The news on the MV Rachel Corrie's attempt to break the siege has been difficult to follow, but it seems that twitter is the most accessible and reliable news source right now. I've embedded the Mondoweiss (@mondoweiss) twitter feed below where we're posting information as it becomes available.
-
-
- SF officials describe ‘apartheid’ label as ‘intolerance alienating the Jewish … 18
- In electric atmosphere, Medea Benjamin takes over the president’s speech 11
- Bradley Manning blows chance to have a gay wedding 3
- Weiner’s Park Ave apartment belongs to man whose ‘only agenda’ … 20
- UN and Hunter College events feature plight of Bedouin refugees, … 3
- AIPAC promotes Netanyahu on two states (and ignores the statements … 1
- Jamal al-Dura calls on Israeli government to bring him his … 15
- Kerry faults Israelis for complacency — peace isn’t ‘on the … 21
-
- Two friends meet for 5 minutes in Jerusalem 1709
- Palestinian-American Raed Zidan plants flag on top of Everest, dedicates … 1361
- Christians denounce Israel’s manhandling of worshipers at Holy Sepulcher on … 952
- Barbara Boxer’s visa bill for Israel comes under concerted attack 810
- In photos: Gaza marches and rallies mark 65 years of … 442
- Washington Post’s racism map omits Israel 438
- Israeli report on al-Dura case is vengeful and ‘surreal,’ says … 401
- International Criminal Court opens preliminary investigation into attack on Mavi … 355
-
- Kennedy’s insistence on right of return prompted Ben-Gurion to rewrite … 105
- International Criminal Court opens preliminary investigation into attack on Mavi … 96
- Abulhawa declines to ‘balance out’ several Israelis in ‘Al Jazeera’ … 94
- Barbara Boxer’s visa bill for Israel comes under concerted attack 93
- Washington Post’s racism map omits Israel 73
- Uncompromising hope inspired by Ghassan Kanafani 63
- Biden says Jewish ‘influence’ behind American cultural politics is ‘immense… … 57
- Two friends meet for 5 minutes in Jerusalem 54
-
- SF officials describe ‘apartheid’ label as ‘intolerance alienating the Jewish community’ http://t.co/gygE6OQrnP, 12 hours ago
- RT @MaxBlumenthal: Cpl Goldberg slams "veteran smear artist" https://t.co/Uc4sMIIv7E Yeah, about that... http://t.co/dTO4wxGpLF, 13 hours ago
- Voskamp on .@medeabenjamin: Obama’s chf of staff sitting behind me,seemd unfazed & wondered if he shd call off guards http://t.co/PUqQE1DDA0, 16 hours ago
- In electric atmosphere, Medea Benjamin takes over the president’s speech http://t.co/PUqQE1DDA0, 16 hours ago
- Bradley Manning blows chance to have a gay wedding http://t.co/I6Luwltzkq, 16 hours ago
-
Recent Comments
click link to see last 100 comments- SF officials describe ‘apartheid’ label as ‘intolerance alienating the Jewish community’ (18)
- Shmuel: intolerance alienating the Jewish community Why? Did someone suggest that the Jewish community in SF...
- talknic: dimadok “Israeli Arab Judge, Salim Jubran, has been appointed to the head of Israel Central Election...
- seafoid: Israel won’t let him into Jerusalem. Imagine Springsteen being denied access to New York City because...
- More on the ‘creepy’ al-Dura report (14)
- mcohen: More on the ‘creepy’ al-Dura report by Philip Weiss on May 23, 2013 13 even more creepy is the aftermath of...
- The etymology of anti-Semitism (15)
- seafoid: Most of the Temple era Jews stayed on and converted to Christianity and later Islam. Anti semitism is a...
- yonah fredman: The cartoon is fine until the last scene. (Until this point it has been trying to prove that being...
- Weiner’s Park Ave apartment belongs to man whose ‘only agenda’ is Israel (20)
- Kennedy’s insistence on right of return prompted Ben-Gurion to rewrite history: They fled ‘of their own free will’ (106)
- Shingo: The ALA, under the leadership of al Husayni, had already attacked Gush Etzion on January 14, 1948. That...
- Glenn Greenwald on the Woolwich attack and blowback from the ‘war on terror’ (44)
- tree: Why aren’t there Israeli suicide bombers against Germany after world war II? Their plans didn’t include...
- SF officials describe ‘apartheid’ label as ‘intolerance alienating the Jewish community’ (18)
Our Writers
- Philip Weiss
- Adam Horowitz
- Marc H. Ellis
- Alex Kane
- Annie Robbins
- Kate
- Today in Palestine
- Allison Deger
Blogroll
Does anyone know if these ships have shortwave communications capability?
It appears that they have a satellite phone on board and it has been jammed.
Thanks, Adam.
@freegazaorg is giving real time updates on Twitter — ship NOT boarded yet.
Merde!
Geez! no good for my heart beat, folks! Worse than a penalty shoot out!
If Israel allows this ship through into Gaza, I believe that they used the Mavi Marmara to send a message to the Turkish government and at the same time discredit future Turkish aid.
In other words, Israel will claim: “The passengers on board the Rachel Corrie were white Christian Europeans, they cooperated and didn’t attack us, unlike those barbaric Muslims from Turkey. See, we told you all along.”
Just to add,
That would be a form of divide-and-control tactic on Israel’s part. I firmly believe the ship will be allowed into Gaza. Cynically speaking, that’s what I’d do if I were managing the Israeli hasbara campaign.
That makes a lot of sense. (Hope you don’t mind me agreeing with you.)
If they have any PR brains at all, they’ll do what you suggest and probably for the (cynical) reasons you give.
Though they might also be stupid.
Though I just clicked on the twitter link that Adam provides below and it sounds like the ship was taken. So revising the prediction, they (if they are smart) take it with as little violence as possible, again to establish that contrast. (See, we’re civilized–it was those crazy Muslims that caused the problem).
For the sake of the people on board, hopefully they’re smart.
I wouldn’t put it past them, especially if the commander who murdered 6 human rights activists by himself might get a medal of valor.
Gee, this has got to be a record for me, three repetitions from a previous post – the story remains the same:
I can almost guarantee that the Israelis will not do the same thing to the Irish ship that they did to the Turkish. What the Israelis wanted to do to those “Muslims,” those so called “terrorists, Hamas, Al-Qaeda types,” sort of really confront them and slap them in the face. “How dare those Turkish scum do this?” They are trying to tried to cement it to the so-called “war on terror,” to show that Israel is the “master” of those inferior people. The other boats which had more anglo saxon white as the driven snow activists did not fit into that frame, so they just disabled the boats.
This is why they will do nothing of the sort to the Irish boat, maybe they will disable it, there will be no confrontation – because the Irish do not fit into same false paradigm. I don’t care what they say, they will not do the same thing – no blazing guns, nothing close to the foul murderous treatment delved out to the Turkish. With the Turkish they want to show who wears the pants in the region, with the Irish who represent that bloc of trade they want to accomplish with Europe.
Now you might say, they had a lot going with the Turkish – that means nothing to the racist mentality, they might trade with them but in comparison to their “image and false story,” they would just as soon spit in their face. It is similar to the Apartheid regime in South Africa, that would use the black population as workers, but keep them on their bantustan’s when they are done using them.
I think that about wraps it up.
“Netanyahu has instructed the Israeli military to avoid harming the passengers on board the Irish boat, a participant at Thursday night’s Cabinet meeting said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was closed.”
Israel has gone to the war on terror well far too often. The meme is way beyond its sell by date.
It looks like you were exactly right:
(Cyprus, June 5, 2010) Today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the peaceful outcome to the operation when they seized our ship in international waters in direct violation of maritime law. Through his speech writer, he said:
“We saw today the difference between a ship of peace activists, with whom we don’t agree but respect their right to a different opinion from ours, and between a ship of hate organised by violent Turkish terror extremists,”
So we’d like to remind Mr. Netanyahu that the only hate evidenced on board all six boats on Monday morning came from the Israeli attackers. Israeli soldiers violently boarded the entire flotilla, beating, shooting and hooding passengers as though they were in Abu Ghraib….
We Will Be Back
Written by Free Gaza Team | 05 June 2010
link to freegaza.org
Thanks, Adam. We’re trying to live blog this over at firedoglake too. The situation is very confusing.
Agreed. Please share any info you come upon, or post a link. Thanks.
Sorry:
MV Rachel Corrie – Reported Seized by Israeli Warships
I really need to do this: I hate Israeeeel!!! I hate Zionism!!! Damn them to hell!
Did that help?
Haaretz is saying it was captured. They aren’t using the term captured tho.
Don’t know how accurate it is but the “@IDFSpokesperson” twitter account just posted: The IDF has not yet made contact with the new ships attempting to breach the naval blockade in Gaza.
Wow, Bronner at his finest with his hasbara:
link to nytimes.com
The twitter thing on this page seems to be moving slowly (about a half hour behind, at least on my computer). You can see the more up to date stuff here – link to twitter.com.
Seems to have caught up.
Jazeera reporting that the US has asked the Rachel Corrie to change direction and head to Ashdod to avoid any confrontation and that the RC is being shadowed by an Israeli vessel but there has been no communication between them.
Ha’aretz claims that Ireland advised the Rachel Corrie to dock in Ashdod so as to avoid a confrontation.
I’m not sure what to make of it. It stands in direct contrast to Ireland’s previous urgings to the Israeli government.
Nonetheless, this could also be disinformation.
Jazeera keeps repeating that it’s Washington asking the RC to go to Ashdod. Looks like the US is directly involved this time.
If the US is indeed involved or is putting pressure on Ireland, then its possible that Obama is going for a moderation of the siege as Phil had mentioned in a previous article. Obama is going to rebrand the siege, much like he rebranded the Global War on Terror to…well.. whatever nonsense he’s calling it these days (I stopped paying attention to Obama’s statements).
hmmm, why should the rachel corrie do it just because obama asks?
Good point. Are there US nationals on board?
Irish and Malaysian plus one UN official.
If it’s a US flagged ship it is technically, through a series of legal links, accountable to the US government – Department of Transportation I think, and in time of war to the US Defense Department. (I don’t know about right now – are we at war?)
On June 9, 1967, I was in Beirut at the AUB campus awaiting evacuation with hundreds of other gathered Americans. The Exilona, a US flagged merchant ship, was ordered to delay its departure from Beirut long enough to board 279 of us and drop us in Famagusta, Cyprus.
Wow, what a flashback.
20 miles out at 9:13 (@15 mph)
not taken by Israel yet
not boarded – 20 miles from Gaza with two warships following them
link to twitter.com
As of 04:32 GMT FreeGazaOrg Twitter feed reads:
“Trying to contact passengers on dedicated phone. No answer from them.”
Autopsy results of the 9 murdered by Israeli commandos have just been published by the Guardian.
Still no information from Israel on the number of those killed or wounded.
i read their were 6 passengers unaccounted for.
Annie, this is interesting because there are reports from captives that bodies were thrown overboard by the Israelis. When you consider the autopsies reported in the Guardian suggesting Israelis shot activists execution-style at close range, the prospect of Israelis having thrown bodies into the sea are not so absurd:
Israel was tonight under pressure to allow an independent inquiry into its assault on the Gaza aid flotilla after autopsy results on the bodies of those killed, obtained by the Guardian, revealed they were peppered with 9mm bullets, many fired at close range.
Nine Turkish men on board the Mavi Marmara were shot a total of 30 times and five were killed by gunshot wounds to the head, according to the vice-chairman of the Turkish council of forensic medicine, which carried out the autopsies for the Turkish ministry of justice today. From the Guardian via Alternet:
… The results revealed that a 60-year-old man, Ibrahim Bilgen, was shot four times in the temple, chest, hip and back. A 19-year-old, named as Fulkan Dogan, who also has US citizenship, was shot five times from less that 45cm, in the face, in the back of the head, twice in the leg and once in the back. Two other men were shot four times, and five of the victims were shot either in the back of the head or in the back, said Yalcin Buyuk, vice-chairman of the council of forensic medicine.
The findings emerged as more survivors gave their accounts of the raids. Ismail Patel, the chairman of Leicester-based pro-Palestinian group Friends of al-Aqsa, who returned to Britain today, told how he witnessed some of the fatal shootings and claimed that Israel had operated a “shoot to kill policy”.
He calculated that during the bloodiest part of the assault, Israeli commandos shot one person every minute. One man was fatally shot in the back of the head just two feet in front him and another was shot once between the eyes. He added that as well as the fatally wounded, 48 others were suffering from gunshot wounds and six activists remained missing, suggesting the death toll may increase.
The new information about the manner and intensity of the killings undermines Israel’s insistence that its soldiers opened fire only in self defence and in response to attacks by the activists.
Speaking of ‘undermining Israel’s insistence that its soldiers opened fire only in self defense,’ the Guardian reports today that “all but one of the bullets retrieved from the bodies came from 9mm rounds.” That’s interesting, because, as Yaniv Reich noted earlier, “we were informed [yesterday] by a navy officer that navy commandos don’t carry 9mm guns, and that the empty 9mm casings were proof that the humanitarian activists had brought guns with them.”
The entire Israeli narrative is unraveling. Max Blumenthal finds something decidedly wrong with another part of the official story:
This audio, which purports to show flotilla passengers telling the IDF to “go back to Auschwitz,” appears to have been doctored by the rosh katan at the IDF General Press Office.
link to blogs.alternet.org
Blumenthal is doing great work. Excellent reporting.
The following is only part of the article from:
link to wnd.com
A Free Press
For A Free People
Founded 1997 Friday, June 4, 2010 Evening Edition
WND Exclusive TROUBLE IN THE HOLY LAND
White House linked to flotilla organizers
Israel official ties president’s adviser to controversial ‘Free Gaza Movement’
Posted: June 05, 2010
12:00 am Eastern
By Jerome R. Corsi
© 2010 WorldNetDaily
John Brennan
A top adviser to President Obama is the contact person within the White House for communications with the Free Gaza Movement over plans to challenge Israel’s blockade of the terrorist Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, according to a reputable source close to the Netanyahu government.
The source, a career official whose reliability was established through his tips for the book, “Why Israel Can’t Wait,” identified John O. Brennan, deputy national security adviser for homeland security and counterterrorism, as the contact.
The allegation raises the bizarre possibility that the Free Gaza Movement’s flotilla action in the Mediterranean was being coordinated with the White House, something that would align with a shift in U.S. policy toward Israel being debated within the Obama administration.
Mike Hammer, a National Security Council spokesman, told WND flatly the report “is not true.”
Read all about the people who surround President Obama. Get Aaron Klein’s new best-seller, “The Manchurian President,” at WND’s Superstore!
His response was followed quickly by another denial, when WND asked if Hammer also rejected the claim Brenner was a key force within the White House pushing for a change in U.S. policy toward Israel in demanding an end to the blockade, as the WND source reported.
(Story continues below)
“John Brennan is quite busy in his job as the president’s counterterrorism and homeland security adviser, relentlessly working to keep the country safe,” Hammer said in a e-mail to WND. “The administration has others who are responsible for our Middle East policy. So, again, not true.”
However, Brennan’s activities in his “counterterrorism” work have involved him in situations with domestic groups known to have ties to Middle East terrorism.
RT @Remroum: I trust the Jerusalem Post’s reporting on the Rachel Corrie #flotilla as much as I trust Mahmoud Abbas with my Right of Return half a minute ago via web
link to haaretz.com
Does anybody perhaps have any youtube links to Israeli spokesmen being demolished verbally by any of the major TV network anchors? I heard Britain’s TV 4 did a good job but can’t find a link.
Miss Dee Mena,
Tony Snow interviews Mark Regev over flotilla mascare.
link to youtube.com
thanks Taxi
Ugh! sorry, meant Jon Snow.
That’s Jon Snow, while Tony Snow is one of the shills who served as Bush’s mouthpiece.
Jon Snow
tony snow is hasbara
Tony Snow is dead. Died of cancer.
I am posting the following email in two parts as I think it may be too long for one post. This was sent to Mitch Stewart of the DNC, B.Bond,Valerie Jarrett’s assistant in the Office of Public Engagement at the White House and a correspondent for ABC news. None of them returned an email. I have made repeated calls to General Jones office at the National Security office. I have attempted to talk to Axelrod and Denis McDonough. I have talked with an assistant to Susan Rice and the head of the Israel/Palestine Desk at State.
Dear Mitch,
Please note that I have included several people on this email. I do this in the spirit of transparency, openness and fairness that Iowans are noted for.
Several weeks ago at an event in Des Moines, Iowa that both you and David Axelrod attended, you told Mr. Axelrod that you would get my contact information for him. You failed to do that. I do not remember you requesting either my email address or my phone number. Am I mistaken about that? The problem is that I had/have a huge amount of information regarding the topic I broached with Mr. Axelrod. That topic was Rachel Corrie and the failure of the Israeli government to secure a thorough, credible, transparent investigation into her death. Mr. Axelrod stated he knew nothing about this which is now very unfortunate because I and my family could have given him a solid grounding that would have prepared him for what is now a possible impending tragedy: The MV Rachel Corrie is proceeding toward the Gaza shore and has stated that they will stop in no other ports. Mr. Netanhayu on Thursday told his cabinet that Israel will not let it through.
You see for over seven years my family has sought the assistance of the U.S. government to secure a credible investigation. In fact, the Israeli government assured the U.S. government this would occur. In writing and available for the world to see we have repeated statements that the Israeli government has been asked by the U.S. government to secure such an investigation and the Israeli government has ignored the request.
That is why my family brought suit against the State of Israel which is now on going. I won’t say much about that. You can go to http://www.rachelcorriefoundation.org and click trial updates to see just a smattering of what we have learned so far.
But, by failing to connect me with Mr. Axelrod so I could inform him of the vast amount of knowledge my family holds that could have informed policy regarding this current crisis that has resulted in needless death and the potential for more you forced me to try to pour my information out to others. Sometimes, I fear that I am an annoyance the way Martha Mitchell was an annoyance to Richard Nixon or Rosa Parks was an annoyance to white supremacy ideology. I have been calling the White House, to Valerie Jarretts office, trying to reach Axelrod and McDonough, trying to reach Susan Rice at the U.N and Bill Burns at State.
My message has been pretty much the same: Stop this tragedy by making a strong statement in support of the Irish position that the MV Rachel Corrie and all ships be allowed to reach Gaza through international waters. That the seige of Gaza and the blockade is illegal and the U.S. support of it is destructive to not only Israel but U.S. national security.
My message has been pretty much the same: Stop this tragedy by making a strong statement in support of the Irish position that the MV Rachel Corrie and all ships be allowed to reach Gaza through international waters. That the seige of Gaza and the blockade is illegal and the U.S. support of it is destructive to not only Israel but U.S. national security.
I will stop here although my head is so full of facts regarding investigations and the failure to obtain credible ones and how that ultimately leads to a ship sailing from Ireland going to Gaza named the M.V. Rachel Corrie. As grassroots organizers, I am sure you have studied that William Carlos Williams’ poem that begins: So much depends upon a red wheelbarrow….
I sometimes blog on http://www.mondoweiss.net so will probably post info regarding this email there. I believe I posted about my ringing the bell at the Axelrod event. Funny about my little broken bell. When I phoned Karen Richardson today she remembered my now broken bell from when I practiced nonviolent civil disobedience at Obama’s campaign office.
Finally, I urge you to visit the Free Gaza website. This is the website of the folks trying to break the siege of Gaza. I read they are led by four old women of Vietnam protest days. But that is unimportant. What I found fascinating was that there was a note from two of my most favorite people in the world….Cindy and Craig Corrie….Rachel’s mom and dad….the people I asked General Jones to come to Iowa to meet. I believe I asked that David and Denis be invited also so that we could help the U.S. understand what is happening in the Mideast and within our own State Dept. I believe I mentioned that I am a pretty good cook and we have several open beds in an old victorian house where we could all sit down together and explore what investigations should look like, why Israel is unwilling or incapable of doing credible ones, why the defense attache should not be the person carrying messages to the Israelis in that he is also responsible for promoting military commerce, etc. etc. In fact, i want to invite all of you. Sometimes you need to get away from the hubbub to think clearly. That is what Iowa offers.
Thank you for your time. All of you…. I hope I did not confuse you. Again, after seven years of begging for help, walking the halls of Congress, ringing bells in Democratic candidate’s offices, documenting, documenting, documenting. ..my mind just gets too filled with very confusing facts. If only you had connected me with Axelrod as he requested I would havel sat down and made myself get organized with the most pertinent facts to facilitate helping him and the Obama team foresee the tragedy of the Free Gaza Flotella.
Best,
Cheryl Brodersen, Rachel Corrie’s aunt
P.S Did BP ever try to get through to you guys and have this much trouble?
P.S.S. I almost always believe in second chances. Again, best.
Jazeera reporting Israeli ships blocking the RC from advancing and Irish government refusing to have ship head for Ashdod.
I hope you will tell us more about what you’ve learned Cheryl and I’m so sorry about what happened to Rachel, a true hero.
Cheryl
In arabic the Palestinians say “Allah ya’teek al afya”. May god give you the health to keep on doing what you are doing.
Israeli radio (Reshet Bet) just reported the following:
1. According to Al-Jazeera the ship has been surrounded by navy boats and intercepted 60 KM from the coast.
2. Amjad (I didn’t get his last name, sorry) of the flotilla welcoming committee in Gaza told French media that the Rachel Corrie has not been heard from.
3. The Israeli radio reporter on military issues said that according to the navy they have not made contact with the Rachel Corrie.
Avi,
Haaretz reports no boarding. Ynet reports no boarding. Even the J-Post only hints at “interception.”
J Crow,
When was the information posted on the respective websites?
Avi,
link to haaretz.com
Time stamp and updates time stamp, top left corner.
http://www.ipadio.com/phlogs/Gaza_TVNews/2010/6/5/Gaza-TVs-phlog–26th-phonecast?utm_medium=ipad.io-other&
Don’t know if the time stamp is Irish or not.
Gaza-based TV station is reporting live that they see a ship or two on the horizon but cannot be sure if they are the Rachel Corrie or a navy ship.
RT @avinunu: .@AJArabic correspondent in Gaza saying no contact with Rachel Corrie. No unusual movement of Israel navy visible from shore. 2 minutes ago via web
….
BTW, Avinunu is Ali Abunimah
RT @bencnn: in #gaza port: israeli naval activity IS more intense than usual in anticipation of #rachelcorrie 5 minutes ago via TweetDeck
RT @avinunu: @IDFSpokesperson What if it refuses your “invitation”? Will you use force?
RT @avinunu: @IDFSpokesperson Do Israeli forces intend 2 board the ship?
RT @IDFSpokesperson: IDF will enforce maritime closure.
RT@avinunu:@IDFSpokesperson Collective punishment is a war crime.All Israeli military personnel who participate in such war crimes R liable.
RT @IDFSpokesperson: Update: Rachel Corrie now ~40 miles from shore, IDF made initial request for ID, ship not boarded
RT @freegazaorg: Al Jazeera reports Navy insists they go 2 Ashdod. Passengers say ‘no’. Navy says they will drag boat 2 Ashdod. Not possible
thankgodimathiest,
Thank you for the updates.
RT @ismpalestine: RT @spirodon:
Protesters vow to ‘shut down’ Israeli embassy in #Dublin
My pleasure Avi..Thank you for your efforts too.
# RT @ismpalestine: RT @endapartheid:
Hundreds rally outside Israeli consulate in Dublin
# RT @freegazaorg: Al Jazeera reports that the Navy is insisting they go to Ashdod. Passengers say ‘no’. Navy says they will drag boat to Ashdod
RT @AlanFisher:
Mairead Maguire, says the Rachel Corrie’s radar systems have been jammed. Says situation on board was calm.
#RT @justicentric: .@IDFSpokesperson:
How does it feel u’re having to repeat Rachel Corrie’s name every 2 seconds?
#RT @freegazaorg:
From the BBC: IOF issued initial request 2 ship 2 identify. No warning 2 the ship. Not boarding ship yet. No contact 4 hour & a half.
#RT @davemreed:
They killed RachelCorrie, they shot at her memorial service, now they wnt let her boat take toys 2 kids. @IsraelMFA
I hope I’m not jamming the comments section!
#RT @FakeIsraelMFA: @IDFSpokesperson:
Direct order from IDF Chief of Staff: Stand down all naval forces and allow MV Rachel Corrie to proceed .
1-RT @DidiRemez:
IBA Radio quoting a Turkish daily: Erdogan considering going personally to Gaza to break the siege.
2-RT @Mondoweiss: RT@SMaher85:
AJEnglish reports live that #RachelCorrie is still en rt 2 Gaza, Israeli warships following it.
3-RT @rcfoundation:
RachelCorrie carries badly needed CAT scanners for hospitals in Gaza.
Erdogan considering going personally to Gaza to break the siege.
I’ve definitely been reading too much hasbara lately. My first thought was “and Lieberman will announce a visit to Turkish Kurdistan”.
Faaz_hoofddoek_normal Faaz71 Press TV reporting Rachel Corrie in Gaza Territorial water link to bit.ly #flotilla #rachelcorrie #gaza
This is going to be made into a film. With Cate Blanchett as Rachel Corrie’s ghost and Russell Crowe as the formerly misguided Israeli navy officer who has a last minute change of heart and lets the boat through thus going against his deluded people but saving the day for justice. They probably won’t show any of the Gaza hijabs though.
http://www.ipadio.com/phlogs/Gaza_TVNews/2010/6/5/Gaza-TVs-phlog–26th-phonecast?utm_medium=ipad.io-other&
Sorry, posted this in reply to old post.
I don’t know if the time stamp is Irish, and therefore relatively new, or if this is outdated.
Live reports from Gaza indicate that the ships they see on the horizon are Israeli navy ships. This information is current as of 01:53 EDT.
Jazeera: the RC is blocked from advancing any further at 35 miles out. I get the feeling it will be a long day and a long wait at that location.
link to maannews.net
#RT @freegazaorg:
According to the IOF, the boat was stopped in international waters six minutes ago and that it is legal.
#RT @freegazaorg:Engine expert.
“They may B apprehensive 2 use helicopters ths time. If U wnt 2 drag the Rachel, U must 1st break his engine.”
#RT @avinunu: .@IDFSpokesperson :
Why are you jamming Rachel Corrie’s signals? Why can’t we speak to people on board?
According to Haaretz (updated 5 minutes ago) the Rachel Corrie has been contacted, warned about the blockade and told to go to Ashdod. The activists have ignored the call. The IDF says navy commandos are waiting at a distance, and will board the boat if it continues to Gaza. The activists have said they will offer no resistance.
According to Al Jazeera Israel navy trying to force the Rachel Corrie ship to Ashdod
avinunu@IDFSpokesperson:
Why should anyone believe a word you say when you so obviously faked the Marmara audio?
Thank you to everyone for working on this and keeping so amany of us posted.
Cindy, Craig and I have been sharing back and forth what we are reading here on Mondo and on the official Free Gaza Site.
FYI: Craig emailed me a great Jon Stewart of a couple of nights ago:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-june-2-2010/clusterf–k-to-the-war-house—korean-peninsula—middle-east
Something to watch while we wait.
Thanks, Cheryl. It means a lot to have you here. What a fitting tribute to Rachel. We are all thinking of Cindy and Craig.
son of former Malaysian PM Mahithir on Al Jezeera:
“we have no problem with Israel coming onboard and inspecting our goods shipment, but then please let us continue on to Gaza”
cogit,
But that is what they would do if this were a real blockade – to prevent the supply of arms – instead of an act of collective punishment against a civilian population.
Shmuel – we agree!
Thanks for posting this twitter feed. I’ve posted links here on a couple of other sites (Dissident Voice, Monthly Review).
I’m waiting to hear all on board are safe and that the ship has docked, hopefully in Gaza.
I only wish the FreeGaza Flotilla movement had given more thought to timing the arrival of their boats: Don’t arrive at night, because Israel loves Night Moves. Arrive in the morning daylight and then have the Israeli navy in full view of camera-phones and the like.
Also, have on board some ancient morse-code ‘sparking’ transmitters, the type that throw out so many random frequencies that jamming them is impossible with modern gear.
==================================================
I am so happy that people from around the world have found a way to break the siege of Gaza, and continue the legacy of brave Rachel Corrie.
MORE proof emerges Israel fabricated audio of radio communication with Mavi Marmara
link to aliabunimah.posterous.com
Tweets upsate:
#RT @iRevolt:
Gaza is in anticipation! Port is bursting with people!
# RT @freegazaorg: So far, peace activists have refused to go to Ashdod. Israeli navy preparing to violently stop them if necessary.
#RT @freegazaorg: “Al Jazeera”Israeli armies preparing to take the ship if the Irish continued to progress towards Gaza
#RT @JamalDajani: Rachel Corrie captain offered boat to be searched again in the middle of the sea in order to continue to Gaza but Israel refused
#IDF spokesman now ties Siege on Gaza , fate of flotilla w/ fate of Gilad Shalit
#IDF spokesman: “If the Rachel Corrie continues to Gaza we’ll stop it by ALL means”
#The Rachel Corrie ship flies the Irish flag
Interesting article:
The myth of Israeli morality
By Lamis Andoni
YouTube video: Flotilla attack – Sarah Colborne gives eyewitness account
link to youtube.com
Sarah Colborne was on the boat attacked by Israeli commandos.
Full account from today’s press conference organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
“I Was Robbed! They Took My Money, My Passport & My Credit Cards!
Witness account (YouTube):
link to youtube.com
The passport will probably turn up again, in the hands of a Mossad agent.
The Rachel Corrie has been forcibly seized by the Israeli navy and is being towed to Ashdod. All on board are reported safe. From Perdana 2 minutes ago via web
link to twitter.com
Yes I got the bad news..Let’s wait and see what the pirate state is going to be up to..
They may head straight to the kitchen first looking for those dangerous weapons of pototo destruction..
potato
No news yet in the Israeli press.
In the meantime, a number of European Jewish organisations, including European Jews for Just Peace (EJJP) and Jews for Justice for Palestinians, have announced that they will be sending a boat to Gaza in July:
That’s good news.
They should name the boat The Tristan Anderson. I haven’t gotten any NYTimes breaking news emails about the MV Rachel Corrie probably because they don’t want to call attention to Rachel.
IDF denies they have boarded, but they are going to post ‘their’ video tape soon. Eyewitnesses can see the boat from the shore 12 minutes ago via web
About 12 min after the post saying the ship was captured.
Now to wait for the reaction from the Irish government.
IDF boarded the Rachel Corrie with permission of the crew, did so by sea, no helicopters no reports of violence. 3 minutes ago via web
OK, I think they’ll be OK. Though sad they didn’t make it to Gaza.
Haaretz is now reporting that the Rachel Corrie has been boarded by navy commandos.
Also Israel TV, Channel 2.
Jazeera also saying ship being towed to Ashdod after having been boarded without opposition.
Passengers on the RC were ordered to sit on the floor with their hands on their heads.
From the Irish Times: A demonstration is to take place in Dublin city centre at 2pm today at which some of those involved in the flotilla will speak. It will begin at the Garden of Remembrance where there will be a wreath laying ceremony and and march to the Department of Foreign Affairs on St Stephen’s Green.
Sweden ports to block Israel ships, goods in response to Gaza flotilla takeover
Yes, the Rachel Corrie has been boarded, encountering no resistence; apparently is being led by the IDF to their target port:
link to ajc.com
As expected, the Israelis are already using the lack of resistance on the Rachel Corrie as a PR weapon, pointedly remarking that the passengers “behaved like peace activists and not like murderers”.
The IDF Spokesman is bending over backwards not to utter the dreaded name of “Rachel Corrie” – referring to the MV Rachel Corrie as “the ship,” “the 7th flotilla ship” and even “the Linda” (the ship’s previous name). Meanwhile, all of the Israeli media is calling it the Rachel Corrie.
It’s amazing to read the comments all over the internet by those who
support Israeli’s activities (arguing at most about tactics) regarding the ship’s namesake, Rachel Corrie.
According to them, why, she was nothing but a Trojan horse whore terrorist anti-semite. Here’s a video dedicated to all those who diss the memory of Rachel–Rachel speaking up for the world’s children, in the 5th Grade:
link to sundialsaga.blogspot.com
Have a look at MFA.gov.il for a good laugh
Israel is really trying hard on the hasbara but it has lost the argument.
Most of the Israeli message is incoherent. They are going to back down on Gaza sooner or later. The world doesn’t see the Israeli point.
… the Linda (original name of the ship which was renamed the Rachel Corrie) …
Said an army spokesman in Palestine (original name of the country renamed Israel).
“… the Linda (original name of the ship which was renamed the Rachel Corrie) …”
Revisionist navigation! They’re being deceitful even with the names of their ships!
Someone, somewhere wondered why the Israelis fuss so much about a free Gaza port being so near Tel Aviv, when they’ve already got Tyre and Sidon just up the road, but under the protection of Hizbollah.
Meanwhile, debate between Finklestein and co-director of ZOA regarding the legality of
Israel’s actions:
link to youtube.com
This debate was echoed less precisely by Sullivan v Maher last night on HBO2. Maher cut Sullivan short, and moved onto his next subject.
My, the Irish government is sleeping late today. Wake up, Mr. Martin.
Israel’s security? How about USA’s security? link to atlanticfreepress.com
Meanwhile, on Imus yesterday: Allen Colmes. Allen: Israel has a thuggish regime; IDF navy seals shot innocents at point blank range. Imus: Hamas are terrorists & Israel has a right to protect itself. @ 4:26-6:05 in the video clip: link to video.foxbusiness.com
I thought Don Imus had been sacked by some MSM channel. Has he found a new home in this cess-pit?
Well, yes, Richard he was sacked for jokingly calling a black female basketball team “nappy headed hoes (whores).” After some time he reappeared
on cable TV with his workweek daily show, minus some of his old crew, but with the main ones still in place. Bernie seems to be the one serious reglar intellect on the show, which is mostly a folksy banter show devoted to comedy involving local USA daily pop news and breaking news. He does have a significant avid following. The cowboy motif remains, locked in if nothing else by the Imus charity ranch for deprived and handicapped kids, which is a good thing.
Citizen, that “interview” made me angry. The debate has become so skewed and ignorant that someone recalling facts and international law (Colmes) jokingly gets threatened with someone’s “hand around his neck”. Utterly stupefying, the incompetence and idiocy of the people giving the “news” on this channel, dressed up as cowboys and “regular guys” to garner sympathy for the show.
I’ve just watched the clip. I’ve never actually seen Don Imus before, but I’ve seen plenty of Fox self-centred, right-wing, giggling Fair and Balanced News. I’ve also seen Colmes before, as foil for Hannity.
I don’t know about Rupert Murdoch; but I wouldn’t employ a man who cannot lift his eyes from his script, and who looks like Ramses II’s mummy under a silver foil wig that would look better on a Supreme. Good luck Rupert; I hope you make some money out of this man.
He’s a lightweight all right, and Murdoch is a well-known Zionist. On the Imus show recently, Ron Paul utterly demolishes Imus’s feeble attempt to justify the latest Israeli actions by saying Israel allows in humanitarian aid and only seeks to bar arms for Hamas: link to littlegreenfootballs.com
Carter was remided as well as M & W that their book were endorsed by David Duke. The purpose was to call them antisemite.
We should not do that to Imus. The difference is that Imus is expressing his opinions on both occasions and seems to have proved himself a bigoted open mouth on both occassions.
Iara Lee’s eyewitness account of events aboard the Mavi Marmara.
“Enforcement works. The last of the Gaza flotilla rejected a deal negotiated between Israel and Ireland to dock at Ashdod and submit there to inspection. It tried to break the blockade instead. The vessel was intercepted by Israeli forces – and this time there was no violence. The blockade runners surrendered to arrest. Prediction: there will be no second flotilla”
David Frum
link to frumforum.com
This is same Froom of Axis of evil