Turkey to Israel: Lift blockade of Gaza
Israel warns it would block a fleet of nine ships carrying some 700 international pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian supplies from reaching Gaza.
By Reuters and DPATurkey urged Israel on Tuesday to lift its blockade of Gaza and allow a Turkish-led convoy of ships carrying humanitarian aid to enter the Hamas-controlled enclave.
Israel and Egypt closed Gaza's borders after Hamas took control of the territory in 2007 and refused to forswear violence against the Jewish state. Gaza's 1.5 million people face shortages of water and medicine.
An international flotilla carrying some 10,000 tons of medical equipment, housing material and other supplies is expected to reach Israeli waters by Friday, according to a Turkey-based humanitarian aid group leading the effort.
Speaking to reporters at a news conference during a UN meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said his government had been in touch with Israel about the aid convoy.
"Acting calmly is necessary rather than raising already heightened tensions," he said. "The blockade on Gaza should be lifted."
He added: "We don't want new tensions ... We believe Israel will use common sense towards this civilian initiative."
The Israeli government is under international pressure to relax its blockade, which the United Nations says punishes people in Gaza over the policy of Islamist Hamas, which is pledged to Israel's destruction.
Israel warned Tuesday that it would block the fleet of nine ships carrying some 700 international pro-Palestinian activists.
A similar, but smaller, aid flotilla was prevented by Israeli authorities a year ago. Five others have made it to Gaza in recent years.
Israel argues the blockade is necessary to keep violent elements in the Gaza Strip from rearming themselves with the tools to shoot rockets into Israel.
Israeli media reported authorities saying the ships would be boarded before they could reach Gaza. Any activists on board would be arrested.
Israeli authorities have urged the convoy's organizers to bring their goods to Gaza via a pre-approved border crossing. Organizers have said no such offer has been made.
"Ships that make their own way to Gaza don't do anything to help the people there," said Yigal Palmor, a spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
Palmor said Free Gaza is "less interested in bringing help, than with advancing their radical agenda, which plays into the hands of Hamas."
Turkey, the only Muslim member of NATO, is one of Israel's closest allies in the Middle East but relations have soured, in part due to Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's frequent criticism of the Jewish state's Palestinian policies.
Robert Serry, the UN's special co-ordinator for the Middle East peace process, said the blockade could only embolden militants.
"I am particularly concerned that the current closure creates unacceptable suffering, hurts forces of moderation and empowers extremists. I call for the closure policy to end," said Serry, who also serves as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon's representative to the Palestinian Territories.
The convoy, organized by the Istanbul-based Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH), includes vessels from Britain, Greece, Algeria, Kuwait, Malaysia and Ireland.
It is carrying some 20 million euros worth of supplies, making it the largest ever to the Palestinian Territories, Salih Bilici, spokesman for the pro-Palestinian IHH, told Reuters.
"Part of this mission is to draw attention to the suffering of the people of Gaza," Bilici said. "We are not concerned that our safety is at risk, because we are a humanitarian group without political aims."
The group is determined to deliver the aid directly to Gaza, rather than leaving it with Israeli authorities, Bilici said.
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Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu |
| Photo by: Reuters |
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are trying to start a war in ME and turks are the most aggressive in this effort.The turkish support for iran and syria is destabilizing the region.
It is not a Fleet of Freedom. This Fleet will bring more distructive forces rather than constructive. Israel certainly will demonstrate that Israel is a State or not some sort of imagination in heads of non-realistic leaders like Turkish Foreign Minister..
Israel abide by it's commitment to the UN when acting outside it's sovereign boundaries.
But you are going down...
for all your lefties with your selective and short memory's , pay attention. Here are the 4 basic requirements in order to lift the blockade on Gaza. 1] back , alive , and with no pre conditions , Gilad Shalid...you all know , the man with no rights. 2] Stop all violence emanating from Gaza. 3]Recognize the state of Israel 4] honor all previous signed deals between the PA and Israel Those are the simple facts. And i can almost guarantee you lefties that , in case of # 1 & # 2 being implemented?..the blockade will be over in 24 hours. So, knock on some doors!
Israel has no authority over international water or Gaza's water and Israeli law does not apply outside of Israel, there is no ground whatsoever for arresting anyone.
The Turks want to bash Israel to turn world's attention away from Iran as well as the Armenian and Kurd genocides. The Palestinians want to run away from Hamasland. Israel wants peace and security. So why don't we move the Palestinians from Gaza to some island in Turkey so: 1) the Turks would Israel every night on TV (Think of Big Brother revisited), the Palestinians would get rid of Hamas and we would get our land back. See everybody would be a winner.
PALESTINE BELONGS TO THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AND THEY WILL STAY THERE FOREVER!!! !!! IN OWN INDEPENDENT STATE !!!
when will Israel refuse to forswear violence against the arabs
They can't claim Gaza residents are not responsible for Hamas actions: they overwhelmingly voted for Hamas during the last and the only PA elections. Let they now feel the consequences.
Even as a pro-palestinian, this is really silly. They can get 7 ships into gaza if they try really hard but this is not going to lift the blockade. It will only make Israel more stubborn about the blockade.
seems like israel and the usa are more and more loosing support in the world.
What would the US do in this case?
O.k, but only after you free Kurdisthan and take your troops out of Cyprus.
Have you asked the Turkish Cypriotes if they still need protection against Greek oppression?
Erdogan loves helping his muslim brethren. He also loves kurdish people if he does not kill them. He has no moral code or standard that applies more rigorously to one group of people than to another. He is dictatorial and unfair in different ways. He proved it last week again when he ordered the 'Turkish Air Force' to bombard more than 50 Kurdish towns and bases in Iraq. Hundreds of innocent people must have been killed. The big question is what 18 million kurds which are living in Turkey are thinking about this. If you understand turkish read this: http://www.milliyet.com.tr/kuzey-irak-a-hava-harekati-/turkiye/sondakika/20.05.2010/1240527/default.htm
The Law of the Sea says that naval blockades may be imposed during a period of armed conflict by either side against the other belligerent party. Furthermore, blockade runners who refuse to turn about or to stand to and allow themselves to be boarded for contraband inspection can be blown out of the water and sunk. It's much better for these misguided Hamastan-lovers to send their so-called aid through an authorized land crossing instead. Methinks these fools are just pulling this stunt to get their names in the newspapers. If these misguided fools really want the blockade of the Gaza Strip lifted, then they should convince Hamas to reach a permanent peace agreement (no half-assed temporary hudnas or tahadayas permitted) with Israel first including the mutual recognition of the 1950 armistice line as the permanent border, a complete ceasation of all hostilities by all parties, and the release of prisoners (except those convicted of war crimes). Furthermore, the Gaza Strip (Hamastan) should be treated separately from the West Bank (Fatahland) since they are geographically and politically two distinct stateless entities.
That nothing there can be used to make weapons? If the materials can or are used will Turkish forces take the risk and destroy Hamas? Why should Israelis take the risk? You say it's civilian aid but many things can be misused, dishwashers timers make great timed detonators, steel freight containers are great for lining tunnels so will turkey commit it's infantry under the sole command of the idf should this stuff be misused?
Turkey should tell Hamas to release Shalit and recognize Israel. If they listen, the blockade will end in 30 seconds.
Do you really believe that? :)
Lets be fair, many people with good intentions have decided on a course, that in reality is a mission, a mission of hope for those that are oppressed by Hamas and its splinter groups. Israel could do well by opening the corridor and allowing these good intentioned folk into a quarantine area, check the cargo and simply allow those good folk to be on their way to Gaza. The ships of mercy, or whatever they should be called, is a grand effort by many, not all are in for the publicity, no doubt the cameras will roll and many an interview will be aired. That is, if those ships do not carry munitions,weapons or members of some terrorist organization. Good luck to those that stand up for humanity. Good night, from sweet Swiss Alps.
where Hamas will promptly hijack all shipments heading to hospitals and the needy for their own financial gain. These leftist liberals are ignorant of the truth and reality in Gaza and the monster which they support.
These people are cowards. Brave people would try this from the Egyptian side, but Egypt and its policies do not exist for these arrogant lefties since admitting it would impinge on the holy truths of their anti-Israel cult. It is not helped by the fact the Israelis must be the worst people in the world in explaining their case.
Don't worry, many are trying to get in through Rafah (Egypt) as we speak. But Egypt won't budge because it's too afraid of its friendly neighbour, Israel.
Turkey is not allowing the north Cyprus ports to be used by Greek ships. The city of Famagusta (Magosa) has been a ghost city since 1974 Turkish invasion of the island. The EU has been pressuring Turkey to open the ports and let the inhabitants of Famagusta return to their homes but since 1974 Turkey refuses to do so. Mr. Davutoglu: There has not been one single bullet from the Greek side of Cyprus to the Turkish side for decades while rockets launched from Gaza are still falling on Israel. When you open the Ports and return Famagusta to Greeks then you can start giving advice to Israel. Until then it would be wise of you to stop.
You forgot Kurdisthan, under Turkish occupation.
The city of Varosha is a very small part of Famagusta that was offered to the Greek cypriots by Turkey under the Annan plan in 2004 but the Greeks rejected it. It also had the right of return for both Turks and Greeks to previous cyprus communities. But what does this have to do with Israel and Gaza? Is it because the Turks are Muslims that they have to be held to a higher standard of morality if they want to help Gazans? If thats the case then there is no Perfect Islamic country without fault or a perfect Jewish state for that matter? Does that thinking get us anywhere and alleviate suffering? If the Donor has to be an ideal just Utopian State , then we would have no donors in this world who qualify except for the polar bears in Antarctica.
that people would stop using the logic of children in the playground. For adults it should be obvious that something doesn't magically go from being forbidden to being allowed just because someone else does it. You do not think that you are allowed to kill people because you read in the paper that someone got stabbed in a bar-fight. Likewise you should not think that Israel is allowed to do whatever it wants as long as there is someone else doing it as well. And for the record you also need to differentiate between the Turkish state and people of Turkish descent. I do hope I don't need to point out that they are not the same, but just in case: it is perfectly natural for Turks to have a different opinion from the Turkish government. It is not just in Israel that people can disagree with the policies of the state...
by Turks in 1974. The EU and the UN has been pressuring Turkey to let the inhabitants return. There is no justification to keep the city empty. Turks could let the people back and still control it but they don't do that. Because they know very well that it would become their Gaza. Anyway; The point is Mr. Davutoglu has a lot in his hand that involves his nation directly before he worries about Gaza. After all teh AKP government had offered close to 1 Billion to build an industrial infrastructure in Gaza just before the disengagement but Hamas never used the opportunity.
.....then Israel is when screwed up country. Let the aid in. Do the right thing.
Even the Israeli government doesn't voice those lies. Here is the truth: Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan http://unispal.un.org/unispal.nsf/47d4e277b48d9d3685256ddc00612265/a4c54811a41144758525772300551c03?OpenDocument (bet this won't make it through Israeli censors)
it may be partially true that israel delivers but what they supply is like a drop in the ocean... dont make a difference at all
The majority of the world stand firmly behind the oppressed people of gaza and west bank. Isreal will dare not confront the over 700 international activists who are equiped with wireless communication on board. The world awaits anxiously ,praying for the immoral siege to be broken.
Why the hell is Israel held responcible? Let their Muslim brothers take care of them for a change. Even when we had decent relations with Gazans (yes, I lived in Sderot) they built no infrastructure of their own, and destroyed much of what could have been used when we left. Nice try at blaming us and calling Israelis the bad guys.
Are you crazy? Why should the Egyptian Muslim Arabs open the border with Gaza Muslim Arab? They know their own people. They don't want Egypt to turn into an Iraq, where Arab men, women and children are killed everyday by Arab car bombs and Arab suicide terrorists.
The creation of Israel was a terrible injustices against the Palestinian people and no one should feel incline to uphold the status quo in Israel today..It's cruel and evil now....Dutch
The propaganda machine of the unemployed radical left and Muslims are trying to create attention and importance for themselves . No one of those sincerely cares for Gaza as they do not care for real genocides and hungers in many Arab/Muslim countries . This is a plain transparently hollow farce .
.
So why didn't they arrive in Sderot with earplugs and tranquilizers?
They thought that it was slightly more important to help the hundreds of thousands of people deprived of medicine, housing and anything other than bare minimum food than it was to help people who live in comfortable houses with supermarkets and hospitals around the corner? Just a wild guess of course...
Silly me. I thought missiles in playgrounds were serious.
still wakes up screaming at night suffering from trauma from the hundreds of rockets fired at us. Its easy to talk when you are far away from the danger. Come over to Sderot and live here for a few weeks and lets see how well you accept the fact that we left Gaza for the Palestinians and all we got in return was rockets on our heads. Where were you when Israel was not responding to the rockets on a daily basis? Did you go on the Internet to show your support to the Israeli people? no? did not think so.
The flood of anti-Israel/anti/Jewish fanatics would seize this opportunity to delegitimize the State of Israel by breaking Israel's laws and its borders ... How about turkey gives free passage to so-called humanitarian supplies to Kurds? Block that idiotic flotilla and kick their butts back where they belong ....
"The flood of anti-Israel/anti/Jewish fanatics would seize this opportunity to delegitimize the State of Israel" I've spent time in Israel and I was rather find of the old Israel that tried to be democratic, secular, peacemaker and egalitarian. I don't like Bibi's new Israel and neother does anybody else around the world. Things like the Gaza blockade and Bibi's governemnt generally are delegitimizing Israel without any the need of any help from anti-Jewish fanatics.
Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Fatah have done many things for the Palestinians. They are fully responsible for :1. Bringing the Israeli Army Into Gaza and the West Bank ..2.Attacks by Israeli Air Force and Army 3. Israeli Checkpoints. 4. Stopping Creation of A Paestinian State 5. Loss of jobs in Israel for Palestinians. 6. Stopping food and other needy things from getting to Palestinian people. The worst ENEMY of Palestinian people is = Hamas , Islamic Jihad, and Fatah .
TURKEY shoud only leave Cypro and let autonomy turkish kurds Israel shoud not stop the turkish boat, but sink the moment they cross the 20 mile line.
DO NOT let them in. release Shalit and maybe we will let them in.
Rockets hitting the USA mainland are not emenating from Cuba. Shalit is an issue but the violent agenda and the violence and the indiscriminate targeting is far, far worse.
There are no dangerous materials on the boats. And none of what we carry to Gaza will be turned over to Hamas. We deal only with NGOs
you are a delusional old white lady lead purely by good intentions but no common sense. It is time for you to finally relax and enjoy your grand kids or in the least help out homeless in your own country. Little old lady needs to familiarize herself with Jewish history and the World's treatment of nationless people. Now that Jews have their very strong country with an ultimate weapon to discourage rogue regimes like iran little old ladies from nothing to do start their agitation process...
Didn't know that you could lie with a poker face.
Hey Michael - Give Ireland back to the Irish. Until that moment, STFU.
That I believe you have why don't you check out these two names Dorit Benisian Yuval Abebeh. There are two sides to each story and you are opnly seeing one, unfortunately and this can not solve the issues in the ME.
Britain offers the people of Northern Ireland the right to unite with Eire any time they want to do so. They prefer to stay united with Britain (as sensible people would). Why not leave them where they want to be?
"Delusional old white lady." Wow! Agism, sexism, and arrogance all wrapped up in a tidy little package. How efficient of you.
The US ( amazingly even Obama ) & some western European states support the blockade so don't expect to much foreign intervention. There is a very simple solution to solving the blockade and thats the the Hamas government commit itself to peace and stop bringing in rockets to fire at Israel, stop taking the concrete to line tunnels & build bunkers, stop taking the fuel for their own personal use, stop stealing the food aid so they can create a black market for food. Israel permits the delivery of certain things and blocks others. Lets also not forget that Egypt controls Raffah and they could chose to let in supplies if the wanted but they don't. Last year George Galloway came with trucks full of food wanting to take it into Gaza via Egypt but for over a week the Egyptian government refused to let it through. Until the US & Europe are united and call for en end to the siege it won't happen and for now at least they support it & you can certainly not expect this siege to end before the US midterms in November at the earliest.
School text books,jam,paper,pasta is banned amoung many others. This is clearly a move to collectively punish the people of gaza and the whole world knows it.
Why is there never a comment about the thousands of rockets that hit Israel??? Sink the ships!!
democracy is dead in israel, and no1 cares.
Democracy has nothing to do with this, this is about crushing Hamas and the people that elected Hamas. (If the People of Gaza wished not to be punished then they should not of voted for Hamas in the first place. At any rate these people that are taking a part in this flotilla are not Israeli citizens or residents therefore once again I say on to you democracy has not part in this.
If Turkey wants Israel to allow the AID to Gaza the 9 ships, should be sent to an Israeli port and unloaded on to convoys; after the cargo can be inspected for munitions making materials. You can even allow UN support of inspection. This way none dangerous materials can be sent to Gazar. The true problem once in Gazar will Hamus give the AID to the people?
I assume you mean Jam & Pasta right?
It is time for the International Community to lift the siege. If Turkey and the Royal and US navies went, maybe France and Italy and the rest of NATO would send ships, too. Israel would not challenge a relief flotilla led by warships.
MArk of Lewiston: It is time for the International Community to force you out of the unlawful home in which you squat, located on illegally obtained, stolen American Indian land. You have no right to be there, must evacuate immediately, and, moreover, must pay compensatory damages to the American Indians whom you have harmed through your illegal occupation.
right mark? you like dead jews. Aint gonna happen buddie. as long as those animals threaten our life they suffer the consequenses. saty safe in texas buddie. you did not have to run to a bomb bunker this week, right?
Why would you want the international community to aid and abet terrorism. None of this would be necessary if Hamas renounced violence.
and the entire international community states that Mark has no legal right to be on stolen Indian land, then I agree, he should leave. However, the same should apply to Israel. If Mark refuses to leave, the world should force him to. They should do the same with Israel.
to the hypocrites who took everything from the Native Americans, including their scalps.
Land obtained in self defense is not stolen, fool.
are usually made by people who cannot formulate a cogent argument.
The international community does not recognize the land you took as belonging to you. Israel has proven time and time again that they cannot be trusted when it comes to the Pals, so perhaps it's time we force you to act like decent Human beings towards them.
I made the argument: land obtained in self defense is NOT stolen. Fool
by international law to be occupied territory not belonging to the occupiers and the occupiers declare it their own, then it is stolen land.
Where is BiBi ibn all this ? He has to be in Israel instead of carrying a double bed with Sarale up the stairs to the plane ! Don't shirk your responsibilities.. You can always go galavanting around the world later on. Now stay here & see this Flotilla business through.. You & nobody else. And besides,,stop wasting our hard-earned money.
Wow, I;m glad you don't teach my kids that kind of rubbish.
If she really had it all would be different.all the best wish for flotilla
Thank you for your good wishes and support
These so called activists don't care about the pals...they are self righteous hypocrites with too much time on their hands...pure propaganda..the pals best weapon...
I get goose bumbs thinking about what these heroes are doing. While Israel and their ilk feel the tightening noose. Maybe the Palestinians will see justice so.
a picture to go with your silly anti israel anti jew rhetoric.. you are still a bigot
Oxfprd Dictionary: SALIENT - "a piece of land or section of fortification that juts out to form an angle. 2 an outward bulge in a military line.". Who dreamed up using this totally inappropriate term to describe the Gaza concentration camp? Obviously the Israeli Gov't. is at a complete loss as to how to describe it for the foreign media.
The illegal Gazan occupation is properly called an incursion--into Israel's lawful territory.
How many years ago did the Israelis leave in the hope it would foster peace and quiet for both Gazans and Israelis?
Denying academics, denying humanitarian aids, denying freedom of movement, denying muslims to worship in Jerusalem, denying Pals rights to live freely and independently, denying pro-Pals activists, denying products coming to the PA...and the list is so long...I am sure I missed so many.. This is the new chapter of the Israeli denial series...and whats interesting they call themselves democratic and bla bla
Israel presents itself to the world as a secular democracy, where people of all religions have equal rights. But in reality, it’s just a theocracy that discriminates against anyone not Jewish, especially those who follow the religion of Islam.
we allow you arabs to pray at your mosque in MY capitol. its you arabs who forbade jews that right until we took it back in 1967. keep inventing things... you thug terrorist
I would say that what Israel desparately needs is a bit of direct guidance from God.
Tony Silver, here is a joke for you: A man gets off the airplane at Riyadh Airport, goes out to where the taxis are, and asks his taxi driver "Hey, buddy, take me to the Jewish district." Get it? JERK
you could pass it on for perusal but as it is your repetitive obsessive Anti anything Israel stance is at best tedious.
I will refrain to reply the same way you did to me. I am also sad to see such comment using these words. Everyone knows that what I have written is mirror of the reality. Jerusalem is 35 min from my home and I am not allowed to go there for 12 years now because I am simply not 45+ yo. Or I am sorry if freedom of worship has age limits in Israel.
sorry... you will have my trust when you all stop trying tot throw us in the sea. We allow you to temple mount. we allow you to worship. jordan and you arabs forbade us access to our cotel. you dont like the truth... tuff! stay in you home. you will get the west bank... 97 percent with land swaps. we will abanondon some 67 settlements and you can have ramalla as your capitol. time for you good people to have a home. right? by the way.... i am not blind. i see your economy growing. good job on the new hospitals. we know the inhabitants of the west bank want peace... just recognize our right to live as Jews in Israel... without you.
I have given you a thump up for your comment. But I think you have pre-assumptions and misconceptions about others which led you to express your anger toward arabs. I am one among many who believe that Jerusalem belongs to everyone. Jews have been living there for a long time and denying this would be insane. Its a holy city where all main three religions have some relations. And it is because of this reason I want to Israelis recognize our right in Jerusalem and also on this basis we can build mutual understandings. No one denies the other and everyone recognize the other. Peace.
Board the ships and thrown any military ordinance over board (or preferably take to where it can be destroyed without ecological consequences). The food and medicines should be allowed to proceed along with those trained in medicine and helping those less fortunate than ourselves.
Much more about publicity than helping Gaza. Best to arrest, deport and confiscate the boats. Probabilitythat this will be the last flotilla.
Do you think israel has the right to deport people from international waters. Are you out of your mind, i wouldn't put it past you ronald.
Yes, Ron, this may be about publicity rather than providing a morsel of relief to those Gazans that do not deserve Israel's collective punishment. However, I think you'll find that publicity will make a bigger difference in the long term, especially if it Israel arrests them.
I find this extremely odd. Not only will it cause big headlines in dozens of countries where national celebrities are "arrested" to prevent them from bringing humanitarian aid to suffering people (which in itself will be a major PR defeat for Israel), but it will also be completely illegal. Israel has no authority over international water or Gaza's water and Israeli law does not apply outside of Israel, there is no ground whatsoever for arresting anyone. At most people will be in jail for a week, after which everyone will be released and there will be another PR nightmare: Israel's unlawful incarceration of 700 aid workers. And just imagine that the Israeli navy kills some people... It would be a full-blown diplomatic crisis.
Israel has no authority over international water or Gaza's water and Israeli law does not apply outside of Israel, there is no ground whatsoever for arresting anyone.
I think your going to find the world works with the policy of survival of the fittest. `the palestinians can never defeat Israel in either a military or an economic war and if Israel has the gun boats, aircraft, heavy armor and anything else it need to enforce a blockade it can and will if it wants to. Right now Israel wants to blockade Gaza because its the only way to limit the amount of weapons that can be brought into the strip to be used against Israel. Right now Israel also has the backing from alot of western powers including support from palestiian lover, israel hater Hussain Obama so if Israel has the hardware to enforce a blockade & it has international support from some of the major orld powers how exactly is this situation going to change? I hate to burst your little bubble Tony but whats fair might affect the decision making of individuals like you but for the politicians its WHAT DO WE THINK IS IN OUR COUNTRIES BEST INTEREST. Its very selfish but nobody ever said the world was a nice place.
I'm glad Isreal is protecting themselves...no one else does! People tend to forget why the blockade happened in the first place. Maybe people should focus more on stopping the rockets that are continually fired into Israel.
Israel left Gaza?
Where is the Egyption governement? Why aren't they shipping aid to their muslim brothers? If the people in Gaza have a true jihad (struggle) where is their muslim brothers to help?! I bet ALL the people on these ships are Jews and Christians.
The Egyptian government is a corrupt US Backed regime that does not represent Egypt let alone Islam. There are tens of thousands of people who cry for Palestine in Egypt. And I wouldnt bet if I were you as I assure you there will be Muslims on those ships as well. Think about it, the last aid convoy had a TON of Muslims that joined them in Turkey.
Israel and Egypt hold up everything and only let a very restricted amount of goods in. God speed to the brave people on board these ships.
And beside this, if there is one or two thinking guys on the boats, they may see by themselves how naives they have been believing the story of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza
Any action that draws attention to Israel's collective punishment of an entire civilian population is worthwhile. With this siege, the illegal settlements and the penchant of its armed forces to target civilian populations and infrastructure - its little wonder the international reputation of Israel is in tatters
Spoken like the useful arab apologist that you apparently are. I guess rockets raining down on Sderot making young children live in bomb shelters is ok with you though right!! You really want to make a difference, gearoid? Try and send the aid to Darfur or some other God forsaken part of Afirca that really needs the aid. hamas rules the Gaza strip and as such should take care of it's own people. I guarrantee you that Hamas people are not suffereing in the Strip. why are you not concerned about that? Why only concentrate on Israel? Of course, coming from Ireland I suspect i already know the true reason
Sorry, qearoid. When one's government is involved in aggression against one's neighbour, it lies ill in the mouth of the people who elected that government, who promised aggression, to cry "collective punishment". In any event, what do you think of the rockets. Is that a form of punishment that targets those that deserve to be punished. Hamas violence lies at the root of all this. In any event, given the Islamic neighbour to the West, there is no punishment whatsoever. States are entirely in their right in protecting themselves and Israel does that. Moreover, its a peculiar form of collective punishment given that Israel supplies electricity, water, petrol, basic foods and medical supplies.
that it would be in the Israeli government's best interest it let it through. Realistically there's no way Israel can come off well out of this but it can make the best of what could become a terrible situation. Arresting humanitarian aid workers will not endear Israel to the rest of the world and considering how alot of the world perceives it at the moment it needs the brownie points. Politically it's the best move. Israel cannot look good in this situation. If it lets them through Gaza's humanitarian crisis is once again plastered all over the internet but at least it let the people of Gaza get help. If it doesn't let them through you've got the humanitarian crisis plastered all over the internet ontop of the IDF arressting peaceful teenagers trying to get crayons and cement to a desperate population. Netanyahu could make the right the decision here if he's savy but he hasn't shown much saviness in the past so i'm expecting a fiasco. And i will be the first to shout about it either way. It's sad that i already know the Israeli government is going to mess this one up. Here's to hoping and some humanity from the Israeli government.
The blockade is probably technically an act of war. After all Israel claims that it didn't start the 1967 war because it claims that the Arab blockade of Eilat was an act of war.
Over 14,000 tons of humanitarian aid were transferred from Israel into the Gaza Strip last week so I don't know where you get your figures from.
Over 14,000 tons of humanitarian aid were transferred from Israel into the Gaza Strip last week so I don't know where you get your figures from.
Over 14,000 tons of humanitarian aid were transferred from Israel into the Gaza Strip last week so I don't know where you get your figures from.
and lifting blockade the Hamas supported by Iran government would receive armament together with humanitarian supplies. The palestinian people shall be responsible for their acts and choices and the government they elected.
14,000 tons for a place the size of Gaza is nothing. Hamas aren't nice people, but you can't just lock up a million people because you don't like their government. Like most of the world I don't like Bibi's government but I'm not recommending anybody blockade Israel.
So what is the answer? And it's not just that Israel 'does not like' Hamas. Also, what about Gilad Shalit?
Don't you mean Hamas, heartless and callous?
Israel would be heartless and callous if it didn't engage in this partial blockade. This issue for Israel is whose interest should it actively promote, those of its own citizens or the citizens of Gaza. Given Hamas's committment to violence, and its conduct, Israel can't do both.
These boats have not come from the US but from Turkey. Another own goal for israel on the way.
"Ships that make their own way to Gaza don't do anything to help the people there," said Yigal Palmor, a spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry. If those ships don't "do anything to help the people" of Gaza, then what does? Remember the question that keeps being repeated about the concentration camps? How did the people of Germany keep silent about what went on next door? The people of Gaza are trapped in. Guards on the borders ready to shoot anyone who tries to cross, limited food and other essential supplies, silent world community, etc, etc. Does this remind you of a similar situation?
similar situation...Yes! The trespassing Arabs, Syrians and Egyptians should all leave the next time somebody tears down the fence. Then they will be free and Israel will have a lasting peace.
footage from gaza always shows obese people while Jews in ww2 germany were all skin and bones. Get a clue, then you won't have to be cynical, not to mention ignorant.
no , it doesn't remind me of Concentration camps where the Jews had no Guns, no rocket launchers and no children to instill the notion of becoming a Suicide bomber. But hey, if it suits your argument to call the Jew the Nazi you go right ahead.
Come on Israel you can not only stop them but you can play with their electronics for days to keep them running around in circles so the next won't try to come. Gaza doesn't need this aid, they need to let Gilad Shalit see freedom.
It seems to be agreed that prices for the staples of life are much higher in Gaza because of the blockade. While you believe Gaza doesn't need this aid, I suspect some who watch their children go to bed hungry because they can't afford food at the higher prices may disagree with you.
I hope they name one of the ships Exodus
Cruel kindness, etc.
I guess if they named one of the ships "Exodus", the British navy would have to spray its decks with oil and then ram it, like it did with the real ship "Exodus" (which my father was on). After all, even if there's just one Jew aboard the ship, that alone would be reason enough for your Country to attack it, right? You watch way too much television, Linthwaite. Is that your new obession/compulsion? Or have you simply given up on life? In any case, don't choke on your popcorn when the Israeli Navy turns these ships around, or when the IDF annihilates Hezbollah in the next war.
Everyone should have a dream but unfortunately for this born again christian the dream is one of dessimation and the death of Israel. Nothing to do with Jews you understand.