Gaza LiveBlog: Israel Forces Attack Freedom Flotilla, Up to 19 Killed (31 May)

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]

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.

Comments

[M. Ali]

2 years back, a British navy boat entered in Iranian waters. Arrests were made. No killings. So please don't compare this to Iran, who has much more restraint than Israel.

[M. Ali]

I will repeat it again, why are you outraged at "selective outrage" by the Muslims but not other nationalities and countries? When Iran has clashes with protestors, there is more western outrage then when it happens in other countries. You had protests in western countries because of Iran's response to the protests, but little or no report or protests when much worse happened in other countries during the last few years. Why?

[M. Ali]

We pray for your father and all respect to his bravery, for having the courage to put his life and freedom at risk, for only the purpose of helping thousands of Gazaians trapped in a cage.

[M. Ali]

If someone comes on board, shooting first, then the people on board, who have sustained attacks, will use anything on board to defend themselves. But they were obviously not prepared for such a thing, considering the "weapons" they had.

But keep trying to bring up terrorist actions in other countries which you somehow believe that Muslims support (which neither the people nor government supports) or a civil war in Darfur, which is vastly different than a state action against foriegn peace activists!

[AbeBird]

See no panic on the Israeli side. Israelis know very well how to deal with such problems. The Israelis took that mission in a very cool manner, sending on the first wave only 7 soldiers against 600 demonstrators.
Any other western country would have sunk that ship instead and all the others states and leaders would have praising and glorifying the holy mission. Rejecting the Israel right and justice to defend herself is because much more westerners see no any right of the Jews to have their national state alive. The core reason of the ‘Anti Zionism’ is the denial of the Jews tjeir basic human right for their national state!

[valter]

https://www.alertpay.com/?PD83dAEE5n189Mfntz2fm...
srael 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

[Arshama]

M. Ali,

No use to drive a wedge between Bill and me. And even if we disagreed, we would discuss it in a civilised manner. Not like you and your Bassiji "brothers" by insulting, slandering, menacing, arresting, torturing and killing.
Perhaps your divisive policies functioned well for the last three decades, but finally they have proved as a complete failure. Go back home to your daddy AN, barikala, pessare khoob.

[M. Ali]

I don't care about driving a wedge. The amusing part was that you disagreed, but acted like you agreed, not that you were discussing it in a civilized manner. You said "I fully agree with your criticism on these double standards", even though your next sentence was opposite what Bill was trying to argue.

Both of you completely ignored this contradiction, because its not important for you and Bill to have a correct argument but its more important to stay within your comfort zone and safe circle of supporters

[alkos]

Why would a soldier board a ship in international water zone holding a weapon during the night? This is just an act a coward would do if you ask me.

[Arshama]

M. Ali,
As I told you before, trying to divide us is useless! Even this discussion is completely useless. Instead of caring for hundreds of political prisoners, thousands of unpaid workers, the jobless youth, and an economy in the stranglehold of AN and his bunch of Sepahi and Bassiji, ruining domestic production by uncontrolled imports from their Chinese "Big Brother", and sucking national resources to the last drop, you set out for such diversions...
No wonder that Iran is on a decline, when providing a comfort zone and safe circle for an illiterate, superstitious and brutal minority remains to be your sole concern.

[Ali]

Israel is taking the revenge of what has happened with them in Nazi Solution. United Nation must ponder on it; otherwise the world is at few step behind to the Atomic Click.

(World War III)
End of Humanity......

[tehranweekly]

israelis are against muslims and islam

[Gunniy]

Attention for Ali the Taliban
The second Generation of Iranian cyber Basidsch

Ali had always tried to hide his true believing behind his seemingly “nice” words. When putting Ali `s statements together it’s easy possible to get a clear picture of his thoughts.

Beyond that it’s interesting to recognize the direction of his propaganda.

1. Ali is a true and convinced follower of the Regime and AN. Apparently he is engaged by the regime to fight free covering, independent thoughts and a free discussion.

2. It’s nothing new – but this second Generation of cyber Basidsch like Ali isn’t anymore religious. Quote “I'm also not religious at all” he said.

3. His only chance for expressing his screwed views are four basics:

a. Hard censorship of the Press in Iran
b. Torture and solitary Confinement for free Journalists inside Iran
c. Hard censorship of the Internet in Iran
d. Torture and solitary Confinement for Bloggers inside Iran

Without these brutal measures inside Iran he wouldn’t have even a chance in finding listeners abroad. Inside Iran Ali and his comrades are setting hard and brutal pressure on people with different political views. The best example is the 1 Million signatures campaign.

Citation of a sentence of Ali the Taliban:

“I don't agree with forced hijab either but I'm also not religious at all. But I might argue that if put to vote, and this is mainly a guess, it’s fairly possible that people in Iran would vote to keep it...”

On EA it’s possible for Ali the Taliban to write down every falsehood, which is coming into his screwed mind. The true is: Inside Iran the bloody regime is putting everybody into prison, who refuses to wear a hijab.

The point is: Ali the Taliban has lost his fundamental religious believing. That’s dangerous - because what remains is: His believing in false and faked trials (he even doesn’t know what a fair trial it is) and he believes in false propaganda.
Ali the Taliban – I put down this question for the second time – as special service – just only for you :
Ali – what do you have to say? Up to now you are just only defending
rape, torture and violence. Is that your message?

[wdavit]

M. Ali,

Actually the "selective outrage" concerning the Israeli Arab conflict is endemic across the entire world. My point about bringing it up was respective to the world's largest humanitarian crisis Darfur being ignored. It is being ignored by all while the world watches Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel. I have also stated numerous times "it smacks of hypocrisy" when the West hyper focuses on Iran while supporting dictators in Egypt and Saudia Arabia. I hope that better explains my point.

Thx
Bill

[wdavit]

M. Ali,

I see your point and agree. However I think you missed the full scope of my point. In simple terms I find it outrageous that the Islamic world can ignore much greater death tolls and instead focus on Israel. Yes the politics and theology swirling around it magnify the issue, but I have a hard time reconciling this with bigger issues. Note by extension of the Islamic world's focus the rest of the world just follows like lemmings and now everybody ignores everything else. It is why 23,000 UNRWA employees are involved in Palestine leaving only 7,000 for the rest of the world. It is why we hear people in Gaza are starving despite the fact they have the world's 8th highest obeseity rate--and all the while hundereds die in Darfur each month from starvation. My whole point is the equality of issues. I am just sick and tired of the Israeli Arab conflict occupying the world's attention while much greater issues are afoot.

Thx
Bill

[wdavit]

I fail to see your point. I agreed with Arshama especially so after he poointed out the salient fact of those arrested I neglected to mention.

[wdavit]

M. Ali,

"If someone comes on board, shooting first, then the people on board, who have sustained attacks, will use anything on board to defend themselves." Have you not read all the news reports? The IDF did not come on board shooting first--this has been debunked over over. The IDF soilders went on board with paintball guns--yes paint ball guns along with a pistol. If the IDF were shooting people wouldn't common sense indicate that the people would have scattered while the soilders were being dropped on board(video clearly show the people not cowering from gun shoots?) The shooting happened only after the attack and it all occured on that one vessel only! What are you going to do as a soilder who faces mob with knives, chains, bars, and couple of fire arms stripped from your fellow soilders with the intent to kill you---you shoot. Oh nice try with Darfur--that was state sanctioned and Bashir would not have been charged with war crimes without it. I have worked with former Darfur refugees(mostly Muslim) and they will all attest to the fact the Janjaweed were armed and motivated by the government.

[wdavit]

Jacque2599,

Thank you for your reply. I don't doubt videos can be fixed and it happens all the time. However just view this video right here on EA at:

http://enduringamerica.com/2010/05/31/gaza-flotilla-attack-israel-line-we-are-sorry-but-it-was-a-life-threatening-situation/" rel="nofollow">http://enduringamerica.com/2010/05/31/gaza-flot...

It is the very first one. It is a bit choppy but it does clearly show the IDF soilders being attacked first and not shooting first(so much for the white flag being reported.) If you also look closely towards the end you will see the shape of the paintball guns(ironically I thought it was a gun at first.) I have no other evidence to offer on the validity of the video but I would find it hard to believe the IDF went on board to cause carnage. Sadly they were met with leathal force(watch how hard the guys are swinging stuff at the IDF soilders) and eventually the IDF responded with lethal force.

Thanks for the link to the article. I agree with you on that point largely except for what I stated earlier. It is a bit of grey area and their are hundereds of instances of ships being boarded in International water when probable cause arises. The mistake Israel made was using this "grey area" when if anything they should have waited until they got close to Israel--however the problem with that is some will argue its Gaza waters and were are back to square one. I would also ask you to consider the point if the aid was the focus why then attack when boarded? Wouldn't it seem getting the aid ashore trumped beating on some Israelis. Well as it happens the goal of the flotilla was not aid but to break the blockade(bear in mind I am not debating the legality of the blockade--that is another whole issue I have many bones to pick with Israel over.) In essense it was a direct provacation. Taking that into context it shows this flotilla was "playing with fire" and sadly people lost their lives to make a political point. What did the expect when they started beating soilders with fire arms with the intent to kill? I can tell you if I went up to a bunch of Chicago cops(even if I was in the right) started beating them and then took one of their fire arms I would have been shot dead!

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[...] Gaza Flotilla Attack: Israel Line “We Are Sorry but It Was a Life-Threatening Situation!” Gaza Flotilla Video: Questions from Last Report Before Israeli Attack Gaza Video: “If You’re Watching This, The Flotilla Has Been Attacked” Gaza LiveBlog: Israel Forces Attack Freedom Flotilla, Up to 19 Killed [...]

[Courtenay Barnett]

Just merely asking those who support the attack on the peace fotilla:-

1. Since the Allied forces did not claim any permanent territory post World War 11,it it then to be supposed that the "Chosen people" post- 1967 have some special "God given" right to claim territory post-1967? Either that, or there must exist some rational secular laws that govern the actions of the state of Israel.

2. When someone invades one's territory, under Israeli/US edict ( by some special standards of International law - it appears)and it is to be assumed, that the right to resist is somehow suspended when it comes to the actions of Israel? or,

3. In relation to 2 above Article 51 of the UN Charter:-

" Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security. ” remains in existence.

There, of course, might be some special text of international law, that I have yet to read, that makes it permissble to attack a vessel in international waters following upon the suspension (at 2 above) of the right to resistance.

The true "International community" should not yield on this one, and ought properly to insist that this illegal action is now properly addressed, condemned and the perpetrators brought to justice.

http://www.globaljusticeonliine.com" rel="nofollow">www.globaljusticeonliine.com

[jacque2599]

Israel claiming that its soldiers were attacked.Well of course they were attacked. They were illegally boarding a ship carrying peace activists trying to feed the starving people of Gaza in international waters. Someone invades your space. You fight back.and that is why the flottila was waiting for daylight so this would not happen!
Also another note is that I never heard of a paintball gun having a suppressor ( silencer ) and that can be seen on the video!
All I know is this is very sad and it just shows us MAN will never get along with MAN. Take away religion and beliefs and we are all the same flesh and bone, and all of this is just about GREED and POWER. My heart goes out to the innocent people regardless what religion, colour or race ect...

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[wdavit]

Jacque2599,

Jacque,

Two issues with your post:

1) Silencer claim: Well that's the first I heard of that. It would also be quite odd to hear gunshots if silencers were being used. Thus why would the IDF arm some with silencers and others without? Simple logic and deduction clearly states no silencers were used because it was not a surprise attack--they announced themselves!!!

2) Starving Gazans: Well lets blow this myth out of the water with the World Health Organizations listing of the most obese people in the world. Drum roll please: Gaza and the West Bank rank 8th on the list!!! Now if you want to see real starving people look to Darfur. You might also want to just google some images of Darfur vs Gaza. You will note one has grass huts while the other has mutli story concrete buildings with satellite dishes!!! Yet somehow the Palestinians get more aid per capita than any other group of people in the world. Just beggers belief. When are we ever going to see a aid flotilla for Darfur were hundereds die each month due to starvation?

My whole point is that I am outraged how a political stunt/provocation with Israel seems to always trump bigger issues in the Islamic world. For God's sake Edrogan even said their was no genocide in Darfur but calls the Israel's action murder. I don't know about you but I would call 2 million dead in Darfur a genocide and murder as well. It seems the politics are once again trumping ture humanitarian concern. This is all just sad and I agree why can't we stop judging each other by religion, race, creed, or if we happen to fart to much--okay maybe not the fart thing!!! Take care and thanks for your post.

[postes “Steve Sheffey: I]

[...] Gaza LiveBlog: Israel Forces Attack Freedom Flotilla, Up to 16 Killed - Enduring America [...]

[anna]

I am so sick of hearing the condemnation of Isarel. She's dmned if she does and damned if she doesn't. She has routine hamas missle attacks and sucide bombers blowing up innocent isareli's. The Hamas and hezbollah have stated clearly what their objectives are. Kill..kill and kill every jewish man child and women until not one is left. Isarel had to blockade anything getting into Gaza..as protection from palestian missles and arms getting into hand's of her enemies. This flotilla knew this..they meant to discredit Isarel. Peaceful 'peace activists'? These 'peace activists' attacked the isareli's ruthlessly. So now we have groups around the usa protesting Isarel's handling of this sordid affair. Where were these group's when isareli children were maimed by sucide bomber's..when missles were launched from gaza into Isarel?? I am so sick of hearing how 'peaceful' isarel's enemies are when day after day ppl. all over the world are killed..maimed..slaughtered..blown up by these 'peaceful people'