New boats headed to Gaza to challenge blockade

[Marxist]

Israel Says Forces Have Not Taken Over Aid Boat

The Israeli military says it has not taken over a Gaza-bound aid ship.

A military spokeswoman said, "At this minute, there's no takeover."

The ship is trying to breach Israel's three-year-old blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Nine people were killed in the military's takeover of another aid ship earlier this week.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

JERUSALEM (AP) — A Gaza-bound aid ship was just a few dozen miles (kilometers) from the blockaded Palestinian territory early Saturday, and was being tailed by three Israeli naval boats, a pro-Palestinian activist told The Associated Press.

The activists' latest attempt to crack the blockade will test Israel's resolve as it faces a wave of international outrage over its deadly takeover of another aid ship earlier this week.

The Israeli military had no comment on its plans.

Diplomatic fallout and protests across Europe and the Muslim world have increased pressure to end the embargo Israel imposed after the Islamic militant Hamas group seized power in Gaza three years ago. The blockade has plunged the territory's 1.5 million residents deeper into poverty and sharply raised Mideast tensions as the U.S. makes a new push for regional peace.

Shortly after 5 a.m. Israel time, Greta Berlin of the Free Gaza movement that sent the 1,200-ton Rachel Corrie said the vessel was 35 miles (56 kilometers) from Gaza's shores.

"There were two warships in the back of them ... and a smaller boat was approaching," Berlin said from the movement's headquarters in Cyprus, citing a passenger on board.

Israeli troops still hadn't boarded the Rachel Corrie nearly two hours later, and Free Gaza's lawyer, Audrey Bomse, said the Israeli vessels had not yet made contact with the activists' ship.

Activists on board the Irish boat, including a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, have insisted they would not resist if Israeli soldiers tried to take over their vessel. They rejected Israeli and U.S. appeals to bring the ship to an Israeli port instead.

Israel Says Forces Have Not Taken Over Aid Boat - ABC News

 

[Marxist]

BREAKING: Ethan Bronner of NY Times confirms Israel started hostilities on flotilla!

 

[Marxist]

'Rachel Corrie' boarded, no one hurt.

At about 5:50 am on Saturday, the first reports came in over Twitter that the 'Rachel Corrie' had been boarded close to Gaza. Earlier the activists reported that their radar had been jammed, however their Twitter accounts continued to operate.

The activists reported that three boats were following them for about twenty minutes and then that they had been boarded.

The passengers are said to be under arrest.

A couple of hours before the ship was seized, a Malaysian NGO which was co-sponsoring the ship, "Perdana Global Peace Organization" stated on its website that the ship's passengers had agreed to let an international force search the ship, before it proceeded to Gaza. The statement said that, while the activists rejected Israel's right to blockade Gaza, the activists "request and invite for an independent international body, preferably inspectors from the the United Nations to board the ship and do the necessary to certify as to the nature of the cargo on board."

The Malaysian NGO described the ship as a joint Irish-Malaysian effort. The organization's website describes its mission as to "oppose war and champion peace and global understanding."

Before the ship made its offer, Irish Foreign Minister, Dr. Michael Martin reached an agreement with Israel, whereby the Rachel Corrie would proceed to Ashdod where its contents would be checked, unloaded and then shipped to Gaza under observation of representatives of the activists, the UN and the Irish government. The activists rejected this offer, insisting on breaking the Israeli blockade. They did however give assurances that they would not resist the IDF, should it decide to board the ship. The White House later expressed support for the agreement and called on the ship to dock at Ashdod.

'Rachel Corrie' boarded, no one hurt.

 

[Marxist]

7th Flotilla Ship ignores calls from Israel Navy to Dock at Ashdod Port, 5 June 2010

The Israel Navy conveyed the following message to the 7th flotilla ship a few moments ago via radio transmission:

“This is the Israeli Navy. You are approaching an area of hostilities which is under a naval blockade. The Gaza area, coastal region and Gaza Harbor are closed to all maritime traffic. The Israeli government supports delivery of humanitarian supplies to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and invites you to enter the Ashdod port. Delivery of the supplies in accordance with the authorities’ regulations will be done via the formal land crossings and under your observation, after which you can return to your home ports aboard the vessels on which you arrived.”

The ship organizers chose to ignore the invitation to dock at the Ashdod port where the cargo could be unloaded and transferred to the Gaza Strip upon inspection.

7th Flotilla Ship ignores calls from Israel Navy to Dock at Ashdod Port, 5 June 2010 Israel Defense Force Spokesperson

 

[AKINCI]

Tel Aviv, June 3 (ANI): The Israel Navy will likely choose the same unit - Flotilla (Shayetet) 13 - to lead a commandeering operation of the ships expected to try to break the sea blockade of Gaza later this week, the Jerusalem Post quoted defense officials, as saying on Wednesday.


"No other unit has the capabilities that the shayetet has in boarding and commandeering ships in the middle of the ocean.

They are the best unit for the operation," one defense official said.




Best unit of Israel Shayetet - 13
http://imggaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/Li...Fotoğraflar\ScreenHunter_66 Jun. 05 23.27.jpg
http://imggaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/Li...Fotoğraflar\ScreenHunter_61 Jun. 05 23.26.jpg
http://imggaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/Li...Fotoğraflar\ScreenHunter_60 Jun. 05 23.25.jpg
http://imggaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/Li...Fotoğraflar\ScreenHunter_65 Jun. 05 23.26.jpg
http://bradyonthebrain.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/crying-boy.jpg
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/7982/liveim1b.jpg

 

[Awesome]

Gaza blockade: Israel deports activists from the Rachel Corrie aid ship - CSMonitor.com

The Rachel Corrie, is name after the famous American woman, who stood in front of a bulldozer in hopes that Palestinian houses won't be demolished by Israelis. They ran the bulldozer over her.

 

[M8R]

Have you been living under some rock Asim..this is old news...24 hours old news.

 

[Awesome]

Tens of thousands protest as Israel Hijacks another ship

 

[pak-yes]

how beautifully the Israelis have suppressed info.Limit Info Limit Damage.

 

[Awesome]

Have you been living under some rock Asim..this is old news...24 hours old news.

It just slid by, needed a thread for it!

 

[Awesome]

The Press Association: Demo over Gaza blockade in Dublin

 

[Awesome]

7th Flotilla Ship ignores calls from Israel Navy to Dock at Ashdod Port, 5 June 2010

The Israel Navy conveyed the following message to the 7th flotilla ship a few moments ago via radio transmission:

“This is the Israeli Navy. You are approaching an area of hostilities which is under a naval blockade. The Gaza area, coastal region and Gaza Harbor are closed to all maritime traffic. The Israeli government supports delivery of humanitarian supplies to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and invites you to enter the Ashdod port. Delivery of the supplies in accordance with the authorities’ regulations will be done via the formal land crossings and under your observation, after which you can return to your home ports aboard the vessels on which you arrived.”

The ship organizers chose to ignore the invitation to dock at the Ashdod port where the cargo could be unloaded and transferred to the Gaza Strip upon inspection.

7th Flotilla Ship ignores calls from Israel Navy to Dock at Ashdod Port, 5 June 2010 Israel Defense Force Spokesperson

A blockade is an act of war

Israel has committed acts of war on Turkey, United States and Ireland. They have no right to blockade another country. The humanitarian aid should land in Gaza otherwise it will never reach Gaza.

 

[iron_man]

I am surprised that no one from muslim countries demanding to open land border with Egypt?

 

[gubbi]

I am surprised that no one from muslim countries demanding to open land border with Egypt?

Excellent point. Its all about semantics here, whatever suits their version of facts.

A blockade is an act of war

Israel has committed acts of war on Turkey, United States and Ireland. They have no right to blockade another country. The humanitarian aid should land in Gaza otherwise it will never reach Gaza.

According to accords and peace treaties, between the Palestinians and Israel, the waters of Gaza are to be controlled by Israel. Even the PA recognizes this fact. All the countries which recognize Israel recognize that, pending a permanent solution to the dispute, the waters of Gaza are to be controlled by Israel. So what is illegal here? As for aid reaching the Gazans, the Hamas had rejected the offer. Israel had assured the "peace" activists that aid would reach Gaza if they docked in an Israeli port. The "peace" activists refused.

Hamas is a terrorist entity. Though they did win the election in Gaza, they lost all credibility when they massacred their fellow Palestinians belonging to Abbas's party in Gaza in an armed takeover of absolute power. They had a chance to go legit, they screwed up. So Gaza does not belong to Hamas and it is not a free country yet.

As for acts of war, these aid groups were repeatedly warned NOT to indulge in that voyage, a warning blatantly ignored. Consequences followed. Though, I do agree that the Israeli action in International waters is illegal and condemn the UN's weak censure of Israeli actions. IMHO, the Israelis should have waited till the boats were in Israeli controlled waters before they took any action. They would be well within their rights!

 

[Awesome]

Excellent point. Its all about semantics here, whatever suits their version of facts.



According to accords and peace treaties, between the Palestinians and Israel, the waters of Gaza are to be controlled by Israel. Even the PA recognizes this fact. All the countries which recognize Israel recognize that, pending a permanent solution to the dispute, the waters of Gaza are to be controlled by Israel. So what is illegal here? As for aid reaching the Gazans, the Hamas had rejected the offer. Israel had assured the "peace" activists that aid would reach Gaza if they docked in an Israeli port. The "peace" activists refused.

Hamas is a terrorist entity. Though they did win the election in Gaza, they lost all credibility when they massacred their fellow Palestinians belonging to Abbas's party in Gaza in an armed takeover of absolute power. They had a chance to go legit, they screwed up. So Gaza does not belong to Hamas and it is not a free country yet.

As for acts of war, these aid groups were repeatedly warned NOT to indulge in that voyage, a warning blatantly ignored. Consequences followed. Though, I do agree that the Israeli action in International waters is illegal and condemn the UN's weak censure of Israeli actions. IMHO, the Israelis should have waited till the boats were in Israeli controlled waters before they took any action. They would be well within their rights!

Nobody in their right minds would accept the genocide of the Palestinians except for Israelis and Indians.

Gaza does not belong to Hamas but is ruled by Hamas, as they won the right to do so through a democratic vote.

No treaty that is recognized by law grants the right to blockade Gaza.

Israeli can control its own waters, a blockade in or out is an act of war.