From the Free Gaza Movement:
[23 miles off the coast of Gaza, 15:30pm] – Today Israeli Occupation Forces attacked and boarded the Free Gaza Movement boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY (pictured right before leaving port), abducting 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Noble laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The passengers and crew are being forcibly dragged toward Israel.
"This is an outrageous violation of international law against us. Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip," said Cynthia McKinney, a former U.S. Congresswoman and presidential candidate. "President Obama just told Israel to let in humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that's exactly what we tried to do. We're asking the international community to demand our release so we can resume our journey."
According to an International Committee of the Red Cross report released yesterday, the Palestinians living in Gaza are "trapped in despair." Thousands of Gazans whose homes were destroyed earlier during Israel's December/January massacre are still without shelter despite pledges of almost $4.5 billion in aid, because Israel refuses to allow cement and other building material into the Gaza Strip. The report also notes that hospitals are struggling to meet the needs of their patients due to Israel's disruption of medical supplies.
"The aid we were carrying is a symbol of hope for the people of Gaza, hope that the sea route would open for them, and they would be able to transport their own materials to begin to reconstruct the schools, hospitals and thousands of homes destroyed during the onslaught of "Cast Lead". Our mission is a gesture to the people of Gaza that we stand by them and that they are not alone" said fellow passenger Mairead Maguire, winner of a Noble Peace Prize for her work in Northern Ireland.
Just before being kidnapped by Israel, Huwaida Arraf, Free Gaza Movement chairperson and delegation co-coordinator on this voyage, stated that: "No one could possibly believe that our small boat constitutes any sort of threat to Israel. We carry medical and reconstruction supplies, and children's toys. Our passengers include a Nobel peace prize laureate and a former U.S. congressperson. Our boat was searched and received a security clearance by Cypriot Port Authorities before we departed, and at no time did we ever approach Israeli waters."
Arraf continued, "Israel's deliberate and premeditated attack on our unarmed boat is a clear violation of international law and we demand our immediate and unconditional release."
The medicine, building supplies, and toys are just for show. The real mission is to set a precedent that will clear a path for an unlimited amount of arms and weapons to be shipped into Gaza to murder Jews with. The anti-Semites like Ms Thang McKinney are being used as dupes by racists bent on preserving the politics of victimization.
Its a clever tactic. What is the actual goal? If the result of opening the borders, and even the port, are that shelling resumes on Sderot, what should Israel's response be?
With all due respect, you sir are a genetic degenerate! Sorry for the language Phil, can't take him anymore. I'mean, for the trauma caused the PALESTINIAN PEOPLE, they've earned the right to shell every Israeli man, woman and child till they cry uncle. Hey Ricky, how bouts I do to your women folk what you're side did to Rasmeyha Odeh??Huh, self righteous@$#@#
If collective punishment is not enough, if widespread malnutrition and starvation are not enough, one must go further. Israel's response should obviously be the final solution. Obviously they did not take a hint when we drove them out of Najd the first time. If they aren't going to take the hint more severe measures are required. </sarcasm>
If what had is happening to the Free Gaza ship had been carried out by Somali teenagers, we know what the U.S. response would be. But since it's being carried out by the most powerful military in the region, the U.S. will let it slide. We're settler colonialists with the most powerful army in the world, after all.
They're putting this too mildly. Seizing a foreign civilian vessel in international water is an act of war. The "Spirit" is Greek registered. Greece is a NATO country. The course of action now should be obvious. Operationally, I'd suggest beginning with a surprise strike by cruise missiles and stealth aircraft taking out the Israeli missile/WMD capability and the majority of their air force. Considering their capability, a limited tactical nuclear strike might also be in order. Also, a naval task force in the mediterranean should hunt down and destroy Israel's three SSKs and the remainder of their rather tiny navy. After that, land operations can begin, supported by naval/air power based off US CVBGs. Egypt, a US ally, would be an appropriate base for this. This response would be totally proportionate and reasonable. After all, there is such thing as a right to self-defense. Sound about right?
Isn't seizing a ship on the high seas piracy? The US is following a No. Korean ship that probably has contraband on it, and hesitates to seize it. The Israelis seize humanitarian supplies.
[Mazin Qumsiyeh] Action Needed Now
No, it's piracy when done by private individuals. When done by the armed forces of a state it is, as I wrote, an act of war.
Actually, the *army* doesn't play a role in this (and van Creveld fantasies nonwithstanding, it's not the 2nd or 3rd strongest in the world either.) Israel's *navy* is a tiny grey-water affair, decidedly inferior to a number of other mediterranean navies. Indeed, the Hellenic Navy alone outmatches the Israeli Sea Corps by a large margin.
I haven't seen any report of shelling these last couple of months.
This from the guy who only wants positive solutions. Here comes a boat bringing in toys, rebuilding supplies, and medicines. They had it carefully checked out in Cyprus so as to avoid any possible accusations of weapons smuggling, etc. The Israeli navy goes outside of its territorial waters, boards the ship, and then drags it back into Israeli water to arrest all on board. And Richard Witty only sees rockets.
Witty calls efforts to supply a brutalized, starving population with basic items of sustenance denied to them by the sewage of Israel "a clever tactic."
ADC Condemns Israel's Seizure of Humanitarian Aid Ship on Route to Gaza And they are requesting that people contact their representatives demanding an end to the siege and the release of the human rights activists being held by Israel. http://capwiz.com/adc/issues/alert/?alertid=13656...
So does this mean that you support not reopening the borders and ending the siege on Gaza based on the prediction that shelling on Sderot will resume Richard?
Easy way to contact officials re: Free Gaza ships: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/641/t/2439/c...
How about the lunch counter sit-ins? The Montgomery bus boycott? Would you have derided these, as you did the Free Gaza movement, as a "clever tactic," and then wondered out loud what the response of local law enforcement should be if the response was more "rioting" (what all of the Southern politicians referred to demonstrations and marches as, btw)?
The ship should be renamed the SS St. Louis.
Except when the vessel is a private cargo vessel, not "nationalized" and crewed by merchant marine of the nation of registry. So what we have here is actually the seizure of a potential pirate vessel inbound to a belligerent non-state with potential contraband weapons of war. It is good that those like you whose attempted use of the law against Jews have a powerlessness that matches your ignorance.
I called it a clever tactic. Normalizing the Gazan borders is a wonderful goal. Is it intended on the Palestinian side? Do they want "normal" borders, in which they are obliged to NOT shell civilians for example? NOONE is confident of Hamas' intent. Its a great tragedy that the people of Gaza are caught up in the Hamas militancy confusion.
Except that the Greek Navy had joint exercises with Israel a while ago to prepare for the future Iranian missile threat. Someone in Piraeus has a map and compass, and knows who his friends are. I am sorry that your fevered brain is awash in fantasies of Jewish blood. Kozo Okamoto has nothing on you.
The mental self-conditioning necessary to become an orthodox ultrazionist apparently also removes the ability to detect satire, sarcasm and irony.
Yeah, right. "Pirate" just means "Diffuse baddy sailing the seas" instead of referring to a specific activity. Also, "private" vessels are fair game for anybody to seize at will. All those countries with painstaking international agreements on such matters are thus just idiots. Also, the Somali "Coast Guard" will be very happy to hear they can now prey on yachts and other "private" vessels with impunity. Very interesting "interpretations" of international law – a good right-wing tradition.
Dear Eurosabra, What on Earth makes you believe that the ship carries anything other than purely humanitarian supplies? It's crew? If not, what then? Are you willing to sacrifice the well-being of an entire population for the infinite security of your own? If so you are complicit in murder too… Come off that high horse for a minute…
This news needs to go viral very quickly. It's an outrage, another one of Israel's Sharpeville moments. <b.All aboard your links!</b>
Ooops… All aboard your links!
Really, "stop and search" is standard practice, as is impounding. Try bringing a hunting rifle on your Mexican vacation. The agreements are precisely because vessels inbound to belligerents' ports or troubled regions are up for grabs, at least for search and very often for seizure and removal to a neutral port or one of the seizing nation. You lose a lot of "private" rights when heading for a war zone, having lied about your destination to the port authorities at your departure.
They told the port authorities in Cyprus they were bound for Port Said. They can make port in Port Said. And the lie about the destination makes me believe it's transporting contraband. As for the well-being of the population, they sacrificed that with the first rocket.
The response to the rockets from Gaza was as precise as modern technology allows. It was the expansion of rocket strikes to Grad-type rockets on Ashkelon, Ashdod and Be'ersheva that made a response necessary–Israel could probably have tolerated the Kassams indefinitely. Escalation dominance is a bitch if you can't pull it off, innit?
Basically, the rights of any warship to do anything with a foreign civilian vessel in international waters are *zero*. Zip. Nada. There is of course no such hokey as "heading for a war zone", which in any case would require an internationally sanctioned blockade such as in Lebanon, which is, of course, not in place here. Uniliterally assuming the right to seize vessels in international waters at will amounts to privateering, and is a hostile act. It would have been a different story if they had seized the vessel in Israeli waters. (By the way: Active EW measures were directed at the ship earlier. Those can definitely be interpreted as an attack. Casus Belli #2.)
As for the well-being of the population, they sacrificed that with the assassination of Ernst vom Rath.
So somehow the rockets of Hamas mean that Israel's justified in carrying out a siege of the whole of Gaza? I would call that collective punishment and we all know what International Law says about that.
Shame on you.
The ultra right wing mind is generally quite literal, it is not just an affliction of the ultrazionist. I think the genetic predisposition that leads to conservatism is linked to the inability to process irony.
Witty, you are transparent. You know the goal is to bring some much needed publicity to our I-P policy, so long muzzled by our own MSM. Who are you seeking to convince here? Your second question ignores the first, which is Americans should know the whole story; only then can they act as an effective influencer for all parties concerned.
apparently also removes the ability to detect satire, sarcasm and irony. Yes, that is a noticeable feature. It was hilarious, thanks, Koshiro.
Like with Count Bernedotte? Or Heydrich?
And similarly world Jewry caught up in the Zionist enterprise carried out by Israel? Oh, am I getting ahead of history?
There may be a trace of truth to this. Life versus law and order. The humor I like has always to do with transgression the questioning or overstepping of laws and conventions. Think of comedy. At its best it's life versus ideological constructs, the straightjackets of social conventions they often are shown as empty surfaces.
Is it intended on the Palestinian side? You ignore that Hamas' demand for a continuation of the ceasefire was the lifting of the blockade.
I'm not entirely sure you have thought through the implications of saying that causing trauma to a group gives them the right to murder innocent people. The problem with that idea is that the same applies in the other direction. The Palestinians have sent terrorists and rockets against Israel. By your theory, that gives the Israelis the right to attack Palestinian civilians indiscriminately. The rules of war are more important to the weaker side than to the stronger side. If you are getting your ass kicked in a fight in which neither side is hitting below the belt, it is not a good idea to get rid of that rule. If you hit him there, he can hit you there, and he hits harder than you do.
Well, that's obviously OK, because the Cypriots are well known for their infallibility at detecting smuggled weapons. The Israelis are blockading Gaza. Nothing goes in or out without the Israelis permission. It isn't nice, in fact it is an act of war under international law. However, in case you had forgotten, the Palestinians are at war with Israel. Capturing Gilad Shalit was an act of war too (his treatment since then is a war crime, but I digress). There is theoretically a ceasefire, but the war is ongoing until mutually acceptable peace terms are agreed upon. Until that happens, acts of war against the Palestinians by the Israelis are legitimate. Which is why the only illegitimate things in the Gaza war were the alleged war crime, not the invasion itself. To the Palestinians: If you
You would be wrong then. They aren't being punished. The blockade is not because of their past acts (punishment) but to reduce their ability to carry out future attacks.
Palestinians did not go over to Poland and Russia and take anything from anyone. Go to the original Cause and Effect. As for your assertion… "that gives the Israelis the right to attack Palestinian civilians indiscriminately. " Yeah, bud, they've been doing it for decades.
BTW, when the authorities bust you for violating the law (e.g., giving a false destination, blockade running), that is called "being arrested" not "being abducted". I'm not sure having Cynthia "cop slapper" McKinney abord bolsters your credibility, since this isn't the first time she has tried this. It's not like she didn't know what would happen.
I'm not sure your credibility goes up when you compare the murder of Israeli children by Palestinian terrorists to the killing of a mass-murdering Nazi by resistance fighters. Of course, given the whackjobs around here, you might even go up in their estimation.
They should continue doing it. It is symbolic and will at some point bring international attention to the question. But, the question of "what does normalization of the borders mean?" will get raised at that time.
Thank you for advocating the genocide of the palestinian people. Who do we report you to?
It's a pity they didn't bomb that boat: 21 idiots, ups,…human rights workers from 11 countries less.
As the vast majority of that entire population supports the hopes and dreams of genocide, yes. Their well being suffers for the sake of my security.
You sick fuck a blockade is an act of war, against a refugee camp crammed with children. The correct human response is empathy and tears; you and Witty respond with casuistry. You are both Nazis.
Indeed, Gaza declared war on the Jews.
Of course the blockade is an act of war. I believe I have made that point several times. In fact, a blockade by Egypt was an early act of war in the Suez war and started the Six-day war. The problem with complaining about it being an act of war is that acts of war are expected occurrences when there is a war going on, like the war between the Palestinians and the Israels. Gaza (the city) is not a camp. It is a large city. It has generators, running water, and most importantly permanent buildings. The only reason anyone calls it a "camp" is as a propaganda ploy. The Gaza Strip contains several cities, towns, etc. Are there any actual camps left? Other than the fact that Israel isn't letting condoms in, it isn't Israel's fault that Gaza is crammed with children. I feel sorry for the children of Gaza. I also feel sorry for the children of Dresden, Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki who died in a war that their parents generation chose to fight. War is terrible and I wish the Palestinians would agree to end it. There is a quote attributed to Golda Meir in the 50s "Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us." Here we are 50 years later and the Palestinians still hate the Jews more than they love their children.
LOL. Their demand for a cease-fire was that Israel allow them to re-arm freely? That is hysterical. Jews coined the term "chutzpah" but Hamas perfected it.
Be fair, it isn't a vast majority. Not all of those who support genocide voted for Hamas, but I think we can take Hamas's 42.9% of the vote as a baseline.
Unnecessary and overly violent. Confiscating the boat and its contents would be plenty.
An ignorant response.
I am not sure whether the people here understand how a blockade works. The purpose is to keep out military supplies. The problem is that the volume of normal commercial shipping into a decent sized port is way too high to search it all. If you allow one ship in that says they are carrying harmless supplies, then more will come. Even if you stop and search the first ship thoroughly, it will take time and manpower. Then more ships come, and more. Soon you are back to your original problem, too many ships to search them all. And of course there is always the problem that metal parts from the ships themselves can be melted down and used to make weapons.
We could discuss the credibility of comparing people who have no state, no army, no defensive arsenal, have never invaded or conquered another country to WWII-era Japan and Germany. Or we could just call it insanity and be done with it.
spreading the word for NYC-based readers of this blog: ************************************************************************************************** EMERGENCY DEMONSTRATION Against Israeli Piracy & Kidnapping Free Cynthia McKinney and all kidnapped human rights workers! WEDNESDAY 4-6 PM at the ISRAELI MISSION 800 Second Avenue (Second Avenue @ 43rd St.) Last night, Israeli Occupation Forces attacked and boarded the Free Gaza Movement boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, abducting 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Noble laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The passengers and crew are being forcibly dragged toward Israel. The seizure of humanitarian supplies and abduction of human rights workers is an act of piracy, a crime under international law. When the boat was attacked, it was not in Israeli waters and was on a human rights mission to Gaza. Israel's deliberate and premeditated attack on an unarmed boat in international waters is a clear violation of international law. Join us tomorrow from 4 to 6 pm at the Israeli Mission to demand an immediate and unconditional release of the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, all 21 human rights workers, and the humanitarian supplies. According to an International Committee of the Red Cross report released yesterday, the Palestinians living in Gaza are "trapped in despair." Thousands of Gazans whose homes were destroyed earlier during Israel's December/January massacre are still without shelter despite pledges of almost $4.5 billion in aid, because Israel refuses to allow cement and other building material into the Gaza Strip. The report also notes that hospitals are struggling to meet the needs of their patients due to Israel's disruption of medical supplies. Let the Humanitarian Aid through! Free Cynthia McKinney and all kidnapped human rights workers! Stop the blockade of Gaza!
"Other than the fact that Israel isn't letting condoms in, it isn't Israel's fault that Gaza is crammed with children. " Uh, so it's not Israel's fault except it is. If it's okay to attack the civilians of the aggressor power in war, it's okay to attack Israeli civilians. The Zionists chose to fight this war by designating themselves the majority inhabitants of a land where they aren't the majority. Palestinians have been massacred for years (esp. in Lebanon in 1982 and the first intifada) and it wasn't until the mid-90's that a tiny handful started using suicide bombings and the 00's that rocket attacks began. The self-declared Jewish state imposed the relationship of war against civilians. Those who decided to attack the Dolphinarium and Sbarros and the buses are answering the aggressor in her own language.
And don't give me 1921, 1929, 1947 or any magical date to show Palestinians were the first to kill innocents. Zionism decided from day one there would be conflict between armed powers and civilians. Israel could have become more peaceful after 1948 or 1967 but instead it escalated the pattern of atrocities against people who can't fight back. That state is addicted to war and there won't be any peace just because Hamas accepts its right to exist. Maybe Palestinians will stop hating the Jews when the Zionists stop calling themselves the Jews.
Many years ago, I expressed sadness on learning the Israeli athletes were killed at Munich. I'd like to apologize for my ill-advised expression of sympathy, a product of my youth. Today, I'm thrilled the Israelis were killed at Munich and hope as many of their countrymen as possible follow them to hell.
Thom, I'm glad to see that you're finally admitting so many important points. First of all that Acts of War are committed all the time and do not always lead to war. What this proves is that your argument that Egypt "started" the '56 Suez war is ridiculous–Israel started the war along with England and France. And if Egypt's blockading of the Straits of Tiran in the 50's was an Act of War then so is Israel's blockade of Gaza. If you think Israel's starting of the Suez War in '56 was justified by Nasser's blockade then wouldn't Hamas be legally justified in responding to Israel's Act of War, the blockade of Gaza?
A "noble" sentiment expressed clearly.
We think this lovely puppy is too loud recently. It's about time to make a stop at his shit-hole and to take this clown down.
I understand your frustration, but violent fantasies only bring sympathy for Israelis, and buy them time to continue doing what they are doing.
Instead of killing more people, I suggest instead we legislate for a unilateral end to the sale of munitions by citizens of the United States, and a renewed commitment to international disarmament. Stop financing war, stop providing the necessary materiel for war.
Stop paying for war.
"However, in case you had forgotten, the Palestinians are at war with Israel. " No, Israel is occupying Palestine and the Palestinians are resisting. Being at war implies some degree of reciprocity and equivalence. "Capturing Gilad Shalit was an act of war too" Apart from the thousands Israel has captured, what about the 2 Palestinian brothers Israel captured rfom Gaza city the day before Capturing Gilad Shalit was an act of war too was captured? Was that an act of war? "Until that happens, acts of war against the Palestinians by the Israelis are legitimate." Wrong again. Israel are occupiers and agressors through and through and under international law, the Palestinians have a legal right to resist occupation. Suggesting that Israel has a right to attack the Palestinians is like suggesting the Germans had a right to incarcerate the Jews. "Which is why the only illegitimate things in the Gaza war were the alleged war crime, not the invasion itself. " Attacking a civilian population is a war crime. It's not an allegation when it's obvious.
BTW, when the authorities bust you for violating the law (e.g., giving a false destination, blockade running), that is called "being arrested" not "being abducted". What evidence do you have they gave a false destination? The Free Gaza Movement had too much publicity to even try that. You are suggesting they are not only liars but also fools. But OK, let's concentrate on law, in this case International Humanitarian Law. What specific Israeli lists could the Greek customs rely on, other than basic international law? And don't you think they know what items are allowed in this context?
"It's a pity they didn't bomb that boat: 21 idiots, ups,…human rights workers from 11 countries less. " Yeah what pitty. An unamred civilian target too. Israel's favourite and I bet they would have gotten away with delaring it an act of self defense to boot. Oh well, I'm sure there's plenty of children in the West Bank your brave IDF fighters can use as targets. After all, you woudln't want Israel confronting a real opposition. The last time that happened, they got their asses handed to them on a plate.
I am not sure whether the people here understand how a blockade works. The purpose is to keep out military supplies. Thom, the reply button above is unavailable for me. Let's assume this is true, why don't we have lists of what can be allowed in? Why are they constantly changing so that no humanitarian agency can trust that the things they asked for will be allowed in at the time they arrive at the borders? What specific military aspect have pastry, garbanzos, medical supplies and equipment?
Excellent logic Tom. In fact, why stop at a blockade? Israel should kill all the Palestinians in Gaza because there's no way on knowing which will become terorrists right?
They could have named Yokohama as their destination, it still wouldn't matter, because that wouldn't give Israel any right to seize the ship in international waters. Discussing this with Thom and his buddies is pointless. We are talking about people who apparently believe that any country can declare a "blockade" of some area and then suddenly gains the right to control, seize or attack civilian shipping on the entire seven seas. The high seas are subject to very specific international law (indeed, I'd say that this is the most clearly developed area of international law there is) – but explaining this to people who do not even comprehend what "law" means is an exercise in futility.
Prisons have generators, running water, and permanent buildings too. Prisons are defined by the walls that stop those trapped inside from getting out, which is what Gaza is. Prisons are defined by the fact that those trapped inside have no control of what comes in and out of those barriers. I'm glad you feel sory forth the children of Gaza who died in a war that their parents generation chose to fight. Because the only other choice their parents had was to die suffer and die in silence. There is another quote attributed to Menachem Begin Oct 28th 1965: "You Israelis, you should never become lenient if you shall kill your enemies. You should have no pity on them until you have destroyed all their so-called Arab culture,on the ruins of which we shall build our own civilisation". That's Israel for you. Founded on terrorism, by terrorists, for terrorists. "Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us."
How many mediterranean navies have 2 nuclear armed submarines?
Actually that is pure rubbish Eurosabra. There was no response necessary at all. The attack on Gaza was planned at least six months prior to the siege and was always going to happen. Prior to Israel's violation of the 2008 ceasfire on November 4th, there was a period of no rocket attacks for 4 months. This is in spite of Isael refusing to honor one of the agreed terms fo the ceasefire, the lifting of the blockade. Israel then rejected an offer to extend the ceasefire in December from Hamas. As zipi Livni said, a long ceasfire is not in Israel's strategic interests.
"stop and search" in international waters is simple piracy. To bring a hunting rifle on your Mexican vacation requires you to enter Mexico. In any case, the contents of the ship were examined and confiscated regardless, so your argument is complete rubbish.
"I'm not sure your credibility goes up when you compare the murder of Israeli children by Palestinian terrorists to the killing of a mass-murdering Nazi by resistance fighters." Why? Because in one case the victims are Jews and in the other they are Arabs? I'm sure that the Nazis regarded the esistance fighters as terrorsts too, so they must be right. And seeing as you hate terrorists so much, it must make your stomach turn to know that Israel was founded on terrorism and subsequently went on to elect two of those terrorists to the office of Prime Minister. Israel even celebrated the 60th anniversary of a terrorist attack in it's name. As it turns out, Israel is a monument to terrorism and what terrorism can achieve.
It would seem that McKinney will be sentenced to 12 years. I'm sure the US can do a swap with the North Koreans for those reporters.
The blockade of Gaza is simply an extension of Israel's vice like grip that they've had in Gaza since they withdrew. It has nothign to do with reducing rocket attacks, because Israel's leadership are quite happy for these to continue. Rocket attacks gives them an excuse to reject peace talks and thus a political settlement. Even a doves like Tzipi Livni said that a long ceasefire is not in Israel's strategic interests, meaning that Israel regard rocket fire as a paice it's preparedto pay for occupation and land theft.
"The response to the rockets from Gaza was as precise as modern technology allows." In which case it proves what we already knew, that Israel wilfully targets civilians.
So what we have here is actually the seizure of a potential pirate vessel inbound to a belligerent non-state with potential contraband weapons of war. Of course, even after it was detemined that the vessel was not a pirate vessel and was not carrying potential contraband weapons of war (notice how weapons for anyone but Israel are contraband?), Israel let them go right? No. BTW. I like you term "belligerent non-state", meaning of course, a state that refuses to succumb to the will of an occupier. I appreciate your candor.
"BTW, when the authorities bust you for violating the law…" Ecept that in this case, the "authorities" are corrupt lawbreakers in their own right who regard themselves as above the law. "I'm not sure having Cynthia "cop slapper" McKinney abord bolsters your credibility, since this isn't the first time she has tried this." Yeah, the last time she tried it, the boat she was on got rammed by an Israeli vessel in international waters. Perhaps you would argue that a girl dressed in a revealing outfit can't complain about being raped, seeing as "It's not like she didn't know what would happen" right Thom?
It's amazing how ill informed you are. Olmert made Abbas a great offer. Much better than Taba. Thousands of Arabs "returning" to Israel. All of Gaza 97% of the WB. 3% of Israeli land to make up the difference. Abbas just rejected it. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/arti... Israel makes generous offer after generous offer and the Palestinians reject them all.
Shalit has to be returned. Have you forgotten this statement coerced by Hamas, probably under torture? "I, the soldier Gilad, son of Noam Shalit held by the Khattab Shaheed Izz al-Deen al-Kassam. "Mother and father, my sister and my brother, my friends in the Israel Defence Forces: "I send you from jail regards and my longing for all of you. "An entire year has passed with me in jail and still my health condition is deteriorating and I need extensive hospitalisation. "I am sorry for the lack of interest by the Israeli government and the army in my case and in the demands of Katab al Qassam.
"It is clear that they must accede to these demands in order that I may be released from jail. Especially as I was involved in a military operation under orders and I was not a drugs dealer. "Just as I have parents, a mother and a father, the thousands of Palestinian detainees also have mothers and fathers who must have their sons returned. "I have great faith in my government that it will take more of an interest in me and will answer the demands of the mujahideen. "Corporal Gilad Shalit". http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L2514119...
Don't launch missiles and mortars at civilians. Stop trying to kidnap Israelis. release Cpl. Shalit immediately and then there is little need for a blockade.
you are an idiot lovelyisraelis,
I like dhimmi's thirst for justice. So, likewise, stop killing Palestinian children at a ratio of 10 to 1. Stop killing Palestinian civilians at a ratio of 5 to 1. Stop occupying Palestinian land. Stop stealing Palestinian land. Stop colonizing Palestinian land. Stop the collusion of criminality between the Israeli Army and the Jewish colonists in the OT. Stop discriminating Israeli Arabs. Stop stealing the water supply in the OT. Stop discriminating Palestinians in the OT. Release the 1000s of innocent Palestinian civilians held in Israeli prisons. Release the 100s of Palestinian minors held in Israeli prisons. Stop torturing Palestinian civilians and especially the children. Stop using Palestinian civilians and children as human shields. Stop the acts of humiliation/abuse/murder/theft and general unlawfulness against the Palestinians in the OT by the Israeli army and the various Israeli 'police' groups. Stop treating Palestinians inhumanely. Stop indiscriminate killing of Palestinian civilians. Stop destroying Palestinian civilian infrastructure. Stop lying – ex. blaming Palestinian casualties on 'human shields' when you have no concrete study or analysis to legitimize that claim (and reputable sources like the US Army War College and HRW disprove your lies over and over again). Stop breaking international law. Stop breaking the rulings of the International Court of Justice. Stop breaking the rulings of the World Court. Stop stealing belongings from the Palestinian people when you raid their homes (often for no good reason, and merely to abuse them further). Stop your hatred and racism against the Palestinian people (T-Shirts glorifying their oppression/TV shows glorifying and mocking their oppression/etc.). Stop your whitewashing of your own crimes. Stop trying to erase the history of the Palestinian people from the land you stole from them. Etc. etc. Oh and stop using Gilad Shalit as a propaganda tool – since he is but one Israeli soldier, an enemy soldier and occupier rather than a civilian BTW. Stop exploiting the ignorance of the American public – making it easy to prop Shalit up as a sort of 'Neda'-esque character – which he is anything but. Stop lying to the international community. Stop pretending to be victims when you kill more innocent people and carry on more violence and carry on more inhumane violence and carry on more prolonged violence – the Occupation. Stop being crooks.
Imagine 11,000 Palestinian letters just like that, all coming from Israeli prisons.
Wherever a Jew goes God follows him or her. It's not the other way around.
I recall. 1300 palestinians dead, 10 Israelis. I hope we get our ass handed to us again.
Golda Meir was a racist and apparently so are you Thom…
Exactly why there needs to be a fleet of hundreds of ships carrying aid to Gaza at the same time so that while Israel will be able to blockade som of them, others will make it to their destination…..
But war is so profitable for the weapons industries that, through the work of their powerful lobbies, just happen to have a majority of our congress members in their pockets Margaret….
RE: "Israel intercepts aid boat carrying medicine, building supplies and toys attempting to break the siege of Gaza" ***FROM A.N.S.W.E.R. – Demand the release of the humanitarian activists illegally detained by Israel! Take action now! Send a letter (via E-mail) to the White House and the representatives and senators from your state demanding the release of the human rights activists being held by Israel and an end to the siege of Gaza! ***TO SEND E-MAILS – https://secure2.convio.net/pep/site/Advocacy?cmd=...
RE: "since it's being carried out by the most powerful military in the region, the U.S. will let it slide" ***FROM A.N.S.W.E.R. – Demand the release of the humanitarian activists illegally detained by Israel! Take action now! Send a letter (via E-mail) to the White House and the representatives and senators from your state demanding the release of the human rights activists being held by Israel and an end to the siege of Gaza! ***TO SEND E-MAILS – https://secure2.convio.net/pep/site/Advocacy?cmd=...
***From: US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation (uscampaign@mail.democracyinaction.org) Take Action to Free the Spirit of Humanity's Passengers and Crew Please send an email to the Israeli Prime Minister's office, the Israeli Defense Ministry, the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, and your Members of Congress demanding that The Spirit of Humanity's passengers and crew are released! ***TO SEND – http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/641/t/2439/c...