Barak: In the Middle East, there is no mercy for the weak
Defense Minister, Chief of Staff, Navy commander visit soldiers who participated in raid on Gaza aid convoy.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news IDF Ehud Barak Gaza flotillaDefense Minister Ehud Barak visited the Shayetet 13 base in Atlit on Wednesday and praised the commandos who participated in the deadly raid on the Gaza-bound aid flotilla on Monday for carrying out their mission, Army Radio reported.
"You carried out the mission and prevented the flotilla from reaching Gaza," Barak said. "We need to always remember that we aren't North America or Western Europe, we live in the Middle East, in a place where there is no mercy for the weak and there aren't second chances for those who don't defend themselves. You were fighting for your lives – I saw it, and I heard it from your commanders."
Barak was accompanied on the visit to the base by IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and Navy commander Eliezer Marom.
Nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed on Monday in clashes that occurred as naval commandos took control of the Mavi Marmara ship, one of six aid vessels intercepted by the IDF. Seven soldiers were wounded, two seriously.
Footage released by the Israeli military showed the activists attacking the commandos as they boarded the ships.
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Defense Minister Ehud Barak addresses reporters about Israel's interception of Gaza aid ships on Monday May 31, 2010. |
| Photo by: Nir Kafri |
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I'm Italian and what Mr Barack says scares me: israel is not north America or western europe, so you Israelis can do whatever you want, against international law,to defend yourselves. You should be listening to Italians like me who love Israeli democracy and not to false friends like Berlusconi, fascist and antisemitic. What went wrong between Israel and the Italian Left?
Well planned and funded staged provocation. Organizers said they have enough funds for the second round. If you, the bloggers, don't want to see the true nature of this "peaceful" flotilla you are just responsible for the conflict as those who attacked the IDF commandos. The fight happened ONLY on one ship where the most criminals connected to Jihad global army were waiting with the knives and sticks, AND EVEN SOME GUN FIRE. But you will ignore the truth. For you Israel is a scape goat. And you are dreaming to see it disappears from the map. It will never happen. I would like to hear in the news more about those who left flotilla before their trip started. How they are justifying their decision do not participate at the very last moment.
The largest concentration camp in GAZA is enforced by Israel. Israel should never blame the NAZIs for what they have done to them since they are doing worse to the Palestinians.
congratulating and visiting evildoers and terrorists. How charming. Israel is heading towards its ultimate and expected demise.
Obviously the people aboard the flotilla are not humanists, they are political activists. No matter what they say, their actions of violence speak louder. I believe their mission to forcibly break the blockade is brilliant in its inception but dubious in character. Some aboard wanted violence and wanted martyrs (there were Muslim commentators saying this). Though I do not condone the death of 9 civilians/criminals/attackers/terrorists, I recognize that if I were to be part of a mob beating a soldier with a metal rod, my only intent being to injure/kill then I too am a target to be killed. Are you standing up for your actions?
If you are weak in the Middle East the stronger side will murder you or kidnap you. Except we are not talking about Al Qaeda, we are talking about a State recognised by the United Nations.
then how did the Jews survive for thausands of years and prosper among all these Arabs and in all the Muslim lands.
the whole world noticed that, but it doesn't share the sentiment. "The meek should inherit the earth". Nobody but Israeli Jews believe in Israeli jewish propaganda. This time you are in a hole and digging for all that it's worth. carry on, as you were!
Barak, you should resign after such a disaster. Your comments are 50 years out of date. You have shown absolutely no leadership abilites at all.
Do not you think that if the activists were actually intending on killing anyone, they would have brought real weapons on board? These activists are such terrorists against the very innocent and peaceful IDF.
get this idiot out of Israel. please
In my humble opinion, the time has already arrived when the international community should resolve to return Israel to the pre-1967 borders, and enforce this while allowing a Palestinian state to form. I also do not subscribe to the argument that Israel must control more of the West Bank and Jerusalem "because it is surrounded by hostile neighbours" - making Israel larger would not alleviate that! Israel will always be surrounded by non-Israeli states, whether Palestinian, Jordanian, Egyptian regardless of its size, and presumably Israelis will live right up to Israeli borders and will always be within range of any hypothetical attack. And by treating its neighbours with contempt, as Israel has shown in its actions to Lebanon, Syria, and Palestinians, Israel incites hostility from its neighbours - the Israeli prophecy of being being the brunt of hostility is self-perpetuated. Further, the fact that Israel can form peace arrangements with some surrounding neighbours, vis a vis Egypt and Jordan, also negates the argument that Israel must have more territory for its security. Peaceful relations and mutual respect are the best means to security - exactly what the Israeli government has not been doing for some years now.
You ,& others might not like hearing this, but leave everything aside & prepare for a very bloody confrontation with Turkey. There is no skirting the issue. The result: First of all it's better to deal with a big & powerful country than with all kinds of terror groups. By the way, because of Israel;s stupid policy these insignificent groups rose to such high stature incl. newspapers with their daily coverage. They never stopped for one moment to think . To come back to Turkey/Israel war. The disadvantage: Many Killed. The Advantages: No other country or organization would dare to twist Israel's arm.again. Israel will regain her deterrent power. The condition; Israel has to win a decisive victory. The rest of the puzzle will fall into place. This is what is going to happen. Better start planning NOW. Wonder if the Haaretz prints this. Hope it does.
5. Our attack party was vastly outnumbered, and was attacked by the passengers. We had to shoot in self-defense. 4. We had intelligence of a big fat terrorist on the ship who wouldn't fit into one of the Gaza tunnels from Egypt. He had to be stopped. 3. Turkey didn't learn to behave after the "low chair" incident. We had to teach them a stronger lesson. 2. Now Iran will get scared of us. Perhaps they will stop their nuke program. 1. We wanted Egypt to open the Rafah crossing and take over responsibility for Gaza from us. It worked!
There is no mercy for the weak just the strong, the crazy, the able - Iran will get nukes by the end of the obama administration for this reason. It will serve as a balancing power in the region with Israel as it includes HezzoALLAH and Syria within its nuclear umbrella.
and that rule was established by Israel, as we so often see. The IDF will only attack the defenseless.
the weak are bully's who have to prove to themselves and the world that they are not weak. The strong don't have to prove themselves.
The stubbornes is the sign of weakness. The wiser and stronger one is able to make compromises. How strong are the men who are not able to fight " a man against a man", but instead of it kill a human being by using deadly weapons?
U R WRONG MR BARAK TRY THE COMPREHENSION
Israel is run by the 7 dwarfs. Instead of showing remorse over the death of civilian lives, Israel's leaders are defiant and arrogant. Imagine the outrage if it was the Iranians who boarded an Israeli civilian ship on a peaceful mission and murdered 9 Israeli civilians? The Palestinians have been feeling the effect of "No mercy for the weak" for the past several decades.
Sad but Ture. The Israeli public has shifted so far right that leaders of the major Israeli parties are trying to cater to the most exterme in their society. SO SAD!!!
Israel is continuing to kill weak and innocent people ? As a European I always have supported the right of Israel to survive as a state in the Middle East for its superiority in democracy, freedom and fighting for humanity. Once you give up that basis , you give up your legitamicy for existing on "occupied" land, which you have taken from others, without creating a model for peaceful coexistence. You have had the support of all the western world. When you behave like those you claim to be terrorists, you will have the western world against you. You have created a moral standard and will be judged by that as well as others !
Ehud... we know that with it's military victories and it's current military, technological, economic and industrial might, Israel is not weak... so you must be talking about Israel's perception of everyone less mightier than thou.
Who can make peace with this Isreal? With these politicians?
We must and will be strong, to defend our beloved country from the terror groups, even when they are coming from all over the world ! Like in the old times, Israel is fighting for the right and good , against the rogues of the world !
It is really extraordinary to read this coming from Ehud Barak. They have such extraordinarily vitriolic view of world and it is not surprising. Israel doesn’t want to negotiate, they are acting like a pariah state, and they are aggressive at all cost. It will end up in tears and pain for Israelis that is for sure. Just look ahead and see what a disastrous policy this is. Make peace now and build your nation for future. The alternative can only lead to destruction. I speak as a judeophile observer from outside the Middle East
The problem is starting with all the wars which have been started by arabs and the terorist that want to anhilate and distroy you phisical and sprirtual you have to wage a total war no mercy for Amalek. Don't look what the word opinion will comment on you because evrything is roten, and secondely is manipulation of HAMAS /PA &CO frustuation that Israel have the response to teroism trying now to deligitemaize Israel, as fact look in Pakistan, Afganistan, Iraq the real teroism whats is this hynas are able to do, and the same world will suffer at last from them for no reacting and keeping the same mental impotency without learning nothing from the past .
mercy on us and you barak, you will take us all down.. how can you sit with bibi and liberman the thugs?
For a change you speak the truth Mr. Barak! ''We live in the Middle East, in a place where there is no mercy for the weak and there aren't second chances for those who don't defend themselves.'' That is exactly what you did in Gaza a year ago and what you did with the Free Gaza Flotilla. You attacked the weak with brutal force and proved your point without question!!
Does truth have any meaning to you, or any lie is permissible as long as it serves your purpose. Have you heard of the thousands of rockets fired into Israeli population centers prior to Gaza operation. litvac100
Those who have undegone aviation training have been tought that we should always keep our head smooth and free, in order to be able to take right decisions and actions in critical times. You can general transer this into life because it is a wise word. I wonder why so many people are blaiming Israel at this moment and not asking those flotila activists the same thing, why did you, which are propagading peace and mercy, not do exactly those right things, instead of using violence ??. And I am asking all Israeli people, before you start blaiming easily your politicians, sitting comfortly from your living rooms and watching those pictures, did you ask your selfs if the hayalim did exactly the right thing for what they have been trained under critical circumstances ??. Sad story in general with all this dead people, but those who raise a sword for fighting, should always remember that that the possibility to get killed or injured is very big, in all kind of combat fields. Dear Hayalim you have my respect and understanding for what you had to do and undergo during this terrible night.
Barak is in the wrong party. He has to join Likud, where he has many supporters like the way he defends Israel. And what kind of thinking is that to praise soldiers who killed innocents. This goverment like the previous is a horror for the middle east!
Are you really an afghan jew? me thinks not.
When do you think Ehud Barak, and the soldiers could be trialed in Israel or in another country? The trials from WWII and the Balkans have proved that soliders following orders are not free of legal guilt just because they followed orders. Both Barak, senior military personal, and the soldiers executing the attacks could face trials both in Israel and abroad. Once Ehud Barak leaves his post and no longer have dimplomatic immunity, will he dare to enter the EU for example? Why will he not enter the EU? Is he a criminal?
If the IDF troops had done exactly what the peaceful prtesters said they did, then there would be a trial. It appears that having watched the videos from both sides, the protesters tried to minim ize their involvment and make it look like they wre the victims. watxching the raw footage from the ISraeli side as reported by the many journalsist on board ISraeli ships, it would appear that ISrael was simply defending its own troops lifes. That only ten people were killed is as remarkable show of strength. Anyt trial will be with IHH the sponsiors in the dock along with these so called peaceful protesters when they get out of hospital. Much as these anti ISrael corwd hates it, Israel gets a pass on this one, and the video is the proof. pali video shows their own people atrmed with all sorts of weapons lining up to attack. Israel video shows these same people on the offensive attacking soldiers. Kind of makes the case doesnt it. bad luck
the soldiers were defending themselves from brutal attack, where the attackers knew that the soldiers were under orders not to shoot. Only when their lives were seriously in danger, as witnessed by the video, did they get permission to shoot to defend themselves.The criminals are the Islamic Terrorists who organized this provocation.
we knew that!
Your idiot army just attacked a ship that is full of humanitarian helps for Gaza. and you dare to say no mercy for the weak?? and remind me how did the army defended themselves were they are the attackers !!!!!! guys yo need some education, never seen suck basters and lairs in my life. Damn you
Fiona is apoplectic about the idf troops being attacked with fireabombs, pistols, steel bars, knives. She is apoplplectic because ten of her loyal peaceful protesters took up arms against troops , stabbed some seriously wounded other. Fiona is uposet that IDF troops boarded with nothing more than paintbal guns and pistols. Poor Fiona I feel her pain. Whoever put this convoy together and planed this event knew what theu were doing, but did not expect to have deaths on their side. When you attack people and it does not matter if it is on board a ship or on the street, and you try to kill them, the person you attack will fight back and you risk getting ypourself killed. I hope this lesson is not lost on the next Freedom flottila groups of peaceful protesters because the ISraeli navy will not go in lightly next time. These same peaceful protesters trying to kill soldiers showed little or no mercy to them so why is it not ok for soldiers to show them mercy Fiona. Do tell poor girl now go take a valium and calm down
There are some photos taken in Israel after ship were taken over they found quite a few arms hurting IDF elite commandos here some(From Photogalaria of Hurriyet Newspaper) http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/galeridetay.aspx?cid=36430&p=6&rid=2 http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/galeridetay.aspx?cid=36430&p=1&rid=2 As you see those are quite dangerous set of toys leathal for IDF commandos and there is also http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/galeridetay.aspx?cid=36430&p=12&rid=2 a very dangerous an leathal wheelchair not sure if it belongs to a Jihatist who crippled ahd among killed ones who expose danger elite forces or it is destined to Gaza to be used as missile against Israel
soldiers had to protect them self , iwish how turkey would have reacted to kurds last year hundreds were massacred mamas killed hundreds ,abbas suppoters
Sigh, who media-trains the people that are supposed to represent Israel? Let's see what happened... The IDF used an overwhelming military force to take over civilian ships (in international waters), the result was the death and bodily harm of a large number of the civilian passengers. Now who do you think is perceived as weak in this incident? The statement makes it look like Israel doesn't regret the deaths it caused. Couple that with the ludicrous statements by Danny Boy and Lieberman and you've got yourself a complete cadre of incompetent spokesmen who are tarnishing the image of Israel continuously.
They were not armed to defend their lives because their lives were never threatened,they were armed to attack ,lynch and kill.They could easily disarm soldiers and arrest them,but they preferred violence that resulted in death of 10 people and for that I'm supposed to sympathize with them? First you have to show me the law permitting to kill someone rather then arrest him. A perfect example of how low so called humanists can sink.Savages trying to kill people,lynch them even if white flag is waving above their heads.The white flag they hung themselves and that became a trap for naive IDFs who boarded the boat with paintball guns....
As he has just prooved!!
First the Gaza war and now this Flotilla shambles. You should not be defence minister.
Barak, Ashkenazi and Marom ought to go
When your best troops are ambushed because of your faulty planning, when the fruition of your plans is the polar opposite of what you expected, when despite your best efforts to explain yourself, the whole world laughs at your propaganda, tell me, are you seen as strong?
they put up white flags and called themselves peaceful protesters. faulty planning was based on the assumption that the protesters were in good faith and not misrepresenting themselves. are you suggesting that going forward, the IDF should assume the worst when confronted with protesters. These hamas-esque tatics of hiding belligerent intentions with babies and white flags is a big blow to the Left. These events are tragic but this type of bad-faith cynical protest is a stain on their track record. Israel has much introspection to do, as do people who associate themselves with the Left...
You put the soldiers in an impossible position; poor planning, poor training, poor intelligence. You are incompetent
The flotila should have been blocked, but the Planning was wrong. There should have been 10 times more comandoes, so the Ship will be subdued without the need of using weapons. And if weapons are needed shoot in the legs!
Are you justifying Hamas or ANY resistance to the illegal occupation here?
stop all ties with turkey, recognise kurdistan
Kurdistan ? That would be the best way to give Turkey and Iran a common problem for them to start cooperating more, and the US wouldn't be too happy either if after all the effort the Iraqi Kurds would become secessionist and start another civil war.
Be strong Israel and God bless you. Most Macedonians are with you and we are ashamed of our 3 nationals who participated the mission. It is well known here that they belong to Vahabi humanitarian organization with ties to Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Talk for yourself but don't talk in the name of others... Pozdrav
How can you be ashamed of poeple that do good deed and proud of others that massacer poeple. You are fake, you are just another jew that happen to live in Macedonia
In the Middle East there is no mercy for the week. Iran and the Arab world should be become as strong as Israel if not stronger. This is the only way they will over amount to anything on the world stage. Iran has realized this already.