{"id":5760,"date":"2010-05-31T11:20:07","date_gmt":"2010-05-31T10:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gaza.haimbresheeth.com\/?p=5760"},"modified":"2010-05-31T16:43:36","modified_gmt":"2010-05-31T15:43:36","slug":"may-31-2010","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/2010\/05\/31\/may-31-2010\/","title":{"rendered":"May 31, 2010"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/strong>
Bastards! by Carlos Latuff<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Breaking News! <\/strong>Breaking News! 19 Activists were <\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

murdered by IOF on the Freedom Flotilla
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Editor: Murder and Piracy on the High Seas<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Anyone still supporting Israel, are themselves criminals, aidingand abbeting a criminal apartheid regime. From now on, the war against the Israeli war criminals will not stop, until they will face their justice in international courts. Any Israelis who are not openly against their governemnt, are by definition supporting it, and should face boycott, divestment and sanctions. Even before this terrible murder of innocent civilian activists, the international community has started the anti-apartheid canmpaign, which has intensified after the Gaza massacre. This latest crime will only help to clarify that the fascist Israeli government must be faced off by the whole international community, and brought to justice.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The news about this murder is still patchy, due to the total control Israeli Occupation Army forces have enforced on the ships. All activists are under illegal arrest, another crime Israel will have to pay for. The beginning of the end of Zionism is here, in those ruthless, mindless crimes, and those usual apologists for Israeli crimes will no longer be listened to, I am sure. No doubt the BBC, CNN and other news channels under the spell of Israeli propaganda will continue to spout lies, but they will confuse no one. The countdown has started on the apartheid regime!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

On all channels Israeli spokesperson are now claiming that they were attacked by the convoy… who will believe them? Do not bother reading listening to the BBC, apart from reacting to their pro-Israeli bias on all reports. The same can be said about ALL US channels. Al Jazeera is the only channel worth listrening to, if you wish to hear an objective and well informed reports.
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Deaths as Israeli forces storm Gaza aid ship<\/a>: BBC<\/h3>\n

Page last updated at 10:06 GMT, Monday, 31 May 2010 11:06 UK
\nE-mail this to a friendPrintable version
\nTurkish TV footage appeared to show Israeli troops on board
\nMore than 10 people have been killed after Israeli commandos stormed a convoy of ships carrying aid to the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army says.
\nArmed forces boarded the largest vessel overnight, clashing with some of the 500 people on board.
\nIt happened about 40 miles (64 km) out to sea, in international waters.
\nIsrael says its soldiers were shot at and attacked with weapons; the activists say Israeli troops came on board shooting.
\nThe European Union has called for an inquiry to establish what happened.<\/p>\n

‘Guns and knives’<\/strong>
\nThe six-ship flotilla, carrying 10,000 tonnes of aid, left the coast of Cyprus on Sunday and had been due to arrive in Gaza on Monday.
\nIsrael says its soldiers boarded the lead ship in the early hours but were attacked with axes, knives, bars and at least two guns.
\n“Unfortunately this group were dead-set on confrontation,” Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev told the BBC.
\n“Live fire was used against our forces. They initiated the violence, that’s 100% clear,” he said.
\nOrganisers of the flotilla said at least 30 people were wounded in the incident. Israel says 10 of its soldiers were injured, one seriously.
\nA leader of Israel’s Islamic Movement, Raed Salah, who was on board, was among those hurt.
\nAudrey Bomse, a spokesperson for the Free Gaza Movement, which is behind the convoy, told the BBC Israel’s actions were disproportionate.<\/p>\n

“We were not going to pose any violent resistance. The only resistance that there might be would be passive resistance such as physically blocking the steering room, or blocking the engine room downstairs, so that they couldn’t get taken over. But that was just symbolic resistance.”
\nShe said there was “absolutely no evidence of live fire”.
\nIsrael is towing the boats to the port of Ashdod and says it will deport the passengers from there. It says it will deliver the ships’ aid to Gaza.<\/p>\n

Condemnation<\/strong>
\nTurkish TV pictures taken on board the Turkish ship leading the flotilla appeared to show Israeli soldiers fighting to control passengers.
\nConsists of three cargo ships and three passenger ships
\nCasualties reported on the Mavi Marmara passenger ferry
\nMavi Marmara is one of three ships provided by Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH), a Turkish aid organisation with links to the Turkish government
\nOther ships are organised by the Free Gaza Movement, an international coalition of activist groups
\nUp to 600 mostly Turkish passengers, tonnes of cement and at least two journalists on board the Mavi Marmara
\nThe footage showed a number of people, apparently injured, lying on the ground. A woman was seen holding a blood-stained stretcher.<\/p>\n

Al-Jazeera TV reported from the same ship that Israeli navy forces had opened fire and boarded the vessel, wounding the captain.
\nThe Al-Jazeera broadcast ended with a voice shouting in Hebrew, saying: “Everybody shut up!”
\nIsrael’s deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said his country “regrets any loss of life and did everything to avoid this outcome”.
\nHe accused the convoy of a “premeditated and outrageous provocation”, describing the flotilla as an “armada of hate”.
\nPalestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Israel’s actions, saying it had committed a massacre.<\/p>\n

Most of the people on board the boats were Turkish.
\nTurkey accused Israel of “targeting innocent civilians”.
\n“We strongly denounce Israel’s inhumane interception,” it said, warning of “irreparable consequences” to the two countries’ relations.
\nDanny Ayalon, Israeli deputy foreign minister: “The organisers’ intent was violent.”
\nTurkey was Israel’s closest Muslim ally but relations have deteriorated over the past few years.
\nIn Turkey, thousands of protesters demonstrated against Israel in Istanbul, while several countries have summoned Israeli ambassadors to seek an explanation as to what happened.
\nGreece has withdrawn from joint military exercises with Israel in protest at the raid on the flotilla.<\/p>\n

Blockade<\/strong>
\nIsrael had repeatedly said it would stop the boats, calling the campaign a “provocation intended to delegitimise Israel”.
\nIsrael and Egypt tightened a blockade of Gaza after the Islamist movement Hamas took power there in 2007.
\nIsrael says it allows about 15,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid into Gaza every week.<\/p>\n

But the United Nations says this is less than a quarter of what is needed.
\nThe incident comes a day before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to meet US President Barack Obama in Washington after one of the most strained periods in US-Israeli relations in years.
\nDo you know someone aboard these ships? What is your reaction to this story? Send us your comments, pictures and videos.<\/p>\n

L’\u00e9volution des \u00e9v\u00e9nements minute par minute<\/a>: Le Mond<\/h3>\n

31.05.10
\nInverser l’ordre de tri
\n13:07 – L’ambassadeur isra\u00e9lien \u00e0 Paris convoqu\u00e9 au Quai d’Orsay<\/p>\n

L’ambassadeur d’Isra\u00ebl en France, Daniel Shek, va \u00eatre convoqu\u00e9 lundi apr\u00e8s-midi au minist\u00e8re des affaires \u00e9trang\u00e8res, qui veut des explications sur le raid meurtrier isra\u00e9lien contre une flottille internationale en route vers Gaza, a annonc\u00e9 un porte-parole du Quai d’Orsay.<\/p>\n

12:56 – Le pr\u00e9sident du Parlement europ\u00e9en veut la lev\u00e9e du blocus de Gaza<\/p>\n

Le pr\u00e9sident du Parlement europ\u00e9en, Jerzy Buzek, a d\u00e9nonc\u00e9 “invite la haute repr\u00e9sentante de l’UE pour les affaires \u00e9trang\u00e8res, Catherine Ashton, \u00e0 prendre des mesures au sein du Quartette pour forcer Isra\u00ebl \u00e0 lever le si\u00e8ge qui frappe la population de Gaza imm\u00e9diatement et sans condition”. Catherine Ashton a d\u00e9j\u00e0 demand\u00e9 une “enqu\u00eate compl\u00e8te” des autorit\u00e9s isra\u00e9liennes sur les circonstances de la prise d’assaut de la flottille, et r\u00e9clam\u00e9 une ouverture “imm\u00e9diate” et “sans conditions” de Gaza.<\/p>\n

12:45 – Le PS demande une r\u00e9union imm\u00e9diate du Conseil de s\u00e9curit\u00e9 de l’ONU<\/p>\n

Le Parti socialiste a demand\u00e9 une “r\u00e9union imm\u00e9diate” du Conseil de s\u00e9curit\u00e9 de l’ONU. Lors d’un point-presse, Beno\u00eet Hamon, porte-parole socialiste, a exprim\u00e9 “l’\u00e9motion du PS et sa condamnation \u00e0 l’action inacceptable et tr\u00e8s choquante d’Isra\u00ebl contre la flottille humanitaire”.<\/p>\n

“Nous sommes confront\u00e9s \u00e0 une crise internationale”, a dit M. Hamon qui a demand\u00e9 “des r\u00e9ponses sous la forme d’une r\u00e9union imm\u00e9diate du Conseil de s\u00e9curit\u00e9 des Nations unies : d’abord pour \u00e9viter l’embrasement” et “faire baisser la tension”, et “ensuite pour esp\u00e9rer que les Etats-Unis, cette fois-ci, s’associent \u00e0 une condamnation solennelle de l’op\u00e9ration” qui “oblige le gouvernement isra\u00e9lien \u00e0 bouger”.<\/p>\n

12:42 – La Turquie annule un exercice militaire conjoint avec Isra\u00ebl<\/p>\n

La Turquie a rappel\u00e9 son ambassadeur en Isra\u00ebl, a annonc\u00e9 le vice-premier ministre turc, Bulent Arinc.
\nM. Arinc a annonc\u00e9 aussi que des pr\u00e9paratifs pour des manoeuvres militaires conjointes avec Isra\u00ebl avaient \u00e9t\u00e9 annul\u00e9s. Il a confirm\u00e9 que la Turquie avait d\u00e9mand\u00e9 une r\u00e9union d’urgence du Conseil de s\u00e9curit\u00e9 de l’ONU.<\/p>\n

12:24 – Sarkozy : “Toute la lumi\u00e8re doit \u00eatre faite sur cette trag\u00e9die”<\/p>\n

Nicolas Sarkozy a exprim\u00e9 sa profonde \u00e9motion et demand\u00e9 une enqu\u00eate apr\u00e8s l’assaut meurtrier des forces isra\u00e9liennes contre une flottille humanitaire qui cherchait \u00e0 atteindre Gaza. “Le pr\u00e9sident de la R\u00e9publique exprime sa profonde \u00e9motion devant les cons\u00e9quences tragiques de l’op\u00e9ration militaire isra\u00e9lienne (…). Il condamne l’usage disproportionn\u00e9 de la force et adresse ses condol\u00e9ances aux familles des victimes”, lit-on dans un communiqu\u00e9. “Toute la lumi\u00e8re doit \u00eatre faite sur les circonstances de cette trag\u00e9die, qui souligne l’urgence d’une relance du processus de paix”, ajoute-t-il.<\/p>\n

12:15 – Sept Fran\u00e7ais \u00e0 bord de la flottille, selon “Le Parisien”<\/p>\n

Selon les informations du Parisien, “une d\u00e9l\u00e9gation de sept Fran\u00e7ais repr\u00e9sentant trois associations est \u00e0 bord de la flottille”. “Les responsables de la Campagne Civile Internationale pour la Protection du Peuple Palestinien ont indiqu\u00e9 qu’ils n’avaient plus de nouvelles de leurs ‘camarades depuis 3 heures cette nuit’, ‘peu de temps avant le raid de l’arm\u00e9e’.”<\/p>\n

12:10 – Une action “inacceptable” pour la Norv\u00e8ge<\/p>\n

La Norv\u00e8ge juge “inacceptable” l’assaut de l’arm\u00e9e isra\u00e9lienne, d\u00e9clare le premier ministre Jens Stoltenberg. Il a ajout\u00e9 que l’ambassadeur isra\u00e9lien \u00e0 Oslo a \u00e9t\u00e9 convoqu\u00e9. “Le gouvernement norv\u00e9gien est \u00e9branl\u00e9 par les informations selon lesquelles l’arm\u00e9e isra\u00e9lienne a donn\u00e9 l’assaut \u00e0 des bateaux transportant de l’aide humanitaire civile”, a dit M. Stoltenberg. La flottille comptait trois Norv\u00e9giens dont le sort n’est pas encore connu, a-t-il pr\u00e9cis\u00e9. Le chef du gouvernement norv\u00e9gien a r\u00e9clam\u00e9 “une enqu\u00eate internationale ind\u00e9pendante imm\u00e9diate”. “Cela renforce aussi le point de vue norv\u00e9gien selon lequel le blocus de Gaza doit \u00eatre lev\u00e9”, a-t-il ajout\u00e9.<\/p>\n

12:06 – Rome rectifie sa position sur l’assaut isra\u00e9lien<\/p>\n

Le ministre des affaires \u00e9trang\u00e8res italien, Franco Frattini, a “d\u00e9plor\u00e9 le meurtre de civils” dans l’assaut militaire isra\u00e9lien. Auparavant, le sous-secr\u00e9taire d’Etat aux affaires \u00e9trang\u00e8res Alfredo Mantica avait estim\u00e9 que la tentative de la flottille pro-palestinienne de rompre l’embargo isra\u00e9lien sur Gaza \u00e9tait de “la pure provocation”.<\/p>\n

12:00 – Les Isra\u00e9liens invit\u00e9s \u00e0 \u00e9viter la Turquie<\/p>\n

Le bureau isra\u00e9lien de lutte contre le terrorisme, qui d\u00e9pend des services du premier ministre, appelle les Isra\u00e9liens \u00e0 reporter leurs projets de visite en Turquie de crainte de manifestations hostiles apr\u00e8s l’assaut contre la flottille pour Gaza.<\/p>\n

11:57 – Une ONG grecque d\u00e9nonce des tirs \u00e0 balles r\u00e9elles<\/p>\n

Un bateau grec de la flottille pro-palestinienne en route vers Gaza, le Sfendoni, a essuy\u00e9 des tirs \u00e0 “balles r\u00e9elles” dans la nuit \u00e0 partir d’h\u00e9licopt\u00e8res et de canots gonflables isra\u00e9liens, affirm\u00e9e une ONG grecque engag\u00e9e dans la flottille.<\/p>\n

11:54 – Manifestations \u00e0 Istanbul et Ankara<\/p>\n

Plusieurs milliers de personnes ont manifest\u00e9 lundi sur la principale place d’Istanbul pour protester contre le raid isra\u00e9lien. “Mort \u00e0 Isra\u00ebl !”, “Soldats turcs, partez pour Gaza !”, ont scand\u00e9 les manifestants rassembl\u00e9s en fin de matin\u00e9e sur la place Taksim, au coeur de la plus grande ville turque.<\/p>\n

De nombreux autres manifestants arrivaient sur la place, o\u00f9 d’importants effectifs de police \u00e9taient d\u00e9ploy\u00e9s. Environ 400 manifestants avaient plus t\u00f4t dans la matin\u00e9e scand\u00e9 des slogans hostiles \u00e0 Isra\u00ebl devant le consulat isra\u00e9lien, dans le quartier de Levent. Quelques manifestants avaient jet\u00e9 des bouteilles en plastique en direction du b\u00e2timent, avant d’\u00eatre repouss\u00e9s par la police. A Ankara, un peu moins de 200 personnes sont venues manifester devant la r\u00e9sidence de l’ambassadeur d’Isra\u00ebl, prot\u00e9g\u00e9 par des forces de police. Les manifestants ont organis\u00e9 une pri\u00e8re devant le domicile de l’ambassadeur.<\/p>\n

11:54 – Le bilan de l’assaut revu \u00e0 la hausse : 19 morts, 26 bless\u00e9s<\/p>\n

Dix-neuf passagers ont \u00e9t\u00e9 tu\u00e9s et 26 autres bless\u00e9s lors de l’assaut des commandos isra\u00e9liens contre la flottille humanitaire, affirme la cha\u00eene 10 de la t\u00e9l\u00e9vision isra\u00e9lienne.<\/p>\n

11:46 – Jos\u00e9 Luis Rodriguez Zapatero condamne l’intervention isra\u00e9lienne<\/p>\n

Le chef du gouvernement socialiste, Jos\u00e9 Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, a qualifi\u00e9 les \u00e9v\u00e9nements qui ont caus\u00e9 la mort de plus de dix passagers de la flottille de “faits graves et pr\u00e9occupants”. L’ambassadeur d’Isra\u00ebl \u00e0 Madrid “a \u00e9t\u00e9 convoqu\u00e9” pour qu’on lui demande des explications. Cet assaut est “absolument condamnable”, a jug\u00e9 pour sa part le secr\u00e9taire d’Etat aux Affaires europ\u00e9ennes, Diego Lopez Garrido.<\/p>\n

11:45 – Inqui\u00e9tude pour une d\u00e9l\u00e9gation alg\u00e9rienne<\/p>\n

Le Mouvement alg\u00e9rien de la soci\u00e9t\u00e9 de la paix (MSP) indique qu’il est “sans nouvelles” d’une d\u00e9l\u00e9gation alg\u00e9rienne de 32 membres faisant partie de la flotille prise d’assaut, “comprenant des d\u00e9put\u00e9s, des journalistes et des m\u00e9decins”.<\/p>\n

11:40 – Le Danemark convoque l’ambassadeur isra\u00e9lien<\/p>\n

La ministre des affaires \u00e9trang\u00e8res danoise, Lene Espersen, convoque l’ambassadeur d’Isra\u00ebl \u00e0 Copenhague pour entendre ses explications sur l’assaut.<\/p>\n

At least 10 activists killed in Israel Navy clashes onboard Gaza aid flotilla<\/a>: Haaretz<\/h3>\n

IDF says 10 killed, 2 commandos wounded as troops tried to board; ships towed to Ashdod port.
\nConfrontation took place in international waters
\nIDF: Passengers attacked lone commando with iron bars, opened fire
\nFlotilla had reportedly changed course to avoid confrontation
\nIsrael Navy troops opened fire on pro-Palestinian activists aboard a six-ship flotilla carrying aid destined for the Gaza Strip before dawn Monday, killing at least 10 people and wounding several others, after the convoy ignored orders to turn back. The Navy later towed the ships to Ashdod port.
\nThe Israel Defense Forces said 10 activists were killed after its troops came under fire while intercepting the convoy. Unofficial reports put the death toll at between 14 and 20.<\/p>\n

“Our initial findings show that at least 10 convoy participants were killed,” an army spokesman said.
\nThe military said in a statement: “Navy fighters took control of six ships that tried to violate the naval blockade (of the Gaza Strip) … During the takeover, the soldiers encountered serious physical violence by the protesters, who attacked them with live fire.”
\nTurkey’s NTV said over 60 were also wounded after IDF vessels stormed the flotilla in international waters.<\/p>\n

The IDF earlier confirmed that two navy commandos had been wounded in fight, which apparently broke out after activists tried to seize their weapons.
\nAccording to the IDF, commandos who stormed the Turkish ferry Mavi Marmara, the largest vessel in the convoy, encountered violent resistance from activists armed with sticks and knives.
\nActivists attacked a commando with iron bars as he descended onto the ship from a helicopter, the army said. The IDF said its rules of engagement allowed troops to open fire in what it called a “life-threatening situation”.<\/p>\n

Elite troops from Shayetet 13, a naval commando unit, boarded the protest boats at around 4:00 A.M. Earlier Monday, Al Jazeera reported that the Gaza aid flotilla had changed course to avoid a confrontation with Israeli warships.
\nThe Israeli naval vessels reportedly made contact earlier with the six-ship flotilla, which is carrying 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid and supplies to Gaza.
\nSome 700 pro-Palestinian activists are on the boats, including 1976 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire of Northern Ireland, European legislators and an elderly Holocaust survivor.<\/p>\n

The Israeli navy was operating under the assumption that the activists manning the boats would not heed their calls to turn around, and Israeli troops were prepared to board the ships and steer them away from the Gaza shores and toward the Israeli port city of Ashdod.
\nHuwaida Arraf, one of the flotilla organizers, said the six-ship flotilla began the journey from international waters off the coast of Cyprus on Sunday afternoon after two days of delays. According to organizers, the flotilla was expected to reach Gaza, about 400 kilometers away, on Monday afternoon, and two more ships would follow in a second wave.<\/p>\n

The flotilla was fully prepared for the different scenarios that might arise, and organizers were hopeful that Israeli authorities would do what’s right and not stop the convoy, one of the organizers said.
\n“We fully intend to go to Gaza regardless of any intimidation or threats of violence against us,” Arraf said. “They are going to have to forcefully stop us.”
\nAfter nightfall, three Israeli navy missile boats left their base in Haifa, heading out to sea to confront the activists’ ships.<\/p>\n

Two hours later, Israel Radio broadcast a recording of one of the missile boats warning the flotilla not to approach Gaza.
\n“If you ignore this order and enter the blockaded area, the Israeli navy will be forced to take all the necessary measures in order to enforce this blockade,” the radio message continued.
\nThe flotilla, which includes three cargo ships and three passenger ships, is trying to draw attention to Israel’s three-year blockade of the Gaza Strip. The boats are carrying items that Israel bars from reaching Gaza, like cement and other building materials.<\/p>\n

The activists said they also were carrying hundreds of electric-powered wheelchairs, prefabricated homes and water purifiers.
\nForeign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said that after a security check, permitted humanitarian aid confiscated from the boats will be transferred to Gaza through authorized channels. However, Israel would not transfer items it has banned from Gaza under its blockade rules. Palmor said that for example, cement would be allowed only if it is tied to a specific project.<\/p>\n

This is the ninth time that the Free Gaza movement has tried to ship in humanitarian aid to Gaza since August 2008.
\nIsrael has let ships through five times, but has blocked them from entering Gaza waters since the three-week military offensive against Gaza’s Hamas rulers in January 2009. The flotilla bound for Gaza is the largest to date.<\/p>\n

The mission has experienced repeated delays, both due to mechanical problems and a decision by Cyprus to bar any boat from sailing from its shore to Gaza. The ban forced a group of European lawmakers to depart from the breakaway Turkish Cypriot northern part of the island late Saturday.<\/p>\n

Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade on Gaza after Hamas militants violently seized control of the seaside territory in June 2007.
\nIsrael says the measures are needed to prevent Hamas, which has fired thousands of rockets at Israel, from building up its arsenal. But United Nations officials and international aid groups say the blockade has been counterproductive, failing to weaken the Islamic militant group while devastating the local economy.<\/p>\n

Israel rejects claims of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying it allows more than enough food and medicine into the territory. The Israelis also point to the bustling smuggling industry along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, which has managed to bring consumer goods, gasoline and livestock into the seaside strip.
\nIsrael has condemned the flotilla as a provocation and vowed to block it from reaching Gaza.
\nIsraeli military officials said they hoped to resolve the situation peacefully but are prepared for all scenarios. Naval commandos have been training for days in anticipation of the standoff. Military officials, speaking on condition of anonymity under official guidelines, said the forces would likely take over the boats under the cover of darkness.<\/p>\n

Palmor said foreigners on the ships would be sent back to their countries. Activists who did not willingly agree to be deported would be detained. A special detention facility had been set up in Ashdod.<\/p>\n

Reaction to Gaza aid ship deaths<\/a>: BBC<\/h3>\n

Page last updated at 9:27 GMT, Monday, 31 May 2010 10:27 UK
\nE-mail this to a friendPrintable version Angry demonstrations quickly flared at the Israeli consulate in Istanbul
\nA number of people have been killed as Israeli forces intercepted a convoy of ships carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n

A Turkish vessel leading the flotilla was among those raided. There has been strong international reaction to the incident.<\/p>\n

DANIEL AYALON, ISRAELI DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER<\/p>\n

The armada of hate and violence in support of [the] Hamas terror organisation was a premeditated and outrageous provocation. The organisers are well known for their ties with global jihad, al-Qaeda and Hamas. They have a history of arms smuggling and deadly terror.<\/p>\n

On board the ship, we found weapons prepared in advance and used against our forces. The organisers intent was violent, their method was violent and the results were unfortunately violent. Israel regrets any loss of life and did everything to avoid this outcome.<\/p>\n

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY<\/p>\n

We strongly condemn these inhumane practices of Israel. This deplorable incident, which took place in open seas and constitutes a fragrant breach of international law, may lead to irreparable consequences in our bilateral relations.<\/p>\n

GRETA BERLIN, FREE GAZA MOVEMENT SPOKESWOMAN<\/p>\n

It’s disgusting that they have come on board and attacked civilians. We are civilians.<\/p>\n

How could the Israeli military attack civilians like this? Do they think that because they can attack Palestinians indiscriminately they can attack anyone?<\/p>\n

SAEB EREKAT, CHIEF PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATOR<\/p>\n

What we have seen this morning is a war crime. These were civilian ships carrying civilians and civilian goods – medicine, wheelchairs, food, construction materials – intended for the 1.5 million Palestinians holed up under a cruel and criminal siege by Israel. And for that, many have paid with their lives. What Israel does in Gaza is appalling; no informed and decent human can say otherwise.<\/p>\n

The unarmed civilian activists were attacked on foreign vessels while sailing in international waters. This is another incident confirming that Israel acts as a state above the law. The international community must take swift and appropriate action.<\/p>\n

MARK REGEV, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER’S SPOKESMAN<\/p>\n

Though our naval servicemen were instructed to exercise maximum restraint, they were attacked. They were attacked with knives, with iron clubs, and also with live fire.<\/p>\n

We have unfortunately 10 servicemen injured, one of them very, very seriously. The violence was initiated unfortunately by these activists, and this is regrettable.<\/p>\n

SAMI ABU ZUHRI, HAMAS SPOKESMAN<\/p>\n

We in Hamas consider the Israeli attack on the freedom flotilla as a great crime and a huge violation of international law. In spite of the great harm suffered by the people who joined this flotilla, we consider that their message has been delivered.<\/p>\n

Thanks to these heroes from other countries who showed their solidarity with Gaza, the Israeli siege is now an international issue and we consider that the occupiers, through this crime, are the ones under siege now.<\/p>\n

OFFICE OF BARONESS ASHTON, EU HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS<\/p>\n

High Representative Catherine Ashton expresses her deep regret at the news of loss of life and violence and extends her sympathies to families of the dead and wounded. On behalf of the European Union, she demands a full enquiry about the circumstances in which this happened.<\/p>\n

She reiterates the European Union’s position regarding Gaza – the continued policy of closure is unacceptable and politically counterproductive… She calls for an immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of the crossing for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza.<\/p>\n

AMR MOUSSA, ARAB LEAGUE SECRETARY-GENERAL<\/p>\n

The Arab League’s Secretary-General has called for an urgent meeting at the level of representatives to look into this heinous crime committed by Israeli forces against unarmed civilians that left scores of dead and wounded.<\/p>\n

The Arab League strongly condemns this terrorist act.<\/p>\n

SENIOR UN OFFICIALS ROBERT SERRY AND FILIPPO GRANDI<\/p>\n

We are shocked by reports of killings and injuries of people on board boats carrying supplies for Gaza, apparently in international waters. We condemn the violence and call for it to stop. The situation is still ongoing and we are awaiting confirmation of what has happened.<\/p>\n

We wish to make clear that such tragedies are entirely avoidable if Israel heeds the repeated calls of the international community to end its counterproductive and unacceptable blockade of Gaza.<\/p>\n

NAVI PILLAY, UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS<\/p>\n

To foster longer-term political reconciliation, I urge the government to ensure that an independent investigation of recent events be conducted and all those found responsible for human rights violation are held to account.<\/p>\n

BERNARD KOUCHNER, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER<\/p>\n

I am profoundly shocked by the tragic consequences of the Israeli military operation against the peace flotilla for Gaza. Nothing can justify the use of violence such as this, which we condemn.<\/p>\n

The circumstances of this drama must be fully brought to light and we wish for a thorough inquiry to be put in place without delay.<\/p>\n

MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, IRANIAN PRESIDENT<\/p>\n

The inhuman action of the Zionist regime against the Palestinian people and preventing the humanitarian aid from reaching Gazans does not show this regime’s strength, but is a sign of its weakness, and all this brings this sinister and fake regime closer than ever to its end.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

’10 killed’ on Gaza aid flotilla<\/a>: The Independent<\/h3>\n

Monday, 31 May 2010
\nIsraeli commandos today stormed six ships carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists on an aid mission to the blockaded Gaza Strip, killing at least 10 people and wounding dozens more.<\/p>\n

A reporter on one of the boats said the Israelis fired at the vessel before boarding it, but the Israelis claimed they only opened fire after being attacked by activists with sticks, knives and live fire.
\nThe activists were headed to Gaza on a mission designed to draw attention to a three-year-old Israeli blockade of the coastal territory. Israel imposed the blockade after Hamas militants took power there.<\/p>\n

“It’s disgusting that they have come on board and attacked civilians. We are civilians,” said Greta Berlin, a spokeswoman for the Free Gaza movement, which organised the flotilla.<\/p>\n

Speaking from the east Mediterranean island of Cyprus, she said she had lost contact with the flotilla in the early hours.<\/p>\n

Israel had declared it would not allow the ships to reach Gaza and had offered to transfer the aid to Gaza from an Israeli port. Israeli naval commandos raided the ships while they were in international waters after ordering them to stop about 80 miles from Gaza’s coast, according to a pro-Palestinian activist in Greece involved in the aid mission.<\/p>\n

A Turkish website showed video of pandemonium on board one of the ships, with activists in orange life jackets running around as some tried to help an activist apparently unconscious on the deck. The site also showed video of an Israeli helicopter flying overhead and Israeli warships nearby.<\/p>\n

Turkey’s NTV showed activists beating one Israeli soldier with sticks as he rappelled from a helicopter onto one of the boats.<\/p>\n

The al-Jazeera satellite channel reported from the Turkish ship leading the flotilla that Israeli navy forces fired at the ship and boarded it, wounding the captain.<\/p>\n

The Israeli military said troops only opened fire after encountering unexpected resistance from the activists. Activists attacked troops with knives and iron rods, and one activist wrested a serviceman’s weapon.<\/p>\n

A total of four soldiers were wounded, including at least one hit by live fire, the army said. Two of the dead activists had fired at soldiers with pistols, the army said.<\/p>\n

“They planned this attack,” said Israeli military spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovitch. “Our soldiers were injured from these knives and sharp metal objects … as well as from live fire.”<\/p>\n

The ships were being towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod, and the wounded were evacuated by helicopter to Israeli hospitals, officials said.<\/p>\n

There were no details on the identities of the casualties, or on the conditions of some of the more prominent people on board, including 1976 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire of Northern Ireland, European legislators and Holocaust survivor Hedy Epstein, 85.<\/p>\n

The Free Gaza Movement is an international group of pro-Palestinian activists that claims the blockade, imposed three years ago after the militant Islamic Hamas group overran Gaza, is unjust and a violation of international law.<\/p>\n

Organisers included people affiliated with the International Solidarity Movement, a pro-Palestinian group that often sends international activists into battle zones, and the IHH, a Turkish aid group that Israel accuses of having terrorist links.<\/p>\n

News of the attack sparked violent protests in Turkey, which had unofficially supported the aid mission and has been vocally critical of Israeli military operations against Palestinians in Gaza.<\/p>\n

Police blocked dozens of stone-throwing protesters who tried to storm the Israeli consulate in Istanbul.<\/p>\n

The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli raid and said it was summoning the Israeli ambassador for an “urgent explanation”. It says Israel violated international law and will suffer consequences.<\/p>\n

The flotilla of three cargo ships and three passenger ships carrying 10,000 tons of aid and 700 activists was carrying items that Israel bars from reaching Gaza, like cement and other building materials. The activists said they also were carrying hundreds of electric-powered wheelchairs, prefabricated homes and water purifiers to the territory’s 1.5 million residents.<\/p>\n

“We did not want to see confrontation,” said Mark Regev, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is in Canada.<\/p>\n

“We made repeated offers to the boats that they come to the (Israeli) port of Ashdod unload the humanitarian cargo, and we guaranteed to pass all humanitarian items through the crossings to the Gaza Strip. Unfortunately, they rejected our offers and chose the path of confrontation.”<\/p>\n

The head of the Gaza Hamas government, Ismail Haniyeh, condemned the “brutal” Israeli attack.<\/p>\n

“We call on the secretary-general of the UN, Ban Ki-moon, to shoulder his responsibilities to protect the safety of the solidarity groups who were on board these ships and to secure their way to Gaza,” Haniyeh said.<\/p>\n

The flotilla began the journey from international waters off the coast of Cyprus on yesterday afternoon after two days of delays.<\/p>\n

After nightfall, three Israeli navy missile boats left their base in Haifa, steaming out to sea to confront the ships. Two hours later, Israel Radio broadcast a recording of one of the missile boats warning the flotilla not to approach Gaza.<\/p>\n

“If you ignore this order and enter the blockaded area, the Israeli navy will be forced to take all the necessary measures in order to enforce this blockade,” the radio message continued.<\/p>\n

This is the ninth time that the Free Gaza movement has tried to ship in humanitarian aid to Gaza since August 2008.<\/p>\n

EDITOR<\/strong>: The Murderer Speaks<\/span><\/p>\n

The words and deeds of Ehud Barak, chief Israeli murderer of the IOF, lies as international fury rages across the globe. He will face the ICC like Milosevic before him, and justice will be done! <\/span><\/p>\n

Barak: Organizers of Gaza flotilla to blame for deadly clashes:<\/a> Haaretz<\/h3>\n

Dep. FM: activists were armed; Netanyahu mulls canceling U.S. trip in wake of Gaza flotilla deaths.
\nDefense Minister Ehud Barak said Monday that the organizers of the Gaza aid flotilla were to blame after at least 10 activists were killed when Israel Navy commandos stormed the ship.
\nIn a press conference hours after the incident, Barak said that Israel was prepared to accept the consequences of its actions and would continue to protect its autonomy.<\/p>\n

Barak voiced regret for the deaths, but called the flotilla a political provocation by and said the sponsors of the flotilla were violent supporters of a terror organization.<\/p>\n

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, meanwhile, said the soldiers were forced by violent activists to respond with live fire.<\/p>\n

Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said earlier Monday that the organizers of the Gaza aid flotilla have connections to international terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Al-Qaida, and called the aid convoy a violent and provocative attempt to break the blockade on Gaza.<\/p>\n

Ayalon, speaking at a press conference at the Foreign Ministry, said that Israel found weapons aboard the Gaza flotilla, which were used against IDF troops.<\/p>\n

The deputy foreign minister said that the Gaza flotilla did not heed Israel’s calls to halt its movement toward Gaza on Monday morning, and stressed that no sovereign country would have allowed such a provocation to take place.<\/p>\n

“We couldn’t allow the opening of a corridor of smuggling arms and terrorists,” said Ayalon.<\/p>\n

The deputy foreign minister told reporters that Israel does not want to fight with any country, but that the incident on the Gaza flotilla is not yet over.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering the cancellation of his imminent trip to the United States, in wake of the deaths of at least 10 people after Israel Navy troops boarded a flotilla of ships heading to the Gaza Strip carrying aid.<\/p>\n

Netanyahu was due to head to Washington at the invitation of President Barack Obama.<\/p>\n

The Israeli military said at least 10 people were killed after its troops came under fire while intercepting the convoy as it headed for the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n

Trade and Industry Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer voiced regret Monday morning for deaths aboard the Gaza-bound ships.<\/p>\n

“The images are certainly not pleasant. I can only voice regret at all the fatalities,” Ben-Eliezer told Army Radio.<\/p>\n

At Least 10 Killed as Israel Intercepts Aid Flotilla<\/a>: NY Times<\/h3>\n

Alex Rozkovsky\/Reuters
\nA pro-Palestinian activist was evacuated to a hospital in the northern city of Haifa on Monday.
\nJERUSALEM \u2014 The Israeli Navy raided a flotilla carrying thousands of tons of supplies for Gaza in international waters on Monday morning, killing at least 10 people, according to the Israeli military and activists traveling with the flotilla. Some Israeli media reports put the death toll higher.<\/p>\n

The incident drew widespread international condemnation, with Israeli envoys summoned to explain their country\u2019s actions in several European countries. The criticism offered a propaganda coup to Israel\u2019s foes, particularly the Hamas group that holds sway in Gaza, and damaged its ties to Turkey, one of its most important Muslim partners and the unofficial sponsor of the Gaza-bound convoy.<\/p>\n

The killings also coincided with preparations for a planned visit to Washington on Tuesday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.<\/p>\n

The Israeli Defense Forces said more than 10 people were killed when naval personnel boarding the six ships in the aid convoy met with \u201clive fire and light weaponry including knives and clubs.\u201d The naval forces then \u201cemployed riot dispersal means, including live fire,\u201d the military said in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is a lie,\u201d said Greta Berlin, a leader of the pro-Palestinian Free Gaza Movement, speaking by telephone from Cyprus. She said it was inconceivable that the civilian passengers on board would have been \u201cwaiting up to fire on the Israeli military, with all its might.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe never thought there would be any violence,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

At least four Israeli soldiers were injured in the operation, some from gunfire, according to the military.<\/p>\n

A military statement said two activists were later found with pistols they had taken from Israeli commandos. The activists, the military said, had apparently opened fire \u201cas evident by the empty pistol magazines.\u201d<\/p>\n

The warships first intercepted the convoy of cargo and passenger boats shortly before midnight on Sunday, according to activists on one vessel. Israel had vowed not to let the flotilla reach the shores of Gaza, where the Islamic militant group Hamas holds sway.<\/p>\n

Named the Freedom Flotilla, and led by the Free Gaza Movement and a Turkish organization, Insani Yardim Vakfi, the convoy was the most ambitious attempt yet to break Israel\u2019s three-year blockade of Gaza. About 600 passengers were said to be aboard the vessels, including the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Mairead Corrigan-Maguire of Northern Ireland, and a Holocaust survivor, Hedy Epstein, 85.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we have seen this morning is a war crime,\u201d said Saeb Erakat, the chief Palestinian negotiator. \u201cThese were civilian ships carrying civilians and civilian goods \u2014 medicine, wheelchairs, food, construction materials.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat Israel does in Gaza is appalling,\u201d he added. \u201cNo informed and decent human can say otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n

At a press conference on Monday in Jerusalem, Israeli deputy foreign minister, Danny Ayalon said the flotilla\u2019s intent was \u201cnot to transfer humanitarian things to Gaza\u201d but to break the Israeli blockade.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis blockade is legal,\u201d he said, \u201cand aimed at preventing the infiltration of terror and terrorists into Gaza.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ms. Berlin, of the Free Gaza Movement, said, \u201cThey attacked us this morning in international waters. According to the coordinates, we were 70 miles off the Israeli coast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been scheduled to meet President Obama in Washington on Tuesday for talks on the Middle East peace process. Some media reports from Jerusalem said that Mr. Netanyahu might delay his visit.<\/p>\n

Within hours, diplomatic repercussions began to spread from the Mediterranean to Europe where Catherine Ashton, the European Union\u2019s high representative for foreign affairs, called for a full inquiry into the incident and the immediate lifting of the Israeli blockade of Gaza.<\/p>\n

A joint statement from Robert Serry and Filippo Grandi, two senior United Nations officials involved in the Middle East peace process and humanitarian aid to Gaza, condemned the raid, which they said was \u201capparently in international waters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wish to make clear that such tragedies are entirely avoidable if Israel heeds the repeated calls of the international community to end its counterproductive and unacceptable blockade of Gaza,\u201d the officials said.<\/p>\n

France expressed \u201cprofound shock\u201d at the incident.<\/p>\n

The outcry from Muslim leaders was strong and immediate. Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, called the incident \u201ca massacre,\u201d according to the official Wafa news agency. Mr. Abbas is to meet with President Obama in Washington next week.<\/p>\n

Saad Hariri, the Lebanese prime minister, denounced the raid as \u201ca dangerous and crazy step that will exacerbate tensions in the region,\u201d while the president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said it was \u201cinhuman.\u201d<\/p>\n

Channel 10, a private television station in Israel, quoted the Israeli trade minister, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, as saying between 14 and 16 people had been killed. He said on Israeli Army Radio that commandos boarded the ships by sliding down on ropes from a hovering helicopter and were then struck by passengers with \u201cbatons and tools.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe moment someone tries to snatch your weapon, to steal your weapons, that\u2019s where you begin to lose control,\u201d Mr. Ben-Eliezer said, quoted by Reuters.<\/p>\n

Jamal El Shayyal, a reporter from the television broadcaster Al Jazeera, was on board the Mavi Marmara, the largest of the six ships, during the assault. He said in a video report that dozens of civilians had been injured in the fighting.<\/p>\n

Condamnation internationale apr\u00e8s le raid isra\u00e9lien sanglant<\/a>: L’Humanite<\/h3>\n

Des commandos isra\u00e9liens ont pris d\u2019assaut un des bateaux de la flottille internationale en route vers Gaza. Au moins 19 passagers de la flottille ont \u00e9t\u00e9 tu\u00e9s et 26 bless\u00e9s.
\nl\u2019Union europ\u00e9enne r\u00e9clame une “enqu\u00eate compl\u00e8te” sur l\u2019assaut isra\u00e9lien.
\nPlusieurs organisations appellent \u00e0 des rassemblements de protestation ce soir.
\nLa flottille d\u2019aide pour Gaza \u00e9tait encore dans les eaux internationales en direction de la bande de Gaza lorsqu\u2019elle a \u00e9t\u00e9 arraisonn\u00e9e par des soldats isra\u00e9liens qui ont ensuite ouvert le feu sur des passagers.<\/p>\n

“Des centaines de soldats isra\u00e9liens attaquent la flottille, et le capitaine de notre bateau est gri\u00e8vement bless\u00e9”, a indiqu\u00e9 un correspondant de la cha\u00eene de t\u00e9l\u00e9vision Al-Jazira, \u00e0 bord d\u2019un des bateaux, avant l\u2019interruption de la communication”.<\/p>\n

Qualifiant le raid de “massacre”, le pr\u00e9sident de l\u2019Autorit\u00e9 palestinienne Mahmoud Abbas a d\u00e9cr\u00e9t\u00e9 trois jours de deuil dans les territoires palestiniens.<\/p>\n

En r\u00e9action, le mouvement islamiste palestinien Hamas appelle \u00e0 une “intifada” devant les ambassades d\u2019Isra\u00ebl. Ankara met en garde Isra\u00ebl contre des “cons\u00e9quences irr\u00e9parables” sur les relations bilat\u00e9rales.<\/p>\n

La radio publique isra\u00e9lienne avait annonc\u00e9 auparavant que la censure militaire a interdit la diffusion de toute information sur les morts et les bless\u00e9s transf\u00e9r\u00e9s vers des h\u00f4pitaux en Isra\u00ebl.<\/p>\n

Au moins 19 passagers de la flottille ont \u00e9t\u00e9 tu\u00e9s lors d\u2019affrontements avec un commando isra\u00e9lien, selon un dernier bilan. L\u2019arm\u00e9e isra\u00e9lienne, pour justifier son assaut, a affirm\u00e9 que ses soldats avaient essuy\u00e9 des coups de feu lors de l\u2019arraisonnement.<\/p>\n

Le nombre des victimes seraient pour la plupart des ressortissants turcs, a indiqu\u00e9 \u00e0 Gaza une ONG turque qui a particip\u00e9 \u00e0 l\u2019op\u00e9ration humanitaire navale.<\/p>\n

Les bateaux, d\u00e9cid\u00e9s \u00e0 forcer le blocus isra\u00e9lien contre la population de Gaza, sont charg\u00e9s de 10.000 tonnes de mat\u00e9riels de construction, de textile ou encore de nourriture. Cinq d\u00e9barquements similaires ont r\u00e9ussi et trois ont \u00e9chou\u00e9 depuis la premi\u00e8re op\u00e9ration de ce type en ao\u00fbt 2008, selon Free Gaza qui n\u2019en avait jamais organis\u00e9 jusqu\u2019\u00e0 pr\u00e9sent d\u2019une telle ampleur.<\/p>\n

La France, “choqu\u00e9e”, demande une enqu\u00eate approfondie
\nLe ministre fran\u00e7ais des Affaires \u00e9trang\u00e8res, Bernard Kouchner, s\u2019est dit profond\u00e9ment choqu\u00e9 lundi par l\u2019intervention isra\u00e9lienne contre la “flottille de la paix” pour Gaza et a demand\u00e9 une enqu\u00eate approfondie.<\/p>\n

“Je suis profond\u00e9ment choqu\u00e9 par les cons\u00e9quences tragiques de l\u2019op\u00e9ration militaire isra\u00e9lienne contre \u00ab La Flottille de la Paix \u00e0 destination de Gaza \u00bb”, d\u00e9clare-t-il dans un communiqu\u00e9.<\/p>\n

“Nous ne comprenons pas le bilan humain, encore provisoire, d\u2019une telle op\u00e9ration contre une initiative humanitaire connue depuis plusieurs jours. Rien ne saurait justifier l\u2019emploi d\u2019une telle violence que nous condamnons”, souligne-t-il.<\/p>\n

“Toute la lumi\u00e8re doit \u00eatre faite sur les circonstances de ce drame et nous souhaitons qu\u2019une enqu\u00eate approfondie soit mise en place sans d\u00e9lai”, poursuit-il.<\/p>\n

“Ces \u00e9v\u00e9nements nous rappellent que la situation actuelle \u00e0 Gaza n\u2019est pas tenable et qu\u2019elle appelle une r\u00e9ponse politique urgente. Nous prendrons toutes les initiatives n\u00e9cessaires pour \u00e9viter que cette trag\u00e9die ne donne lieu \u00e0 de nouvelles escalades de violence”, ajoute le chef de la diplomatie fran\u00e7aise.<\/p>\n

La Syrie a r\u00e9clam\u00e9 une r\u00e9union d\u2019urgence de la Ligue arabe et le pr\u00e9sident iranien, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a d\u00e9nonc\u00e9 un acte “inhumain”.<\/p>\n

Plusieurs organisations appellent \u00e0 un rassemblement de protestation ce soir, 18h30, \u00e0 proximit\u00e9 de l\u2019ambassade d\u2019Isra\u00ebl \u00e0 Paris, pr\u00e8s du m\u00e9tro Franklin-Roosevelt. Rassemblements identiques \u00e0 Marseille, \u00e0 18h sur le Vieux Port, et \u00e0 Montpellier \u00e0 18h Place de la Com\u00e9die.<\/p>\n

Contact Obama to Cancel Tuesday\u2019s Israeli PM Visit!<\/a>: The Only Democracy?<\/h3>\n

May 31st, 2010, by Assaf Oron
\nI wrote here some 40 hours ago, that Israel is determined to act as brutally and stupidly the UK did in 1947 when its troops stormed a Palestine-bound ship called \u201cExodus\u201d and killed 3 passengers.
\nBut even I didn\u2019t dream they would be this stupid, this brutal. As I write this, the IDF keeps changing versions about its act of piracy every few minutes. They still believe they can lie their way out of this one, too.
\nYou know what? They might. Because the Israeli strategy known as \u201cPissing from the High Jump\u201d has worked so far. For about a decade, no one in the world that Israel cares to count, has dared put their money where their mouth is and force Israel to become a better (rather, less terrible) global citizen.
\nWell, the time to change this is tonight. Tomorrow, Bibi is invited to visit Obama and if the latter\u2019s global leadership means anything to him, he better dis-invite the creep right now.
\nPlease contact the White House today. Ask that he:
\nDis-invite PM Netanyahu from tomorrow\u2019s visit
\nCondemn the piracy in no uncertain terms, and demand the immediate release of the illegally captured boats, allowing them to continue to Gaza unimpeded.
\nDemand that Israel treat the wounded in civilian hospitals, notify their families and embassies directly and allow the latters\u2019 access to them and pay for families to arrive to Israel to visit hospitals and for their stay.
\nDemand that Israel Immediately lift the siege of Gaza.
\nSimilarly, Immediately open the West Bank to free movement of people and goods to and from Jordan.<\/p>\n

Israel ataca la flotilla de ayuda a Gaza y mata al menos a 10 activistas propalestinos<\/a>: El Pai<\/h3>\n

La acci\u00f3n militar ha tenido lugar en aguas internacionales.- Algunos medios elevan la cifra de muertos a 19 y hablan de m\u00e1s de 36 heridos.- El convoy atacado estaba formado por seis barcos con 750 personas a bordo, tres de ellas espa\u00f1olas<\/strong>
\nLas v\u00edctimas son activistas que viajaban en el buque turco Mavi Marmara y la acci\u00f3n militar se ha producido en aguas internacionales. Entre las 750 personas que forman parte del convoy humanitario que viajaba hacia Gaza hay tres espa\u00f1oles. Dos de ellos, Laura Arau y Manuel Tapial, son miembros de la organizaci\u00f3n Cultura, Paz y Solidaridad y el tercero es David Segarra, periodista del canal de televisi\u00f3n Telesur. Manuel Tapial ha estado durante los \u00faltimos d\u00edas escribiendo numerosas entradas en su blog en las que contaba detalles de la expedici\u00f3n, y en las \u00faltimas horas remarcaba la inquietud que le produc\u00eda la presencia militar israel\u00ed en torno a los barcos. El Gobierno espa\u00f1ol ha asegurado que los tres espa\u00f1oles est\u00e1n bien y a la espera de ser repatriados a Espa\u00f1a.<\/p>\n

Israel se defiende<\/strong><\/p>\n

El Gobierno de Israel ha lamentado esta ma\u00f1ana, en rueda de prensa, la muerte de los activistas pero ha asegurado que las intenciones de la flotilla eran ilegales y que desoyeron las advertencias hechas de “forma pac\u00edfica” por parte del Ej\u00e9rcito para que abandonaran su intenci\u00f3n de llegar hasta Gaza. El Gobierno israel\u00ed ha asegurado que dentro de los barcos interceptados han encontrado armas y que los militares israel\u00edes han sido atacados por miembros del convoy, a los que acusan de pertenecer a “Ham\u00e1s y Al Qaeda”, con “fuego real, cuchillos y palos”. El Ejecutivo israel\u00ed reconoce que existe un bloqueo contra Gaza, pero asegura que este est\u00e1 justificado “para evitar ataques contra la poblaci\u00f3n civil de Israel” y sostiene que la ayuda humanitaria que los activistas ten\u00edan previsto entregar en territorio palestino no es necesaria porque “Gaza tienen sus necesidades humanitarias cubiertas”.<\/p>\n

Horas antes, el Ej\u00e9rcito asegur\u00f3 en una nota que no hab\u00eda atacado el convoy sino que se hab\u00eda limitado a hacer cumplir la orden del Ejecutivo de Tel Aviv de impedir cualquier entrada no autorizada al enclave palestino. El ministerio de Exteriores ha asegurado en su Twitter que los activistas atacaron a los militares israel\u00edes con cuchillos.<\/p>\n

La acci\u00f3n del Ej\u00e9rcito israel\u00ed ha tenido una “en\u00e9rgica respuesta” por parte de Turqu\u00eda y de Ham\u00e1s. El Gobierno de Ankara ha advertido a Israel de que la acci\u00f3n militar de est\u00e1 noche tendr\u00e1 “consecuencias irreparables” y ha llamado a consultas al embajador israel\u00ed en Ankara. Por su parte, Ham\u00e1s ha llamado a llevar a cabo una intifada contras las embajadas israel\u00edes. El presidente palestino, Mahmud Abb\u00e1s, ha decretado tres d\u00edas de luto en los territorios palestinos.<\/p>\n

El ministerio de Exteriores espa\u00f1ol tambi\u00e9n ha llamado al embajado israel\u00ed Rafael Schutz , para pedirle explicacones por los “inaceptables” y “grav\u00edsimos” hechos ocurridos esta madrugada.<\/p>\n

Evacuaci\u00f3n de los heridos<\/strong><\/p>\n

Los heridos est\u00e1n siendo evacuados al puerto israel\u00ed de Ashdod, al sur de Israel, donde el Ej\u00e9rcito ha empezado a levantar un campamento. Los periodistas que esperaban la llegada de los heridos han sido desalojados y los miembros de la flotilla est\u00e1n incomunicados ya que se han cortado las comunicaciones tel\u00e9fonicas. Los ocupantes del barco pertenecen a m\u00e1s de 60 nacionalidades y entre ellos se encuentran el escritor sueco Henning Mankell, autor de la saga del detective Wallander, varios parlamentarios alemanes y ciudadanos brit\u00e1nicos.<\/p>\n

La portavoz del Ej\u00e9rcito israel\u00ed, Avital Leibovitz, ha confirmado a los periodistas que esperan la llegada a puerto de los barcos que la acci\u00f3n militar israel\u00ed se ha producido en aguas internacionales. Leibovitz ha anunciado el Challeger ha arribado y que sus ocupantes est\u00e1n pendientes de pasar el proceso de inmigraci\u00f3n. Sobre los hechos ocurridos al bordo del Mavi Marmara, la portavoz israel\u00ed ha relatado que los militares fueron atacados por una decena de activistas que portaban palos y dos pistolas, que hab\u00edan arrebatado a los soldados israel\u00edes.<\/p>\n

Pinina Feiler, madre de uno de los activistas israel\u00edes de la flotilla, ha relatado a El PA\u00cdS que habl\u00f3 con su hijo por \u00faltima vez a las 5.30, “nos cont\u00f3 que estban rodeados por barcos militares israel\u00edes. Desde entonces no hemos vuelto a saber nada de \u00e9l”. La mujer espera junto a otros familiares la llegada a puerto de los buques interceptados esta madrugada.<\/p>\n

La confrontaci\u00f3n se perfilaba el domingo por la noche inevitable en el extremo este del Mediterr\u00e1neo. El Ej\u00e9rcito israel\u00ed ultimaba un impresionante dispositivo con el que pretend\u00eda interceptar a los cientos de activistas propalestinos que navegaban rumbo a la franja de Gaza a bordo de seis barcos. La tripulaci\u00f3n de la llamada flotilla de la libertad reiter\u00f3 que no ten\u00edan intenci\u00f3n de rendirse. El Ej\u00e9rcito insisti\u00f3 en que no permitir\u00eda a los activistas atracar en el puerto de Gaza. Naciones Unidas y la Uni\u00f3n Europea hab\u00edan llamado a la responsabilidad de las partes con el fin de evitar el incidente.<\/p>\n

El objetivo de los activistas, de 60 nacionalidades distintas, era hacer llegar a la franja de Gaza 10.000 toneladas de ayuda humanitaria. Las flota de barcos parti\u00f3 el pasado 22 de mayo del puerto de Estambul y m\u00e1s all\u00e1 de la entrega de materiales de construcci\u00f3n y de medicinas, a lo que de verdad aspiraban estos grupos de derechos humanos era burlar el bloqueo que Israel mantiene sobre la poblaci\u00f3n de Gaza desde que Ham\u00e1s se hizo con el control de la franja hace tres a\u00f1os.<\/p>\n

Israele assalta navi pacifiste, 19 morti<\/a>: La Repubblica<\/h3>\n

Condanna dell’Onu: “Subito inchiesta”
\nL’azione della marina israeliana nella notte contro il convoglio Freedom Flotilla che si stava dirigendo verso la Striscia per forzare il blocco e portare aiuti umanitari. I militari hanno sparato contro una nave turca, le vittime sono almeno 19, tra cui 6 turchi. 26 i feriti, di cui uno grave, e 10 soldati. I militari: “Dalla nave hanno sparato sui commando, trovate armi a bordo”. La denuncia delle ong e del governo turco: “Assalto illegale in acque internazionali”. Ban Ki-Moon: “Sia fatta indagine completa”. Proteste ufficiali in Europa, convocati gli ambasciatori. Ankara richiama il suo ambasciatore da Israele. Frattini: “Uccisione di civili deplorevole”. Hamas chiama all’Intifada “contro le ambasciate”, scontri a Istanbul. Il governo d’Israele accusa “gli organizzatori della flotta” e avverte i cittadini: “Lasciate la Turchia temiamo ritorsioni”. La Farnesina: “Non risultano italiani tra le vittime”
\n13:27 L’Austria convoca l’ambasciatore
\nL’Austria convoca l’ambasciatore israeliano<\/p>\n

13:13 Cancellato il match Israele-Turchia
\nSulla scia delle polemiche scatenate dall’assalto della Marina israeliana contro un convoglio di navi con aiuti umanitari destinati ai palestinesi di Gaza che ha provocato diverse vittime, anche turche, Ankara ha deciso di annullare una partita di calcio in programma tra la nazionale Under 18 turca e quella israeliana. Lo ha reso noto il vice premier Bulent Arinc<\/p>\n

13:11 La Giordania condanna Israele
\nLa Giordania: “Prendere di mira i civili \u00e8 un crimine odioso che noi condanniamo severamente. Non ci sono giustificazioni per Israele”.<\/p>\n

13:09 Cgil: “Profondo cordoglio”
\n“La Cgil, di fronte ai gravissimi fatti di questa notte che hanno visto l’assalto militare israeliano al convoglio umanitario nelle acque internazionali di fronte a Gaza, con un numero elevato di morti e feriti tra gli attivisti pacifisti, esprime il suo profondo cordoglio alle famiglie delle vittime e chiede al Governo Italiano, all’Unione Europea e alla Comunit\u00e0 Internazionale la pi\u00f9 ferma condanna del comportamento di Israele”<\/p>\n

13:08 Free Gaza Movement: “Non abbiamo aperto il fuoco”
\n“E’ una bugia”. Cos\u00ec Greta Berlin, leader del Free Gaza Movement, una delle Ong che ha organizzato la flottiglia della pace, replica alle dichiarazioni del governo israeliano che afferma che gli attivisti hanno esploso proiettili e usato coltelli e bastoni contro i militari saliti a bordo, provocando cos\u00ec la reazione israeliana<\/p>\n

13:01 Della Seta (Pd): “Governo Nethanyau fuori dalla legalit\u00e0 internazionale”
\n“Quello che si \u00e8 consumato stanotte con l’assalto di militari israeliani in acque internazionali alla Freedom Flotilla diretta a Gaza, \u00e8 un atto di puro terrorismo che colloca il governo Nethanyau fuori dalla legalit\u00e0 internazionale e che impone adeguate reazioni diplomatiche da parte dell’Unione europea e dello stesso governo italiano, visto che a bordo ci sono diversi nostri concittadini”. E’ quanto dichiara il senatore Pd Roberto Della Seta, membro della Commissione speciale per i Diritti Umani<\/p>\n

12:54 La comunit\u00e0 internazionale: “Condanna unanime”
\nContro il raid israeliano arriva la condanna unanime della comunit\u00e0 internazionale<\/p>\n

12:52 Il ministro della Difesa israeliano: “Nessuno muore di fame a Gaza”
\nNon c’\u00e8 una crisi umanitaria e nessuno muore di fame nella striscia di Gaza, dove il problema \u00e8 il fatto che il controllo del territorio \u00e8 nelle mani di un’organizzazione terroristica (Hamas). Lo ha affermato oggi il ministro della difesa israeliano Ehud Barak<\/p>\n

12:51 Sofia: “In cerca dei nostri giornalisti”
\nSofia cerca informazioni su due suoi giornalisti “forse a bordo di una delle navi della flotta”<\/p>\n

12:48 Ban Ki-Moon: Sono sconvolto”
\nBan Ki-Moon: “Sono sconvolto”<\/p>\n

12:47 Il parroco di Gaza: “Gente disperata mostra rabbia”
\nUna miscela che rischia di infiammare di nuovo la striscia complice anche il blocco dei valichi ad opera di Israele. Cos\u00ec il parroco di gaza spiega che “il blocco della Striscia, per quanto non completo – alcuni prodotti alimentari vengono fatti entrare da Israele – acuisce la difficolt\u00e0 della popolazione sottoposta ad un peggioramento continuo della situazione socioeconomica. L’economia \u00e8 instabile e i prodotti sono soggetti a continui sbalzi di prezzi. La gente \u00e8 sempre pi\u00f9 nervosa e incline a mostrare la propria rabbia”<\/p>\n

12:43 Frattini: “Spero che non si rompano i negoziati di pace”
\nIl ministro Frattini si augura che l’operazione militare israeliana “non pregiudichi l’andamento dei negoziati di pace e della soluzione finale per il medio oriente”<\/p>\n

12:41 Sarkozy: “Siamo contro la violenza”
\nIl presidente francese Nicolas Sarkozy “condanna l’uso sproporzionato della forza” da parte di Israele contro la flottiglia filo-palestinese diretta a Gaza<\/p>\n

12:40 Il Vaticano: “Preoccupati”
\nil Vaticano \u00e8 “proccupato per l’inutile violenza”<\/p>\n

12:39 Barak: “Colpa degli organizzatori della missione”
\nLa responsabilit\u00e0 di quanto accaduto va attribuita agli organizzatori della missione della flottiglia. Cos\u00ec il ministro della Difesa israeliano Ehud Barak risponde alle accuse mosse al suo paese dopo l’attacco delle forze israeliane alle navi che portavano aiuti umanitari a Gaza<\/p>\n

12:31 Il segretario Onu: “Condanno l’azione”
\nBan Ki-Moon condanna le uccisioni. “E’ vitale – ha detto – andare a fondo con le indagini” U.N.<\/p>\n

12:30 La Lega: “No all’uso della forza”
\nIl presidente della commissione Esteri della Camera, Stefano Stefani (Lega Nord), ha espresso il suo cordoglio per il sanguinoso epilogo della iniziativa di alcune centinaia di pacifisti intercettati dalla marina israeliana a largo di Gaza<\/p>\n

12:29 Pd: “Il governo riferisca in Aula”
\nArriva anche dal Pd la richiesta al governo di riferire in parlamento per spiegare cosa \u00e8 successo con il “gravissimo assalto” di israele alla flotta pacifista. Richiesta avanzata dal vicepresidente dei deputati democratici, Alessandro Maran, che esprime “sconcerto e dolore per l’attacco alla freedom flotilia diretta a Gaza nel quale sarebbero morti 19 pacifisti”<\/p>\n

12:28 L’Onu: “Siamo scioccati”
\nL’ Alto Commissario delle Nazioni Unite per i Diritti Umani Navi Pillay si \u00e8 detta oggi “scioccata” dall’attacco contro la flottiglia di attivisti diretta a Gaza.”Sono scioccata dalle notizie secondo cui si \u00e8 usata la violenza contro il convoglio di aiuti umanitari provocando morti e feriti”, ha dichiarato intervenendo al Consiglio dei Diritti Umani delle Nazioni Unite.<\/p>\n

12:28 Bonelli: “La comunit\u00e0 internazionale agisca”
\n“Si convochi immediatamente il Consiglio di Sicurezza dell’Onu. Il massacro avvenuto questa notte \u00e8 un atto gravissimo e vergognoso che rischia di portare alla guerra”. Lo dichiara il presidente nazionale dei Verdi Angelo Bonelli, secondo il quale “\u00e8 necessario che la comunit\u00e0 internazionale dia immediatamente un segnale forte per affrontare una situazione che \u00e8 ormai fuori controllo”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Breaking News! Breaking News! 19 Activists were murdered by IOF on the Freedom Flotilla Editor: Murder and Piracy on the High Seas Anyone still supporting Israel, are themselves criminals, aidingand abbeting a criminal apartheid regime. From now on, the war against the Israeli war criminals will not stop, until they will face their justice in … Continue reading May 31, 2010<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[116,120,91,74,72,92,88,56,95,119,94,101,62,93,96,73],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5760"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5760"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5760\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5762,"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5760\/revisions\/5762"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}