Israelis board aid ship

[DK]

Link to BBC News article >>> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/middle_east/10195838.stm
Honestly, I don't know what was going through the Israeli armed forces' minds here. These were unarmed ships carrying aid. This is just going to spread anti-Israeli sentiments further in the Middle East. I think it's a deplorable action that's just asking for trouble. So, users of GTPlanet, what do you think?

EDIT: In light of new information, I have to say that my opinion has changed. I don't condone what the Israelis have done, but I've found out that some people on board were looking for a fight. As a result, my opinion has changed from totally condemning the IDF's actions to one of understanding why. The fact of the matter is that Israel is in a very volatile area. I think those who were bringing aid to Gaza should have heeded the warnings of the Israeli military.

 

[Flerbizky]

I think the cool part is that the Israelis don't think they done anything wrong.. *sigh*

 

[LizMcQueen]

This attack can't be justified, armed soldiers against unarmed civilians in humanitarian mission, Israel has gone too far, but it's lucky because U.S. is always there to defend it and nothing will happen.

By the way, the attack has happened in international waters right?

 

[Dan_]

Humanitarian missions always deserve respect and protection, no matter which flag they carry. UN must interfere now, how can we accept such fact? Inhumane and unbearable. This isn't a war, this is just dumbness, a desperate need to show control over a small territory. Awful, let's see how UN will react to this.

 

[bullie77]

AFAIK, the UN security council is meeting this afternoon expressly to discussed this matter.

Israel had let everyone know that they wouldn't allow any ships to breakthrough the blockage they have on the Gaza strip. What it seems debatable is the way and unproportional strenght used to do it.

However, in this matters sometimes not everything is crystal-clear, so I think one should refrained from immediate judgement without fully confirmed the reasons why Israel believes it was a good decision to proceed this way.

 

[YSSMAN]

I woke up hearing about this on the BBC this morning and wen't into rage mode. The Israeli propaganda is already flying in full force here in the US, or the media is outright ignoring it. By most accounts, this was a massacre, inexcusable in international waters. I would hope that this would be the kind of poop-storm needed to change some perspectives about Israel throughout the West, but knowing how these things normally work out, it won't.

 

[Dijital Majik]

This attack can't be justified, armed soldiers against unarmed civilians in humanitarian mission, Israel has gone too far, but it's lucky because U.S. is always there to defend it and nothing will happen.

By the way, the attack has happened in international waters right?

Yes, and thus at the absolutely fundamental level, the actions are international piracy. Of course, the matter is far more grave than that, and calls for greater repercussion and sanctions. And yet still, I can see them getting off with little more than a slap on the wrist from the U.N.

 

[Omnis]

They're doing this again? They rammed the green party's last presidential candidate when she was aboard a ship on a humanitarian mission there.

This is nothing new.

 

[NLxAROSA]

Apparently, as with most stories, there are two sides to this story.

Here is a video showing an 'unarmed civilian' stabbing an IDF soldier that just came down. Here's another video that shows several 'unarmed civilians' lining up with crowbars and pipes to assault the incoming soldiers (there's a better quality vid of this on youtube that I couldn't find). And here are two more videos showing the 'peaceful' crew assaulting the incoming soldiers and throwing molotov cocktails and stun grenades, no less.

Humanitarian and peaceful, my ass. These guys came prepared for a fight! The only reason to do so is to provoke a response from the IDF. The Israelis are not the only bad guys here IMO.

 

[LizMcQueen]

The Israeli propaganda is already flying in full force here in the US, or the media is outright ignoring it.

and around the world too.

Apparently, as with most stories, there are two sides to this story.
...
Humanitarian and peaceful, my ass. These guys came prepared for a fight! The only reason to do so is to provoke a response from the IDF. The Israelis are not the only bad guys here IMO.

Are you justifying the attack?
I see israeli soldiers raiding a ship in international waters, are pro-palestinian activists fighting with the soldiers? of course, but the strength of the soldiers was not necessary.

I'm sure if iranian soldiers attack a ship like israeli soldiers killing 19 civilians (I'm not sure about the death toll) the world would react differently.

 

[a6m5]

Apparently, as with most stories, there are two sides to this story.

Here is a video showing an 'unarmed civilian' stabbing an IDF soldier that just came down. Here's another video that shows several 'unarmed civilians' lining up with crowbars and pipes to assault the incoming soldiers (there's a better quality vid of this on youtube that I couldn't find). And here are two more videos showing the 'peaceful' crew assaulting the incoming soldiers and throwing molotov cocktails and stun grenades, no less.

Humanitarian and peaceful, my ass. These guys came prepared for a fight! The only reason to do so is to provoke a response from the IDF. The Israelis are not the only bad guys here IMO.

It is true that it's very hard for them to tell who is innocent, who is trying to take a few Israelis with them. IDF does not take any chances, understand clearly that they have absolutely no regard for collateral damages. They will claim that they do, their actions through history show otherwise.

I do feel for the Israelis, as they live in one of the worst neighborhoods on Earth. However, last decade or so, my understanding of the Israelis has been that they are almost as bad as the other warlords that ruled the area around them. Almost.

As for the convoy, they asked for it. They attempted an action the Israelis considers illegal. There was a good chance the ship(s) was going to get boarded. It's a news, but it's not that big of one. I also do see it as a provocation.

I am interested in the legality of this Israeli blockade. I think it should pretty much come down to that. If the blockade was legit, then the IDF probably was completely in the right.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

First of all, I think you guys should know I'm an Anti-Zionist. I think that Benyamin Netanyahu should stop being such a jackass and actually have some sympathy towards the Palestinians. But I am not solely blaming it on Israel. I think that the major powers should take serious action and stop being nice to Israel. They're doing a great job placing sanctions on Iran, how about giving consequences to Israel?

 

[BlacqueJacques]

Here's another video that shows several 'unarmed civilians' lining up with crowbars and pipes to assault the incoming soldiers (there's a better quality vid of this on youtube that I couldn't find). And here are two more videos showing the 'peaceful' crew assaulting the incoming soldiers and throwing molotov cocktails and stun grenades, no less.

Humanitarian and peaceful, my ass. These guys came prepared for a fight! The only reason to do so is to provoke a response from the IDF. The Israelis are not the only bad guys here IMO.

Just defending themselves with whatever at hand from pirates; in this case Israeli pirates! The incident happened in international waters remember!

Would seem less violent to use ships to 'block' the passage of the activists' ships; rather than commandos dropped from helicopters in international waters!

 

[LizMcQueen]

As for the convoy, they asked for it. They attempted an action the Israelis considers illegal. There was a good chance the ship(s) was going to get boarded. It's a news, but it's not that big of one. I also do see it as a provocation.

a provocation? in international waters exists the freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight, soldiers were outside their jurisdiction (and they were prepared for an attack with boats, helicopters, planes...), but, although this attack had occurred on the coast it would still be unjustifiable.
What was israeli army thinking? they confused boats with imperial destroyers and death stars full of palestinian terrorists?

 

[NLxAROSA]

Are you justifying the attack?

Where did you get that idea? I'm merely saying there are two sides to this story. There's something fishy about this story, and it's not just the Israelis. Things just don't add up at this time.

Judging from the videos, the organisations that planned the trip (one of which is known to have ties with Hamas for quite some time) and the way it played out, I am getting the eerie feeling that a game was being played by radicals over the backs of real peace activists and the Palestinians (and even the Israelis too this time).

 

[BlacqueJacques]

I am getting the eerie feeling that a game was being played by radicals over the backs of real peace activists and the Palestinians (and even the Israelis too this time).

Games!

That is one of the world's problems; that powerful states, corporations, individuals; terrorists play 'games' that result in death, destruction and suffering!

I guess that is what happens when they all think they are the chosen people!

If there is a god, he/she is too great for only just one religion!

Whenever, for example, some U.S. politician says: "god bless America", I always say: "What about the rest of us"!

 

[LizMcQueen]

Judging from the videos, the organisations that planned the trip (one of which is known to have ties with Hamas for quite some time) and the way it played out, I am getting the eerie feeling that a game was being played by radicals over the backs of real peace activists and the Palestinians (and even the Israelis too this time).

I don't know, but on the boats were Mairead Corrigan Maguire (nobel peace prize) Henning Mankell (swedish writer), Betty Williams (northern irish activist) and several european parliamentarians from Germany, Norway, Sweden, Bulgaria and Ireland.

Videos have been released by israeli army, "weapons" on the boats are: slingshot, bag of marbles, beach umbrella, chairs...
Many countries have condemned this attack, United States no.

 

[a6m5]

a provocation? in international waters exists the freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight, soldiers were outside their jurisdiction (and they were prepared for an attack with boats, helicopters, planes...), but, although this attack had occurred on the coast it would still be unjustifiable.
What was israeli army thinking? they confused boats with imperial destroyers and death stars full of palestinian terrorists?

Absolutely, it's the intent. They knew exactly what they were doing, and what actions IDF might take.

International water means very little when you are about to commit something illegal. Again, I'm not defending IDF's action, nor am I in anyway familiar with the legitimacy of this Israeli blockade.

Whenever, for example, some U.S. politician says: "god bless America", I always say: "What about the rest of us"!

U.S. is hardly the sole guilty party of such attitude. How about most of the world?

 

[BlacqueJacques]

There was a Canadian on board as well.

Imagine what would have happened if U.S. navy acted the same way with the Russians during the Cuban Missle blockade!

One day the Israeli's may indeed push the world 'over the brink'

C'mon people now,
Smile on your brother
Ev'rybody get together
Try and love one another right now
Right now
Right now!
(The Youngbloods)

Edit:

U.S. is hardly the sole guilty party of such attitude. How about most of the world?

As I said, for example; and with media coverage, the U.S. examples are just broadcasted more; our ninkompoop Prime Minister here in Canada has said similar.

 

[a6m5]

Imagine what would have happened if U.S. navy acted the same way with the Russians during the Cuban Missle blockade!.

Maybe they should have gotten a Russian destroyer to lead the convoy. Welcome to the real world.

 

[BlacqueJacques]

I simply meant it is easier to block ships by surrounding them with other ships and slowing down gradually, than boarding them with guns bristling!

 

[RacecarBMW]

Apparently, as with most stories, there are two sides to this story.

Here is a video showing an 'unarmed civilian' stabbing an IDF soldier that just came down. Here's another video that shows several 'unarmed civilians' lining up with crowbars and pipes to assault the incoming soldiers (there's a better quality vid of this on youtube that I couldn't find). And here are two more videos showing the 'peaceful' crew assaulting the incoming soldiers and throwing molotov cocktails and stun grenades, no less.

Humanitarian and peaceful, my ass. These guys came prepared for a fight! The only reason to do so is to provoke a response from the IDF. The Israelis are not the only bad guys here IMO.

Sure they got stabbed and all that but if I was on a ship for a good cause to help innocent people i would have acted the same way to defend myself.

Why would the Israelis attack this ship if they didn't get on board then none of this would have happened. They even cut off communications from the ship before they attacked.

Also does anyone remember the 3 week gaza war 3 Israeli civilians died but 1,417 Palestinians died these are civilians. The Israelis attacked schools where families and children were hiding. They got coordinates on places not to hit because that is where families are hiding for protection and then using that info they bomb those places.

The 2006 lebanon war was the same thing 44 Israeli civilians died while 1,191 lebanese civilians died.

Who are the real terrorists? ALL Terrorists are bad there intentions are wrong even if it is pay back

Imagine how the world would be if Iran did this Imagine how America would comment on it

 

[DK]

I simply meant it is easier to block ships by surrounding them with other ships and slowing down gradually, than boarding them with guns bristling!

I don't think rolling roadblocks work with things that weigh thousands of tons. I'm not really sure how much a ship of that size would weigh, I'm not a ship aficionado.

 

[Public'sTwin]

I think the best part of all this, was that Benjamin Netanyahu was in Toronto on Monday while the raids were taking place, preaching the values of "peace" and operating for the cause of "life", as well as Israel's "right to exist" (nevermind Palestine's).

Article about his visit, before reports got it tangled with raid news

I'm a little disappointed I missed the speach, I was about a 10 minute walk away at the time.

Article getting the protest reasons wrong

Sure they got stabbed and all that but if I was on a ship for a good cause to help innocent people i would have acted the same way to defend myself.

Why would the Israelis attack this ship? if they didn't get on board then none of this would have happened. They even cut off communications from the ship before they attacked.

Current reports are saying that the particular ship in question was one of 6 raided to ensure they weren't smuggling weapons. It was not an "attack". This ship was the only one which was non-compliant in the boarding of the soldiers; aside from the violations stemming from those boardings, Israel hadn't yet (apparently) committed anything criminal.

Besides all that, there's no media report that can truly be trusted when reporting on the innocence of Palestinians, since so many of their seemingly noble establishments are tainted with radical Hamas militants; an otherwise peaceful protest can quickly deteriorate because of their tendency to promote violence.

Also does anyone remember the 3 week gaza war 3 Israeli civilians died but 1,417 Palestinians died these are civilians. The Israelis attacked schools where families and children were hiding. They got coordinates on places not to hit because that is where families are hiding for protection and then using that info they bomb those places.

The 2006 lebanon war was the same thing 44 Israeli civilians died while 1,191 lebanese civilians died.

Who are the real terrorists? ALL Terrorists are bad their intentions are wrong even if it is pay back

Imagine how the world would be if Iran did this Imagine how America would comment on it

Many are going to say America hasn't been "commenting" on this because many news stations are owned by Jews. This is fairly well-known, I would argue less symptomatic of America itself and more symptomatic of that culture's near monopoly on American media.

 

[a6m5]

I simply meant it is easier to block ships by surrounding them with other ships and slowing down gradually, than boarding them with guns bristling!

Greenpeace way. Yeah, that actually might have been more peaceful.

Why would the Israelis attack this ship if they didn't get on board then none of this would have happened.

I understand the frustration, but as it was pointed out by Public's Twin, this was not an attack. If they torpedoed the ships, that would qualify as an attack.

I'm not knowledgeable about the politics with this incident, but unless the organizers of this convoy were complete *insert whatever the dumbest name you can think of*, they knew exactly what they were doing.

Don't get me wrong, I am not a fan of Israel. But if I tried to row my boat to North Korea, I probably had something unpleasant coming to me as well.

 

[Public'sTwin]

Greenpeace way. Yeah, that actually might have been more peaceful.

I understand the frustration, but as it was pointed out by Public's Twin, this was not an attack. If they torpedoed the ships, that would qualify as an attack.

I'm not knowledgeable about the politics with this incident, but unless the organizers of this convoy were complete *insert whatever the dumbest name you can think of*, they knew exactly what they were doing.

Don't get me wrong, I am not a fan of Israel. But if I tried to row my boat to North Korea, I probably had something unpleasant coming to me as well.

Don't forget that Hamas and all Palestinians are well aware of Israel's policy of overreaction and zero aggression tolerance. (And ambiguity!)

 

[tankuroded]

Not to oppose Israel, but it's very damn to see that.

Personally, why Israel with very evil 🤬 up those aid ship?

 

[NISM0_SKYLINE]

I think there's more to the story that hasn't come out yet.

I am a huge supporter of Israel since they're one of your biggest allies in the Middle East and they know what they're doing. The one reason I support them is the fact that it's a blockade and the aid ships kept going, knowing fully what is going on. I'm guessing that it was the goal to get boarded so that the news would get a hold of it and the whole word would freak out and go anti-Israel. Which I still don't understand why most the world is, I mean it seems like they're always in a war with someone, which they usually win, but they always get negative views thrown against them.

I seem to be that only person who fully backs them, but I just have a feeling that there's a lot more going on then what the new and public knows. If I'm wrong and there are no hidden stories then I'm wrong, but it should be intersting.

 

[niky]

Absolutely, it's the intent. They knew exactly what they were doing, and what actions IDF might take.

However harsh those actions would be.

International water means very little when you are about to commit something illegal. Again, I'm not defending IDF's action, nor am I in anyway familiar with the legitimacy of this Israeli blockade.

Which is the whole crux of the matter. The convoy set out with the stated intent of violating Israeli territorial waters. Thus, while the boarding may seem a bit excessive, it was an expected response to an intentional provocation.

Typical radicalist propaganda strategy. The moment the chance of a fracas comes up, start one! If only to put "the man" in a bad light.

This is not to say that the Israeli action was in any way legal, but neither is the issue one-sided. Israeli's military policy towards its enemies and perceived enemies has always been harsh, but that has to be considered in the light of the fact that they are surrounded on all sides by adversaries, and a show of strength is one of the ways in which they assure that those adversaries don't get any ideas about expanding their borders...

 

[a6m5]

Exactly. I'm not a fan of any extreme militant-type nation, and I might even be eye-to-eye with these activists. But it's not fair to Israel to make them look like they went in waging fight against innocent humanitarian aid workers.