV man mentioned were injured before or after the troops set foot on the boat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3L7OV414Kk" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3L7OV414Kk
I know I will get skewered for this but none the less I am going to say this is again a demonstration of the selective outrage of the Islamic world(and yes I think Israel should get skewered for this barbaric act.) Here are some examples of responses from the Islamic world regarding current events:
1) 100 killed in Pakistan earlier this week--response--no demonstrations largely due to the fact they are Ahamdis are declared by the state as heretics
2) 1 Turkish women brutally murdered in a German court room--response--tens of thousands demonstrate in Turkey
3) 500 Christians killed in Nigeria by Islamic radicals--response--usual rhetorical condemnations but no large scale Muslim protests in the entire world
4) 1,000 killed in Gaza--response--Millions demonstrate across the world
5) 2 million dead in Darfur--response--"Its an attack on Islam" was the defense when they tried to bring war crimes down on Bashir. To date their has not been one large scale demonstration in the whole of the Islamic world and despite the fact hundereds of thousands of the victims were Muslims
6) Bush gets shoe thrown at him(actually would liked to have seen it hit him) guy gets jailed--response--tens of thousands hit the streets protesting
7) 166 people killed by Islamic fanatics in Mumbai--response--not one major protest in the entire Islamic world. The only sizable protest was by several hundered Indian Muslims in Mumbai whom thankfully refused to bury the fanatics in a Muslim cemetery
8) Facebook hosts Draw Muhammad day--response--tens of thousands march in Pakistan and facebook gets banned
Pattern here? You betcha ya! It would seem the Islamic world is incapable of critiquing itself but has guns blazing when a Jew or the Western world is the guilty party. Sadly this kind of selective outrage has allowed Darfur to go on for so long. It is why a Muslim slave from Darfur whom I worked with on a relief project said "If we could only get the Jews invovled then maybe the Ummah would pay attention." Israel should and must be condemened for this action but I also condem the silence of the Islamic world when it comes to anything at their hands of their own coreligionists. As a lithumus test ask yourself what do you think would happen if say a group of Christians machetted 500 Muslim in the US? Now ponder why the issue is all but a non issue throughout the Islamic world. Sadly it seems some lives have a much higer value than others to some across the globe! WHY?
Thx
Bill
Bill,
It's tribalism. Loyalty to the tribe.
This whole scenario appears to be planned in advance with a predictable outcome. Armed flotilla passengers and agitated protestors in place. All ready to surround the Israeliis and create a worst case scenario. Islamic world salivates for these press opportunities. No sympathy for these jerks.
[...] original : Top Stories – Google Blog Search [...]
Bill,
Thank you as usual. I fully agree with your criticism on these double standards. As long as human rights do not become essential to Muslim states, this factitiousness will continue, I fear.
You forgot at least 200 Uighurs, the Muslim ethnic minority, being killed in China's Xinjiang province last July: http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=8010018&page=1" rel="nofollow">http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=80...
Reaction from Iran? Zero! I remember too well, how this obvious denial by AN's government was sharply criticised by the Greens...
Regards
Arshama
Arshama,
Thanks for your reply. Agree about the Uighurs. It seemed to the regime politics trumped human rights once again in Iran. However the Uighurs did seem to have brought this on themseleves and China did report 137 of those dead were Hans(non Muslims.) Regardless like Iran we will never know the truth death toll or the story itself as long as that regime is in power.
Sadly as always politics trumps human rights and the politics around this tragic event with the flotilla will keep us all distracted. An interesting twist to this whole debate is to ask the question of what the Iranian regime would have done if they had to deal with a convoy bringing aid to the green movement? I would have to imagine they would have sunk them without even thinking twice. Sort of demonstrates the standards Israel is forced to live up to that by all appearences are much higher than for anyone else. People seem to forget many of these Islamic organizations don't want peace with Israel but for it to vanish entirely! Even after Arafat signed the Oslo peace accord he stated it was not "an Islamic solution" meaning he still wanted all of Israel.
Thx
Bill
HOW DID U KNOW? MY FATHER IS ON THE BOAT!!! AND MY FATHER IS ONLY A TEACHER!!! He goes there with nothing except prayers from us. AND U ARE ACCUSING that they were armed? I was there sending my father! They were not armed!!! Only with food, medical supplies n etc. PLEASE DON'T MAKE UP STORIES TO SUPPORT YOUR COUNTRY'S VIOLENCE!!!!
1)How on earth do you suggest those metal bars should be used had the israelis not boarded? If this were truely a malitious provocation on the part of the flotilla, shouldn't there have been anything more 'drastic' on board, which would most certainly have been used by an angry mob 'ready to lynch'??
2)The only footage provided right now that has any trustworthiness stems from the reporter's part, indicating that they were still in international waters. (Any proof against these claims should not be too difficult to provide on Israel's part and any absence of such proof can only validate these claims). It becomes apparent from the UN's reaction that there has been no indication on the part of Israel, expressing their concern and willingness to violate international law in order to protect their waters (which in this specific case function as a bufferzone in which to operate and halt any 'trespassers', which in it's very essence already constitutes a 'criminal' (or at least contralegislative act). Although my knowledge of international maritime law is fairly limited concerning conflict cases, doesn't the reaction of the people on board (even without the fairly evident use of live fire on the part of Israeli troops) deserve at least some understanding, seeing how humaine Israel has operated in past.
Even with the best of goodwill it remains impossible to grant Israel the role of victim. The only possible manner for Israel to justify its actions would be if it were to operate within the boundries of international law, which it very, very clearly does not.
3)This is still just based on the premiss of them operating in international waters; the foulness of these actions spans way beyond the time I'm able to commit to it for now, as I make no illusions that my rhetoric will in any way affect your somewhat retarded presumed 'understanding' of reality.
BTW, yes they all died just so you could call them a bunch of actors...
Israel will say anything to justify what they did, we all know that those people where unarmed but now Israel says that the had weapons, wikipedia says they had pistol,Fox News is reporting that the Gaza Flotilla had links to al Qaeda, soon they will say there where missile on board, They will say any lie to justify what they have done, My Prayers go out to all those innocent People on the Gaza Flotilla and there family's