Israel commandos 'peacefully' board Jewish Gaza-bound aid boat
IDF says commandos peacefully intercepted the 'Irene', the latest vessel to try to breach an on the Palestinian territory in the wake of Israel's deadly flotilla raid in May.
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Service and News Agencies Tags: Israel newsIsraeli naval commandos have peacefully boarded a Jewish aid boat attempting to break a naval blockade on Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces said at 11:30 A.M. Tuesday.
"IDF naval forces recently boarded the yacht 'Irene', and it is currently being led to the Ashdod seaport along with its passengers," the military said in statement that branded the boat a "provocation yacht".
IDF chief spokesman Avi Benayahu deplored the fact that "naval forces and fighters are being diverted from our main mission" to "a surreal assignment" of intercepting a boatload of activists.
"Its entire intention was to generate media attention and (stage) a provocation. This matter is especially regrettable as we are talking about a group of Jews and of Israeli citizens, and even someone who has worn an IDF officer's uniform."
Before boarding, the navy transmitted two warnings to the boat, which refused to turn back and sailed further into the blockade area, the IDF said.
Shortly before, an Israeli warship had hailed the catamaran carrying Jewish activists toward the blockaded Gaza Strip, according to the group's website.
An Israeli destroyer was cutting off the boat's path and another small boat was also approaching, the 'Jewish Boat to Gaza' website posted minutes before reports of the interception.
At around 11:00 A.M., a navy boat shadowing the 'Irene' made radio contact with the activists, asking: "Where are you going? Where did you come from? What nationalities are on board?" according to the website
The crew replied:
"They came from Farmagusta, the nationalities on board are British, American, German and Israelis, we are going!" the website said.
The Irene is the latest vessel to try to breach the 3-year-old embargo on the Palestinian territory in the wake of the deadly Israeli raid on a Turkish-led flotilla in May, which drew international condemnation.
Earlier, Capt. Glynn Secker said he expected the navy to intercept the Irene, which is carrying nine Jewish activists from Israel and other countries.
"We will not obey them, we will not help them," Secker said. "But we will not confront them physically. We will engage in no violence."
Israel had asked the vessel, which Secker said was carrying medicines, therapeutic toys, water purifiers and outboard engines, to dock in an Israeli port. Cargo that receives security clearance would be transported to Gaza.
In the end, Secker predicted, the catamaran would be towed to the southern Israeli port of Ashdod, as has happened with other blockade-busting ships.
The Israeli foreign ministry has labeled the voyage a politically motivated provocation.
Nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed in May when Israeli commandos raided the lead ship in the Turkish-led flotilla. Both sides claimed they acted in self-defense.
The international condemnation triggered by the deaths forced Israel to relax its land blockade of Gaza but the naval blockade remains in force. Israel, with Egypt's cooperation, imposed the blockade after Hamas militants seized control of Gaza in June 2007.
The measure was intended to keep out weapons, turn Gazans against their militant Hamas rulers and pressure the group to free a captive Israeli soldier. Those aims were not achieved but the embargo deepened the misery of Gaza's 1.5 million people.
Activists behind the convoy involved in May's deadly raid have said they will send a new flotilla of at least eight ships to try to break the blockade by the end of this year. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an umbrella group of pro-Palestinian activist behind the efforts, said no date has been set.
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A boat with 9 Jewish activists aboard sets sail from Famagusta harbor in the Turkish-occupied north of ethnically divided Cyprus in a bid to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza, Sept. 26, 2010 |
| Photo by: AP |
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This is the question: is the robbering politically, religious oriented or a matter of fact when it comes to IDF?
the activists have been the victims of a 50 year misinformation against the Jewish state of Israel. like most palestinians were also the victim of the misleading propaganda of the muslim brotherhood. non-violence must be adopted by the palestinian and arab leaders as the key for their own welfare. the Irene activists should be imprisoned to study enlightened political views.
I know there is no easy solution to this problem as the palestinians has no power to comprimise or impose a peace. If your enemy has no power why you should make a peace possibly in their favor. That is the dilemma for the Israeli people. I can totaly understand that. Imagine, You defeated your enemy many times but eventualy you end up making a peace agreement in their favor. How do you feel about that? Stupied? Foolish?
those who disobey warnings should be jailed and fined.
Why does Haaretz suddenly become so politically correct and does not know itself whether or not the navy took over the ship peacefully or not? Interesting or not? Well I bet I will again not be published so for now I leave it here as we all know that Haaretz actually supports the pro-Palestinian break the blockade groups.
A Jew in the diaspora who actively supports Hamas bombing Sderot, should be denied the option to get Israeli citizenship automatically. And this goes for his family - wife and kids - too. They probably are against the notion of "Jewish state" anyway, which is based on the law of return, so they should agree with this. They might go on bragging of being denied Israeli citizenship, so in this sense its a win-win for both sides. Those on board who are already Israelis should be prosecuted according to Israeli law.
"medicines, therapeutic toys, water purifiers and outboard engines" - on such a small boat this cannot have been much. so it appears to me the whole affair was much more a show for the crew than a real support for the palestinians.
Whenever Israel goes on a killing spree, she blames her victims and claims self-defense. Whether it's a stone-throwing 8-yr-old, a Palestinian nearing a security checkpoint or a peace ship, it's always the same: "Israel has a right to defend herself!"
More antisemites per head than even the English
What could you expect from jewish activists? Useless cowards. The media attention generated by a peaceful takover is zero, maybe even it works in favor of the zionists (along the lines of "see, if there is no resistence, no nasty things happen"). We need ships with determined, armed revolutionaries, ready to sacrifice their life.
The asthmatic crew of the yach was merely following doctors orders " Lot of fresh air and no exortions!" Perhaps free sex had also played a role . Now they'have gathered energy for their next endeavour : "Jews for Greater Mecca from London to Johannesburg!" "
Smell of Mossad agent provocateur off that..
Questions to ask on this so called blockade: 1. Has is stopped rockets coming into Israel? - No 2. Has it changed the regime in Gaza? No (If anything, Hamas has rather gained in strength and popularity) Unless the idea's to punish the entire population of Gaza which it very much looks like..The ships will continue to sail until the blockade's lifted. It's becoming even difficult for Israel's "allies" to support this stupid policy..Just a matter of time..
Whilst Israel is towing the boat to Ashdod it should add an extra banner to the boat .. "Gilad Schalit First, Kusbarah Second".
This boat was obviously not part of Khaybar aid pretending flotilla. The Turks can learn from that. For the rest? Lots of $$ & time for nothing, wasted by people showing their impatience with the lack of Peace in the Middle East. Govenments and leaders have to come around and to my knowledge a whole set of different rules play at that level...certainly not what the people want.
I think you also havee a lot of things to learn from Turks. Humanity for example.
You are exactly an example why there is no Peace...one-sided prejudice critics from the EU comfort zone, you do not even know me.
Not all of us are government endorsed land thieves and de-facto terrorists. These Jews with a conscience are wonderful.
Amiritie?
One Shalit and 11,000 Palestinian prisoners. Give me a break!!! Isn't the 1,800 Palestinians who died in Cast Lead enough. You managed to fool some people some time... but you can't fool all the people all the time... Stop crying... Peace!!
One Shalit and 11,000 Palestinian prisoners. Give me a break!!! Isn't the 1,800 Palestinians who died in Cast Lead enough. You managed to fool some people some time... but you can't fool all the people all the time... Stop crying... Peace!!
in my opinion they are not wonderful but just looking for a show for themselves. look at the small boat which they have, with nine or ten people on it. how should they have carried lots of goods? actually there's no room for goods for the palestinians but just room for a show for these "peace activists"!
Gaza today headline 28.9.2010 today a 68 year old man was killed after being hit by a taxi. Cast Lead casualties rise to 1800.
Gaza today headline 28.9.2010 today a 68 year old man was killed after being hit by a taxi. Cast Lead casualties rise to 1800.
I sincerely support you, Pepe. The 1,800 Palestinians who died in Cast Lead is ENOUGH!!!
Hamas is above the law is it?Then you cry victim?? Choose no peace ever and fire thousands of missiles and expect a continued free run? Why?? Its 1800 now is it? inflation or confabulation??
I hope they are thankful otherwise they'd be now rotting in a Gaza jail as spies for the enemy awaiting execution.
they can even put one of them in parlament.
Palestina
a petition calling for Red Cross access to Cpl Shalit.? Have any of these "humanitarians" asked to visit POW Cpl Shalit? Where do the loyalties of these people lie?
What would be the point of signing such a petition? Is there any chance it would be listened to? If they asked, would they get to see him? Why waste their time?
Thanks you to the 9 Jewish peacemakers who sought to show the common humanity of Jews, Jewish-Israelis and Palestinians. The Palestinian community undergoing a 3 year long siege in Gaza are not forgotten given actions like yours.
Thanks you to the 9 Jewish peacemakers who sought to show the common humanity of Jews, Jewish-Israelis and Palestinians. At this time of Sukkot we remember the fragile shelter (sukkha) that protected the ancient Hebrews in their search for refuge when they fled Egypt. We give thanks for those within the Jewish community on board the ship Irene who sought to ensure basic human dignity and justice for those in the Palestinian community undergoing a 3 year long siege. They are not forgotten.
The Torah does not speak about social justice. It preaches charity and not taking from those who have to give to those who have not. Liberal, radical Jews have conjured up a skewed version of Judaism which has lead the likes of the self hating Jews like Milliband to think that if Jews support non-Jews in extreme ways above their fellow Jews, that anti-Semites will persecute them less. They try to rational anti-Semitism. If only we would have done that then the pogroms and Holocausts would not have happened. If we attack Israel then the Lords and Ladies will invite us to their tea parties. Good luck to you on that one, especially those who claim they are well educated. Somehow they prefer not to learn Jewish history.
The Torah does not speak about social justice. It preaches charity and not taking from those who have to give to those who have not. Liberal, radical Jews have conjured up a skewed version of Judaism which has lead the likes of the self hating Jews like Milliband to think that if Jews support non-Jews in extreme ways above their fellow Jews, that anti-Semites will persecute them less. They try to rational anti-Semitism. If only we would have done that then the pogroms and Holocausts would not have happened. If we attack Israel then the Lords and Ladies will invite us to their tea parties. Good luck to you on that one, especially those who claim they are well educated. Somehow they prefer not to learn Jewish history.
Israeli military: Keep your bloody hands off these people and be aware of killing any American citizen, be he Jewish or otherwise. Our country has gone to war because of the killing of its citizens in the past.
...and wind your neck in, stress kills.
What war did the US go into for killing its citizens?? I cant remember any, please enlighten me?
Why did not US go to war when Furkan, an 19-year-old activist who has a double citizenship with US and Turkey, had been killed with four head shots in the raid by IDF in 31st of May. They did not even defend his right of living against the terrorist state called Israel. Was it because he was Turkish or the opposite side was Israel?
I take it that Tel Aviv is unaware of the Lusitania or of Pearl Harbor, or even more recently, the 9-11 attack on the WTC. And our Second War of Independence had to do with US civilians being shanghaied at sea and being executed for objecting to service in the Royal Navy.
What if the Irene just stops? Did they bring plenty of food and water? Sunscreen? Get half the Israeli Navy out there and then just stop. Let's all sit around the Med for a day or two.
IDF is only programmed to kill non-jews, no matter what.
IDF does kill in self-defense. But Hamas are equal opportunity killers. Roof tossing is a favored method.
Why not just let them reach Gaza and see what happens?
well, there was a press conference and a welcoming committee waiting for them, probably lots of people coming out to welcome them, lots of photos, some lunch, lots of cheering and calling each other brother and sister...that kind of stuff
and those with israeli passports would have been taken and brought to gilad shalit for sharing his fate!
I appreciate the people on that ship. I have no doubt that they want to help Gazzan women and children who suffers from the bad conditions caused by Israel's illegal blockage.
If they really want to help, than they can provide much more provisions over land; this is only a provocation satisfying only "hero's" in the boat. They don't give a damm about the people in Gaza.
the conditions of the gassed Kurds??
the conditions of the gassed Kurds??
Accuse someone else, change subject and reject the fact ha Peter.
Yes, the blockage is illegal. It is not what I say. It is what UN said.
They should consistently break the chains for all towing attempts.
Why waste big sums buying advertising time on prime time TV. For the minumum investment of renting a dingy i can sell potential investor add space on the sails with a promised around the clock exposure on every chanel and website!
That is a very jewish idea!!!
'The measure was intended to keep out weapons, turn Gazans against their militant Hamas rulers and pressure the group to free a captive Israeli soldier. Those aims were not achieved but the embargo deepened the misery of Gaza's 1.5 million people. '
people ,deprived rice imports from Asia during the WW2.
Antoine GED
Not meaningful? You are joking? Israelis and Jews try to reach out to people who are considered enemies. They try and show that beyond political and religious labels we all share a deeper humanity and you find that not meaningful? If everyone thought like you then there would have been no Schindlers or Wallenbergs.
Not meaningful? You are joking? Israelis and Jews try to reach out to people who are considered enemies. They try and show that beyond political and religious labels we all share a deeper humanity and you find that not meaningful? If everyone thought like you then there would have been no Schindlers or Wallenbergs.