Save Israel

[Heracles 417]

Do yourself a favour and go read the link I just posted.

The U.S didn't board the Cuban-bound ships because they diverted voluntarily and so took away the justification.

And China and the USA are not in a state of conflict and there is no official blockade to break, so again, there is no justification.

The law is complex and, despite the outcome of their actions, Israel is likely able to argue that its actions in boarding the ships are legitimate under International Law.

Forget the law, Israel is not some US that has the room - to an extent - to ###### on the rest of the world. Incidents like these really hurt their international PR campaign.

Unless you are Jewish yourself, I don't understand the obsession with Israel.

[daboyz 36]

I don't understand the obsession from the US actually. One would think that being an ally usually means the ally does something in return, equally assists you out.

Israel has already proven they are capable to fight back, so stick to it rather than trying to beat everyone up. Instead they recently crapped on everyone else, using the forged passport saga. Though they were smart [or cunning] enough to not use those from the country that funds them - the US.

Evidently since they know that the US will back Israel no matter what, it enables them to act like this. Israel needs to learn quick-smart that they are not in the position to have the world hate them. Now that the holocaust is wearing out, the rest of the world is starting to ask, who the #### do you guys think you are.

Yeah exactly. They are becoming a liability to the US rather than an asset. It's all about money and politics in the US. I'm actually ashamed of it.

[Heracles 417]

Thing is, Israel can no longer be confident of American backing. President Obama is pushing as hard as he can to get something moving in the Middle East, and the only people he can push right now are the Israelis. They are soon going to find out where American support stops.

Why should America back Israel? Because of 1.2% of your population being Jewish?

I just don't understand blindly backing anyone. Particularly anyone who intimidates others because they assume someone else has their back.

I'll fight for Israel if they are unjustly being attacked, what I won't do is stand back and watch them intimidate others for aiding themselves.

Edited June 5, 2010 by Booyah!

[daboyz 36]

Forget the law, Israel is not some US that has the room - to an extent - to ###### on the rest of the world. Incidents like these really hurt their international PR campaign.

Unless you are Jewish yourself, I don't understand the obsession with Israel.

I'm thinking Chinese Buddhist.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

What makes sticks illegal? Also, please cite the part of international law that allows for a ship to be involuntarily searched in international waters?

You left this part out. Carry on.

[daboyz 36]

Why should America back Israel? Because of 1.2% of your population being Jewish?

I just don't understand blindly backing anyone. Particularly anyone who intimidates others because they assume someone else has their back.

Easy. MONEY! Go ahead and go against AIPAC and see what happens to your next campaign funding. Plus somehow the right wing christians have lined up with the Jewish people, even though they scream from the rooftops you will go to hell if you don't believe Jesus is your saviour. It's all about money, nothing else.

All about the $

You left this part out. Carry on.

My bad. Thanks.

[Pooky 3,784]

Where were the weapons. I'm not sure if sticks are considered "weapons" By that logic Israel should be able to board any ship anywhere at any time.

If the ships are heading to Gaza, where they have an official blockade, then yes.

You can intentionally misunderstand what weapons I'm referring to all you like. The actual weapons do not have to be there, only the suspicion. And any ship heading to Gaza without going through an Israeli port, while the blockade is in force, will come under the suspicion of carrying weapons, or other proscribed cargo that may fall under "military materials", rightly or not.

Lastly, if no proscribed weapons or military materials are found, then, under International Law, the Israelis would have to release the ships to continue on their journey.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

To prevent intentional misrepresentation, the weapons being searched for were not the clubs and knives the "activists" were armed with, but possible weapons being carried as part of the cargo.

118. In exercising their legal rights in an international armed conflict at sea,

Except that no such thing existed, so that did not apply in this case, until the Israelis forcibly boarded those ships in neutral waters. Now we have the case post facto, only because Israel has now made it so. That would mean Israel has violated the spirit of the law, and as such, is subject to sanctions.

[Pooky 3,784]

Forget the law.

Why, when people are decrying the Israeli action as illegal? Isn't it all about International Law?

[daboyz 36]

If the ships are heading to Gaza, where they have an official blockade, then yes.

You can intentionally misunderstand what weapons I'm referring to all you like. The actual weapons do not have to be there, only the suspicion. And any ship heading to Gaza without going through an Israeli port, while the blockade is in force, will come under the suspicion of carrying weapons, or other proscribed cargo that may fall under "military materials", rightly or not.

Lastly, if no proscribed weapons or military materials are found, then, under International Law, the Israelis would have to release the ships to continue on their journey.

Laugh. Kill half the crew and then let them continue..... To Haifa.

Except that no such thing existed, so that did not apply in this case, until the Israelis forcibly boarded those ships in neutral waters. Now we have the case post facto, only because Israel has now made it so. That would mean Israel has violated the spirit of the law, and as such, is subject to sanctions.

Good luck with that. The U.S. would veto that in a heartbeat.

[Heracles 417]

Why, when people are decrying the Israeli action as illegal? Isn't it all about International Law?

All these ships need to do is have international military ships escort them.

What are they going to do then? Attack them too and expect the US to blindly come to their aid.

[daboyz 36]

All these ships need to do is have international military ships escort them.

What are they going to do then? Attack them too and expect the US to blindly come to their aid.

I'm sure the Israeli navy could do it on their own. We've given them enough free cash and weapons thanks to our tax dollars.

[Ggreen 12]

If the ships are heading to Gaza, where they have an official blockade, then yes.

Official blockade?!! you mean genocide. we can play with the words all day long but the truth is clear, every human being wants to live in peace exept the radicals. the only way to get peace is to give peace, but Israel have drained many gallons of blood, we are living in a shaky times, where the things(money, oil...) that innocent people killed for are going down the drain.

[Pooky 3,784]

Laugh. Kill half the crew and then let them continue..... To Haifa.

The ships' captains understood International Law. The other 5 ships reacted with sense and in accordance gave no resistance to the boarding and search.

If the "activists" had put up peaceful resistance, as the Israelis had been assured beforehand, there would have been no bloodshed and, had no proscribed materials been found, the ships would have been released to continue on their way.

If the "activists" had been smarter, there could have been the same crappy outcome for the Israelis, with no deaths, no bad press for the "activists" and no controversial "he said, she said" back and forth muddying the waters as to who instigated the violence. Given the choice, I'd rather go for the route that ensures I get out alive and unequivocally on the right side of the situation.

[daboyz 36]

The ships' captains understood International Law. The other 5 ships reacted with sense and in accordance gave no resistance to the boarding and search.

If the "activists" had put up peaceful resistance, as the Israelis had been assured beforehand, there would have been no bloodshed and, had no proscribed materials been found, the ships would have been released to continue on their way.

If the "activists" had been smarter, there could have been the same crappy outcome for the Israelis, with no deaths, no bad press for the "activists" and no controversial "he said, she said" back and forth muddying the waters as to who instigated the violence. Given the choice, I'd rather go for the route that ensures I get out alive and unequivocally on the right side of the situation.

I love how you put quotes around "activists" Did they find any weapons..??? Besides sticks?