U.S.: UN council rushing to blame Israel for Gaza flotilla deaths
UN Human Rights Council to probe Gaza flotilla raid, passes resolution condemning Israel as violating international law urges end to Gaza blockade.
By Barak Ravid and Natasha Mozgovaya Tags: Gaza flotilla Gaza UNThe UN Human Rights Council's resolution to condemn Israel and investigate its deadly raid of a pro-Palestinian ship puts "complete responsibility" on Israel for the clashes that left nine people dead, the U.S. State Department said on Wednesday.
Explaining why the U.S. joined Norway and Italy in voting against the resolution, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said: "Before there's even the opportunity for an investigation, in our view, this resolution put the complete responsibility on Israel."
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Pro-Palestinian protesters denounce Israel's raid of the Gaza flotilla, in India on June 2, 2010 |
| Photo by: Reuters |
"We thought that was in inappropriateness - as we indicated we thought this was a rush to judgment," said Crowley, adding: "We continue to believe that Israel is in the best position to lead that investigation."
"As [Secretary of State Hillary Clinton] indicated… we want to ensure that there is a credible investigation, and we will continue to talk to Israel and other countries about possible international participation," he added.
The Human Rights Council in Geneva decided earlier Wednesday to dispatch an international committee to Israel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Israel Navy raid.
The resolution was passed by a majority vote of 32-3 with nine absentions.
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The Mavi Marmara cruise ship, part of the Gaza aid flotilla. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
The draft resolution, sponsored by Arab states, harshly condemns Israel and says Israel violated international law when it took over the ships in the middle of the ocean. The resolution also calls on Israel to lift the blockade on Gaza and to supply immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza, in the forms of food, gas, and medications.
The last clause of the draft resolution calls for an independent fact-finding mission to investigate international law violations, as a result of an Israeli attack on a humanitarian aid flotilla.
Addressing the 47 member council, U.S. ambassador in Geneva Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe said her country was concerned by the "deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation in Gaza," and regrets the loss of life in the operation.
"It is our hope, that over time, the council will be balanced," she said in explaining the "no" vote.
EU countries said they had tried to insert language would would have allowed them to vote yes, but the negotiations did not bear fruit.
The Netherlands said the rights council should not go beyond the decision of the UN Security Council from earlier in the week, which condemned the "acts" that lead to the deaths in the raid and called for a "credible and transparent" investigation, without imposing the nature of the inquiry.
The Human Rights Council passed a similar resolution condemning Israel after Operation Cast Lead ended in January 2009, which led to the creation of the Goldstone Commission and its scathing report accusing both Israel and Hamas of war crimes.
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If Goldstone heads the new investigation, the likelihood is that Israel will refuse to cooperate with his team, as was done in his previous investigation. Israelis succeeded in thoroughly discarding Judge Goldstone, and for the reason that he served as judge under South Africa Apartheid regime. I would have thought this would have been used in his favor, after all it shows that he can even follow laws he may not personally like, but Israel needed a "psychological defense mechanism" and came to that conclusion. So much so, that even Yossi Sarid the ultra liberal accepts this nonsensical excuse. Now, if Israel refuses to cooperate with Goldstone, it will have to appoint a "State Commission of Inquiry", which Israeli law empowers in such a way that it will be independent and with subpoena powers such that there will be no hiding of evidence. This is better than an international inquiry, who the IDF will cheat in every turn. An Israeli commission also hands down recommendations, even of firing ministers, which it is politically very hard to resist. (Ariel Sharon had to resign under such a recommendation following the Sabra-Shatilla massacre.) For this reason, Israeli government try to avoid appointing such commissions, but with Goldstone they will have to.
idf claim they had paint ball guns and ended up killing over ten and wounding over forty. somli pirates have more morals then the idf
This is what our statesmen like Lieberman, Barak and Netanyahu get for Israel: condamnation for piracy and violation of international law. Israel's friends left are only those who are brainwashed.
The UN Charter on the Law of the Sea says only if a vessel is suspected to be transporting weapons, or weapons of mass destruction, can it be boarded in international waters. Otherwise the permission of the ship’s flag carrying nation must be sought.
Lucifer is walking all our streets and he's disgiused as Benjamin Netanyahu.
They are not apologists for your oppressive tactics. Long live the Gazan people and down with tyranny.
Israel has given in to international condemnation and has decided to free the hostages they kidnapped on aid boats in the mediterranean. That is a good development. Now they must go one step further and put the murderers on trial or give them up to Turkey to face justice.
SULTAN II BAYEZID (Born) 1447 - (Deceased) 1512 CE During the years 1490 to 1497 Sultan Bayezid II accepted the exiled Jews from Italy, Spain and Portugal. In 1492 Kemal Reis and his fleet were sent to Cadiz to take the Jews in charge. During the reign of Bayezid II, the king and queen of Spain, Ferdinand and Isabella, signed an edict of expulsion for the Jews. The edict was issued under the pressure of the church on the 31st of March 1492 and the Jews had to leave the country until the 2nd of August 1492. The last lot of Jews gathered in the port of Cadiz faced a dilemma: Those who left port were attacked by the pirates, those who went on land were burned at the stake by the inquisition. About a thousand people waited in anguish. At the last minute arrived a small fleet manned by the Turkish admiral Kemal Reis who took the refugees under his protection. Thus organizing a convoy of Jewish immigrants towards the Ottoman empire. Of the approximately 600,000 Spanish Jews, half were baptized, 100,000 went to Portugal, some went to the Netherlands, Italy, North Africa and the New World. But, the biggest lot reached the Ottoman Empire, numbering about 150,000 people. When the Jews who went to Portugal were exiled too in 1497, a big majority of them found refuge in the Ottoman Empire. Whereas the migration of forcibly converted Jews to Ottoman lands lasted several decades. In 1501 he accepted the Jews who fled from France. At a later period, the Jews of Spanish and Portuguese origin who went to Brazil were tracked by the inquisition who persecuted and compelled them to emigrate to New Amsterdam, today's New York. The immigrants met in the Ottoman Empire about 50,000 Romaniot, Karaite and Ashkenazi Jews. The Jews which may have entered Anatolia following the collapse of the Khazars; those who may have followed Alp Arslan after his entry to Anatolia and the communities which existed in the south-east since ancient times are not part of the estimated figures.
again US supports Israel completely and blindly... after this mishap how can any country support israel and US has not even said anything about the incident... don't expect any love from muslim or any understanding where most of the people think that Israelis can rape muslim and US wouldn't say anything or just say israeli were provoked by their hijab... haaretz if u really believe in freedom of press don't censor this... this is coming from an american muslim where all the youth believes that no matter what israeli does these days they get away with it... eventually it leads people to believe those extermist idealogies spread by radicals...
By attacking civilians in international waters has set a precedents of attacks outside of Israel proper. This can only mean that if Israel can attack people outside their border (like in Dubai) then it looks like Israelis and Jews as a whole need to be careful traveling abroad because every Jew now has a target on their head. This is just a fact not a threat and I would have hoped you would have realized this before committing piracy in the open seas. It is a shame, but a lot of Jews will suffer because of this action.
Israel must realize that they can't just act above international law and get away with it!!! The prospects are scary.
Anyone who believes that once Israel ends its blockade it will still maintain the subsidization of Gaza, i.e. where do you think Gaza's fresh water (aside from its one aquifier), electricity, medicine, food etc... is delusional. Once Israel lifts its blockade, no argument for Occupation can be made in which case, Israel's liability to Palestinians in Gaza drops to NOTHING. That means Gazans will have to generate their own electricity, purcahse their own fuel and medical supplies, go to Egypt for medical care, get all foods from Aid going through Rafah. That is when the humanitarian crisis will begin. Especially because the momentum of FREE GAZA will be lost, and then sadly, the 1.5M in Gaza will be as forgotten, as the hundreds of Civilians that were murdered in Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, today alone. Furthermore, Hamas, if it attacks Israel will be in worse shape as the argument of resisting occupation, (which really doesn't hold unless you are a terrorist and view civilians as the occupiers), or cries regarding disporportionality against a blocakaded peoples. Or better yet the BS argument that Gaza could not be bombarded because it was blockaded (DOESN"T MAKE SENSE AS NO BOMBARD APPLIES TO OPEN CITIES GAZA IS NOT AN OPEN CITY WHERE IDF COULD WALTZ IN AND NOT BE ATTACKED) Essentially Hamas would lose the vast majority of what currently protects it.
......Israel depends on President Obama and the American Congress. Unlike the last Gaza war, the facts here are totally clear in the many available videos in that the Israeli soldiers behaved faultlessly! Therefore Pres Obama will have a difficult task to counter all cowards from Europe, etc. Yet, I trust that he will defend Israel and that will be enough for us! At the same time, I hope that at least now, our government will have the good sense to lift the damn useless blockade! And move towards peace.
Egypt recently pumped poisonous gas into the smuggling tunnels killing dozens of young Palestinians. Not a peep from the long suffering sympathizers. The UNHR was not interested.
The imprisonment and devastation of Gaza, the destruction of its economy, more than 1000`s dead, illegal use of weapons, illegal settlements, and now Israel’s infernal wall that scars the land; a prison wall that Israel is building around itself with its own people both as prisoners & prison guards. Israel is destroying itself politically & morally from within.
Israel needs to stop its blockade in order to live in peace without those Mickey Mouse Firework called "Rockets”. What does israel expect from Starving the People of Gaza? Israeli leaders are Obsessive-neurotic-paranoid with delusions of grandeur
While hundreds of thousands are being killed and persecuted in regimes like Iran, Sudan and Libya, the only country to be condemned by the HRC is Israel. The HRC has been an abject failure since day 1.
The Israeli blockade of Gaza has historical precedence and no different than the US blockade of Cuba...both are designed to prevent rougue nations/organization acquiring weapons to be used in conflict. In other words to PREVENT conflict. People should remember HAMAS is internationally classified as a Terrorist Organization and the blockade serves to prevent weaponry from reaching Gaza which will be used against Israel.
Turks have welcomed the Jews escaping from the Inquisition in Spain in 1492. Our diplomats have risked their lives to save European Jews from the Nazis. The Ottoman Empire and Turkey have traditionally been hospitable to Jews for centuries. But we can no longer tolerate the brutal policies of the current Israeli government, especially if they cost the lives of our citizens. The conscience of neither the Turks, nor the international community, can any longer carry the burden of the Netanyahu government’s irresponsible policies. Both Israel and Turkey deserve better.
read news : Israeli commandos started shooting from the air without warning,” lawyer Mubarak al-Mutawa, who was on the main vessel, the Turkish-flagged Mavi Marmara, told reporters. “They killed a number of volunteers even before landing aboard the ship,” he said on arrival at Kuwait Airport. Young activist Ali Buhamd claimed he saw an “Israeli soldier shooting and killing a wounded Turk in the head” and that “soldiers left another wounded Turk to bleed to death despite repeated appeals for help.” “Israeli soldiers landed on the ship after the killings. People then resisted by hand in self defence as they had no weapons at all... it’s a crime by high sea pirates,” he said.
Where is Egypt's name in the investigation. They have equal fault for what is happening to civilians in Gaza.
Israelis don't like to think of themselves as a bad people. They are a good people who does bad things. No, wait. That doesn't sound right. They are a good people that does good things. Much better! Killing thousands of civilians since 2006 is not a good thing, but that was not Israels fault. Hizbollah and Hamas forced them to do it. In the same way, the peace activists forced the IDF to kill them. Israel is the victim here, and now these UN guys are sniffing around like Israel did a bad thing. Why do they always pick on Israel? haven't they heard of the "Armenian massacre". Haven't they heard of Bosnia, Somalia, Afghanistan, etc? How about the "Hebron massacre? Israel is entitled to kill a certain number of civilians with no questions asked! The nerve of the anti-semitic world! Israel demands their rights!!
Why do they bother to probe the flotilla incident if the UN council draft resolution already condemned Israel? Jews has always been guilty of existing despite the best efforts of a significant portion of mankind. It is only that most people who criticize it don't have the guts to admit that they are antisemitic. If you enter a war zone disobeying rules you are bound for trouble. A nominal IQ is enough to understand that, so pretending to excuse perpetrators now has no other explanation. Oh! By the way: the UN sanctioned a blockade against Iraq for more than a decade, killing thousands for WMDs that didn't exist, remember? So don't play dead now, please.
Will the UN also launch a probe on the kurdish killed by the turkish bombardments that took place last week? Am Israel Hi!, from Madrid
will never make the UNHRC agenda. Nor it will disturb american gooddoers screaming "Collective Punishment!!" at Israel ,as if the drone and operators behind the drone killing ere Marsians ,not american.
you are happy arent you ?? today Israel must face another type of war... the emotionnal one... what the world could say if everything happen in israel erriorial water ?? nothing because this floilla is not legitime... and it have no right to come on territory where they are not wanted and under the souverenity of a country... for me the only mistake of Israel is that it wasnt in interior water.... Next time i guess...
The condemnation must be harsh. What this act of piracy in international waters has done is disgrace Israel and bring world attention to a humanitarian catastrophe which is the Israeli blockade of Gaza. For years, agencies and governments have been trying desperately to publicise what is really going on in this hellhole created by the government of Israel and it has receive little attention. Now the world knows and can see and the propaganda coming out of this cnation of pirates is becoming increasingly ineffective.
Replace the Israeli blockade with an international one - just as UN peacekeepers replaced Israeli forces in Lebanon. The idea of nations which oppose any blockade being independent in judging the way Israel goes about imposing theirs is nonsense. The only reasonable course is for the international community to back up its concern for the people of Gaza by agreeing to take over the blockade and restrict it to weapons only - and base peacekeepers within Gaza to prevent use of tunnels for this purpose.
1. For the present "flotilla" incident, read the various articles, and consider in addition that the UN may become more inclined to send the Goldstone Report to the Hague. Also, the governing Islamic party in Turkey might have found the excuse to break relations with Israel, which it avoided doing for fear of the Turkish military. The Turkish military might now be convinced that this has to be done. 2. Operation Cast Lead (late 2008) was caused by the pointless "siege" policy. Hamas offered to continue the then prevailing cease fire provided that Israel lifts the siege. Israel refused. Result: Abbas had to stop peace negotiations with Israel. Olmert said he was very close to a deal with the PA, but then Cast Lead "happened". No, idiot, it didn't just happen, Olmert preferred the "siege" over a peace deal. Such an incredible choice should go into the history books!
I think you forgot somthing important: 5.1.2(4) Merchant ships flying the flag of a neutral State may be attacked if they: (a) engage in belligerent acts on behalf of the enemy; (c) are incorporated into or assist the enemy’s intelligence system; (e) otherwise make an effective contribution to the enemy’s military action, e.g., by carrying military materials None of the above has been fulfiled. You are good at throwing out pieces of texts to your own benefit. Stop the BS.
Maritime Neutrality" 5.1.2(3) that is for two countries in active war, not a country with mighty power preying on civilian population with blockade and starving them to death. But what to say you are the masters of deceit.
I find it comical that you are calling Jews 'masters of deceit'. But I thought that title could only be applicable to Islam? (See Quran 16:106; 3:28; 9:3; 40:28; 2:225; 66:2; 3:54; Bukhari 52:269; 49:857; 84:64-65; 52:271)
what right has israel to attack ships in international waters, this is piracy and the ships crew and passengers have the right to defend themselves. israel has gone to far this time and the people of the world condeem it. SHAME SHAME ON israel
this is not piracy. read the san remo manual...if a civilian ship is attempting to breach a blockade and refuses to divert, it is legal to board the ship. do your homework next time before just spouting off hatefully!
.....and therefore the activists on the ship wouldn't have had any right to resist the assault: Sorry, my dear Israeli/Diaspora friends, but even if some of you seem to believe that the whole world is yours, and therefore you have the right to act as a Cop, wherever you want, I'm afraid I have to disappoint you...if I will be stopped next time by an Israeli traffic police car in Zurich, I will certainly not obey to its orders, rest assured of that !! :)
We never thought the world was ours, but as you might've not noticed, Israel was playing its own cop, enforcing its own security.
Well my Dino-friend. Guess you are no friend (and never was!) of Israel. Perhaps you will have noticed that there are NO israeli police cars in Zurich, because Israel is a democracy and does not act as a cop but in self-defense as this was the case. It WAS a deliberate ploitical provocation. It seems to have slipped your attention that Israel is pounded almost daily by rockets and that these nice Gazans still keep hostages. Do you earnestly mean that a "peace" flotilla should take to violence when boarded? What happened to the ideal of violence-free resistance? No, at best you are ambivalent to the use of violence yourself !
not until you board one of those flotillas with the clear intention to go to gaza and provoke .. u can go to the moon and no israeli will stop u..
Well be carefull cause you can find yourself transfered to an Israeli jail before knowing what hit you..And then you may get deported from Israel.
wherever you want???? they haven't boarded a ship in the black sea or atlantic, they have boarded a ship carrying so-called help to Gaza which is under blockade and which Israel is in a war with. Israel is not policing the world, if you want to attack a nation do it to US or Russia. Israel is trying to defend the tiny land which is its homeland for over 3000 years.
Turkey:40 000 Kurds killed by Turkey US,UK: Iraqis and Afghanis killed(civilians ) Syria:7000 to 4000 killed by Hafez Assad in 1982 Chechnya:25,000 to 200,000 civilians China:Tienanmen:several hundred Tibet:killed by China: 1,207,387 Bosnia: 279,000 South Korea: 46 sailors killed by North korean torpedo. Iraq:105 405 Afghanistan:33 civilians on Monday, thousands in the last 8 years Many more in many other countries No huge international outcry Hypocrisy.
That others may have killed more people in the past is no excuse. This is not an acceptable defense anywhere, not in court, and not in public opinion.
Are you saying that Israel is entitled to do this with no objection from anybody? One thing that makes Israel different is that America gives Israel billions of dollars every year to buy weapons. Those weapons are used to kill civilians. America also supplies Israel with political support. Every crime Israel commits reflects directly upon America. Most Americans are more picky than you are about supporting the killing of civilians.
if other nations broke international law, that does not be invocated as an excuse or justification to do the same.
This is a standard response from right wing fanatics when they cant defend their actions
so it gives you right to kill people? btw, 40000kurds&turks killed by PKK. before writing smth, be honest.
Absolutely there is hypocrisy! How come there is no public outcry over the violence of the 'innocent humanitarians'. I find it comical that there is a world outcry over Israeli hostilities. "The blood-thirsty Israeli commandos boarded the ship intent on cold-blooded murder of innocent humanitarians!" They ruthlessly boarded the ship and attacked with **gasp** paintball guns!!!! You can clearly see this on most all the video footage of this event. The commandos only used their secondary weapons out of necessity. It was kill or be killed.
What is your point? Thousands of Palestinians, killed, tortured and deported by Israel and also no huge international outcry, but anytime someone tries as much to critisize Israel, you cry anti-Semitism. The world will no longer tolerate or cover up Israeli crimes. It's time for Israel to be punished just like any other country that commits crimes and for breaking international law.
if you want to be really fair, you should have added Israel to your list, so how many Palestinians killed by Israel? and does the numbers matter for you if your son, sister or brother killed?
It is Palestinian Intifadas that have made their struggle famous worldwide. Before that, they were a completely forgotten nation Solidarity is the tenderness between nations.
43 years of occupation... dozens if not hundreds of UN resolutions given a middle finger by Israel... disobeying all the laws of occupier and occupied ... how come ther are 500,000 settlers in west bank where int'l law that they can't be there ...
instance you named.....
is meant to begin a war w/ Israel. We see the film of the terrorists mobbing and beating the Israeli soldiers and read how they finally admit to being associated with terrorist groups. The condemnation should be directed at both Turkey and the terrorists groups who purposefully used women and kids once more as a cover for brutal savagery, of course, in the name of "Peace.
Don't be rediculous! That would be a war Israel could not hope to win without nuclear weapons. Not going to happen, or at least you better hope.
Clearly IDF shoots the aid ships before the raid. To me sounds like where provocation started. This raid is product of same mind set that caused thousands of innocent people being killed on 9/11. Same sick terorist mind no matter who commits it. Stop defending a carzy goverment, try to fix the image of Jews all around world who has to deal with this horrfying images relased .
They were beaten and tortured. One minute of video of an action that lasted at least an hour and you fall for it.
Turkey can cut its water and let israel die of thirsty. Enough is Enough!
any comment?
This Piracy at Sea! Would you still call the Somalis actions in their Sea Piracy?
This is not the helpless (wihout any International influence) Palestinians, the fact, that Turkey is a member of NATO might very well harm Israels relations with its last international allies. Even the U.S. is depending tremendously on Turkish goodwill, it it wants to continue using Turkey as one of its main military outposts in the Middle East. But unfortenutaly the IQ level of Israels political and military leadership didn't allow to consider those kind of questions in advance.....
israel needs to change its warmongering policy otherwise it will lose its only "friend" America as it already lost Muslim Turkey. Enough is enough!
Turkey has already started to backtrack according to another Haaretz article. The Turks have their own problems with militant groups and are not, unlike the Irish, enamored by terrorists.
Me and many like me are alive becose of this race the Turks, many out there and leaders in Israel did not read history I guess 500 years these people helped us from Spain (my family) and from Germany inculding( Muhtars Kent CEO of coca cola) grand father help Jews escape,Turkish Officials in Rohodes lost his wife and kid to Nazi bombing for helping the Jews go to Turkey, and now we kill Turks? insult their nation? humiliate their Ambassador? and hurt their pride? is this what Israel wants and is trying to start a war ,Turks are not a match to Israels US weapons maybe but they have enough and as I know they have greatest fighting spirit to fight to death, this is not an Arab nation, and it is not like any, if you remeber history they never give up and I am saying if Israel interested that you want pick a fight with Turkey? think again , it will be the end for both countries will be reduced to ashes, you better apologise and make things right with Turks, i see maybe fight is cumming and Israel might even loose USA over this since Turkey is NATO as they already lost many in the World.with this stupid move,
Mark, NATO members are opposed to evil. Turkey is aiding HAMAS a terrorist organization. If you end the blockade, shipments of large weaponry will be shipped into Gaza which will cause more violence and bloodshed on all sides.
Talking about Israel will stick to you the anti-semetic label. Now we got even the UN which is anti-semetic. The whole globe is becoming anti-semetic. Even Israel is anti-semetic. What a wonderful world we living at. Muslims, Christians and Jews are called anti-semetic. How about some news from NASA, they discovered anti-semetic species in the Moon too.
is currently rather a weapon to shush your opponent than something defining an attitude.... I remember my father once asked the old rabbi here in our town: Rabi, what is the reason for Anti- Semitism? The old Rabbi smiled at my father and asked him, whether he really wanted to know. And as my father said yes, the Rabii answered: Semitism is the reason for Anti-Semitism....
anti semetizm and holecaust is what israelis use for trump card or free pass this is not a jewish thing its a israeli goverment and israeli policy thing
"Helsinki Principles on the Law of Maritime Neutrality" 5.1.2(3) Merchant ships flying the flag of a neutral State may be attacked if they are believed on reasonable grounds to be carrying contraband or breaching a blockade, and after prior warning they intentionally and clearly refuse to stop, or intentionally and clearly resist visit, search, capture or diversion".
All evidence shows that Israel doesn't fulfill it's responsibility towards the population of Gaza. And secondely, even if it WAS legal, the blockade zone is extending 20 miles from Gaza's coast. The attack took place 40 miles out. So, your excuses have no legal grounds, and this was really an act of piracy in international waters. Face it, the Netanyahu government failled big time. This can't be defended.
They wont reply to our responses because they know they are wrong
I am not sure if your quotation refers to "international waters".
This, however, is not applicable since Israel currently is not in a state of war.
You just described an act of war against the country whose flag is attacked. That would be Turkey that was attacked, or in other words, NATO.
5.3 Relief A blockade may not be used to prevent the passage of relief consignments which has to be free according to the applicable rules of international humanitarian law, in particular those contained in Articles 23, 59 and 61 of the Fourth Geneva Convention or Articles 69 and 70 of Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions.
Show me the weapons then! And I don't mean the collection of cooking knives, ceremonial knives and slingshots we've seen pictures of. In every court that matters, cement etc is not classed as contraband. Only (and I really do mean ONLY) Israeli law can justify banning it from entering Gaza... along with chocolate and toys of course. Just imagine what Hamas could do with fucking sweets and teddy bears!
Consistently leaves out the Humanitarian Vessel exception to ANY attacks whatsoever also included in the same International Maritime Laws
A blockade is legal in armed conflict, which exists in this case
Only armed conflict.
Pro-Israel responses rarely get published here. I'll try to respond . The blockade is necessary to keep out weapons aimed at Israeli civilians. The fact that the attck was in international waters is not very relevant, since they were on their way to Gaza.
Israeli soldier, who is specialist in fighting with the latest technology guns is beaten by a guy with a stick and punches, in the international waters. So, I think that if the quality of the army is that, Israelis should realy be afraid and they should be in peace with the other countries, especially with the neighbourhood.
It seems, that even a elite IDF soldier is incapable to fight like man against a man. Was it really the only option to kill? It tells a lot, that not a single soldier was killed or even reriously wounded. Even threated with a metallic stick the use the gun to kill.
YOU ARE THE STUPID ONE THE ISRAELI SOLDIERS DESCENDED FROM A HELICOPTER AS THEY CAME DOWN THEY WERE BEATEN , HOW THE HELL CAN THEY PROTECT THEMSELVES
If the helpless commando getting thrown overboard by the mob of people waiting for them to come down on ropes (who belays into a mob like that???? only an idiot) didnt tell you that the IDF got its ass kicked, look at the Cast Lead and 2006 Lebanon where it achieved none of its objectives and turned the world against Israel.
The activists were trying to protect themselves during the attack.
why they have to atak? Israel is out of Gaza, you seeing that Gaza is not occupied, then what you want. just leave the people of Palestine live their life go a way from our life is the killing of Palestinian not enough to you
What a courageous army, armed with CANONS, MERKEVAS, F16S AND CHIMICAL WEAPONS for mass destruction as controversial flesh-eating WHITE PHOSPHOROUS, against those who have just MICKEY MOUSE FIREWORKS called “Rockets”. What a brave army composed of the descendants of the SHOAH victims against the native Palestinians who are occupied! shame on you, heroes of the 21st century!!!. Israeli murders must stand trial for war crimes in Hague. Israeli leaders are Obsessive-neurotic-paranoid with delusions of grandeur
with without weapons fighting as man to man they are cowards.
If your brother or son armed with agun, attacked by a mob with metal bars, knifes., and he opened fire in self defence, and he would shoot 150 people dead, would you call him a coward, tell him he can't fight like a man?????? Shure he would be a hero, but these boys just a filcy jews for you, so they should die, without trying to protect themself. Also mob of 600, attacking armed army guys and they kill only 9, i think this is great restraint, because i would take out as many as i could, 10,100,1000, -they attacked soldiers, who was just doing there job.
Julius Ceasar said: Give the people food and games and they won't grumble anymore. So the advise for Israel : take self iniative and control in the case of aid for Gaza
I would like to present law 67 of the San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea. Merchant vessels flying the flag of neutral States may not be attacked unless they: (a) are believed on reasonable grounds to be carrying contraband or breaching a blockade, and after prior warning they intentionally and clearly refuse to stop, or intentionally and clearly resist visit, search or capture The flotilla quite clearly was breaking a blockade and it refused to stop after warning and it intentionally resisted a search by the Israelis. Israel did not break national law. If this gets thumbs downed, it's YOU denying the truth.
See my comment upthread. Apart from all over legal arguments against the blockade being legal, the Israeli government didn't even stick to its own rules. This can't be defended.
Yes that law is true. But your control area begins before 70miles. That ship is out of this line, it's 72miles. So you cannot interfere!!
Is this a legal blockade? The UN and the rest of the international community don't think so! Your logic seems to be that Israel can unilaterally declare a blockade of anywhere and use this as justification to illegally board and execute civilians.
Israel was supposed to have ended its occupation, its blockade is illegal and not internationally recognised, therefore your information is interesting but irrelevant. The event did not occur within Israels legal area of jurisdiction, as I understand it.
Michael, is there armed conflict occurring in that region, and if so who is it between?
and I would like to present article 1 of the law of basic human dignity and common sense. just because you can find a way to use the law to justify what happeed doesnt mean that what happened changes its character; many a criminal has found a loop hole in the law to escape punishment, does that mean they didnt commit crimes? no it mean that a man made law is imperfect. yes the flotilla disobeyed the israeli military.. and that´s their god given right above any stupid law you might cite. it is the duty of any decent person to stand up for injustice and fight opression and come to the help of someone cornered and abused. i insist, to resist the blockade is the RIGHT of these activists. and no law, and no amount of clever words or jargon or propaganda changes the basic fact, as ever, it is the IDF that did the killing, and that is the only truth we can all agree on, justify it the way you want, they boarded the boats and they did the killing. the only deserved thumbs down goes to your inability to deny the lie.
That's a law concerning armed conflicts, also known as "war". There is currently no war going on in the waters outside Israel. The San Remo Manual is not applicable.
you guys need laws to prove that what happened was indefensible? so what if the boat did enter the area of the blockade as establshed by some legality? that gives them the right to kill unarmed civilians? oh sorry they werent unarmed, they had the weapons of choice for fighting the IDF; powerful knives!
When Israel withdrew all forces, civilians, and authority over the Strip, and it was met with an escalation of rocket attacks, the blockade was justified. With subsequent ceasefire agreements hinging upon a cessation of weapons smuggling and countless violations of this stipulation, continuing the blockade remains justified.
yes no international law can stand against Israel can you tel me what law Israel applying to blockading Gaza, and keep killing the Palestinian People> is the Telmood?
'FLOPTILLA', sponsered by the UN. Guaranteed lawlessness, bring your children. Events include Turkish jihadists diguised as human rights activists. Guns, knives, weapons of all sorts included. Enjoy the ride, rubber boats, dinggy boats, absailing, paintballing. If your lucky, you may even be arrested-'shocking'. And if you hit the jackpot, you will receive the noble piss prize.
Yes just make sure not to bring any chocolates or sweets as they can be turned into weapons that will threaten israels security, and no plastic cutlery or paperclips as highly trained elite naval commando units feel threatened in the presence of these items and they will be forced to use live ammo to subdue you. Make sure you are clean shaven as any hair on your face will class you as a jihadist and you will be sentenced to death without a trial, most likely shot on the spot. Make sure that you dont bring your passport as Israeli inteligence is likely to copy and steal your identity, and if your lucky you may even have your home destroyed. And if you hit the jackpot Israel will invade your country and randomly slaughter innocent civilians.
don't worry if you don't the words, anti-semetic verses and choruses will suffice.
consider the following: 1. A maritime blockade is in effect off the coast of Gaza. Such blockade has been imposed, as Israel is currently in a state of armed conflict with the Hamas regime that controls Gaza, which has repeatedly bombed civilian targets in Israel with weapons that have been smuggled into Gaza via the sea. 2. Maritime blockades are a legitimate and recognized measure under international law that may be implemented as part of an armed conflict at sea. (Examples: USA blockaded Cuba, UK blockaded The Falklands, the EU blockaded Yugoslavia) 3. A blockade may be imposed at sea, including in international waters, so long as it does not bar access to the ports and coasts of neutral States. 4. The naval manuals of several western countries, including the US and England recognize the maritime blockade as an effective naval measure and set forth the various criteria that make a blockade valid, including the requirement of give due notice of the existence of the blockade. 5. In this vein, it should be noted that Israel publicized the existence of the blockade and the precise coordinates of such by means of the accepted international professional maritime channels. Israel also provided appropriate notification to the affected governments and to the organizers of the Gaza protest flotilla. Moreover, in real time, the ships participating in the protest flotilla were warned repeatedly that a maritime blockade is in effect. 6. Here, it should be noted that under customary law, knowledge of the blockade may be presumed once a blockade has been declared and appropriate notification has been granted, as above. 7. Under international maritime law, when a maritime blockade is in effect, no boats can enter the blockaded area. That includes both civilian and enemy vessels. 8. A State may take action to enforce a blockade. Any vessel that violates or attempts to violate a maritime blockade may be captured or even attacked under international law. The US Commander's Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations sets forth that a vessel is considered to be in attempt to breach a blockade from the time the vessel leaves its port with the intention of evading the blockade. 9. Here we should note that the protesters indicated their clear intention to violate the blockade by means of written and oral statements. Moreover, the route of these vessels indicated their clear intention to violate the blockade in violation of international law. 10. Given the protesters explicit intention to violate the naval blockade, Israel exercised its right under international law to enforce the blockade. It should be noted that prior to undertaking enforcement measures, explicit warnings were relayed directly to the captains of the vessels, expressing Israel's intent to exercise its right to enforce the blockade. 11. Israel had attempted to take control of the vessels participating in the flotilla by peaceful means and in an orderly fashion in order to enforce the blockade. Given the large number of vessels participating in the flotilla, an operational decision was made to undertake measures to enforce the blockade a certain distance from the area of the blockade. 12. Israeli personnel attempting to enforce the blockade were met with violence by the protesters and acted in self defense to fend off such attacks.
And this took place outside of the zone declared by the Israeli government. So, all your arguments are baseless.
The lawyers can argue this one, However, considering the erstwhile friendly relationship between Turkey and Israel, the fact that there are 37 different countries represented, that the intention was peaceful, the activists unarmed (except for makeshift weapons) that they could not have known that the guns were paint guns, that Israel has a reputation for over-reacting, you have reversed the situation - the people on the boat were under attack, and defended themselves as best they could. Which they were entitled to do. Also, Israel claims to have ended its occupation of Gaza, and the blockade is not internationally recognised as being legal.
Thanks for this review. Can it be said, however, that rockets shot from Gaza by unproven assailants creates a state of armed conflict as defined by maritime law without formal declaration? If that is the case then there is armed conflict between South Africa and Zimbabwe because SA citizens are shooting migrants from Zimbabwe as they cross the border. Maritime law must surely be much more precise and technical than that. And there appears to be no proof that the people on the flotilla were related in any way to Hamas. There are lots of wild accusations, but they wont hold up in the International Criminal Court or in the UN unless there is clear proof that these people were part of a so called "Hamas armed conflict" with Israel. This is too serious to rely on spin. Israel is heading towards complete isolation.
May I ask a favour do you have sources as that is an exceptional post that should be at the attention of the world or failing that Jewish groups who will get that message out You can email me at alwayslearning@live.ca again well done and thank you great post
Blockade is just a euphemism for an old-fashioned medieval siege. Actually sieges go back into prehistory. And they are just as brutal as the besiegers want them to be. Just a brutal act of war. Sometimes, when you make war, others decide to make war back. You made war on NATO.
Your are just ommitting the fact that the Security Council of the UN decided against a continuing blockade.
and the vessel stated its intention to breach the blockade. Diversion is proper under these circumstances.
If the Israeli action is baseless, how can we call what NATO does in the coasts of Somalia against piracy? Canada once aprehended a whole Spanish fishing flotilla in the middle of the Atlantic because they were catching too many fish. There are many precedents of boardings outside territorial waters.
Firstly, keep in mind Turkey and Israel are not signatories. Before any of you make a comment I strongly suggest you all read the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Part V11 High Seas, Section1 General Provisions. Now also remember because "Palestine" and/or Gaza is not a recognised nation; it falls under civil laws of the convention. Therefore technically Israel is not in a military war with the Gazans but a civil war with the Gazans. The blockade area would come under Section 2 of the Principal Law; than 6 nautical miles placed by the words "than 12 nautical miles"; Section 3 of the Interpretation Law: 6 miles shall be placed by the words 12 nautical miles.
If a gang of criminals in the middle of robbing the bank, and police came and met resistance from the robbers ,so robbers your quote "were under attack, and defended themselves as best they could. Which they were entitled to do. GENIUS.
Why Israel goverment is so violent ?I want to believe that most of the intellectual Israel people are different and they are good.But it seems radicalism is winning on that land.You can not beat Hamas as acting like them.If they are terrorist,you can not act like a terrorist.This is the thin line between a primitive organization and a goverment.I hope intellectual's of Israel can talk louder.Better future is strongly related with this intellectual intelligence.
You are welcome to go to Hamas and try to negotiate with them. Maybe youre so clever and studied than nobody ever. Maybe you have something revolutionary that'll convince Hamas to stop war and go work. Good Luck.
As long as Israel continues to As long as Israel continues to dehumanize the people of Gaza, Israel can never have peace, and some of its brave young soldiers will be haunted the rest of their lives for what they are doing to Innocent Palestinians. Israeli leaders are Obsessive-neurotic-paranoid with delusions of grandeur
From Hurriyet: "...Davutoğlu continued, indicating that rather than taking unilateral military action against Israel, Turkey would use NATO mechanisms if any military moves were needed. " Wrong enemy choosen? Good luck Israel
NATO against Israel? USA against Israel, Great Britain against Israel, Czech Republic against Israel? Where you suck your hopes? Turkey can only murmur :) At most they can cry at UN, where they'll find support regardless their illegal provocation :(
u dont know anything about turkish public relations w not only the west but the east.using its locational advantage and relations turkey can set the globe against Israel.. Open a map and look there. All arabic world, strong Iran, Pakistan, Whole Central Asia, Syria even can fight against Israel near turkey if there occurs a war. And US and EU cant risk Turkey to change its side to Russia - China axis. At least for just one time think about the Afghanistan case, and think if Turkey changes its position in Nato. US cant risk this. And I think all this story happened on that floatilla is organised by Iran and Turkey together.. ısrael gvnt couldnt see this.
Agree with you 100%
see the video of the action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2bZmde5mAo
As the state of Israel has decided on a policy of collective punishment against Gazans for voting Hamas into power, using that logic, ALL Israelis are accountable for all the decisions their government takes, right? The only way that Israeli's will learn, it seems, is if they are collectively punished with mistreatment whenever they travel outside of Israel to Asia, Europe, South America etc. If the civilians of these countries make Israelis feel unwelcome when they visit their countries, maybe then the average Israeli citizen will finally that they must vote for leaders who are genuinely interested in peace.
israeli should know that gazans are not israeli prisoner, or slave ,or have a upper hand over them.wishing one day gazans got the similay military equiptments, and see if Israel dare to attack gaza
if the world was to use the same disproportionate tactics as Israel, wed have a replay of hitlers actions. As it stands the victims of Fascism have become the Fascists, the oppressed have become the opprossors with no regard for human life outside of their jewish enclave. The world sees you Israel, your friends are abandoning you, the dark times are coming.
If you oppose israels actions against the Palestinians ... If you want the suffering of Gazan civilians to end... If you want the Palestinians tohave a state with workable borders, then how will you suggestion lead to this end? Your suggestion just contributes to the downward spiral of hatred and distrust.
when the UN has already "harshly condemned" Israel out of hand, without looking into the evidence?
it is an act of piracy, call it what u like, but its piracy, same as the somali pirates
If as it has happened in the Turkish Terrorist-ship that Nine people:,Islamist gangsters were killed & as a result there was a World-Wide condemnation,(But mark these words all those who condemed Israels action,will in the not too distant future feel the terrible brunt on the hands of these same criminals. Just wait & see) In the meantime.because the spotlight is diverted from them,they'll keek quiet) Human Pschology: 9 killed world wide condemnation. 90 " " " " 900 killed.Oh ! 9,000 killed people begin to worry 90,000 killed Hey what's going on here. Condemnation. But if 9,000,000,000 etc. killed Silence & Fear No condemnation for fear that they'll be next ! Now you get it !? In one of the TalkBacks a woman from L.A. C.A. Called the NINE killed "MASS MURDER" Do you understand what that means ?.
It just summarize the political opinion and what is obvious. After a fact finding (compare it with preliminary police investigation) There is a real investigation, that collecting evidence (police investigation), then this go to court (the international court of justice), then it will be a verdict, guilty or non guilty and who is responsible, and then there will be a punishment to the guilty. It started with Nurnberg where some got hanged and some got jailed and some released.
Everybody who is a little bit objective knows that the worlds overreacts when Israel lifts a finger to defend itself. That doesn't mean that israeli leaders and generals should not take this into account when launching an operation such as the one on the gaza flotilla. Why not use stun guns and grenades? Why not use specially trained troops and not war commandos? From this operation we can learn two things: poor intelligence as to which weapons were on board. Wrong use of force and lack of proper weapons on the israeli side. I is time that isrel learns its lesson: the one with the gun will always be wrong whatever really happens. But no, it is more comfortable to think that the world hates Israel whatever its actions. And this this is why people like me, who have lived in Israel and served in the israeli infantry no longer fight to explain the israeli side: we are tired of this arrogant israeli attitude.
Or why use force at the first place? Or why not let the flotilla enter Gaza? Or why not lift the blocus on Gaza? Wouldn't that be a better policy to help defend the image of Israel?
Do you?
it would be great for the image if Israel to lift the blockade on gaza but then israelis get hit with rockets and suicide bombers. read about what happened after the initial disengagement. nothing but violence from the people of gaza.
Israel will not enjoy peace as long as there are Muslims defending their right to recover their occupied lands
THE WORDS OCCUPIED LANDS IS BULLSHIT READ HISTORY AND THEN TELL ME WHOSE LAND IS BEING OCCUPIED
Historically these "muslimlands" belonged to many different entities. The last was Great Britain. I think Great Britain wasn't a muslim country in the period after WW II, or am I wrong? Or maybe Muslims consider whole world their occupied land.Then nobody will enjoy peace :(
according to muslims, any land that was in muslims lands at any point in history should be fought for.
Everyone in Israel, including the Israeli government leaders, regard the Gaza and West Bank as "Ha'Shtaheem Ha'Kvoosheem" hebrew for occupied territories. So it seems that you need to read up on the history of this region before you post such nonsence.
You are all anti-semetic because you trash the name of israel.
The UNHRC, an Arab-Palestinian organization disguised under the UN heading, must be removed from all areas of Israel. for aiding terror against Israel. With their agenda they should not feel safe in Israel.
If the ships left from Turkey to travel to Gaza, how did they get onto the middle of the ocean? Were they lost? 'Food, gas and medications' have never stopped going through to Gaza. The dispute involves building materials that could be used for military purposes. This resolution does not reflect the reality on the ground. Having said that, Israel should appoint a judge to lead a transparent investigation.
not in the middle of the ocean and they can dive along there un harrassed if they like according to international law. "The dispute involves building materials that could be used for military purposes." This is the same nutcase argument as if somebody would accuse all men wrongfully of rape because they physically have the endowement therefore
...from the aid ship. That way the world can see what Israel is banning for no apparent reason other than spite.
Turkey stop hiding behind it's self-righteous facade and answer for the Armenia massacres and why they sent armed Al-Qaeda activists on a so-called humanitarian aid ship. The Pro-Palestinian world is reaching un-redeemable levels of hypocrisy.
It never ceases to amaze me how blind people can be... How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
Turkey does not hide behind it's self-righteous facade. Our history professors suggested to work together with Armenian historians. But they don't! Above all, Turkish archives opened to all world. If anyone examine these documents , he/she can see the true. But no country could dare because of US does not want to loss Armenia and support them. At the same time US didnt recognize massacre for the same reason. (Classical American policy)
Turkey requested for an international committee of historians to study and decide on the events surrounding the disaster during the ww1. as for your linking of two events i would describe it as unwarranted. Turkey should be a friend of all fair minded Jews where ever they may be in the world but the situation in Gaza and the bigger problems relating the overall settlement with the Palestinians creating the real blockage. It is time for Israel to learn to make compromises with nations around her. Give another 100 years USA may not be as strong as they are now. In fact all the indications are that USA is a power in decline. Once they are too weak to protect Israel there is a good chance the biblical history to repeat itself.
I wonder how many Armenians would agree with your nonsense defense of blatant ethnic massacres. You've never lived up to your crimes and you know it. All you can do is point a finger at Jews, scream and foam. Frightening.
there were no guns found in the flotilla except for slings and knives. as far as I know al-Qaeda prefers to use some mature toys. and, there is not a solid evidence that the activists are connected to al-Qaeda (even though they may be sympathizers of al-Qaeda)
Bla, bla, bla. Nothing more than a lot of hot air & Israel bashing.
A military raid on ships in international waters with 9 death and considerably more wounded, so who is bashing whom?
What do you mean by useless Nations? You must be really horribly blinkered and narrow minded. There is not such thing as useless nations. That attitude explains most of the problems Israel facing currently. You people are digging your own hole in the ground and don’t be surprised if you find yourselves stuck in it in the future.
Group of pro-palestinians attracted foreign journalists to join happy journey not telling them about planned provocation of IDF. Foreign journalists can be valuable and loud witnesses. But unfortunately for pro-palestinians some of them were really objective and told what happened without anger against Israel or activists.
Israel should lift its blockade and allow free shipping to Gaza. Once the blockade is lifted, Israel should close all its crossings to Gaza since Gaza will be granted with free access to the world and Israel will have no obligations to feed a hostile entity. In addition, electricity and water supply from Israel should be stopped within one month time (hopefully Turkey or Egypt will help them in this matter). Following these measures, there will be no Israeli "occupation" over Gaza and Gaza will be completely free of any Israeli control. Israel should then tell the world that any firing of rockets from Gaza, will be retaliated with devastating measures not seen even in Cast Lead Operation.
Us, to moderate Gazans: "Here's your free shipping, and welcome. Warning: we will crush you mercilessly if even one rocket hits us." Moderate Gazans: "Strict punishment, but at least there's no more blockade. It pays to be moderate." Extreme Gazan: "If you were extreme like me, you could get ALL of Palestine back. Pre-1948, the whole schmeer." Moderate Gazans: "Sorry, we're satisfied with peace now and less territory." Extreme Gazan: "Hmph. I want other Gazans to agree with me. All I have to do is get away with hitting Israel once, and Israel will obligingly pummel the moderates for me, killing many and driving the survivors to my side." Extreme Gazan tries to fire off 8 rockets. Moderates manage to stop him 7 times, but miss number 8. Number 8 hits us. Maybe it doesn't even cause any damage, but it's a rocket. So we go berserk, flattening a lot of Gaza. The moderates might be angry at the extremist for his rockets, but they're much angrier about the severity of our disproportionate attack - so they become extremists themselves in response. What's wrong with this picture? Extremists manipulate us to take out moderates; we're too dense to know we're being used, and too proud to admit Arab moderates exist.
I could not agree more.
The world would then point out that Israel is still (illegally) occupying the west bank and eastern Jerusalem and that any collective punishment of civilians, such as Cast Lead and the blockade, still is illegal according to international law, regardless of whether Israel announces it beforehand or not.
In reply to No 6 comment from Rafi: This is the first sensible comment on the whole affair.
Dear David, Some people from this side think that there are none who thinks like from the other side. Moderates should work to stop extremists from both sides from triggering the violence process.
pretend there is no problem, react with overwhelming force,
This is full of bitterness, anger and cynicism. Need therapy
Should Israel, in ANY manner, form, act or ommission, inflict collective punishment or violate any UN resolution, Geneva Convention or International law, the world will respond with the same level of harsh, unfair treatment against Israel. Further, unless Israel comes clean about its nukes and agrees to abide by NPT requirements, it shall be treated in the same manner and come under the same sanctions as those being imposed on Iran, including threats of pre-emptive strikes by other countries.
First of all Israel does cut electricity and water supplies to the Gaza and Israel bombs Gaza regardless if any rockets are being fired from Gaza or not. Israel does not feed anyone in Gaza, the Palestinian people work whatever farm lands that Israel did not steal or bomb and feed themselves. So take your pathetic post and try to B.S. others who do not know what crimes Israel has inflicted on the Palestinian people over the last 60+ years.
I, am Israeli from Haifa, agree with you 100%. Except we should have turned the electricity and water off when we left...
The ships are in the international waters. Even if this ships carry guns, nobody can ask about load according to international admiralty law. But Israel organized a military operation with comandos. It's so funny that Israel's declaration: "They have knifes and sticks and they have attacked to our soldiers". You are approaching on a ship and getting down armed soldiers and waiting for passengers to give a rose to you. It's really so funny defense for a country as Israel.
Those waters only go to Egypt and Gaza and Israel had UN permission to blockade Gaza. The Flotilla refused to go to Egypt so Israel had no other choice but to inspect the goods. If you saw the video, the Israeli soldiers were lynched by a mob. Five other boats accepted Israeli inspection.
Extremely easy and simplistic to take things literally. Maybe you should also suggest a UNIFIL type force to patrol these international waters, so that Hamas can be fully armed same as Hesbolla.
Pardon my daring to contradict you, BUT the soldiers were ARMED with PAINTBALL SPRAY guns. They were lynched from the moment they stepped on the ship - if you are willing to be lynched to death by a terrorist mob, then be my guest. But we are not that self-sacrificing, especially to a bunch of Al Qaida, Turkish, Iranian, and all ARAB terrorists. STOP BEING a HYPOCRITE and start by acknowledging the ISLAMIC MENACE to the world and not just Israel
"waiting for passengers to give a rose to you?" in a way, this was a legitimate expectation. Sadly, the fact it proved to be incorrect speaks volumes of how the Left is losing its way. the israeli argument is that these were bad-faith protesters. When someone is caught by the police (even wrongly) and put their hands in the air, it means they have no intention on fighting. Similarly, when a ship of "peace activists" puts up a white flag, they are saying they have surrendered and have no intention to fight. I too am troubled by the recent events, but i feel that these protesters violated the sacrosanct value of the white flag, and misrepresented themselves as civilians with no belligerent intention (the level of violence seen on tape surpasses the usual petty violence you see at anti-G8 protests and the like). They purposely brought civilians aboard (why was a baby doing on the freakin boat?!) and used a white flag to mask their belligerent intentions. There is something Hamas-esque about these methods. The sad thing to me, is that this does as much damage to the reputation of the Left (in israel, and indeed on a global scale), as Israel and other governments will just further view protesters with greater suspicion, and perhaps rightly so.
of israel what seems to the world as commonsense..simply doesn't apply to israel...how dare u ask them to abide by international law..
i agree! what? they expect everyone on the ship, at such wee hour, to do what? clap their hands and hand them roses? kah kah kah...
There is no a military group on the world using paintball spray guns. This is so funy like the state's declaration at least. I think the soldiers have so special paintball guns. Since they killed 10 people with paint!!! They are approaching on a ship with armed commandos. If passengers had guns the helicopter could not approach the ship. they would bring the helicopter down. Do not forget this important detail. So they used only knifes and sticks. And this is so natural.
"Israel had UN permission to blockade Gaza." No, actually. Resolution 1860 clearly says that there should be "unimpeded provision through Gaza of food, fuel and medical treatment, and intensified international arrangements to prevent arms and ammunition smuggling". So any "blockade" has to be an international effort, not a unilateral Israeli effort.
Your argument is ridiculous in view of the evidence.
What UN resolution do you refer to, David? It seems inprobable to me seens the UN hasn't accepted Israels blockade against Gaza but on the contrary condemned it. And the troops still boarded the vessels on international waters which is illegal by all international law. You can think what you want but that how things are.
The UN has repeatedly condemed the blockade and asked Israel to lift it, when this massacre occured yesterday the UN Secretary General blamed Israel directly saying that had Israel listened to the UN and lifted the blockade that is illegal by international law this massacre would never have occured. The UN Law of the Sea states very clearly that it is strictly forbidden for any military entity to board a civilian vessel unless it carries WMDs without the express permission of the country whose flag it bears. Israel had no permission from Turkey or the other Nato countries involved and indirectly declared war on NATO yesterday sparking an emergency meeting of NATO ambassadors who all demanded the return of their citizens and boats immediately.
The UN has repeatedly condemed the blockade and asked Israel to lift it, when this massacre occured yesterday the UN Secretary General blamed Israel directly saying that had Israel listened to the UN and lifted the blockade that is illegal by international law this massacre would never have occured. The UN Law of the Sea states very clearly that it is strictly forbidden for any military entity to board a civilian vessel unless it carries WMDs without the express permission of the country whose flag it bears. Israel had no permission from Turkey or the other Nato countries involved and indirectly declared war on NATO yesterday sparking an emergency meeting of NATO ambassadors who all demanded the return of their citizens and boats immediately.
everything seems like a joke to me, coming down like attacking some sort of illegal fishermen...and then, accusing them of attacking those commandos with sticks and knives? and what else? they only came with paintball guns? continue to behave this way, the whole wide world will know..
pirates that is what they are. you enter my place[home, ship] and i will fight with anything i find to defend my place
It is true that there are Muslim terrorists, but that doesn't make Islam a menace. Just as similar, Jews have criminal minded and stupid politicians and army officials. Does it make all Jews morons and maniacs? I beg to differ.
Paintball guns are frequently used for crowd dispersal since they are a non-lethal weapon.
One of journalists present on the boat witnessed he was hit by paintball balls when using camera. He also witnessed that IDF behaved correctly. Exception was the one boat which refused inspection according to international law. Enough?
Terrorist mob? Just wake up! Why is that that I is releasing everyboby without so much as a hint of terrorist actions. Where are those weapons supposedely present in the ships? Whenever you choose to put military commandos in front of an angry civilians you'll have such disasters. You should watch out because you really start looking like the Chinese govt. during Tian an Men riots and Afrikaaners during the apartheid! Just realize than when 5 billion people think you're wrong then maybe you are.
Meanwhile, there is no call for a direct flow of goods without control of weapons smuggling. While weapons smuggling continues, the blockade is internationally valid, schmuck. The direct flow of goods depends upon a CEASEFIRE and a cessation of weapons smuggling, neither of which is in place.
With over 40 years of international biz experience, I have concluded that application of international law is only as valid as the country's integrity to abide by them. In the case of Israel, it has shown, with few exceptions, that it is a rogue state, choosing to recognize international conventions and laws only when it is to their benefit and to ignore them when they are in violation. This is the definition of a rogue state and once legal borders are established for the country, the dictionary will use this pitcure of Israel as the definition for the world.
The commandos had Mac 10 machine pistols nicknamed 'Spray and Pray' which can fire 1600 bullets in a minute. At least they got half the name right.
Egypt is a participant in the Gaza blockade this makes it international
"pirates that is what they are. you enter my place[home, ship] and i will fight with anything i find to defend my place " So, the Turkish pirates were entering Israel's home and providing aid to Israel's enemies.
If Israel has the right to be fully armed then so do any others who wish to be fully armed have the right to be. Are the settlers allowed to be fully armed? Yes. Therefor so does Hammas and any other militant group. This world is not here to cater only to Israel's needs and serve Israel's interests.
The Israeli soldiers were ARMED with PAINTBALL SPRAY guns? Are you serious? Paintballs do not kill people, real bullets do. So much for your crazy and twisted remark.
Israel ignores anyway anyone who makes any complaints about Israel. They did the same when the Prophets complained about their violent and immoral behavior. Read them in the Bible - it sounds quite contemporary.
Since you mentioned the Prophets, and you choose to only see the prophecies relating to the Jews, I would suggest you read what it says about the other Nations. However bad Jews may seem, the world has been much worse. Sounds quite contemporary doesn't it? And, if you really want to be an expert, read on and see what becomes of all the obsessions, hatred and lies of the world in the end.
Just to give you an idea of what the world thinks about the actions of Israel, I have translated some quotes from Swedish newspapers. "Israel refuses to allow reconstruction so maybe it was a good thing that the ships never got to Gaza. That way there will be no doubt about what Israels attitude towards the Palestinean people looks like: they want the Palestineans to be starved and subdued beyond recognition." "Israel displays eerie similarities to the apartheid regime of South Africa." "Israel has a long history of breaking international law." Just an example.
It was a good move. Can Israel take the risk of boats full of weapons reaching Hamas? It does not matter what Europe says. Whatever Israel does they will find fault with it. It is a big mistake to forget the past and assume that Europe is now unbiased and unprejudiced towards Israel and the Jewish people in general.
please don't get carried away, not even the spin-doctors in the Israeli government have yet said the ships might be loaded with weapons for Hamas
Kim, let's start with your country Sweden. May I remember you about problems with muslim population in your own country?? They are number one with all kind of criminality and street terror(like in many other European countries). Also your country(with socialist goverments) opened there borders for every body with a poor story(read lies). And also in many ways your country politics has been hostaged by muslim agenda nowadays.. afraid as they are for agressive muslim reactions. And your translated quotes are only an (left) opinion of somebody. Already for years the Israel army has left the Gaza strip and instead of building up this terretory the first thing what they did was distroying everything what the Israelisch has left((nice)houses, schools,ect..). Typical the reaction which you can expect with some kind of people. The second thing is that instead of developing they decide and feeled more freedom to fight against Israel. Firing rockets(even yesterday), kipnaping, etc.. so just terror acts. I'm also convienced that whatever you will bring to Gaza they will use it to make weapons or us it to fight Israel. So in other words what I want to say you is that instead of developing the Gaza strip to something positive they from the beginning decide to fight Israel.. so are responsable for their own acts and the situation in which they are now..
Your are right Kim, but you forget to say the other things, such as forgery of signature, forgery of passport, UK and Australia expelled israel ambassors, selling unk to south Aferica, killing 1500 women an children, destroying all the cities, and on and on .gazans need balance of power.as powerfull military as israel has.
Do you think that UN resolutions are "what world thinks". I'm from Czech republic and I'm part of the world. I think that Israel behaved correctly based on witnesses of both parties and also one czech cameraman present on one of the boats. UN issued resolution before they collected any evidence.Just this fact makes UN unreliable authority. I'm afraid of any court making decision without any collected evidence. UN failed.
No it was not a good move. And it is even less of a good move to keep 1.5 million people in an open air prison. Yes Israel has legitimate national security concerns but they will not be addressed unless Israel agrees some sort of settlement with the otherwise. Even that may not be a total solution but it will take the sting out of the situation and there will be less reason for Israel to be seen as the pariah state. Right now Israel is putting all eggs in one basket with USA support. But give another 50-75 years USA may not be in a position to protect Israel. Israel will have to come to terms with the nations around and see eye to eye with them. That means they have to compromise. Everyone will have to accept Israel’s right to existence.
Even the most right-wing newspapers in Sweden have a very harsh look on the incident. And the statements from the current right-wing government also strongly condemn Israels actions, which according to both the government and experts in international law was illegal. So don't fool yourself that the criticism is only coming from left-wing extremists. This time it simply went too far.
It seems more and more that this UNHRC has been hostaged by muslim agenda already for years. And because of this agenda I think that this organistation put them selfs offside to be objective.
but Isreal is ever so objective isn't it?
For a minute I was afraid they might condemn Israel before finding out the facts. Oh, I forgot. Even with the facts they'll still condemn Israel.
So do you want them to condemn the dead people? and what facts are you looking for? Isreal does not OWN the international water where they murdered those people. I wonder if you would feel the same if the turks killed 10 israel civillians in international water. Hypocrite.
I applaud the decision of the United Nations Human Rights Council in drafting this resolution to condemn the illegal and inhumane acts of the Israeli government. Attacking an humanitarian aid convoy, using military force, is something beyond the comprehension of the world's right-thinking people. Clearly, Israel has no qualms about traversing the boundaries of morality and will kill with impunity. The fact that elderly men, women and children were on board this vessel, did not prick the consciences of the political and military leaders of Israel. God willing, this draft resolution and fact-finding mission will confirm and substantiate the accounts of the activists that have been released today.
Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation. Article 3 1. Any person commits an offence if that person unlawfully and intentionally: (a) seizes or exercises control over a ship by force or threat thereof or any other form of intimidation; or (g) injures or kills any person, in connection with the commission or the attempted commission of any of the offences set forth in subparagraphs (a) to (f). 2. Any person also commits an offence if that person: (a) attempts to commit any of the offences set forth in paragraph 1; or (b) abets the commission of any of the offences set forth in paragraph 1 perpetrated by any person or is otherwise an accomplice of a person who commits such an offence; From my reading, Article 3.2(b) The 7 Israeli politicians who authorised the Attack on the flotilla are in contravention of International Law. I am interested to see how this plays out. . .
So every country can stop ships and control cargo thats mentioned for Israel.
We can all see that the Israeli soldiers stormed a ship in international waters and had no right to do so. The people on board defended themselves as much as they could, Israeli soldiers shot at them and killed a few of them. This was an act of crime by Israel against the people on the flotilla and an act of self defence by the people on the flotilla. If the situation was reversed and someone stormed an Israeli ship, I am suire there would be no probe whatsoever, but G-d forbid anyone punishing Israel based on the facts that we see, we need to do a probe and somehow conclude that Israel had the right to commit the crime it did. How pathetic the UN is and the double standard it takes when it comes to Israel. Any act like this by another country and sanctions would immediately follow, no probe needed.