'We had no choice'

[CDNowak]

LOL! Yeah, Israel arms it’s commandos with paintball guns. Yeah, right. In terms of the civilians, the only guns they had were taken from the Israeli pirates.

You asserted AK-47s, video shows otherwise (and yes, they certainly appear to be paintball guns by the shape, but then you haven’t watched the video, have you?)

Any claim of piracy shows ignorance of the legal definition of piracy.

 

[stanmaxkolbe]

First of all, those civilians had the right to defend themselves and their vessel from this act of piracy. Second, the others likely didn’t defend themselves because they were afraid of being murdered. This ship had a lot of people onboard and there’s more safety in numbers.

The only guns onboard were those taken from the pirates.

Gaza Flotilla Group Part of U.N. NGO Branch

The Turkish group at the center of this week’s deadly high seas clash with Israel, the Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH) has been a member of a hard to get into U.N. organization since 2004. It’s known as the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) branch of United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (ECOSOC) which selects NGOs from around the globe and gives them access to the United Nations system.

Earlier this week Fox News reported that the IHH, the Turkish based NGO and charity, had links to terrorist groups including Hamas and even al Qaeda. Indeed, the IHH was described in federal court documents as playing a role in the Millennium terrorist plot to bomb Los Angeles International Airport and was described in a recent report as being a “radical Islamic organization with an anti-Western orientation,” and that “besides its legitimate philanthropic activities, it supports radical Islamic networks, including Hamas, and that at least in the past, even global jihad networks.” (See full report below)

liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/06/04/gaza-flotilla-group-part-of-u-n-ngo-branch/

Blows your innocent civilian hype right out of the water man!

 

[gnjsdad]

The reporter from *Al Jazeera *who was filing a report from on board the ship as it was being attacked…

There is no doubt from what I saw that live ammunition was fired before any Israeli soldier was on deck.

youtube.com/watch?v=0cQ69oKFtVg&feature=player_embedded#

He confirms seeing one man killed by a bullet through the top of his head.

 

[iamrefreshed]

How dare Isreal blockade international waters for their safety! We would never do that!

independent.ie/world-news/americas/us-ships-set-up-blockade-to-prevent-a-mass-exodus-2022667.html

 

[Rich_Olszewski]

How dare Isreal blockade international waters for their safety! We would never do that!

You are right. The United States Navy would not have opened fire on refugees escaping for their lives.

 

[iamrefreshed]

For those who continue to scream their silly “International waters” remarks…

standpointmag.com/node/3113

Face the facts. This was no humanitarian mission. It was a publicity stunt that intentionally put people in harms way with the sole purpose of trying to incite violence.

 

[Rich_Olszewski]

For those who continue to scream their silly “International waters” remarks…

standpointmag.com/node/3113

Face the facts. This was no humanitarian mission. It was a publicity stunt that intentionally put people in harms way with the sole purpose of trying to incite violence.

Yoiu are relying on a document put out by the IDF? Don’t you think it might be self-serving?

Well, you can do so, but henceforth I will consider the valid authority for what goes on in the Middle East whatever Hamas or Hezbollah publish.

 

[iamrefreshed]

Yoiu are relying on a document put out by the IDF? Don’t you think it might be self-serving?

Well, you can do so, but henceforth I will consider the valid authority for what goes on in the Middle East whatever Hamas or Hezbollah publish.

No, I’m relying on international law regarding blockades.

Israel has a right to blockade.
Israel has a right to enforce said blockade.
Those who intentionally try to breach the blockade bring upon themselves the consequences.

The flotilla was warned not to attempt a breach. They were told they could deliver their supplies to port.

Still, they chose confrontation.

Those are not the actions of peace activists.

Disengaging.

 

[iamrefreshed]

Yoiu are relying on a document put out by the IDF? Don’t you think it might be self-serving?

Re-engaging…

Could you please back up this assertation you made on Joshua Rozenberg writing this article for the IDF?

If you cannot would you please retract your statement?

I’ll gladly retract mine when you can provide a citation that this is an IDF document.

 

[iamrefreshed]

Yoiu are relying on a document put out by the IDF? Don’t you think it might be self-serving?

You are correct, I missed that part. I will attempt to find a neutral source regarding the legalities involved.

 

[iamrefreshed]

You are correct, I missed that part. I will attempt to find a neutral source regarding the legalities involved.

Some reading on Israels rights under international law.

alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE6511I7.htm

You can scroll to section 2. I’m no lawyer but it would appear Israel meets all conditions for this blockade and defense of the attempted breach.

icrc.org/IHL.nsf/52d68d14de6160e0c12563da005fdb1b/7694fe2016f347e1c125641f002d49ce!OpenDocument

BTW, 5 ships obeyed the blockade and no one was harmed.

Again, this was an intentional attempt to provoke violence…not actions of peace activists.

 

[Brooklyn]

Some reading on Israels rights under international law.

alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE6511I7.htm

You can scroll to section 2. I’m no lawyer but it would appear Israel meets all conditions for this blockade and defense of the attempted breach.

icrc.org/IHL.nsf/52d68d14de6160e0c12563da005fdb1b/7694fe2016f347e1c125641f002d49ce!OpenDocument

BTW, 5 ships obeyed the blockade and no one was harmed.

Again, this was an intentional attempt to provoke violence…not actions of peace activists.

Also, everyone seems to forget that Israel wasn’t doing this blockade for the last three years by themselves - Egypt was also involved in it. And as you note, everyone seems to forget that only 1 out of the 6 ships provoked the Israelis, and that no violence occurred on the other 5 ships.

 

[O_Duirnin]

Those who think that the Ashdod option offered by the Israelis was acceptable should remember that much of the aid being carried is ‘black-listed’ by Israel. According to the former Commissioner-General of UNRWA, only around 20% of the supplies which reached Gaza before 2007 are now being allowed in - this being restricted mainly to food and certain kinds of medicine. However, what little is getting in is not enough - malnutrition and stunted growth are becoming apparent in Gazan youth, and very little medical equipment is actually allowed in.

Only 70% of the required fuel for Gaza’s Power Plant is allowed in, 25% of the required cooking oil, and only a tiny fraction of the required petrol and diesel. Homes, businesses, farms, schools, and hospitals destroyed in the 2008-09 conflict cannot be rebuilt, as hardly any building supplies are allowed in. 20% of Gaza’s population are living in tents! Building materials formed a very large part of the aid carried by the convoy, and none of these materials will be taken in to Gaza.

All of this is in direct defiance of UN Security Council Resolution 1860, which calls for “unimpeded provision through Gaza of food, fuel and medical treatment”.

 

[iamrefreshed]

Those who think that the Ashdod option offered by the Israelis was acceptable should remember that much of the aid being carried is ‘black-listed’ by Israel. According to the former Commissioner-General of UNRWA, only around 20% of the supplies which reached Gaza before 2007 are now being allowed in - this being restricted mainly to food and certain kinds of medicine. However, what little is getting in is not enough - malnutrition and stunted growth are becoming apparent in Gazan youth, and very little medical equipment is actually allowed in.

Only 70% of the required fuel for Gaza’s Power Plant is allowed in, 25% of the required cooking oil, and only a tiny fraction of the required petrol and diesel. Homes, businesses, farms, schools, and hospitals destroyed in the 2008-09 conflict cannot be rebuilt, as hardly any building supplies are allowed in. 20% of Gaza’s population are living in tents! Building materials formed a very large part of the aid carried by the convoy, and none of these materials will be taken in to Gaza.

All of this is in direct defiance of UN Security Council Resolution 1860, which calls for “unimpeded provision through Gaza of food, fuel and medical treatment”.

Can you supply a link to your source?

 

[kingal86]

How dare Isreal blockade international waters for their safety! We would never do that!

independent.ie/world-news/americas/us-ships-set-up-blockade-to-prevent-a-mass-exodus-2022667.html

Kennedy did it during the Cuban Missile Crisis too, but called it a “quarantine” since a “blockade” could have been construed as an act of war against Cuba or the Soviet Union.

 

[O_Duirnin]

Can you supply a link to your source?

Most of the information was taken from a speech given by Karen Koning Abu-Zayd, then Commissioner-General of UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) in November 2009.

unrwa.org/etemplate.php?id=217

 

[Brooklyn]

Those who think that the Ashdod option offered by the Israelis was acceptable should remember that much of the aid being carried is ‘black-listed’ by Israel. According to the former Commissioner-General of UNRWA, only around 20% of the supplies which reached Gaza before 2007 are now being allowed in - this being restricted mainly to food and certain kinds of medicine. However, what little is getting in is not enough - malnutrition and stunted growth are becoming apparent in Gazan youth, and very little medical equipment is actually allowed in.

Only 70% of the required fuel for Gaza’s Power Plant is allowed in, 25% of the required cooking oil, and only a tiny fraction of the required petrol and diesel. Homes, businesses, farms, schools, and hospitals destroyed in the 2008-09 conflict cannot be rebuilt, as hardly any building supplies are allowed in. 20% of Gaza’s population are living in tents! Building materials formed a very large part of the aid carried by the convoy, and none of these materials will be taken in to Gaza.

All of this is in direct defiance of UN Security Council Resolution 1860, which calls for “unimpeded provision through Gaza of food, fuel and medical treatment”.

And a huge reason for this is that many of the materials that you think should be let in would be used to make weapons against Israel. So what is Israel suppose to do?

And how do you explain this?

"Israel has attempted to deliver humanitarian aid from an international flotilla to Gaza, but Hamas – which controls the territory – has refused to accept the cargo, the Israel Defense Forces said Wednesday.

Israel said it had 20 trucks of aid found on the ships, such as expired medications, clothing, blankets, some medical equipment and toys."

edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/06/02/israel.palestinians.aid/

After all that has happened, Hamas doesn’t even want what these ships brought. Seems to me this was just a ploy to make Israel look bad in the eyes of the world and give all those who want to condemn them even more reason to do so.

 

[stanmaxkolbe]

Man it cracks me up when people quote the UN—the majority of the countries in the UN hate the United States and Israel!!

The only reason the UN is in New York and the U.S. wanted it there; so we could spy on other countries—wake up people.

Rich my brother we have to disagree on this one.

 

[Adeodatus]

Israel has to protect itself from terrorist baby killers. Terrorists who murder civilians. Terrorists who do not accept the state of Israel as a legitimate state. Terrorists who would instigate a new Shoah. Terrorists who celebrate 9/11 and would like to destroy America. Terrorists who hate and wish to destroy Christianity, just as they wish to destroy Judaism.

Jews and Christians, servants of the Living God, are alike locked in a death struggle with cultural forces that want to eradicate true religion (the Left and Islam, who would no doubt struggle to the death after the Jews and Christians were all dead) and so must lean on one another like brothers. If you are a Christian then the men of Israel are your brothers.

Yet there are many who lay claim to the name “Christian” and still will not cut the Jews a break. I don’t get that.

 

[Rich_Olszewski]

Israel has to protect itself from terrorist baby killers.

And Israel has never killed Palestinian or Lebanese babies?

Terrorists who murder civilians.

I see Palestinian corpses on the ground. Don’t you?

Terrorists who do not accept the state of Israel as a legitimate state.

Are they under some obligation to do so?

Terrorists who would instigate a new Shoah.

An impossibility.

Terrorists who celebrate 9/11 and would like to destroy America.

An even greater impossibility.

Terrorists who hate and wish to destroy Christianity, just as they wish to destroy Judaism.

Read the Talmud for some shocking anti-Christian statements.

Jews and Christians, servants of the Living God,

As are the Moslems - read the Catechism.

If you are a Christian then the men of Israel are your brothers.

I’ll pick my own relatives, thank you.

Yet there are many who lay claim to the name “Christian” and still will not cut the Jews a break. I don’t get that.

Your opinion. Fair enough.