Israel fears Gaza flotilla activists may try to kill IDF soldiers
Senior Israeli officials receive information that activists are bringing chemical substances to use against soldiers; extremists participating in flotilla have said they intend to 'shed the blood of IDF soldiers.'
By Barak Ravid Tags: Gaza flotilla IDFSenior officials in Jerusalem said Monday that Israel has received information that organizers of the Gaza flotilla may be bringing chemical substances on the ships to use against Israeli soldiers to prevent them from boarding the ships.
The senior officials also said that Israel had been notified that several extremists among the Gaza flotilla participants had recently claimed that they intend on “shedding the blood of IDF soldiers.”
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Israel Navy forces approach one of six ships of an aid flotilla bound for Gaza on May 31, 2010. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
Moreover, despite earlier reports, it seems that activists from the Turkish organization IHH, which was involved in the deadly IDF raid on the Mavi Marmara in last year’s Gaza flotilla, will be joining several of the ships sailing for Gaza as part of the flotilla.
Israeli officials claim that two activists participating in the flotilla have connections to Hamas. They named the first one as Amin Abu Rashad, who they claim is one of the head Dutch organizers for the Gaza flotilla and had served in the past as the head of the Hamas’ Charitable Foundation in Holland. The foundation closed down following Dutch authorities’ probe into its involvement in funding terror activities.
The second activist is Mohammed Ahmed Hanon, which Israel claims is a Hamas activist who stands at the head of the ABSPP, which is involved in transferring funds to terrorists.
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Are there any other democracies whose Defence Forces proclamations are so widely disbelieved?
Disable their motors and let them float at sea for a while. Don't board and put idf soldiers at risk of being attacked by these fanatics.
This year ten ships, next year 20? One day the warships of several countries. Than what?
When the police show up to a situation, whether it's riot control or a traffic stop or responding to a noise complaint from a neighbor, they never really know what they are going to encounter. Maybe they'll run across nice, polite and non-violent people and resolve the situation with no problems and maybe even with good-neighborly relations. Or, maybe they'll run across wanted criminals who rather go down in a bloody shoot-out than face arrest. They never know. Last year, IMHO, the IDF thought they were going to face non-violent, Western-style civil-disobedience. That is what happened on almost all of the ships in the flotilla. Almost all. When they ran across the more militant resisters on the Mavi Marmara, they weren't prepared for it. And because they weren't ready, the situation got out of their control and they over-reacted with catastrophic and fatal consequences. I hope, 1) that no one tries to escalate the violence that is likely to ensue when the flotilla tries to run the blockade and 2) if they do, the IDF is prepared this time and 3) that there are no casualties.
If anyone thinks the Israeli's are wrong in any way to restrict access to Gaza, he/she should be wondering why the new powers in Egypt hold the same views as the Israelis.
Israel shouls not put IDF soldiers at risk. If the flotilla boats to not stop at Israel's orders, they should be damaged sufficiently so they cannot proceed, but not sunk.
Israel shouls not put IDF soldiers at risk. If the flotilla boats to not stop at Israel's orders, they should be damaged sufficiently so they cannot proceed, but not sunk.
Thats exactly what it is, and everyone knows it.
bringing love letters to the Gazans like this ridiculous media outlet would have you believe.
"[The flotilla is] a dangerous provocation that is being organized by western and Islamic extremist elements to aid Hamas." - Israeli Government// Of course the flotilla is not organized "to aid Hamas". It is organized to call attention to the Gaza economic disaster, which ISRAEL is causing in order to FIGHT Hamas. People who are against collective punishment (illegal under international law) are NOT automatically FOR those who deserve the punishment but for those who do not deserve it. What is the point of issuing such misleading threats? And now we hear about "chemicals". Probably maze, but Israel exactly what they are and not telling so people would think it is acid.
What do you suggest Israel should do? Seat and wait for a complete destruction? Please... get real! Israel feeds the people that tries to harm them!
Israel your desperation shows. You are looking very silly indeed with these new tactics. You don't honestly believe that these activists want to kill IDF soldiers, do you??? They DON'T want to meet any Israeli soldier in the first place.
Israel just drumming up the excuses for killing. Especially the over 60's that are on the boats.