View Full Version : Gaza aid flotilla: Irish crew accuse Israel of sabotage
http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/5365/53787568tv012342172.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/811/53787568tv012342172.jpg/)
Irish activist demonstrates damage to the propeller shaft of the Saoirse.
Irish activists planning to sail in a flotilla to Gaza have accused Israel of sabotaging their ship.
It is the second vessel due to participate that has had its propeller damaged while moored in a Mediterranean port this week.
The Israeli military is under orders to prevent an international convoy of ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists and aid from reaching Gaza.
Organisers want to challenge Israel's naval blockade of the territory.
More than 300 protesters on 10 ships, from North America and Europe, are due to join the latest flotilla. American writer, Alice Walker, is among those due to set sail.
Last year, nine activists on a Turkish vessel, the Mavi Marmara, were killed in an Israeli raid on an aid flotilla. Each side blamed the other for the violence.
Following international outcry, Israel considerably eased its blockade of Gaza, allowing in more food and humanitarian goods.
Hoax revealed:
The Irish Ship to Gaza (ISG) campaign noticed problems with the propeller of their vessel, the Saoirse, while berthed in the Turkish port of Gocek. The group claims it was attacked "by saboteurs who cut, gouged or filed a piece off the shaft."
"Israel has questions to answer and must be viewed as the chief suspect," the ISG said.
On Tuesday, similar allegations of sabotage were made by activists on the Swedish-owned Juliano, docked in Piraeus in Greece. Israel has not commented on the allegations.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13977371
Note: 30 June 2011 Last updated at 15:50 GMT
Looks like political "happy times" coming this way.
Yes, new surprises are enough to wait...
Another flotilla coming this way.....
Ok so let say there is an humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Palestinians in Gaza certainly don't live like average westerner but more or less like average Arab country citizen-they are poor on average.
There is lack of infrastructure lacks of jobs etc...just a basic living from agriculture and basic trade and unskilled basic industry factory work plus great unemployment.
Life sux there for most but not all:03:
Just look at all ME countries that's the situation in most of them.
Violence:
Israel withdrew from Gaza and from surrounding settlements-its a fact.
Palestinians in gaza had an option to live peacefully as in west bank improving economy or wage war.
Flowing the withdrawal Hamas took the power violently expelled all Fatah official and began holly jihad on Israel to liberate whole Palestine.
Palestinian population in Gaza suffers-there is no doubt about it.
What confuses me why the "human rights activist" hug the hamas warmongering officials.
Why no body is calling for the terror organisation to step down and end the violence.
Why the pressure on hamas is not greater.
Why this flotila is not about hamas stepping down.
Just a few month ago terrorist rocket shooting caused so much suffering to Palestinians when evil(lol)imperialistic Israelis bombed Gaza as reprisal.
I really don't understand those "human rights activist" they go to bed with terror organisation to prove some point about Israel.
Is Israel an Apartheid country?
Its not...it also don't want to become Arab state.
We call it here "democracy on defence"
Israeli citizens Palestinians actually have the same rights as Jews.
They can work study for high education or run businesses.
Many of them live better than most Jews in Israel.
Those are the ones that chose to live instead of meddling-do something with their lives instead of making babies pray all day and scream apartheid.
They dont have same obligations to the state.
No need to serve in the Army-some chose to do so.
Some do their service volunteering in hospitals or Magen David-Israeli first aid service.
Or just go study at university when Jews go for 3 year army service.
There is a racism in Israel Jews toward Arabs and the other way around.
Taking into acout the history here is not as terrible as many think.
Certainly not endorsed by media or most(not all) government officials.
So lets say that Israeli government is stupid and stubborn(is it?)
It actually should let the flotilla pass.The "human rights activists" will hug hamas representatives and every body will be happy.
Is it the case?
Or maybe the popularity of hamas will increase the legitimacy of hamas way and its tactics will be sealed.
Is it just about weapons smuggling?
Some Irish activist said that the sabotaging the ship was "attempt of murder".
Is it?
it takes certain state of mind to say such a thing.
And as usual, you can not exclude the fabrication, of the events, although the former is hard evidence, that Israel has its finger in the pie as usual.
And as usual, you can not exclude the fabrication, of the events, although the former is hard evidence, that Israel has its finger in the pie as usual.
Ok i did not want to go that far...for obvous reasons.
Story need hardly go back so far to know what happened before, a game that constantly goes on behind the scenes.
Skybird
07-01-11, 10:16 AM
Technically, if a blockade is announced and is valid by rules of certain treaty and international laws, the side establishing a blockad enot only can but has the legal obligation to enforce the blockade - it cannot allow any exceptions, just one single blockade runner allowed to get through would render the legality of the whole blockade immediately invalid. Also, technically the side establishing a blockade has the right to stop blockade runners not just the moment when they enter the blockaded zone, but before.
This is like I see it - and last week I heared an expert for international law commenting on the issue, confirming all the above and explicitly referring to the rules of international law for maintaining blockades, and when a blockade is legal and valid, and when not. To me, the Israeli blockade of an enemy who even describes himself as being at war with Israel, makes perfectly sense and is perfectly legal by the rules.
The organisers of this Gaza flotilla already have admitted in press conferences that they do not see their mission as bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza, but to enforce a breaking of the blockade. Which would, by the legal logic of the valid legal rules, mean that the lagality of the blockade by Israel would become invalid. Therefore, Israel has no other choice than to enforce a strict blockade. And since this time there will be several ships more than last time, making it more challenging a task for the Navy to stop all vessel without sinking them by live fire, sabotaging the vessel was an to-be-expected and very reasonable option. I personally would have preferred the French solution: to sink the ships via contact mines in harbour. They did that with a Greenpeace ship once, I think it was the Rainbow Warrior, wasn't it?
TLAM Strike
07-01-11, 10:34 AM
I personally would have preferred the French solution: to sink the ships via contact mines in harbour. They did that with a Greenpeace ship once, I think it was the Rainbow Warrior, wasn't it? That was the one, down in NZ. :03:
That was the one, down in NZ. :03: Right!
Penguin
07-01-11, 11:22 AM
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1695560&postcount=4
good post - this should be made sticky in every thread about Gaza!
I personally would have preferred the French solution: to sink the ships via contact mines in harbour. They did that with a Greenpeace ship once, I think it was the Rainbow Warrior, wasn't it?
It were no contact mines, but sticky mines...
murdering a member of the press is just a brilliant idea, that's really what Israel needs- with friends like you they don't need enemies. And don't tell me you forgot about the photo reporter on board.
:damn:
You're not working for the Israeli propaganda department? They seem to need bright people like you - though they are doing a great job in ****ing up public relations by themselves... http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-warns-foreign-journalists-joining-gaza-flotilla-is-illegal-1.369684
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1695560&postcount=4
good post - this should be made sticky in every thread about Gaza!
It were no contact mines, but sticky mines...
murdering a member of the press is just a brilliant idea, that's really what Israel needs- with friends like you they don't need enemies. And don't tell me you forgot about the photo reporter on board.
:damn:
You're not working for the Israeli propaganda department? They seem to need bright people like you - though they are doing a great job in ****ing up public relations by themselves... http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-warns-foreign-journalists-joining-gaza-flotilla-is-illegal-1.369684
The link you posted is very old.:timeout:
Israeli foreign propaganda sucks...its actually non existent.
The gay video that some low ranking clerk idiot happily forwarded and which was shown as PM OFFICE hoax is just stupid example of that.
But i don't thing that any foreign affairs explanations on the flotila issue and alike would help since everybody had decided for themselves that all we want to do is screw Palestinians.
Still some more PC configuration in our government would help.
The idiot foreign affairs minister we have....he is not totally idiot but lets say not very friendly fellow lol
I'm surprised that they were sober enough to notice something was broke.
Drebbel
07-01-11, 01:19 PM
Irish crew accuse Israel of sabotage
:yeah::up::yeah:
Other than that I have no opinion about this.
Penguin
07-01-11, 02:20 PM
The link you posted is very old.:timeout:
Yes, I posted the wrong link, updated it. The link is about the stupid threat to ban any reporter on the ship from entering Israel. Freedom of press is something important to me, therefore my anger about this dumb move. I had a press card for a long time.
However this makes an interesting juristic question: If a reporter attends a bank robbery and drives in the escape vehicle with the others, can he be charged for aiding and abetting? :hmmm:, not sure about it, I only know IT law, :know:
Israeli foreign propaganda sucks...its actually non existent.
The gay video that some low ranking clerk idiot happily forwarded and which was shown as PM OFFICE hoax is just stupid example of that.
One should think they would do it better and learned from previous PR desasters, but they still **** it up. So much for people's claims of the zionist controlled media, lol.
But i don't thing that any foreign affairs explanations on the flotila issue and alike would help since everybody had decided for themselves that all we want to do is screw Palestinians.
D'accord, sadly most people seem to have pre-fab opinions, regardless what one side does.
Still some more PC configuration in our government would help.
The idiot foreign affairs minister we have....he is not totally idiot but lets say not very friendly fellow lol
Don't know your foreign minister, but why should you have the luck to have better politicians than the rest of the world? :) Don't forget about the Blaumilch Canal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaumilch_Canal) :03:
Yes, I posted the wrong link, updated it. The link is about the stupid threat to ban any reporter on the ship from entering Israel. Freedom of press is something important to me, therefore my anger about this dumb move. I had a press card for a long time.
However this makes an interesting juristic question: If a reporter attends a bank robbery and drives in the escape vehicle with the others, can he be charged for aiding and abetting? :hmmm:, not sure about it, I only know IT law, :know:n
It is interesting question.
If the reporter was giving directions then probably it could be offence.
Now...the whole purpose of this flotilla is media coverage as much if not more that blockade running.
While i believe that some abroad those ships have pure as much naive intention at the end of the day its all about creating as much mess and media coverage as possible.
Therefore reporting flotilla serves interests of the organisers and some hostie organisations like hamas with which we are at war.
Baning reporters in current state of matters is inefective and its like "burning korans lol" i don't think that any legal action will be taken against those participating.
It would be damaging and nobody takes it seriously i think.
I believe that this time IDF will bring lots of cameras of our own if needed.
Reporters are holly and neutral no matter what their political views are.lol
Don't know your foreign minister, but why should you have the luck to have better politicians than the rest of the world? :) Don't forget about the Blaumilch Canal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaumilch_Canal) :03:
You seen this movie :rotfl2:l:hmmm:
:salute:
Skybird
07-01-11, 04:31 PM
When abbreviating a past incident as "a Fren ch solution", I just took a verbal shortcut. I do not comment on the background of the action back in NZ, but just think that to sink the Gaza ships today at night with o crew aboard and still stationed in a harbour is the easiest solution to a critical situation for Israel. Regarding the press and polticians,. it is a fact that in Europe and Germany today the more left you look the more openly people are antisemitic, while hidden antisemitism is en vogue in all the poltiical spectzrum today. The press reports in a way of "lining up with the Palestinians at all cost" and "if it is directed against Israel, then anything goes".
Militarily and legally, the blockade is valid and makes sense, and thus Israel is under legal obligation to enforce it for the reasons I explained earlier. It makes no sense to allow dleivers of items that can be used militarily by a milizary enemy of Israel who describes himself as being at war with Israel.
The day the Palestinians send the Hamas to hell we can start thinking about loifting the blockade. Not one day earlier. Palestinians are respinsible for the chpoices they make. And they democratically elected Hamas into power.
They have a right to make choices. And they have a right to be held responsible for the choices they make.
Beside this simple argument, Europeans and Americans alike have demonstrated neither a sense of realism over the conflict, nor being in knowledge of realistic plans and options for solving the issues. Maybe European and American politicians and the press therefore would be well advised to simply shut up and keep their arrogant stupid noses out of this special business.
The day the Palestinians send the Hamas to hell we can start thinking about loifting the blockade. Not one day earlier. Palestinians are respinsible for the chpoices they make. And they democratically elected Hamas into power.
They have a right to make choices. And they have a right to be held responsible for the choices they make.
.
That's my stance on the issue
As for the rest its unrealistic in current configuration.
Tribesman
07-01-11, 06:04 PM
I'm surprised that they were sober enough to notice something was broke.
Yubba didn't you say you was drunk for decades worrying about aliens before you lost your joib and became suddenly sober?
Israeli foreign propaganda sucks...its actually non existent.
Can you not help it?
Why are you such a blatent liar?
Do you think people are too dumb to notice how often you lie?
The gay video that some low ranking clerk idiot happily forwarded and which was shown as PM OFFICE hoax is just stupid example of that.
Welldone MH , it wasn't that hard, you didn't need to go through all your mindless insults, you just had to look at the media which you think doesn't report such things as they don't cover it.:har::har::har::har::har::har:
Technically, if a blockade is announced and is valid by rules of certain treaty and international laws
Technically it was always on dodgy grounds, when treaties said it was in violation and the bodies doing international laws said it was bollox it left it in a really bad position.
Now that Egypt as well as the EU have said stuff it Israel hasn't got a leg to stand on.....unless its a customs issue in internationaly recognised Israeli territorial waters
Yubba didn't you say you was drunk for decades worrying about aliens before you lost your joib and became suddenly sober?
Can you not help it?
Why are you such a blatent liar?
Do you think people are too dumb to notice how often you lie?
Welldone MH , it wasn't that hard, you didn't need to go through all your mindless insults, you just had to look at the media which you think doesn't report such things as they don't cover it.:har::har::har::har::har::har:
Technically it was always on dodgy grounds, when treaties said it was in violation and the bodies doing international laws said it was bollox it left it in a really bad position.
Now that Egypt as well as the EU have said stuff it Israel hasn't got a leg to stand on.....unless its a customs issue in internationaly recognised Israeli territorial waters
http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww313/fatmansleepin/jew-jitsu.jpg?t=1242106395
Tribesman
07-01-11, 06:13 PM
MH
You silly liar
You silly liar
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/HereComesDeath/tumblr_kv1rd6TmFd1qaao3ho1_500.jpg
Tribesman
07-01-11, 06:23 PM
Post as many pictures as you like MH
It won't change the fact that you have shown yourself to be nothing but a silly liar
[QUOTE=Tribesman;1696031]Yubba didn't you say you was drunk for decades worrying about aliens before you lost your joib and became suddenly sober?}
Let's get it straight, I partied my a$$ off for decades, don't recall worrying about aleins, though I might have partied with a few.
Sobered up when your buddies up in D.C. started screwing up this country, and then I said the party is over, loss of the job is also the fault of your buddies in D.C seems they can't manage money or something like that. Hense no job means no beer for Yubba. But not to fear, God seems to take care of his own, got a nice little gig, lots of freinds, a roof over my head, a little jiggle in my pocket, and I'm able to make your heads spin right off your shoulders.:haha::haha::haha::haha::haha::haha::hah a::haha:
Tribesman
07-02-11, 06:20 PM
Let's get it straight, I partied my a$$ off for decades, don't recall worrying about aleins,
oh no its the secret planet Nibiru:har::har::har::har:
Sobered up when your buddies up in D.C. started screwing up this country
Whose buddies??????
Since the politicians in DC have been screwing up the country since before you were born it means you can never have had that excuse to stop being a drunk.
and I'm able to make your heads spin right off your shoulders
No, you are able to make heads shake in despair at the levels of sheer lunacy you spout.
Well at least I'm entertaining, I'm trying to comfort you, since you are on that free fall of denial, grasping for the apron strings of the nanny state. I remember Ragan he was great, need someone like him now. Righty tighty, lefty lucy, you ought to have some pie. And by the way if you are going too quote me don't edit them, one would think you work for ABC NEWS
Tribesman
07-03-11, 03:17 AM
Well at least I'm entertaining
Not at all.
Pitiful is the word which best describes it.
grasping for the apron strings of the nanny state
:har::har::har::har::har::har::har:
I remember Ragan he was great
I think you have difficulty in remembering what day of the week it is or how to tie a shoelace.:88)
And by the way if you are going two quote me edit them
who needs shoe strings when you got velcro :O: another great american invention.
just as I thought you do work for ABC, you just can't stop editting, you need to watch FOX more often.
What sbout those drunken Irish sailors that ran over their own mooring lines and blamed it on the Isreal.
Tribesman
07-03-11, 09:29 AM
another great american invention
I would say that surely someone cannot be that dumb, but then again .......
What sbout those drunken Irish sailors that ran over their own mooring lines and blamed it on the Isreal.
Wow that was some magical mooring line, must have been a special alien one that can go through one section of a steel casing without tangling the props. Was it secretly funded by the hidden scientists at the south pole who stole all your governments money?
I would say that surely someone cannot be that dumb, but then again ].......can't send a man to the moon without velcro.
Wow that was some magical mooring line, must have been a special alien one that can go through one section of a steel casing without tangling the props. Was it secretly funded by the hidden scientists at the south pole who stole all your governments money?
At least I don't beleive, Isreal has trained Dolphins with cutting torches on their backs, cutting props off of pleasure craft. Sorry about for the late responce I forget how hot it must get in that basement. Yes I seen pics of the Irish tubs, if they would have spent less money on whiskey and more on their boats, they wouldn't have such problems and I can tell you that because I'm a professionial drunk which you have stated over and over in this thread which I'm cool with, In my expert opinion they were drunk and ran over their lines. Unless you can prove Isreal has invisible helicopters and frogman:har::har::har::har::har::har::har: Oh by the way 100 empty whiskey bottles and one tin of tuna doesn't constitute Humanitarian aide.
At least I don't beleive, Isreal has trained Dolphins with cutting torches on their backs, cutting props off of pleasure craft. Sorry about for the late responce I forget how hot it must get in that basement. Yes I seen pics of the Irish tubs, if they would have spent less money on whiskey and more on their boats, they wouldn't have such problems and I can tell you that because I'm a professionial drunk which you have stated over and over in this thread which I'm cool with, In my expert opinion they were drunk and ran over their lines. Unless you can prove Isreal has invisible helicopters and frogman:har::har::har::har::har::har::har: Oh by the way 100 empty whiskey bottles and one tin of tuna doesn't constitute Humanitarian aide.
........but.... but Israelis have mosad train sharks.
Israel must keep bad ass image .... you know.
the sharks worry me
http://files.sharenator.com/funny_pictures_shark_bluetooth_SHARK_WEEK_2010-s576x600-82947-580.jpg
Nice pic, wonder what that rig cost, farewell and a due to you fair spainish maiden, farewell and a due to us all.
Penguin
07-03-11, 04:53 PM
an (illusional) attempt to get back on the tracks:
It is interesting question.
If the reporter was giving directions then probably it could be offence.
We were discussing this topic yesterday, one argument was that you're aiding in the moment when you hold the door open for the robbers. Another argument was that the reporter does something illegal when he knows of the robbery in advance and doesn't inform the authorities. I didn't share this view, as the protection of the informer is important for a trustworthy relationship, otherwise no criminal would ever talk to a reporter.
The press codex says however that you should not inspire people to do something which they would not do on their own - which is not easy to follow, as the presence of a camera alone can inspire the people to do something or change their behavior.
Guess everybody has to make a moral decision, for example getting knowledge of a planned mass murder would in my opinion morally oblige the reporter to inform law enforcement.
I agree with the rest of your statement - except for the holyness of reporters :haha:
You seen this movie :rotfl2:l:hmmm:
:salute:
actually I didn't dare to see it yet, as I had fear to be disappointed. I read much Kishon as a kid, and I had a vivid imagination about how this project would look. Don't know if the movie can transport this, but I should give the movie a chance one day.
The book taught me to have a healthy distrust against public administration and bureaucracy :D
When abbreviating a past incident as "a Fren ch solution", I just took a verbal shortcut. I do not comment on the background of the action back in NZ,[snip]
OK, I got your statement in the "wrong throat" as the Germans say, but to me this whole Rainbow Warrior action is not a "let's scare the hippies a little" thing, but a stupid Rambo-action that resulted in the killing of a journalist. The people who fought against the French atomic testing in the Pacific have my respect and sympathy - contrary to the participants of the Gaza flotilla.
but just think that to sink the Gaza ships today at night with o crew aboard and still stationed in a harbour is the easiest solution to a critical situation for Israel.
The easiest, but not the smartest. Israel would look as a terrorist state that disrespects international law.
As you cannot delay the flotilla forever. The people on board want the confrontation, so they should get their desired 5 minutes of fame.
I only hope that Israel is this time so smart to approach the flotilla later, when it is inside its coastal waters.
Regarding the press and polticians,. it is a fact that in Europe and Germany today the more left you look the more openly people are antisemitic, while hidden antisemitism is en vogue in all the poltiical spectzrum today.
I agree with the last part. You'll find this strange poison called antisemitism all over the political spectrum, and in all social classes. I also agree that you find antisemitism on the far left antiimperialistic spectrum, but don't forget out of which corner of the political spectrum the "Endlösung" came from. Most percentage of the members of the "worker party" NSDAP were not working-class, but teachers, farmers and civil servants, traditionally conservative/right-wing. I don't deny that there also was certainly a historic connection of the left with antisemitism, after all one should not forget many people changed their red (KPD/SPD) shirt against a brown one. I doubt however that you'll find open antisemitism, or antizionism mixed with old stereotypes of jews, only on the left.
neo-nazi-demonstration:
http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/6044/dresdengaza.jpg
(yesterday Dresden, today Gaza - this reminds me a little of "today Germany, tomorrow the world", not sure if those guys want to conquer Gaza, lol)
demonstration of a part of the left:
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/1415/demooe.jpg
and no, I'm no member of them either ;)
When I find the time I write a little piece about the left and Israel.
Palestinians are respinsible for the chpoices they make. And they democratically elected Hamas into power.
They have a right to make choices. And they have a right to be held responsible for the choices they make.
that's a lesson that was bitterly learned by the Germans
[QUOTE=Vendor;1695438]http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/5365/53787568tv012342172.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/811/53787568tv012342172.jpg/)
Irish activist demonstrates damage to the propeller shaft of the Saoirse.
Well they say a picture is worth a thousand words a bent shaft and they had to cut it out themselves a joke and a hoax, bad skippering and that craft isn't very big so how much humanitarain aid could fit on it, just some bloke trying to score drinks at the local pub
The activist are losing momentum it seems.
I suppose they are going through high level of frustration.:DL
Lieberman: Gaza flotilla activists blaming Israel for their own failure
Foreign minister says Israel was behind the Greek ban on departure of ships, claims Greek government understands Israel's needs.
By Haaretz (http://www.haaretz.com/misc/writers/haaretz-1.367584)Tags: Avigdor Lieberman (http://www.haaretz.com/meta/Tag/Avigdor%20Lieberman)Gaza flotilla (http://www.haaretz.com/meta/Tag/Gaza%20flotilla)Gaza aid (http://www.haaretz.com/meta/Tag/Gaza%20aid)
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Sunday that the Gaza flotilla activists, who had accused Israel of purposely sabotaging their ships, are just trying to place the blame for their failure on Israel.
***8220;The activists are trying to blame someone for their failure ***8211; no doubt they have watched too many James Bond films,***8221; Lieberman told Army Radio in an interview. ***8220;There is an attempt to evade responsibility for their propaganda, as well as a lack of support from countries around the world.***8221;
Lieberman also said that Israel was behind the Greek government***8217;s decision to forbid the flotilla from sailing to the Gaza Strip. ***8220;Things do not just happen on their own,***8221; he maintained, ***8220;the Quartet, the governments of Greece, and Cyprus object to the flotilla, understand the needs of Israel, and are acting effectively.***8221;
However, despite the technical difficulties and the Greek government***8217;s decision to forbid the voyage, the activists on board believe that it is only a matter of time before they leave for the Gaza Strip, declaring Sunday that they intend to set sail on Monday.
The Greek authorities have announced that they will not allow the ships to sail, as they believe the mission is ***8220;too dangerous.***8221; The captain of the American ship, Audacity of Hope, will appear in court on Tuesday where he is to be charged with defying the Greek ban, as well as endangering the lives of the ship***8217;s passengers.
In the aftermath of the captain's arrest, as well as the forced transfer of the ship to a Greek military naval base, the activists held a press conference wherein they blamed Israel for "exporting the siege on Gaza to Greece***8221; and condemned Greece for ***8220;implementing the policies of the Israeli government."
The Middle East Quartet issued a statement on Saturday that pleaded with those interested in transferring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip to do so "through established channels so that their cargo can be inspected and transferred via established land crossings." The declaration further called on all governments involved to "use their influence to discourage additional flotillas, which risk the safety of their participants and carry the potential for escalation."
.....................
"Exporting Gaza siege to Greece"-LOL
In today world every anarchist or nutcase in Europe can find some legitimate organisation.
If you are leftist you get the bonus of being "human right activist".
30 years ago it could be something like "red brigade".
Nowadays non violent violence is the trend.
I agree with the last part. You'll find this strange poison called antisemitism all over the political spectrum, and in all social classes. I also agree that you find antisemitism on the far left antiimperialistic spectrum, but don't forget out of which corner of the political spectrum the "Endlösung" came from. Most percentage of the members of the "worker party" NSDAP were not working-class, but teachers, farmers and civil servants, traditionally conservative/right-wing. I don't deny that there also was certainly a historic connection of the left with antisemitism, after all one should not forget many people changed their red (KPD/SPD) shirt against a brown one. I doubt however that you'll find open antisemitism, or antizionism mixed with old stereotypes of jews, only on the left.
Good example is the San Francisco circumcision case.
All in the name of "human rights" again-nice wrap for any crap.
"Foreskin Man" lol-who is the dickhead who thought it up.
Circumcision ban comic book shows 'grotesque anti-Semitic imagery,' ADL says
'Monster Mohel' comic book is one of two titles in the 'Foreskin Man' comic book series created by the Male Genital Mutilation Bill group pushing to make male circumcision illegal in San Francisco.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Friday strongly condemned a comic book created by supporters of an anti-circumcision movement in San Francisco, saying it contained "grotesque anti-Semitic imagery and themes."
The "Monster Mohel" comic book is one of two titles in the "Foreskin Man" comic book series – which was created by the president of the Male Genital Mutilation Bill group and one of the leaders of the anti-circumcision legislation movement, which has succeeded in getting their controversial measure on the November ballot.
http://www.haaretz.com/polopoly_fs/1.365835.1307147343!/image/3014802616.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_295/3014802616.jpgAn image from the 'Monster Mohel' comic book.
Nancy J. Appel, ADL Associate Regional Director said the book, which features identifiably Orthodox Jewish characters as evil villains, was "disrespectful and deeply offensive."
"This is a sensitive, serious issue where good people can disagree and which the Jewish community feels is an assault on its values and traditions going back thousands of years and centered in the Hebrew Bible," Appel said in a statement.
"It is one thing to debate it, is another thing to degrade it. 'Foreskin Man,' with its grotesque anti-Semitic imagery and themes, reaches a new low and is disrespectful and deeply offensive," she said, adding that " Some of the imagery calls to mind age-old anti-Semitic canards such as the blood libel, the accusation that Jews ritually murder Christian children."
Mohels are those who are specially trained to perform the traditional Jewish male circumcision ceremony.
Supporters of the ban say male circumcision is a form of genital mutilation that is unnecessary, extremely painful and even dangerous. They say parents should not be able to force the decision on their young child.
If the measure passes in November, circumcision would be prohibited among males under the age of 18. The practice would become a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or up to one year in jail. There would be no religious exemptions.
the_tyrant
07-03-11, 09:20 PM
foreskin man:haha:
Bilge_Rat
07-04-11, 04:41 PM
and I see any thread involving Israel bashing remains as popular as ever on the GT.:ping:
btw, now that Egypt's new rulers have permanently opened the border crossing with Gaza, what is the point of these "flotillas" other than to generate anti-Israel propaganda?
btw, now that Egypt's new rulers have permanently opened the border crossing with Gaza, what is the point of these "flotillas" other than to generate anti-Israel propaganda?
Target practice for the IDF? :88)
Penguin
07-04-11, 05:09 PM
Greece made a proposal to bring the goods to Gaza, under UN supervision.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-accepts-greek-deal-to-bring-cargo-to-gaza-1.371209
Smart move! I wonder why the flotilla makers didn't say anything to this proposal...
But the real reason for the flotilla:
It's all about bringing love to Gaza, dudes! :|\\
See here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXFN2hZTSfs
Greece made a proposal to bring the goods to Gaza, under UN supervision.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-accepts-greek-deal-to-bring-cargo-to-gaza-1.371209
Smart move! I wonder why the flotilla makers didn't say anything to this proposal...
Its not covered in their manuals.
A bit off topic lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuEhhPbAAdA
Skybird
07-04-11, 06:28 PM
Two pieces, the first quoting a statement by the Red Cross that there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza (and comparing the attacks from Gaza on Israel to the terror attacks in Ireland, asking whether or not Britons were expected not to react to that), the second - in German - referring to a spokes"person" (no sexual discrimination please) for the Gaza flotilla failure II , sayiong it loud andf clear that they are not about humanitarian aide, but about freeing all Palestine, since Palistinians "do not want humanitarian aid" (quote). Which means: not only is Israel legally bound to prevent even just a single blockade breaking (Iexplained earlier), but the people representing that flotilla are no neutral helpers representing a neutral aidse, but are an actively participating conflict party that have already chosen sides in the conflict - and thus must be seen as enemies of Israel.
http://www.takeapen.org/Takeapen/Templates/showpage.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=84&FID=2064
http://www.welt.de/print/die_welt/politik/article13454507/Unsere-Mission-ist-nicht-humanitaer.html
I wonder why German media still insist on calling it a "Hilfsflotte für Gaza". It is no aid project. Not at all.
Tribesman
07-04-11, 06:42 PM
Greece made a proposal to bring the goods to Gaza, under UN supervision
Is that the same UN that complained last week that Israel was still blocking some of the UNs own humanitarian aid shipments through the land crossing?
I wonder why the flotilla makers didn't say anything to this proposal...
Possibly because the people making the offer are still complaining that they can't get all their own aid through:yeah:
Though the UN together with the US welcomed the easing of some restrictions but are both still waiting for Israel to do what it said it was going to do last year.
I wonder why German media still insist on calling it a "Hilfsflotte für Gaza". It is no aid project. Not at all.
Good question isn't it?
I wonder if its so hard to trace back the organizers of the flotilla and what they really want.
Its not about poor people of Gaza very clearly.
Tribesman
07-04-11, 06:58 PM
Two pieces
On one piece
Dr. Denis MacEoin
'nuff said:rotfl2:
Penguin
07-05-11, 04:25 AM
I wonder why German media still insist on calling it a "Hilfsflotte für Gaza". It is no aid project. Not at all.
That's how the flotilla calls itself, I don't see a terrible bias there. It's the same thing as the media calls the SPD "social democrats" - as they are neither very social nor very democratic :03:
Is that the same UN that complained last week that Israel was still blocking some of the UNs own humanitarian aid shipments through the land crossing?
Yes, the very same UN, that urges Hamas to finally recognize Israel. The very same UN which funds the Palestinian "refugees" through the UNRWA with more many per capita than any other refugee in the world receives - even more if you subtract the million Palestinians who only exist on paper: http://www.think-israel.org/MillionPersonGap.65.pdf
Delivering it to the very same Hamas that delayed the shipment of the goods that the last love boats brought to Gaza - however Hamas probably just didn't know what to do with medical supplies that were best before 1793 :know:
Regarding Denis MacEoin :
I honestly have heard of him for the very first time today. But regrding his biography, it looks that there are worse experts on the middle east:
PhD in Arabic and Islamic Studies, lived there for a long time, writes for the Guardian (good paper) and his blog is called: "A liberal Defence of Israel" - good there are still some people left defending Israel who come from the right (non-right;)) side.
No comment on his medical views however...:O:
Tribesman
07-05-11, 09:23 AM
Regarding Denis MacEoin :
Regarding MacEoin: Yes he written for the Guardian, the Guardian is a good paper it lets all sorts of people write, only last week it had a disgraced former Sun editor writing about how wonderful it was that Murdoch could expand his media empire without going through the regulator.
However if you take a couple of MacEoins pieces that were published in that paper as examples...you have a shocking one about the extent of extremism in UK mosques, it was so shocking the BBC were planning on doing a special program on it....until it turned out the "evidence" presented was faked.
Then you have his piece on the cruel barbarism in Britains arbitration courts...which it turned out was basicly cobbled together from websites like Fatwas'R'us.
his blog is called: "A liberal Defence of Israel"
So if I had a blog called "the democratic republic of happy zimbabwe" would you swallow it because of the word "democratic" or "happy"?
Sorry Penguin but he is unfortunately just a propogandist like the propoganda merchants people are complaining about on the other side of the aisle.
You gotta love his take on settlements though, it makes Daniel Pipes(who he also writes for) look balanced.:03:
Penguin
07-05-11, 10:59 AM
So if I had a blog called "the democratic republic of happy zimbabwe" would you swallow it because of the word "democratic" or "happy"?
touché!
Like I said, I heard about him today for the first time, didn't check deeply into his work. I got to read more to build my opinion, but at the first glance he didn't look too bad.
I do value people like Henryk Broder (hard to characterize in left-right terms) or also Moishe Postone (very left), who has done some excellent work about the (German) left and their anti-zionism/anti-semitism. He provides a brilliant analysis regarding this topic in this interview: http://www.workersliberty.org/story/2010/02/05/zionism-anti-semitism-and-left (never mind the source)
There are also some sources that I value, which come from the conservative side, but no special author comes to my mind.
If someine sticks to facts, I have no problem with the political affiliation, as long as they support the liberty of others to have their own opinions, so I guess this excludes Nazis, religious maniacs and other dogmatists, lol
Sorry Penguin but he is unfortunately just a propogandist like the propoganda merchants people are complaining about on the other side of the aisle.
You gotta love his take on settlements though, it makes Daniel Pipes(who he also writes for) look balanced.:03:
Well, as this topic seems to be highly emotional, you seldom find any unbiased sources. I do read official israeli/IDF sources with two critical eyes, but I found more hard facts there, that survive a reality check, than in Pallywood.
@Penguin.
My guess is that Tribesman has a real good insight on whats going on here from some other outstanding leftist academics.;)
I mock him as leftist/liberal in many way myself.
Most of the stuff written by some "liberal" tyrants make me puke.
The level of confusion and disinformation mixed with some vision of how Israel should deal with its problems is simply ridiculous.
Those academics mostly disregard the region's culture politics and ambitions to enable them implement some idealistic and based on faith solutions to problems .
In many cases the solution put Israel and its citizens at great risk or defeat the sole purpose of state of Israel.
But again they are Irish or Swedish or whatever so they can afford themselves some ridiculous visions and its not them who have to live under the threats.
Of course there is no lack of far left idealist here as well who sometimes it seems to me confuse their location with different continent on earth.
The last not the least the would be peace loving friends friends who actually so far do a great job....its not a contradiction to them to hug terrorist.
Living in belief that hamas can be pacified or just because its good for Palestinians and anti Zionist.
Settlements are not great issue for me personally and majority of Israelis it seems.
It is clear that west bank can not be settled without using D9s(oops sorry)
Yea.. we are not this sort of people here.
Many settler themselves are not ideologically paralyzed and they sort of know that some day Israel may have to compromise but the key issue are:
security-bye bye jihad and hamas
public recognition of Israel
no right of return to any refugees.
exchange of territories.
No double political games and legitimation of terror organisations.
Settlements issue is a nice way to wage propaganda.
(Lebensraum association )
Israel is all just about settlement and depriving rights of Palestinians.
Its total bull crap...its clear for a very long time that this will not work.
Israel will compromise question is to what degree and at what risks.
We don't need million of Arabs under our control.
We also don't want them breaking our door asking for more.
.
Tribesman
07-05-11, 12:44 PM
@Penguin
Well, as this topic seems to be highly emotional, you seldom find any unbiased sources. I do read official israeli/IDF sources with two critical eyes, but I found more hard facts there, that survive a reality check, than in Pallywood.
The thing with that on the whole is the IDF is a good reliable source as are the Israeli govt. and judiciary.
Though it is conditional in the first two cases on pretty much ignoring all their initial statements as they are usually just crap that they put out to be dutifully parroted by the media and their fanclub.
It is rather illustrative that each time they will try the same lines even though they know its going to end up the same as last time, but its more illustrative how their fanboys carry on cheering on the specifics even after the sources have turned round and said it was crap.
@ the liar
My guess is that Tribesman has a real good insight on whats going on here from some other outstanding leftist academics
It is no guess that MH has an insight that is at best myopic and is of such academic brilliance that he lies so repeatedly and so obviously.
@ the liar
You are so full of poison aren't you.:up:
You are so full of poison aren't you.:up:
Dont worry, after a while you get used to him spewing his "poison", and just learn to ignore it
Tribesman
07-05-11, 02:05 PM
You are so full of poison aren't you
The description of you is entirely accurate, nothing poisonous there at all. If someone is a liar I call them a liar, it really is as simple as that.
If you had more valid points to make on the subject you wouldn't have to repeatedly lie would you.
The description of you is entirely accurate, nothing poisonous there at all. If someone is a liar I call them a liar, it really is as simple as that.
If you had more valid points to make on the subject you wouldn't have to repeatedly lie would you.
You sound like you have monopoly on truth.
A most dangerous case lol.
Sorry my friend i have proven(to myself at least) that you don't really know flying **** about Israel and Palestinian issue besides the usual google crap and some skewed to your liking historical facts....
Its especially evident in the way you like to cling to some extreme insignificant events to prove some points.
In other cases where you chose to finely risk showing some personal knowledge you demonstrate stubborn ignorance .
There is no doubt the the issue is very important to you for some reason but again BBC its not enough especially in conjunction with your mental state -as it seems.
You really suffer from the typical reptile syndrome well known in countries surrounding Israel.
I don't know what is your degree of education but you certainly aren't intellectual.
Your brain is too much clouded by your poison.
Again you probably are smart enough to know that... at least.
(Damn i cant believe i felt obligated to write the above:rotfl2:)
B.w
Have more fun
Tribesman
07-05-11, 03:35 PM
Its especially evident in the way you like to cling to some extreme insignificant events to prove some points.
You mean facts don't yo,u not "insignificant events", but it is OK I understand you have a problem with people using facts as they tend to flatten lies.
In other cases where you chose to finely risk showing some personal knowledge you demonstrate stubborn ignorance .
Again and again on those finer points of knowledge you have to lie.
There is no doubt the the issue is very important to you for some reason but again BBC its not enough especially in conjunction with your mental state -as it seems.
BBC, damn have you forgotten that you said I only read ...what was it again?????oh yeah the "liberal" publication you link to.
Make your mind up:har::har::har::har:
I don't know what is your degree of education but you certainly aren't intellectual.
Really? And you expect people to take it that a liar could be any judge of intellect:yeah:
(Damn i cant believe i felt obligated to write the above:rotfl2:)
It would have been funnier to see you try and deny that you lie repeatedly in topics on the middle east.
Sorry MH but even someone with a barely functioning brain would realise by now that if what I write was so wrong or twisted then you wouldn't be finding yourself having to lie so often when you attempt to counter it.
It really is that simple.:yep:
Really? And you expect people to take it that a liar could be any judge of intellect:yeah:
Have a puppy.....
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRXjQ4jUx86o_0brVFJk2himcu3r-fLko-ixOxVoFEiEze4qcDXGWUWZaw (http://www.google.co.il/imgres?imgurl=http://mastiff25.tripod.com/PUPPY/a2.JPG&imgrefurl=http://mastiff25.tripod.com/PUPPY/&usg=__izjUVEbUZr2l293tX761AQo3LP4=&h=609&w=541&sz=12&hl=iw&start=16&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=JQXbqD0df4-9PM:&tbnh=136&tbnw=121&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhave%2Bpuppy%26hl%3Diw%26sa%3DX%26rlz %3D1T4ASUT_enIL429IL429%26biw%3D1603%26bih%3D820%2 6tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divns&ei=5H4TTsaZLYmXhQffzsHpDQ)
You are very touchy about this aren't you...:haha:
That's your problem to begin with but i'm not therapist.
Penguin
07-07-11, 03:40 PM
@MH and Tribesman
I don't want to play UNO, but you both seem to happen to talk with me in this thread, but not with each other. Which honours me, that you are still open to the voice of the unwise penguin - as I respect both of you, each on his own style!
So my hats off to Tribes, for not being one of those blind Irishmen who joined the flotilla, and hats off to MH, for not having become an ignorant; in your situation it is much harder than many people imagine, not to turn many bad experiences into racism and hate.
(I wear multiple hats in case someone wonders ;))
And I think you both got more in common than maybe each other wants to reveal. Maybe Tribesman is much more the ultra-religious, fascist, nationalist, magnetist, zionist, Betonkopf and MH much more the long-haired, flower-eating, keffiyeh-wearing, Kumbaja-singing Commie guy than each other wants to reveal, lol. Each man is his owns most fierce critical voice, or as the Germans say: "The biggest critiques of moose are the very same!"
But as I think you would treat each other with much more respect when you would meet each other in person in a pub, we shouldn't forget the basic respect we ought to have of each other in Onkel Neal's den - or more bold: never trash the bar in the pub that you like!
Two guys having much in common, but only arguing about the differences is a picture, many people have of the conflict in The middle-East. Sure: arguing about differences can be much more fun, only telling each other how right they are that pizza is tasty, would be boring. However unproductive arguing, is something that certainly keeps people out to participate in this thread, many of them certainly be able to write much smarter things than I do.
holy Lemmy, even when I worked with kids and never sounded so preachy. :o
But here's my little reading gift to anyone not bored to death from reading until here:
How To Debate Politics Like A Gentleman (http://artofmanliness.com/2008/09/21/how-to-debate-politics-civilly/)
And from both of you I would like to want you to know what you think of Postone's analysis, which I posted earlier in this thread: Zionism, anti-semitism and the left (http://www.workersliberty.org/story/2010/02/05/zionism-anti-semitism-and-left) From MH as he asked for explanations of this weird mindset of people shouting peace for Ali, but not for Samuel. From tribes as an non anti-semitic european leftie, who I bet read at least some theoretical stuff. Never been much of a person of the theory, but as a good, unlazy (lol) worker I have the communist manifest here - and the German Basic Law of 1949 :know:
The linked interview is about antisemitism in the left; the guy did some good research. He's a marxist professor of jewish heritage, good for this case, as lefties sometimes know something about the left - and i found out it's often jews who happen to know a lot about Israel, much more than most catholics know about the pope - or the woods :DL
And to make it clear: those flotilla loonies have nothing to do with "my" left, which stands for thinking for oneself, not following thinking patterns, who stand up for freedom instead of hiding behind dumb propaganda and an pseudo-superior morale, able to learn and - maybe most important- be able to laugh about oneself - but honestly I don't know what ideology would be nearest to mine. :hmmm:
Now I'll step out of the ring again and do what the Germans do very good at the moment: sell the weapons each of you, to blast each other off the earth! - in good old WW1 Krupp-tradition!
Peace!
PS: Leos are on sale at the moment ;)
PPS: the settler issue is an interesting one, would like to debate this later, as it has only indirectly to do with the flotilla - and I don't have the time to type an even longer response :)
Tribesman
07-07-11, 07:14 PM
Sorry Penguin, nice piece and nice try, but someone who repeatedly lies as MH clearly does deserves no respect on the subject regardless of if its face to face in a pub as you put it or on the internet.
PPS: the settler issue is an interesting one, would like to debate this later, as it has only indirectly to do with the flotilla
I only mentioned that issue in regards to MacEions rather unique interpretations of it.
Penguin
07-08-11, 10:28 AM
Sorry Penguin, nice piece and nice try, but someone who repeatedly lies as MH clearly does deserves no respect on the subject regardless of if its face to face in a pub as you put it or on the internet.
:doh: - well, at least i tried...
it's hopeless :nope:
k, this were my last words regarding the name-calling
-----------------------------------------------------------
Back to topic
Here is a pic of a demonstration in Berlin, demanding the release of the Gaza flotilla from the Greek authorities - and an end of the blockade:
http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/7961/gazademo.jpg
the official number of people was 50 - not bad in a city of 3.4 million people, where 2000 demonstrations per year take place - against/for anything imaginable :D
They even the the arab-quota fulfilled with at least one guy- but they miss the obligatory "jew against Israel"....
Sadly the number of participants means ****, when the (silent) majority of Germans (65%) regard Israel as the biggest threat to peace in the world - more than in any other EU country.... :damn: However at least this shows that the support for the love boat is not as big...
Tribesman
07-08-11, 12:33 PM
this were my last words regarding the name-calling
It does not constitute name-calling, describiing someone as a liar when they are a liar is a simple statement of fact.
TLAM Strike
07-08-11, 01:23 PM
Sadly the number of participants means ****, when the (silent) majority of Germans (65%) regard Israel as the biggest threat to peace in the world...
Almost twice as many as in 1932... :shifty:
(only 37% of all votes cast in that election went for the NSDAP) ;)
..
Sadly the number of participants means ****, when the (silent) majority of Germans (65%) regard Israel as the biggest threat to peace in the world - more than in any other EU country.... :damn: However at least this shows that the support for the love boat is not as big...
Here is left article from haaretz.
A year ago flotilla was stopped with "unnecessary violence".
This time it was done with diplomatic means but left of course is never happy.
Amira Hass was supposed to be on the flotilla(if i remember correctly)so here goes unbiased journalism.
They already try to scare us into antisemitic stereotypes-very sensitive people.
Their academic thinking is far reaching and paralyzing.
Now are they afraid that they beloved world leftist community will jump to some shallow antisemitic conclusions?
In dealing with flotilla, Israel is anything but smart
Outsourcing, aggressive and vocal diplomacy and ridiculous lies thwarted the flotilla, but they have not taken Gaza off the international agenda.
By Amira Hass (http://www.haaretz.com/misc/writers/amira-hass-1.278)
CRETE - Like an anti-Semitic caricature, Israel has extended its long tentacles around the globe in an effort to stop 10 decades-old ships from sailing to Gaza. Many Israelis interpreted this as a great victory.
The story could be read as follows: The Greek government wanted to save people whom it surely views as eccentrics and professional trouble-makers, even if naive, from a traumatic and perhaps even fatal experience. The Greek foreign minister rejected claims that Israeli pressure led his government to ban the flotilla's departure. He explained that Greece wanted to prevent a "humanitarian disaster" in the event of a clash between the Israel Defense Forces and the protesters.
Indeed, a Greek police officer - one of those who tried (in vain ) to discover from passengers on the Tahrir who was piloting their ship - did not beat around the bush. We wanted to save you from the Israeli army, he told one of them. The Jew of the blood libel, of whom one must be wary, has been replaced by an Israeli navy commando.
In anti-Semitic caricatures, the cunning Jew is doomed to lose and his control over the world is fated to come to an end. But Israel's government is revising the caricature and sketching a glorious victory. A war of attrition, in the form of mysterious breakdowns and unprecedented red tape by the Greek authorities, thwarted the flotilla's original plan to anchor off the Gaza coast. When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly thanked the Greek government, he knew full well what he was thanking it for.
We must now await future media leaks to know what exactly Greece received in exchange, other than closer military ties. Perhaps money, to complete the caricature?
This is a convenient time to be using pressure tactics. Greece's socialist government is in a fragile situation, as the European Union and the International Monetary Fund are forcing the country to adopt an austerity plan that most of its people oppose. True, the fact that Greece has become a subcontractor of the Israeli army did not bring the masses into the streets, but there is no doubt about it: The sympathy of the Greek soldiers who arrested the Tahrir's passengers and of the bureaucrats who delayed them was with the flotilla and with Gaza, not with their government's orders. That's all we need: another country whose government gets along well with Israel in complete opposition to popular sentiment.
The flotilla's organizers added a term from the world of business and globalization to their description of Israel's domination of the Palestinians. Israel, they said, was outsourcing the industry of the blockade on Gaza. In exchange for reward, a foreign government - Greece - took on an active role and adopted a deliberate policy of keeping the Gaza Strip one huge prison.
Logic dictates that a government whose policy validates anti-Semitic stereotypes ought to worry Israelis and Jews worldwide. But the Israeli government is doing what its voters want and believe in. For there is one stereotype that has not been recycled here: that of the wise Jew.
Outsourcing, aggressive and vocal diplomacy and ridiculous lies thwarted the flotilla, but they have not taken Gaza off the international agenda. If Israel - which knew full well that there was not one gram of explosives aboard the ships - had let them sail to Gaza, the flotilla would not have preoccupied the international media as it did.
Blocking the flotilla did not discourage the organizers, who are graduates of the anti-apartheid and anti-white supremacy struggles. Rather, it provided ample proof of how white Israel is. As a result, blocking the flotilla only increased their motivation to keep placing the Palestinians' demand for freedom at the forefront of the international agenda.
Palestinian groups have criticised Israel after activists planning to visit the West Bank were barred from flying and others were deported.
Israeli officials said airlines blocked some 200 blacklisted travellers from flying to Tel Aviv.
The Welcome to Palestine group says the action shows restrictions on access to Palestinian areas.
The so-called "flytilla" comes after Greece blocked an aid flotilla trying to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
Two American women originally involved in the flotilla were among the first to be deported from Ben Gurion Airport after flying in from Athens to try to join the latest protest.
A group from Switzerland was also expected to be expelled.
Airlines with flights from France, Germany and Switzerland prevented ticket-holders from boarding planes after being notified by Israel that they would be refused entry.
Many passengers turned away decried what they said was an abuse of power. Israel argues it is ensuring public order at its main gateway to the world.
Palestinian civil society organisations who make up Welcome to Palestine expected 600 to 1,000 foreign activists to take up their invitation to head to the West Bank for a week
They say they have planned a full itinerary of peaceful activities, starting with events in Bethlehem and Ramallah on Saturday for those able to make it there.
Activists were urged to inform Israeli immigration of their intention to visit only Palestinian areas on arrival at Ben Gurion airport knowing that this could see their entry blocked.
Palestinians have no airport of their own and Israel controls the borders of the occupied West Bank.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14084547
Note: Update Record,8 July 2011 Last updated at 15:49 GMT
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