Comment at end
31st May 2010
UPDATE 3: See the video here for interview with Israeli soldier.
UPDATE 2: As Netanyahu returns to Israel before seeing Obama, this video is released, filmed from above the ship, the Mavi Marmara. If this was the first soldier to land on the ship, we can clearly see within the first 20 seconds of filming that he was attacked by the peaceful Gaza boaters, NOT the other way round. (You’ll need to verify that you are not underage to view this at YouTube.)
UPDATE: Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is the Quartet Representative in the Middle East, called for a full investigation of the Israeli raid, and said: “I express deep regret and shock at the tragic loss of life. There obviously has to be a full investigation into what has happened. Once again I repeat my view that we need a different and better way of helping the people of Gaza and avoiding the hardship and tragedy that is inherent in the present situation.”
Demonstrators Use Violence Against Israeli Navy Soldiers Attempting to Board Ship
It’s clear how this whole episode will be reported in the British press, particularly on the left, and in many parts of the world. Since the anti-Israel Guardian will leap on it as “evidence”, you need to read their accounts before you are ready for the whole truth. Know your enemy. It isn’t always the so-called “peace-makers.”
Twitter – Harriet Sherwood, Jerusalem correspondent of The Guardian.
From Open Thread: IDF Attacked by “Peace Activists” Upon Boarding
While the facts of what actually happened on board the Flotilla are still emerging here’s a Youtube video of the IDF warning the Flotilla:
IsraelMFA — 30 May 2010 — Transcript:
Israel Navy: “Mavi Marmara, 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 supplies in accordance with the authorities’ regulations will be through the formal land crossings and under your observation, after which you can return to your home ports on the vessels on which you have arrived.”
Response: “Negative, negative.”
’19 Killed As Israel Storms Aid Convoy’
Update 1
As reports emerge that the “activists” violently resisted the Israeli soldiers precipitating the violence, this background pdf file on IHH, which is among the most prominent organizations behind the Flotilla, is of interest.
Update 2
The IDF Spokesperson is reporting that:
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.
…
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.
Read the whole thing here.
Update 3
Richard Landes responds to Shmuel Rosner’s comments over at the Jerusalem Post.
This is the framework in which to understand what’s happening: unscrupulous provocateurs circulate “lethal narratives” like Jenin and the media gobble it up and present it as news. The journalists who jump on these lethal narratives – the Israelis landed firing at us peaceful protesters – should be held accountable for their incompetence when the story comes out. Apparently, even Turkish CNN has admitted the soldiers were swarmed on landing.
Update 5
The Guardian has just opened a live thread. And the denunciations of the “Zionists” are coming in thick and thin.
Here’s a sample comment from the thread:
\Update 6
This is in from the IDF Spokesman’s office:
According to reports from sea, on board the flotilla that was attempting to break the maritime closure on the Gaza Strip, IDF forces apprehended two violent activists holding pistols. The violent activists took these pistols from IDF forces and apparently opened fire on the soldiers as evident by the empty pistol magazines.
Update 7
The predictable antisemitism on the Guardian live thread is flowing:
Update 8
Lets not forget what we’re dealing with. What kind of peace activists engage in antisemitic Islamist chants: (Watch here)
Update 9
More comments from the Guardian’s live thread.
Update 10
Check out this Youtube video. The “peace activists” can be clearly seen attacking the soldiers violently (Watch here)
RELATED
IHH – the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Fund
From backgrounder on IHH – IHH, which plays a central role in organizing the flotilla to the Gaza Strip, is a Turkish humanitarian relief fund with a radical Islamic anti-Western orientation. Besides its legitimate philanthropic activities, it supports radical Islamic networks, including Hamas, and at least in the past, even global jihad elements.
- http://cifwatch.com/2010/05/30/the-free-gaza-flotilla-sailing-away-from-human-rights/
- http://idfspokesperson.com/2010/05/31/idf-forces-met-with-pre-planned-violence-when-attempting-to-board-flotilla-31-may-2010/
- http://www.theaugeanstables.com/2010/05/31/first-thoughts-on-rosners-first-comments/
- http://idfspokesperson.com/2010/05/31/pistols-found-on-flotilla-activists-31-may-2010/
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2010/may/31/israel-troops-gaza-ships
IDF: Soldiers were met by well-planned lynch, by YAAKOV KATZ The Jerusalem Post 05/31/2010 09:18
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=176970
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/05/31/israel-blames-activists-fatal-ship-raid/
Clearly these boat people expected confrontation. Why then oh why, did they take children including a baby along for the trip?
- Ma’an News Agency ticker shows Israeli ambassadors being recalled
- “The right thing to do: kill them”
- BBC – Reaction to Gaza ship deaths
- Ahmadinejad – “support for Palestine is Muslims’ and all humanity’s chief responsibility”
- Summary of events
ETCETERA
Israelis debate how to deal with a nuclear Iran
http://www.24-7israel.com/2010/05/obama-israel-must-be-disarmed-before-middle-east-peace/
Report from the IDF Youtube channel as at YouTube video on Violence at Update2, near top page.
idfnadesk — 31 May 2010 — 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.
