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Israeli Defense Forces Release Video Of Violence Aboard Turkish Ship
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) - Naval Forces has released a recording, and their summarized version of events that transpired in real-time on board the assaulted Turkish ship early this morning. Obviously, this is just one side of the story - we would certainly appreciate Wikileaks' or some other independent arbiter's perspective on how the other side was interpreting the situation as it was developing, and resulting in over 16 casualties so far. One wonders how many Israeli soldiers were killed during the clash? Warning: video is graphic.
Here is the official statement from the IDF NF on the tragic events from last night:
Early this morning, IDF Naval Forces boarded six ships attempting to break the maritime closure of the Gaza Strip. This happened after numerous warnings from Israel and the Israeli Navy that were issued prior to the action. The Israel Navy requested the ships to redirect toward Ashdod where they would be able to unload their aid supplies which would then be transferred over land after undergoing security inspections.
During the boarding of the ships, the demonstrators onboard attacked the IDF Naval personnel with live fire and light weaponry including knives and clubs. Additionally one of the weapons used was grabbed from an IDF soldier. The demonstrators had clearly prepared their weapons in advance for this specific purpose.
As a result of this life-threatening and violent activity, naval forces employed riot dispersal means, as well as live fire.
According to initial reports, these events resulted in the deaths of nine demonstrators and seven naval personnel were injured, some from gunfire and some from various other weapons. Two of the soldiers are moderately wounded and the remainder sustained light injuries. All of the injured, Israelis and foreigners have been evacuated by helicopter to hospitals in Israel.
Reports from IDF forces on the scene are that it seems as if part of the participants onboard the ships were planning to lynch the forces.
The interception of the flotilla followed numerous warnings given to the organizers of the flotilla before leaving their ports as well as while sailing towards the Gaza Strip. In these warnings, it was made clear to the organizers that they could dock in the Ashdod sea port and unload the equipment they are carrying in order to deliver it to the Gaza Strip in an orderly manner, following the appropriate security checks. Upon expressing their unwillingness to cooperate and arrive at the port, it was decided to board the ships and lead them to Ashdod.
IDF naval personnel encountered severe violence, including use of weaponry prepared in advance in order to attack and to harm them. The forces operated in adherence with operational commands and took all necessary actions in order to avoid violence, but to no avail.
Early this morning, IDF Naval Forces boarded six ships attempting to break the maritime closure of the Gaza Strip. This happened after numerous warnings from Israel and the Israeli Navy that were issued prior to the action. The Israel Navy requested the ships to redirect toward Ashdod where they would be able to unload their aid supplies which would then be transferred over land after undergoing security inspections.
During the boarding of the ships, the demonstrators onboard attacked the IDF Naval personnel with live fire and light weaponry including knives and clubs. Additionally one of the weapons used was grabbed from an IDF soldier. The demonstrators had clearly prepared their weapons in advance for this specific purpose.
As a result of this life-threatening and violent activity, naval forces employed riot dispersal means, as well as live fire.
According to initial reports, these events resulted in the deaths of nine demonstrators and seven naval personnel were injured, some from gunfire and some from various other weapons. Two of the soldiers are moderately wounded and the remainder sustained light injuries. All of the injured, Israelis and foreigners have been evacuated by helicopter to hospitals in Israel.
?Reports from IDF forces on the scene are that it seems as if part of the participants onboard the ships were planning to lynch the forces.??The interception of the flotilla followed numerous warnings given to the organizers of the flotilla before leaving their ports as well as while sailing towards the Gaza Strip. In these warnings, it was made clear to the organizers that they could dock in the Ashdod sea port and unload the equipment they are carrying in order to deliver it to the Gaza Strip in an orderly manner, following the appropriate security checks. Upon expressing their unwillingness to cooperate and arrive at the port, it was decided to board the ships and lead them to Ashdod.??
IDF naval personnel encountered severe violence, including use of weaponry prepared in advance in order to attack and to harm them. The forces operated in adherence with operational commands and took all necessary actions in order to avoid violence, but to no avail.
Full video:
An "on the ground" perspective provided by Al Jazeera indicates a materially different interpretation of events:
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Pig!
Where all these monkeys come from?
Isreal orders all Isrealies to leave Turkey ASAP!!
C'mon, you Turks! Catch them before they get away and 'deal' with them! Get every last one and airlift them into Gaza and let the natives mete out justice. I'm sure they're in a forgiving mood, belly rumblings notwithstanding.
Careful sunshine...
Ok, leaving aside all questions of possible Zionist conspiracies, do you seriously believe that any and all ordinary Israeli citizens who happen currently to be in Turkey are guilty (of what?) and deserve to be, what, beaten to death? Calm down and grow up.
Ok, leaving aside all questions of possible Muslim conspiracies, do you seriously believe that any and all ordinary Palestinian citizens who happen currently to be in Gaza are guilty (of what?) and deserve to be, what, starved to death? Drop the pretense and fess up.
Remind me again.. which group of people has never stopped launching rockets into Israel? even during times of "cease fires"..
I don't have time to school you and make you look like the brainless troll that you are, but if you provoke me I will.
Go on, provoke me.
I am Chumbawamba.
Because the first thing out of your pie-hole is going to be the word "Liberty".. this sounds like fun. Oh and by the way.. 15367 Islamic Terrorist attacks since 9/11.
You're just bent because the Jews were there (Israel) first.. arent'cha.. Chumpowamba.
Yeah, you disparage the Liberty incident because what are 34 dead American sailors when there's a Zionist state to defend. At all costs and against all comers.
I am NOT Chumbwamba.
No, because it's the first argumentative point made in almost every anti-Israel debate; as if I don't think that Israel owes us much more than an apology after what it did. It's something that is just not going to happen in our lifetime. But at the same time I am fully capable of understanding that Israel has been under attack since its inception after WWII and Jews, in general, for thousands of years. One could almost imagine being a little over-zealous in it's proactive approaches, being surrounded by enemies and all. Why don't we drop you into a highly populated Muslim area with a bible, wrapped in an American flag and a cross painted on your forehead and see how long it takes you to employ preventive actions against an angry mob of people who wouold love to drag your body through the center of town, still smoldering. Somehow I think you would want to find the biggest thing that goes boom and use it.
Oh and we'll not bother to mention the 15k+ Islamic attacks, right? because THOUSANDS of lives are worth less than those of the USS Liberty?
Why don't you just save yourself the typing and just say "I hate sandniggers"? Spare us your hollow bloviation.
You have definitely drank the zionist kool-aid, regurgitating all the same propaganda points (Israelis call it hasbara) that are used to perpetuate the narrative of the poor, oppressed Jew.
But what I find funny is this jaw-dropping scenario you paint, as if it would be any different if some idiot dropped into a highly populated white Christian Baptist area with a Quran, wrapped in an Iranian flag, and with a crescent moon painted on your forehead. As if in this instance the local clergy is going to come out and welcome you with open arms as opposed to what would happen in your scenario.
You are an idiot and a fool. You're lucky to be only such. A lot of people commenting here are even more stupid.
I am Chumbawamba.
Whey don't you save yourself some as well and just say that we should submit to Islam. Sounds like you're all for it.
I find it odd that you enjoy discounting thousands of years of hatred towards the jews as just some rhetoric; as if you've conveniently forgotten the millions of jews that were MURDERED in WWII not only by Hitler, but by muslim troops who were also part of Hitlers army.
And to completely disembowel your cutesy attack on me and others here... Muslims coming to America.. yeah, that happens on a regular basis and yes, many do settle in areas that are populated with Christians because this is a Christian Country. You don't see them getting murdered just for who they are. I would, however, like to point to Holland as an example of what happens when Muslims immigrate and grow in numbers and influence (Props to Geert Wilders for putting up a good fight).
However, I will say so much as I despise the demographic of Islamic followers that uses the Quran as a means to an end, that end being the eradication of "infidels" . If I had any further dislike to include all Muslims, I would be no better than Hitler or any one of his ilk.
What I think is that you should watch some interviews with Nonie Darwish and perhaps read up some on the absolutely barbaric treatment of women, even in America, by some of the more radical Muslims.
You are ill-informed and poisoned and it's clear that you've never taken any other stance than to hate the Jews while I stand by the fact that Israel owes us a great debt and must admit to its wrongs against America and pay for them as well.. but even they have a right to defend themselves against thousands of years of contempt. Israel has just finally said "Enough is enough" and quite frankly, I don't blame them.
It was YOU, chum, who introduced to this discussion the term "sandniggers."
Stay classy.
They don't deserve to live on the backs of others, do they? Or at least not permanently right?
Well that's how their population came to be what it is, massive permanent(so far) welfare. The "refugees", average age 15 now, have been living off westerner's taxes, and even israeli's taxes and charity, for six decades or whatever it is now. They can't sustain themselves, and this is more the west's fault than it is their own. Its Lord of the Flies over there. The palestinians are a thoroughly, comprehensively ruined people, and almost none of that is the direct doing of jews, Israel, or even "sionisme". These victims didn't even exist when the supposed incident of victimitude occured, namely the moment in time where a bunch of arab armies offered the arabs of the then sparsely region to leave while they cleaned up the jews. A less worthy claim to victimitude is hard to find. The right to return was meant to be a right to return to a place where their neighbors and been murdered for them. Losers.
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHHAHA!
HAHAHHAHHAHAHHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAA!
All I can do is laugh at how utterly stupid you are.
HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHHA~!
HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHA!!
HAHAHAH!
HAHA
!
I am Chumbawamba.
Wow, the zionist trolls are really out in full force today. Sorry that you seem to be the only defense against them, chumba. Dont worry tho, they'll return to their little troll caves sooner than later.
Child's play.
I am Chumbawamba.
Should Turkey free the Kurds?
Whats the matter, don't have any facts? No argument?
"Shut up" chumba helpfully explained.
How much time do you have? Trust me, you don't want to get into facts. It's best you stick with the hasbara. You'll at least leave everyone slightly confused, if not annoyed.
I am Chumbawamba.
Israel recieves 3 billion+ a year from the good ol' USA. Pure welfare.
How about we send a boat load of hazmat suits over to our friends and fuck the rest? how hard can it be to drill thru glass any way?
Best Idea I've heard so far.
Turkey have a problem on their hands here, as well. The Israeli's can make life very exciting in Turkish Kurdistan. Turkey does not want an escalation. 40% of turkey is not Turks. You start kidnapping and killing Jews in Turkey and civil war can be easily ratcheted up.
Israel pissing off their only ally in the area was a major miscalculation.
True allies understand this incident for what it is.
Action from Turkey or the USA will be more show than substance.
I want to visit Mecca during the Haji carrying a Bible.
Until my dream comes true, give only what it is given.
I have no responsibility to embrace a system which refuses to embrace others.
You are so correct. I feel about this "violation" of international law the same way I felt when the Isreal took out the Iraqi nuclear reactor (also a violation of international law) but a morally correct action. And when they take out the "peaceful" Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities I will be equally happy. One has to be very naive to believe they were not trying to bring weapons into the Gaza.
Turkey is no ally ever since it acquired an islamist government; And why would Turkey chose to piss off its "ally", Israel?
It's Israel, not Isreal. Learn to spell or don't post.
junked scoflaw, word police we dont need. Everybody makes mistakes.
Yeah kids- remember, EL as in MichaEL, RaphaEL, IsraEL, ManuEL etc; you'll seem much more literate.
Is turkey kosher. I know stuffing isn't.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavon_Affair
The Lavon Affair refers to the scandal over a failed Israeli covert operation in Egypt known as Operation Susannah, in which Israeli military intelligence planted bombs in Egyptian, American and British-owned targets in Egypt in the summer of 1954 in the hopes that "the Muslim Brotherhood, the Communists, 'unspecified malcontents' or 'local nationalists'" would be blamed.[1] It became known as the Lavon Affair after the Israeli defense minister Pinhas Lavon, who was forced to resign because of the incident, or euphemistically as the Unfortunate Affair (Hebrew: ???? ?????, HaEsek HaBish). In 2005, Israeli President Moshe Katzav honored the nine Egyptian Jewish agents who were involved.[2]
Let us add to that:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_David_Hotel_bombing
"The King David Hotel bombing was an attack carried out by the militant right-wing Zionist underground organisation, the Irgun,[1] on the King David Hotel in Jerusalem on 22 July 1946.[2] The hotel was the site of the central offices of the British Mandatory authorities of Palestine, the Secretariat of the Government of Palestine and Headquarters of the British Forces in Palestine and Transjordan...The ensuing explosion caused the collapse of the western half of the southern wing of the hotel. 91 people were killed and 46 were injured, with some of the deaths and injuries occurring in the road outside the hotel and in adjacent buildings"
____
And for US veterans this (ponted out in earlier thread)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Liberty_incident
"The USS Liberty incident was an attack on a United States Navy technical research ship, USS Liberty, by Israeli jet fighter planes and motor torpedo boats, on June 8, 1967, during the ongoing Six-Day War. The combined air and sea attack killed 34 crew members (naval officers, seamen, two Marines, and a civilian), wounded 171 crew members, and severely damaged the ship."
i used to admire and respect the Israelis. Learned a lot of late and for the first time in my 59 years i see hate grow in my heart. The control the israely faction has over the USA has a lot to do with my growing anger.
Bernanke, Geithner and the rest of the scumbags. All the guilt i carried as a youngster, being german and knowing what germany had done to jews is gone. Fully aware not all jews are bad , but the ones on top make up for the rest.
Hitler would be proud you idiot... you are living proof that "you can't fix stupid!"
Feel free to kill yourself and all those ignorant little cock roaches that you spawned as well...
With this written just a few comments above, the same could be addressed to you.
I know him.... and he knows me.... and we, neither of us... are AnAnonymous... so, my comment was for you... just as much as I was letting him know... that its not all the same... one is one, not two if birds of a feather... in all cases.
The only people who suffer this bullshit... are the people who are being lead around by the noses... public opinion matters why? to maintain steerage of the herd.
I promise other than the broad majority view (of any demographic) no one cares what the truth is... it is all about what it could be and how would it be useful. There is nothing other than... pontificiate all the live long day.
And Midhian, that is where the monsters dwell...
Yes, yes, I know the story.
you've certainly shown your true colors. i apologize for ever respecting your intelligence.
Please, it's not the Jews who are responsible, it is ZIONISTS.
All Jews are not zionists and all zionists are not Jews.
Don't be like them. Don't be like the zionists. Collective punishment is wrong, period.
I am Chumbawamba.
on this i can agree. And to the 5 who junked me, i want you to know that i have no desire to mess up my heart center with raw emotion of hate.
There are more pressing and serious issues like gulf oil, Katla and california having an awful lot of quakes lately.
+1
WW, plus one for the rube merehuman? come on.
Then I am a rube too. We are all watching from a distance, this world, crashing, in fits and starts, powerless. I should be feeding chickens and making soap from leftover goatmilk...but I can't pull myself away.
why would an american german feel guilt for nazis? unless daddy was SS who helped train the cia?
i have tons of german american friends, none have guilt. the germans in germany are much better then you.
move to gaza.
and I can not believe you are 59, I always thought you were some pissed off 17 y/o. moron.
You know the world is crazy when the Somalie's are better Pirates than the Israilie Army.
Post a video too prove how stupid you are. You attack them with an army with guns, they use hands and a metal pole, and the people attacked act like a bunch of scared cats, like wtf did you expect.
The Great Age of Stupidity continues un-abated.
As a side-note, it is interesting to note, when there is no one in charge, people will get stupidier. In Israels case, I'm sure behind doors they are all saying, USA is our friend, who the f'cks going to stop us. Which ultimately becomes prevasive as trust breaks down, who's going to go after foreclosure free-loaders.
MUST SEE. UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE.
This is the vid from Guys link. al-Jazeera.
The 'Junks' are flying so hard and heavy on this thread(s), someone even junked the Cheeky Bastard. Oy! The nerve of some people. I'll surely be junked for this statement.
business as usual for the sociopaths.
It's fairly obvious that the people on the ship attacked the bording party because they had already killed 2 people. Very brave people.
Jeez, these people are fucking crazy.
Also, it's extremely bizarre for one genocidal country (Turkey) criticizing another ultra-violent country (Israel) for violence.
Just as it's weird for Jews to worship the US Government as a savior when it enabled Hitler and allowed the Holocaust to happen by keeping refugees out.
What a bizarre line of recent incidents that Israel is involving itself in; Selling nuclear weapons to South Africa, Attacking Gaza yesterday, boarding a ship where it's military killed 19 civilians involved in an aid flotilla and parking 3 subs off the coast of Iran.
But it is Israel that is being picked on. Riiight. Sorry lamestream media, we're no longer buying 'it'.
http://gulfnews.com/opinions/columnists/does-israel-rule-the-world-1.635056
Hey sweaty, you left out of your story the billion or so people and associated dictatorships that would like to see, and have been very actively working on, wiping Isreal out for decades on end now. Oversight? Selective memory?
What else are you supposed to do when you get cancer?
You wipe it out.
Israel is a cancer on humanity. Time for some chemotherapy.
I am Chumbawamba.
Healthy, wealthy, productive, educated, democratic, free Isreal is cancer then. And what surrounds it, grinding ignorant barbarian misogynistic dark ages tyranny, is the healthy tissue that we want to keep healthy.
Got it. You are pulling our leg. That's a relief. I kinda liked you as a gold bug here, and it was scary to think we had full on nutters here.
Drink Kool-Aid much?
I am Chumbawamba.
you hate zionism, i get it. do you like the countries that surround Israel?
I'd bet he's rather fond of Syria (the selfsame Syria that sucked at the Soviets' hind tit for decades because of their mutual hatred for Judaism).
Perhaps not enough love to actually live in Syria, but, you know, as a theoretical construct...
the selfsame Syria that sucked at the Soviets' hind tit for decades...
Oh, and Israel is not receiving $3 billion in annual "aid" from the US, while the US goes broke, loses jobs and homes, and has been sending that "aid" since 1982.
This year, the U.S. Congress approved $2.76 billion in its annual aid package for Israel. The total amount of direct U.S. aid to Israel has been constant, at around $3 billion (usually 60% military and 40% economic) per year for the last quarter century. A new plan was recently implemented to phase out all economic aid and provide corresponding increases in military aid by 2008. This year Israel is receiving $2.04 billion in military aid and $720 million in economic aid there is only military aid.
In addition to nearly $3 billion in direct aid, Israel usually gets another $3 billion or so in indirect aid: military support from the defense budget, forgiven loans, and special grants. While some of the indirect aid is difficult to measure precisely, it is safe to say that Israelÿs total aid (direct and indirect) amounts to at least five billion dollars annually.
Same money goes to Egypt. Your point?
Your are spreading Israeli propaganda. Especially, when someone depicts other nations as barbarian or cave man, which is absolutely bogus. That says much about that person who has never been there and accepts BS as truth.
Israel elite is a bunch of psychopaths who are really good in manipulating and twisting truth to make them look like victims or protecting their land. But the results show different picture, especially recent December events. And remember USS Liberty, they failed to make it look like Egyptian attack only because the ship didn't sink and they were able to transmit who did it through the radio jamming by Israeli forces.
The same or similar tricks were used with Iraq, Afghanistan and is currently underway with Iran. The same was done with Soviet Union during cold war (when bears were walking on the streets of Moscow filled with communists).
When American forces discovered what happened in Nazi concentration camps, Eisenhauer ordered to bring German people living nearby to look at where they live.
So, please look at where you live and who tells you what you are spreading. Looks like you have a filter "Whatever happens in Finance, I look at zerohedge, for everything else there is FOX channel.
PS. Psychopaths do not have allies, they just use others until they no longer need them.
Read Andrew M. Lobaczewski "Political Ponerology" http://www.ponerology.com/.
And psycopathy is a cencer on humanity and healthy cells, i.e. normal human beings need to learn to recognize cencer cells or humanity will die from cencer.
(what of) the billion or so people and associated dictatorships that would like to see, and have been very actively working on, wiping Isreal out for decades on end now.
To date, none have acted on those feelings to do so, unlike Israel, who keeps attacking and threatening everyone around them, and has done so for decades. Citing that, I'd challenge that it is you, whom is suffering from oversight and selective memory.
But keep pitching that drivel that Israel is a victim. It seems to boost ratings over FAUX news and CNN for all their mouthbreathing viewers. And boy, could they use them seeing as those ratings are plummeting.
So stop wasting your time around here. Tune into your corporate media outlet and get your fill of propaganda and bovine excrement so you can regurgitate it all on us as you have done so eloquently.
1948,1967, 1973.
1948, the Arab-Israeli war. The war commenced upon the termination of the British Mandate of Plaestine in mid-May 1948 following a previous phase of CIVIL war in 1947 - 1948.
1967, the six-day war. Still fighting with Egypt, Syria and Jordan.
1973, Yom Kippur War. Egypt and Syria again.
What about 1956, 1966, 1982 and a whole whack of others? Israel hasn't stopped pissing everyone off. Even to this day.
Hey, for 'fun', let's Google 'Israel war crimes'. Oh, lookie. 2.9 million hits. Or, if you wish to be specific, 'Israel War Crimes Gaza'. 1.49 million hits.
"Palestine War Crimes" 3 million hits
"US war crimes" 18.3 million
What's your point?
Wow, they actually responded to a show of military force by using force, imagine that...
I know! How dare they fight back...
Well, now, the Jews are God's chosen people, so how dare those dirty lesser beings lay their tainted mits on the pure zionist being. They should have just laid down and allowed themselves to be raped, because once it is injected inside of you the semen of God's Chosen Ones heals the Earth of the vile gentile infection.
I am Chumbawamba.
Nah, you kidding? Jewish mothers have been warning their sons about sharing their 'specialness' with the Gentile girls for millenia (though their dads may allow the odd rape, just don't let mum know!). The Aryans get it backwards: it is the Jews who are the true Master Race.
Issues, much?
You would be correct! Go! TEAM!!
I'm glad someone said it.
Yes, how dare they! And to use women in their military! Didn't they learn the value of passivity in WWII?
IDF should use women for combat, since Jew-boys can't fight. Jew-boys like Upham in "Saving private Ryan" only unarmed women children rarely men.
Looks like an angry ant pile. Good thing we are among the larger creatures on the planet... otherwise, someone would be stomping on us in disgust.
Bottom line is the Gaza Strip is currently under Maritime closure. These ships were warned not to break it but did even after several warnings. The IFN was then then attacked with weapons on boarding. They got what was coming to them.
If this was China, U.S , Cuba, GBR, or whomever and they warned and then boarded ships that were breaching a zone of maritime closure, and then were attacked, they would hvae acted the same way. At that point it becomes self defense.
I have to take Isreal's side on this.
Really... you have to take Israel's side..
They were in international waters. If the US attacked a ship in international waters I'd be raising hell about it. If you want to compare Israel's actions to something China would do.. more power to you.
The U.S attacked Iraq on a hunch despite the UN and 98% of the world condeming the action beforehand. They found NOTHING. I wouldn't use the U.S as an example when it comes to war. In International eyes they are the worst offenders of all.
Oh? And what did the Israelis find when they violently commandeered a ship carrying peace activists?
You're an idiot.
I am Chumbawamba.
They were asking for it like a woman showing skin is just asking to get raped. She was warned. She knew the about the ban on skirts. How dare she attack her attacker?
i junked you, just in case your not kidding.
sick if not†
most part bastards
Right, totally sick. That was my point. I can't believe we're even debating this.
Which part of "the ships ignored warnings" etc did you miss, chumba?
There are not enough letters in the word "stupid" to fully describe your condition.
I am Chumbawamba.
+1
Notice I'm responding to you because I don't want to encourage that other poster.
Which part of "the ships ignored warnings" etc did you miss
When people are starving and are being pummeled, sometimes daily, by tyrants, you'll ignore or heed the warnings by those tyrants and will try your damndest to get food, medical supplies and building materials to those who are being oppressed and in the case, of a year ago January, over a thousand were murdered, as their oppressors used a banned weapon on them called white phosphorous.
Israel violates international law, pretty much, on a daily basis now.
What part of all that confuses, or did YOU miss?
I say we give Israel the same hell that North Korea got for sinking a South Korean vessel and killing 46 and then we move on. At that rate this should blow over by lunch and we can all get back to more important items like analyzing the Lost finale.
Really? Then I have to direct you to USS Liberty, as previously posted. If they would do it to a US ship and American sailors, they will do it to ANYBODY.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Liberty_incident
Let me put it all another way:
One day, a scorpion looked around at the mountain where he lived and decided that he wanted a change. So he set out on a journey through the forests and hills. He climbed over rocks and under vines and kept going until he reached a river.
The river was wide and swift, and the scorpion stopped to reconsider the situation. He couldn't see any way across. So he ran upriver and then checked downriver, all the while thinking that he might have to turn back.
Suddenly, he saw a frog sitting in the rushes by the bank of the stream on the other side of the river. He decided to ask the frog for help getting across the stream.
"Hellooo Mr. Frog!" called the scorpion across the water, "Would you be so kind as to give me a ride on your back across the river?"
"Well now, Mr. Scorpion! How do I know that if I try to help you, you wont try to kill me?" asked the frog hesitantly.
"Because," the scorpion replied, "If I try to kill you, then I would die too, for you see I cannot swim!"
Now this seemed to make sense to the frog. But he asked. "What about when I get close to the bank? You could still try to kill me and get back to the shore!"
"This is true," agreed the scorpion, "But then I wouldn't be able to get to the other side of the river!"
"Alright then...how do I know you wont just wait till we get to the other side and THEN kill me?" said the frog.
"Ahh...," crooned the scorpion, "Because you see, once you've taken me to the other side of this river, I will be so grateful for your help, that it would hardly be fair to reward you with death, now would it?!"
So the frog agreed to take the scorpion across the river. He swam over to the bank and settled himself near the mud to pick up his passenger. The scorpion crawled onto the frog's back, his sharp claws prickling into the frog's soft hide, and the frog slid into the river. The muddy water swirled around them, but the frog stayed near the surface so the scorpion would not drown. He kicked strongly through the first half of the stream, his flippers paddling wildly against the current.
Halfway across the river, the frog suddenly felt a sharp sting in his back and, out of the corner of his eye, saw the scorpion remove his stinger from the frog's back. A deadening numbness began to creep into his limbs.
"You fool!" croaked the frog, "Now we shall both die! Why on earth did you do that?"
The scorpion shrugged, and did a little jig on the drownings frog's back.
"I could not help myself. It is my nature."
Then they both sank into the muddy waters of the swiftly flowing river.
You know all there is to know about the crying game.
I don't really see how you could take Israel's side. This was obviously a mistake.
Either they were under the impression that this flotilla was something it's not due to some "unconfirmed intelligence" being left out in the open where they could see, or they are completely unaware of over 500 years of naval history, naval protocol, international humanitarian law, and common sense.
You don't "drop in" on a civilian ship in a time of peace armed to the teeth to do an inspection, ever.
My guess is, they thought they would find something like this.
What lead them to believe that will become clear when the US makes an official response once all the evidence hits the table, aside from any initial platitudes they extend in the interim.
Israel is well justified inspecting any ship explicitly headed to Gaza. Or maybe you missed the part where Gaza became infected by militant assholes who regularly launch rockets at Israel?
Hmm, maybe you missed the part about INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW?
See, you're the type that is all about law and order...except where Israel is involved. Then it's OK for them to use banned weapons against civilian populations, to have undeclared nukes, to institute collective punishment on an occupied population, to transfer civilians into occupation zones and build squatter establishments on stolen land, ad nauseum.
As zionist propagandists go, you're not even that good. In fact, you suck. I could make a better case for Israel than you're doing, and I detest the fucks. Quit now while you're only way behind.
I am Chumbawamba.
Come on, Chumbawamba. What the fuck is 'international maritime law'? And who really gives a shit about it? That's a joke, right?
"All of the injured, Israelis and foreigners have been evacuated by helicopter to hospitals in Israel."
Just imagine what would have happened if the roles were reversed and injured "visiting" Israelis who had attacked the Arab boarding party were in the same boat in say Gaza, Tehran or Damascus ? I wonder if they would have made it to the ambulance in less than three pieces.
All acts of violence can be deconstructed and an objective judge will apportion blame where it is warranted. The IDF personnel in defence of their sovereign border were attacked by well prepared combatants. The chronology is important.
The IDF personnel in defence of their sovereign border [attacked the Flotilla in international waters].
this is true. Israels biggest mistake was doing it in international waters.
Yes, they do have a habit of making "mistakes."
LOL. "Internation waters" Is that defined somewhere by "international" law? Dream on Coldcall. The UN and the Justice League before that are less than useless. There is no "international" law nor any "international" waters beyond those which are enforced by threat of, and occasional use of, force. The courtroom stuff that may from time to time occur is eyewash.
You got it TBT. 'International law' is more a guideline than 'law'. Only the parties that have already lost ever end up in the Hauge. It's a way to tie off loose ends when no country wants to take responsibility. Total bullshit.
No, israels biggest mistake was its birth on stolen land in 1948.
Actually, there are only a few ways that soverign title is established to real estate: among them is right of conquest. You see, that whole 'stealing' thing goes right out the window when nations are involved. Stealing? You've earned those junks friend.
Who said they did it in international waters?!? We know shit, other than our own prejudices.
One thing is certain from the video from the ship - at 7:40 there are men standing at the top of a staircase holding metal poles and one holding a club a few steps below.
If you had been warned by the IDF not to try to run the blockade of Gaza (leaving the moral discussion out) and then they board your ship and then you pick up a weapon to attack them... serves you right getting shot! "Stupid is as stupid does."
This entire episode can only be seen as a provocation set up to make Israel look worse than it already does.
"This entire episode can only be seen as a provocation set up to make Israel look worse than it already does"
Congratulations. They succeeded
PS: Israel has also confirmed that the interception took place in international waters. It matters the world as to whether this was a legal act or not.
HAHAHAHA! Are you serious? Wow. What creature came along and crapped you out? I really want to know.
I am Chumbawamba.
Chumba, seriously. You just need to get a cup of decaff and sit this one out. You are really hurting yourself. You have produced very little, if any, reason, and quite a lot of unnecessary fury and hatred. Your name-calling and unmeasured responses are very un-zero-hedge-like and I think, at least for now, that your "Guest Submission" ticket should be pulled. I, for one, am no longer interested in anything you may have left to say about anything.
Sometimes, when one is upset, it is far, far better to just step back and contemplate the weight of one's words before committing them to the blogosphere.
It's what grown-ups do.
Now go ahead and unleash fury on me, for I know it is what you want to do.
I am NOT any longer a reader of Chumbawamba.
+1
Funny, you used the word reason. I am sure that you have plenty of reasons to keep your head buried in the sand. We 'children' cannot afford to let the 'grown ups' ignore reality.
...then baffle 'em with bullshit..."
is that your motto?
This is not the moment in time to start discussions like this...
Every crisis has a war as center of attention. Korea, Israel,.... and all the supporters ready to help a buddy out. All togehter, if this sparks the fire will put the globe into war.
I'm all for pro Palestinian protesting, but violently provoking already nervous Israeli commados is just STUPID. Once they start that shit they are taking their lives into their own hands.
I think if you hate the Israelis so much you are willing to fight them, then be a fucking man and go to hamas and get yourself kitted out and enlisted and become a proper combatant, instead of a coward who uses peace flotillas as cover.
ho hum another day on planet earth.
So how do you suggest they get aid to Gaza? Wish it there?
Israel offered to get their aid to Gaza. I dont think the idiots on deck trying to take on the IDF were too concerned about the aid.
Wow, are you really this stupid or is it just an act to seem cool and distant?
I am Chumbawamba.
If you read about the items that the Israelis have let clear and others it doesn't allow to clear, it makes no sense. They are withholding food and other items that aren't relative to making weapons. It is unjustified.
15,000 tonnes of aid has been delivered to Gaza weekly for many months now via trucks under the auspices of Israel.
Yeah, which is about 100,000 tonnes short of what a population of 1.5 million needs to live and thrive.
Should we pat Israel on the back for not starving the Gazans to death?
Look, and this applies to everyone: if at this moment in time you are still enraptured by the plucky little Israelis and their fight for independence and survival in the midst of a hoarde of angry arabs then there is no hope for you. You should go get some bleach,hydrogen peroxide and drain cleaner, mix it up well, and drink. For the good of all.
I am Chumbawamba.
So funny watching you try to bully the blog.
Yes, sorry I have to bring a reality check to every slut for Israel who comes here to defend their favorite pariah state.
Don't get in my way, boy.
I am Chumbawamba.
Don't get in your way? Is that a threat, little man?
Only if you're a Joooo.
Yes. A very little man with very little reason or sensible resolve. Don't give the little fellow what he wants.
Do what Israel suggested. Dock at Ashdod. Inspect the cargo, tranship it on.
The peace flotilla (!) wanted exactly what happened. A propaganda coup. If they had wanted to really get the cargo to Gaza, all they had to do was what Israel pointed out to them.
A poster above suggested that real activists ought to just go man up and join Hamas. Yes.
I, of course, do not have all the facts yet. But, if the above is true, it was the ACTIVISTS who could have avoided the violence in the first place.
DoChen, you disappoint me grievously.
Israel doesn't own Gaza, but it merely occupies it, brutally. What gives Israel the right to restrict access to Gaza's waterways? Why should a boat heading to Gaza have to dock at a foreign port to have a foreign government inspect its cargo? Should we interdict all ships heading to Cuba and check its cargo in Miami before we let them sail on to Cuba?
WHAT THE FUCK?
I am Chumbawamba.
Hey, people disagree.
Cuba is not much of a threat to us. Bad analogy.
Israel is surrounded by blood-thirsty ravenous crazy people (I've been to Israel and 3 Arab countries) who want Israel to disappear. The Arabs do not want peace, they want Israel gone.
You do have a good point about Gaza. At some point Israel has to let the Palestinians have their country back.
After they agree to restrain Hamas, etc.
Further insight into Islam and the Arab can be found in a book titled "The Arab Mind", I do not remember the author's name. My personal experience with most Arabs I have known mirrors what the book describes.
Pity.
Oh boy, that's rich. I guess you're also going to tell us that to understand the Jewish mind we should read Protocols of the Elders of Zion?
I am Chumbawamba.
I do not have any book recommendations regarding the Jewish mind.
If I understand correctly, those Protocols you refer to were a fabrication.
Wait, wait, I have a good suggestion. To get into the mind of the black man, everyone should watch Birth of a Nation.
I am Chumbawamba.
Nor do I have any recommendations re the black mind.
I guess the best thing to do would be to get to know people before you judge (especially as a collective).
Actually, Chumba, you have been kind of saying that all along here. Good point.
Seems a bit conflictual with your recommandation on books on the Muslim mind.
How does it come you dont have recommandations for any other collective?
Fair question and good point.
As I have limited time, that was the book I chose to read (years ago). Radical Islam has been causing problems for a long time, and I wanted insight.
Perhaps it was a mistake to post that opinion, you do have a good point about not judging groups.
Blacks havent? Or do you mean as they are subdued, they are less troublesome?
I am pretty sure you might find some time to suggest an excellent reading on them and some others.
"You do have a good point about Gaza. At some point Israel has to let the Palestinians have their country back."
you're fucking joking? right? Are you implying 'Gaza' is the Palestinians country? Get this, Palestine is what today is referred to as 'israel'. Israel is occupying Palestine which includes the Gaza strip.
I too tried to look at this in an unbiased way, and on the surface common sense would say you are right. However after reading a few stories about the embargo it seems that they are withholding food and other items that aren't related to weapons making. It would appear that this is an embargo to dethrone Hamas at the expense of the citizens.
The leaders of Gaza do not want AID. They want WEAPONS!!!
You'd want weapons, too, if you were faced with extermination.
I am Chumbawamba.
Same problem faces Americans. Most are brainwashed enough to think police and Feds "protect and serve" them. It's a massive prison now and they are the guards.
Good point, you wiener. No, no... the Jewish nation isn't facing extermination.
What a maroon.
Plenty of "aid", with and without scare quotes, has gotten to these supposed victims on a continuous basis for six decades or so. The very rapid population growth among them, from the very few there were to begin with to the millions of very young nutters teaming there now, was made possible by aid. The kind of aid Israel is concerned about isn't as much the food and direct gifts of western currencies and so forth, it is the "aid" that helps the nutters terrorise the general population and its neighbors. Seriously, it is Lord of the Flies in there. Average age 15. Psychos useless to themselves. Nobody is suggesting starving them to death and no one is starving them. Au contraire. The effort here is to slow the influx of weapons to a crawl. The weapons are going to ignorant young brainwashed psychos. Not hard to understand why this it is a good thing to stop that.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/28/AR2010052800212.html
my guess is that hamas is more than happy
ya. they'll be cheery as fuck.
So do fight back or don't? You're confused, yo.
I can't believe you called them cowards.
I stand on my own two feet and fuck israelis anywhere anytime. Dont need to join hamas. Problem is where i live israelis dont show themselves on the street. They sneek or snipe you. Spineless cowards called israelis would never face man to man.
Israelis should be collectively buried in the desert in the hope of fertilizing it.
Did a "hottie" turn you down?
http://www.debka.com/article/8822/
Your mixed metaphors will get you nowhere...