At least 10 activists dead, dozens hurt in flotilla clashes

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

IDF says soldiers were met by well-planned lynch, concealed handguns, knives, bats, metal pipes in Gaza flotilla raid; six Navy commandos wounded; Al Jazeera broadcasts footage.

International activists aboard the flotilla of ships on their way to the Gaza Strip opened fire on IDF soldiers who boarded the ships to prevent them from breaking the Israeli-imposed sea blockade, the IDF said Monday.

According to the IDF, the international activists “prepared a lynch” for the soldiers who boarded the ships at about 2 a.m. Monday morning after calling on them to stop, or follow them to the Ashdod Port several hours earlier.

According to IDF reports, at least 10 activists were killed during the ensuing clashes. Six Navy commandos were also wounded, some of them from gunfire and at least one was in a serious condition with a head wound. Foreign reports claimed that the number of dead was close to 15. Some of the wounded were evacuated to Israeli hospital by Air Force helicopters.

In international reactions, Turkey, Sweden and Greece summonsed their Israeli ambassadors for discussions on the violence.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also responded to the clashes, which he called a "slaughter," according to an AFP report.

Upon boarding the ships, the soldiers encountered fierce resistance from the passengers who were armed with knives, bats and metal pipes. The soldiers used non-lethal measures to disperse the crowd. The activists, according to an IDF report, succeeded in stealing two handguns from soldiers and opened fire, leading to an escalation in violence.

Al Jazeera on Monday broadcasted footage from the Gaza flotilla's lead vessel, the Mavi Marmara, showing Israeli Navy commandos boarding the ship. Helicopters could also be seen flying overhead.

"It was like a well-planned lynch,” one IDF officer said. “These people were anything but peace activists.”

IDF: Ships will be taken to Ashdod Port

The IDF said that the ships would be taken to the Ashdod Port where, despite the violence, the cargo that are carrying will be inspected and then transferred to the Gaza Strip via land crossings. Israeli Navy commander Vice-Admiral Eliezer Marom was commanding over the operation from sea.

The Navy made initial contact with the flotilla at 11 p.m. on Sunday ordering the ships to follow them to Ashdod Port or otherwise be boarded.

The actual boarding of the ships took place at 2 a.m. Monday and was yet to be completed by 8 a.m.

Activists aboard the ships repeatedly said they would not respond with violence to the navy's interception of their flotilla prior to the boarding.

Al-Jazeera reported Turkish leaders called an emergency meeting to discuss responses to the attack at sea. The Israeli ambassador in Turkey was called in to offer explanations, according to a report.

Hamas PM condemns 'brutal attack'

Hamas Prime Minister Haniyeh came on Al-Jazeera to condemn the “brutal attack” and called on the UN to intervene on the activists' behalf.

The ministry condemned Monday's raid on the ship carrying pro-Palestinian activists, called it unacceptable and demanded an "urgent explanation" from Israel. It says Israel violated international laws and will suffer consequences.

http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=176970

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

why yes, it's the fault of israel again!

[Nagishkaw 510]

White House 'deeply regrets' loss of life on Gaza flotilla

The White House on Monday said it "deeply regretted" the loss of life and injuries sustained in the clashes after Israel Navy troops stormed a convoy of international activists bringing aid to the Gaza Strip, leaving at least 10 people dead.

"The United States deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained, and is currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy," said White House spokesman William Burton.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled his imminent trip to Washington, where he had been invited to meet with President Barack Obama, in the wake of the incident.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a full investigation and expressed shock at Israel's storming of the flotilla.

"It is vital that there is a full investigation to determine exactly how this bloodshed took place. I believe Israel must urgently provide a full explanation," he said at a press conference in the Ugandan capital of Kampala.

France became the first European nation to respond to the early morning's events. Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said he was "profoundly shocked".

Many of the activists aboard the protest ships were European nationals and analysts have predicted a harsh diplomatic response from the European Union and its member states.

The European Union demanded an inquiry and Germany said it was "shocked". The United Nations condemned violence against civilians in international waters.

Germany, one of Israel's most loyal allies, expressed shock at the deadly interception and questioned whether the action by Israeli commandos was proportionate.

Two members of the Bundestag lower house of parliament were among five Germans on board the ships, the foreign ministry said.

"The German government is shocked by events in the international waters by Gaza," government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm told a regular news conference, adding the government was seeking further clarification about the incident.

"Every German government supports unconditionally Israel's right to self defense," said Wilhelm. But he added that Israeli actions should to correspond to what he described as the "basic principle" of proportionality.

"A first look does not speak in favor of this basic principle being adhered to," he said. Berlin would await further details before judging the incident, he added.

Italy also condemned the killing of civilians during Israel's storming of the aid flotilla as "very grave" and asked for an EU investigation to ascertain the facts.

"I deplore in the strongest terms the killing of civilians. This is certainly a grave act," said Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.

Referring to the European Commission, he said it was "indispensable that there be an inquest to ascertain the facts, which are still not clear."

He also said he had asked the Israeli ambassador for clarification and hoped that it would not hurt efforts on the part of Israel and Turkey to cooperate in the search for Middle East peace.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/white-house-deeply-regrets-loss-of-life-on-gaza-flotilla-1.293299

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

Germany, one of Israel's most loyal allies, expressed shock at the deadly interception and questioned whether the action by Israeli commandos was proportionate.

Upon boarding the ships, the soldiers encountered fierce resistance from the passengers who were armed with knives, bats and metal pipes. The soldiers used non-lethal measures to disperse the crowd. The activists, according to an IDF report, succeeded in stealing two handguns from soldiers and opened fire, leading to an escalation in violence.

maybe germany should read that paragraph a few more times.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Cut off all ties to Israel, stop sending US taxpayers' money over there, and the dream of peace in the Middle East is within reach. If you remove the thorn from the wound, the wound eventually will heal.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I still think if you move all the Israelis to Palm Springs, and give the Palestinians back Palestine, then things would improve in the Middle East considerably.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

A lot of this would be solved if the "holy land" were evacuated, then destroyed.

Then there's nothing left to fight for there...

Just saying.

It's one of the dumbest battles in human history over that land.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Israel offered to transfer the supplies to Gaza. But the 'humanitarians' wanted a clash.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Let them fight to the death and may the best man win.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Israel offered to transfer the supplies to Gaza. But the 'humanitarians' wanted a clash.

Israel radio broadcast the message that it said was sent by the Israeli navy to the Turkish ship leading the convoy: "You are approaching an area of hostilities, which is under a naval blockade. Gaza coastal area and Gaza Harbour are closed to maritime traffic.

"The Israeli government supports delivery of humanitarian supplies to the civilian population in Gaza Strip and invites you to enter Ashdod port. Delivery of supplies will be through the formal land crossing to Gaza and under your observation, after which you can return to your home ports."

They said the reply from the ship was: "Negative, negative. Our destination is Gaza."

There were an estimated 700 people people on the boats - of the original nine that left Cyprus on Sunday three pulled out because of mechanical problems.

They were taking 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid - including medical supplies - to Gaza.

Israel has had a blockade on the Gaza Strip since Hamas took power three years ago.

Before the confrontation Israel had said it was prepared to deliver the cargo, but organisers said this was not possible as it contained many products that Israel had banned. Israel has also sealed off all border crossings it shares with Gaza, while Egypt sealed off its southern border with the Hamas-controlled territory.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/israeli-commandos-kill-19-in-attack-on-flotilla-trying-to-break-gaza-blockade/story-e6frg6n6-1225873783193

Edited May 31, 2010 by ##########

[KaiserD 12]

but organisers said this was not possible as it contained many products that Israel had banned

Wonder if there were weapons in there?

I think the "international community" should at least keep their mouths shut until they can get to the bottom of the story.

Edited May 31, 2010 by KaiserD

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Wonder if there were weapons in there?

I think the "international community" should at least keep their mouths shut until they can get to the bottom of the story.

Because, it would be wrong to let the Palestinians defend themselves.

[KaiserD 12]

But just if they were weapons, handing them in the guise of "humanitarian aid" is quite misleading. They are after all, being in the victim role in the eyes of the international community.

humanitarian aid : water, blankets, food, shelter...guns?

If that's what they've got they need to go ahead and tell the media that, lets have the whole truth please and not half of it. You can't expect the Israelis to go "oh you've got weapons? Sure go on in!"

Not saying if the Israelis are right or wrong but the whole of the facts need to be established first before all the different media outlets put their slant on it.

[sandinista! 1,816]

the ship was in international waters at the time. the soldiers boarding that ship had no more right to be there than common pirates.

[SupportGeek 21]

the ship was in international waters at the time. the soldiers boarding that ship had no more right to be there than common pirates.

This is the crux of the issue for me, they should not have boarded and captured these vessels in international waters, its tantamount to piracy.

The rest of this issue devolves into a he-said she-said, and we will probably never know the truth of what really happened, which is unfortunate and sad people were killed in whatever action resulted.

It would probably have caused less problems if they had boarded with the intent to inspect the cargo, if there was banned items, then redirect them to an Israeli port to offload the contraband, then let them continue to Gaza.