Reporting from Jerusalem —
... the other Black experience
Flotilla attack: Israeli raid on convoy in Gaza
carrying humanitarian aid that was attempting to break through an Israeli blockade of the
Gaza Strip.
Amid demonstrations erupting worldwide, foreign leaders and protest organizers accused Israel of using excessive force in the raid in international waters. At an emergency meeting, the United Nations Security Council condemned the violence and called for an investigation.
Israel defended its actions, saying its soldiers were ambushed with knives and metal bars — as well as handguns wrested from the commandos — during the late-night raid, which occurred about 40 miles off Israel's coast.
The Israeli military said nine protesters were killed. Protest organizers put the death toll at 16. Dozens were wounded, including seven Israeli soldiers.
Video of the raid released by the Israeli military, Turkish television and other media sources depicted a dramatic high-seas brawl in which Israeli commandos rappelled from helicopters onto a ship and immediately clashed with activists on board.
Responding to the brewing crisis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short his visit to Canada to return to Israel, cancelling a much-anticipated White House visit with President Obama scheduled for Tuesday that been widely seen as an opportunity to show improved U.S.-Israeli ties.
The Israeli raid appeared to be a public relations nightmare for Israel, putting the Obama administration in an awkward position just as it hoped to put to rest a frosty period in its alliance with Israel.
Whereas most governments used harsh language to condemn the raid, the administration responded cautiously, expressing regret at the loss of life but stopping short of criticizing Israel until full details of the incident are known.
The global focus on Israel's conduct in the raid — including the attention of the U.N. Security Council — now threatens to be a distraction from the U.S. administration's diplomatic priorities, notably getting international consensus for sanctions to deal with Iran's nuclear program.
Despite the international outrage directed at Israel, a senior administration official said Washington would strive to keep Arab states committed to the peace process.
"There will be tensions here, but the real key will be keeping political support for the talks intact," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "That will be our challenge.''
The immediate focus of the international community, however, is now squarely on Israel's blockade of Gaza, which had slid into the background of international issues.
On Monday, world leaders decried the interception of the pro-Palestinian convoy, which was attempting to bring food, medical supplies,clothing and construction supplies to the impoverished territory.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy criticized Israel's "disproportionate use of force." U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the violence. The European Union's foreign affairs chief, Catherine Ashton, said the bloc was deeply concerned, and she called on Israel to conduct an inquiry. British Foreign Secretary William Hague deplored the killings and called for an end to the Gaza blockade.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called the raid "banditry and piracy" on the high seas and "murder conducted by a state."
Gaza Strip.
Amid demonstrations erupting worldwide, foreign leaders and protest organizers accused Israel of using excessive force in the raid in international waters. At an emergency meeting, the United Nations Security Council condemned the violence and called for an investigation.
Israel defended its actions, saying its soldiers were ambushed with knives and metal bars — as well as handguns wrested from the commandos — during the late-night raid, which occurred about 40 miles off Israel's coast.
Video of the raid released by the Israeli military, Turkish television and other media sources depicted a dramatic high-seas brawl in which Israeli commandos rappelled from helicopters onto a ship and immediately clashed with activists on board.
Responding to the brewing crisis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short his visit to Canada to return to Israel, cancelling a much-anticipated White House visit with President Obama scheduled for Tuesday that been widely seen as an opportunity to show improved U.S.-Israeli ties.
The Israeli raid appeared to be a public relations nightmare for Israel, putting the Obama administration in an awkward position just as it hoped to put to rest a frosty period in its alliance with Israel.
Whereas most governments used harsh language to condemn the raid, the administration responded cautiously, expressing regret at the loss of life but stopping short of criticizing Israel until full details of the incident are known.
The global focus on Israel's conduct in the raid — including the attention of the U.N. Security Council — now threatens to be a distraction from the U.S. administration's diplomatic priorities, notably getting international consensus for sanctions to deal with Iran's nuclear program.
Despite the international outrage directed at Israel, a senior administration official said Washington would strive to keep Arab states committed to the peace process.
"There will be tensions here, but the real key will be keeping political support for the talks intact," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "That will be our challenge.''
The immediate focus of the international community, however, is now squarely on Israel's blockade of Gaza, which had slid into the background of international issues.
On Monday, world leaders decried the interception of the pro-Palestinian convoy, which was attempting to bring food, medical supplies,clothing and construction supplies to the impoverished territory.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy criticized Israel's "disproportionate use of force." U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the violence. The European Union's foreign affairs chief, Catherine Ashton, said the bloc was deeply concerned, and she called on Israel to conduct an inquiry. British Foreign Secretary William Hague deplored the killings and called for an end to the Gaza blockade.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called the raid "banditry and piracy" on the high seas and "murder conducted by a state."
Turkey, whose citizens accounted for more than half the flotilla's passengers and which has been an ally of Israel, recalled its ambassador to Israel and warned of further actions.
Ma Zhaoxu, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, said his nation "is appalled and condemns the Israeli navy's attack on the Turkish fleet shipping humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip."
Greece, Egypt, Sweden, Spain and Denmark summoned Israel's ambassadors, demanding explanations for the violence. Greece suspended a military exercise with Israel and postponed a visit by Israel's air force chief. Germany called for an immediate investigation but was careful not to directly place blame, adding that it was seeking information on six German citizens believed to have been aboard the ships.
Riot police used tear gas to drive back hundreds of protesters demonstrating outside the Israeli Embassy in Paris. There were also demonstrations in the U.S., Britain, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Cyprus and more than 20 cities in Greece.
At the United Nations, Palestinians and Arabs, backed by a number of Security Council members, called for Israel to lift the blockade on Gaza, immediately release the seized ships and activists, and allow them to deliver their goods.
After the raid, Israel's navy escorted the six vessels in the flotilla to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where the government had set up tents to accommodate the activists. Protesters were offered the choice of flying home immediately or facing arrest and imprisonment. By Monday evening, most were opting to be arrested, officials said, with as many as 600 activists from 40 nations still being held.
Jonathan Peled
Tuesday, June 1, 2010; 3:00 PM
The U.N. Security Council early Tuesday condemned "those acts which resulted in" the deaths of at least nine civilians aboard an aid flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip, and called for a "prompt, impartial, credible and transparent" investigation into why and how the Israeli military acted to stop the ships from reaching their destination. Israeli Embassy spokesman Jonathan Pele was online Tuesday, June 1, at 2 p.m. ET to discuss today's developments. A request for a spokesman from the Turkish Embassy has been made and we are awaiting a response.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by kifaru on -
I am surprised at the spin that is being put on this. I feel bad for any person killed or injured in the flotilla however those people were planning on invading Israel's sovereign territory. If a flotilla of Cuban ships sailed to Louisiana saying they were going to provide aid for Katrina Victims without being cleared with the Coast Guard they would be given the option to turn back or be destroyed.
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Permalink Reply by Darkness Unlimited* on -
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Permalink Reply by Darkness Unlimited* on
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kifaru said:
You're a zionist tool, you know that right?I am surprised at the spin that is being put on this. I feel bad for any person killed or injured in the flotilla however those people were planning on invading Israel's sovereign territory. If a flotilla of Cuban ships sailed to Louisiana saying they were going to provide aid for Katrina Victims without being cleared with the Coast Guard they would be given the option to turn back or be destroyed.
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Permalink Reply by Compound Egret on -
Per the IDF's (strangely edited) footage, there were knives, sledgehammers, sticks, slingshots, etc. Doesn't the IDF have pepper spray, rubber bullets, tasers, etc.? Maybe we should send some with the next check.
The peeps on the boat didn't exactly roll out the welcome mat for the IDF, but it looks like they overreacted. I heard someone opine that this attack was a setup to make Israel overplay it's hand and destroy the blockade completely so that anything can come in on a ship.
Wouldn't Hamas have an easier time smuggling weapons through the network of tunnels that connect Gaza to Egypt?
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Permalink Reply by rhymingwords on -
Hm. I'm torn.
I guess it's regrettable that nine died, but I can't imagine the activists onboard seriously thought that beating Israeli military personnel about the head with pipes and such would be tolerated for long. This was a deliberate provocation and they knew exactly what they were doing.
Based on the available information, I find it really hard to get worked up about this. I'm with Kifaru on this one.
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Permalink Reply by kifaru on
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That shit in the picture is staged. Notice how ir is laid out on a green islamic banner? See how they have a pile of shemagh (sometimes referred to as keffiyeh aka palestinian headdress") situated at the bottom? Kitchen knives and broom sticks dressed up to look menancing. The IDF is so dumb that that they won't even make a rational argument about the situation. They were well within their rights to interdict the flotilla. They wouldn't have to go through this if they would allow basic necessities into the Palestinian territories.
Compound Egret said:
Per the IDF's (strangely edited) footage, there were knives, sledgehammers, sticks, slingshots, etc. Doesn't the IDF have pepper spray, rubber bullets, tasers, etc.? Maybe we should send some with the next check.
The peeps on the boat didn't exactly roll out the welcome mat for the IDF, but it looks like they overreacted. I heard someone opine that this attack was a setup to make Israel overplay it's hand and destroy the blockade completely so that anything can come in on a ship.
Wouldn't Hamas have an easier time smuggling weapons through the network of tunnels that connect Gaza to Egypt?
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Permalink Reply by kifaru on
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You can do better than that, Abadon.
Darkness Unlimited* said:kifaru said:
You're a zionist tool, you know that right?I am surprised at the spin that is being put on this. I feel bad for any person killed or injured in the flotilla however those people were planning on invading Israel's sovereign territory. If a flotilla of Cuban ships sailed to Louisiana saying they were going to provide aid for Katrina Victims without being cleared with the Coast Guard they would be given the option to turn back or be destroyed.
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Permalink Reply by Darkness Unlimited* on
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rhymingwords said:
Well clearly you've been drinking the Zionist cool-aid along with Kifaru. Here are some FACTS: The activists on the flotilla NEVER attacked nor assaulted IDF soldiers! IDF soldiers/gestapo invaded the flotilla in INTERNATIONAL WATERS, a direct violation ov International/marintime law! The activists took whatever tepid measures they could to DEFEND themselves & rightfully so! Obviously, the resistance didn't last long, being as the IDF/gestapo were armed with just about everything a man can carry - including paintguns. The Israeli-imposed blocade itself is a total violation ov the U.N.s' charter, as well as a gross human rights violation. Palestinians are still living in the RUBBLE ov their homes more than a goddamn year after Israel's genicidal campaign in Gaza! The palestinians are effectively refugees in the their own land, & the Gaza Strip has been turned into a concentration camp by Israel. The only difference b/t this & the concentration camps suffered by the Jews during WW2 is that, the Jews suffering only lasted several years. The suffering that palestinians endure has lasted for DECADES & still continues! Also, the fact that b/t 10 to 20 activists have been MURDERED by IDF Gestapo is reason enough for International outrage! It's all good though, 'cause another flotilla called the "Rachel Corrie" (after the activist who was murdered/crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer in 2003) is heading towards Gaza.Hm. I'm torn.
I guess it's regrettable that nine died, but I can't imagine the activists onboard seriously thought that beating Israeli military personnel about the head with pipes and such would be tolerated for long. This was a deliberate provocation and they knew exactly what they were doing.
Based on the available information, I find it really hard to get worked up about this. I'm with Kifaru on this one.
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Permalink Reply by Darkness Unlimited* on
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kifaru said:
Since when was this a comptition?You can do better than that, Abadon.
Darkness Unlimited* said:kifaru said:
You're a zionist tool, you know that right?I am surprised at the spin that is being put on this. I feel bad for any person killed or injured in the flotilla however those people were planning on invading Israel's sovereign territory. If a flotilla of Cuban ships sailed to Louisiana saying they were going to provide aid for Katrina Victims without being cleared with the Coast Guard they would be given the option to turn back or be destroyed.
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Permalink Reply by Darkness Unlimited* on
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Oh yeah, then there's this:
http://palsolidarity.org/2010/05/12604/
US activist loses eye after being shot in face with tear gas canisterUS activist loses eye after being shot in face with tear gas canister
Posted on: May 31, 2010 | ShareThis
International Solidarity Movement
1 June 2010
US citizen Emily Henochowicz was shot directly in the face with a tear gas canister as she non-violently demonstrated against the Flotilla massacre
UPDATE 1 June, 8:30PM (GMT+2): Emily is recovering at Hadassah Hospital after two surgeries Monday night. She lost her left eye, three metal plates were inserted into her head/face, and her jaw is wired shut. The bone surrounding her eye socket, cheekbone and jawbone are all fractured. Emily was standing peacefully during a demonstration at Qalandiya checkpoint Monday when Border Police fired a large number of tear gas canisters directly at the heads of Emily and another ISM activist.
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31 May 2010: An American solidarity activist was shot in the face with a tear gas canister during a demonstration in Qalandiya, today. Emily Henochowicz is currently in Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem undergoing surgery to remove her left eye, following the demonstration that was held in protest to Israel’s murder of at least 10 civilians aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters this morning.
21-year old Emily Henochowicz was hit in the face with a tear gas projectile fired directly at her by an Israeli soldier during the demonstration at Qalandiya checkpoint today. Israeli occupation forces fired volleys of tear gas at unarmed Palestinian and international protesters, causing mass panic amongst the demonstrators and those queuing at the largest checkpoint separating the West Bank and Israel.
“They clearly saw us,” said Sören Johanssen, a Swedish ISM volunteer standing with Henochowicz. “They clearly saw that we were internationals and it really looked as though they were trying to hit us. They fired many canisters at us in rapid succession. One landed on either side of Emily, then the third one hit her in the face.”
Henochowicz is an art student at the prestigious Cooper Union, located in East Village, Manhattan.
The demonstration was one of many that took place across the West Bank today in outrage over the Israeli military’s attack on the Gaza freedom flotilla and blatant violation of international law. Demonstrations also took place in inside Israel, Gaza and Jerusalem, with clashes occurring in East Jerusalem and Palestinian shopkeepers in the occupied Old City closing their businesses for the day in protest.
Henochowicz lost her left eye after being shot directly in the face with a tear gas canister
Tear gas canisters are commonly used against demonstrators in the occupied West Bank. In May 2009, the Israeli State Attorney’s Office ordered Israeli Police to review its guidelines for dispersing demonstrators, following the death of a demonstrator, Bassem Abu Rahmah from Bil’in village, caused by a high velocity tear-gas projectile. Tear-gas canisters are meant to be used as a means of crowd dispersal, to be shot indirectly at demonstrators and from a distance. However, Israeli forces frequently shoot canisters directly at protesters and are not bound by a particular distance from which they can shoot.
Israeli occupation forces boarded the Mavi Marmara, one of six ships on the Freedom Flotilla at 5 a.m. this morning, opening fire on the hundreds of unarmed civilians aboard. No-one aboard the ships were carrying weapons of any kind, including for defense against a feared Israeli attack in international waters. At least 9 aid workers aboard the ship have been confirmed dead, with dozens more injured. The assault took place 70 miles off the Gaza coast in international waters, after the flotilla was surrounded by three Israeli warships. The Freedom Flotilla, carrying 700 human rights activists from over 40 countries and 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid, was headed for the besieged and impoverished Gaza Strip. The Israeli blockade on Gaza, combined with the illegal buffer zone, has put a stranglehold on the territory. 42% of Gazans are unemployed, and food insecurity hovers around 60% according to figures from the Palestine Centre for Human Rights
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Permalink Reply by Darkness Unlimited* on
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Permalink Reply by kifaru on
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Well, shiver me timbers! You've finally figured it out!
Darkness Unlimited* said:kifaru said:
Since when was this a comptition?You can do better than that, Abadon.
Darkness Unlimited* said:kifaru said:
You're a zionist tool, you know that right?I am surprised at the spin that is being put on this. I feel bad for any person killed or injured in the flotilla however those people were planning on invading Israel's sovereign territory. If a flotilla of Cuban ships sailed to Louisiana saying they were going to provide aid for Katrina Victims without being cleared with the Coast Guard they would be given the option to turn back or be destroyed.
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