While I agree that the law of the sea isn't always clear, this article demonstrates the USCG complying with the terms of UNCLOS and supports the proposition that Israel was in the wrong if it boarded a ship in international waters.

What difference does it make in actuality? And it does seem like you are in fact trying to speak for him, really.

Yes they can.

If the ship is suspected of carrying drugs it can be, unless the the country whose flag that the suspected ship is flying has no agreement with the country whose vessel wishes to conduct the search.

If they are suspected of doing something against the countries law governing its EEZ it can be bordered.

They had authority to board them, authority to inspect and make sure they were not dumping ballast or waste water illegally etc. They were then attacked and responded.

If they found weapons or other good illegal in Territorial waters but not in the EEZ then its get iffy, they probably couldn't impound them until they sailed closer to shore. But they would know they were there, unless the crew tossed them over the side, either way the goods don't get past the blockade.

he is only giving his opinion as to what he thinks skybird means, he isnt speaking for anyone.

and it makes a substantial difference whether or not the ship was attacked in international waters or in domestic waters.

im no expert on maritime law... but i would assume this to be the case

Skybird should be able to defend his own xenophobic views. It's pretty lame if you guys need to help him along, and stuff.

You're highlighting the wrong part of that article. Inspections in the EEZ are authorized only for limited purposes," in the exercise of its sovereign rights to explore, exploit, conserve and manage the living resources in the exclusive economic zone." There is no EEZ issue for a bunch of protestors headed to a blockade zone.

Here's another UNCLOS quote for you:
Article 87 is freedom of the high seas, including freedom of navigation.

In the EEZ, you can add an f. (the subsim board converted the letter bullets to number bullets above) to this for ensuring it isn't exploiting exclusive resources. Nothing here is applicable in the instant case.

I'm sorry, we're not trying to help him defend...

... We're trying to help you understand. With quite a bit of futility I might say.

I thought you were ignoring me?

Stick me on your ignore list, I guess I'll be #3 on that list... right next to logic and reason (giving you a ribbing there in case you don't see it)

The Isrealis could easily claim they suspected the ship of dumping waste or what not, a violation of the "Conserve" part of the UNCOLS, "legally" board under that pretext to search for weapons.

The story is really simple.It was a planed provocation by so called peace activist which was created to achieve exactly this kind of outcome.
The Israeli solders did not expect to be attacked by angry mob of hundreds of people armed with iron clubs and Molotov cocktails.
So even thou the soliders are the best trained we have here they had to protect them selves.Imagine just all those people charging at you to beat you to death.
We had here cases of civilians and solders who by mistake entered Palestinian viliges and got literally teared apart by mob.
I know that no matter what i say (some)you will always think that we here bomb the Palestinians just for fun and because we simply hate them but the truth is very far from this.
Last time we tried to make peace with them and we let in PLO government to Gaza an Rammalh with no restrictions we had a bus full of civilians exploding every week in Jeusalem.
When we left Gaza aeria we had Katusha rockets failing every day on our cites.So we retaliated with real force after 2 years of this bombardment.
Needles to say every body was outraged how come we use such a force against poor Palestinians even thou the civilian casualties where minimal considering the scope of this military operation.
I as someone who served in IDF must say that the last thing that Israeli solders want is to kill innocent civilians.
And we are brainwashed to avoid it at all coast.
Also considering our European history we are against it morally.
You need also to understand that you cant fight cleanly against terrorist who are ready to use any dirty treak to achieve his goal.
We are here in kind of catch 22 situation....

According to sources Henning Mankell was among the people who were shot. No info on his condition though. This is becoming kinda surreal.

For those who don't know who Henning Mankell is, he is a Swedish writer. Mostly crime novels.

Any ship attacked in international waters have the right to deffend them self.

Whats right and whats wrong in the specific situation i dont care about.

They were boarded they have the right to deffend, like it or not....i dont like it but its there right...

all Israel had to do was to wait until national waters......

If Israel are alowed to do this, i will use my new right to start some boarding my self...

And in court i will deffend my self with "if they are alowed im alowed"

trying to focus on the legality or legal justification of Israeli actions is probably fruitless. The law of the sea has always been nebulous and subject to interpretation by the stronger naval powers, especially when you are dealing with a blockade.

The U.S. decreed a naval blockade of 500 miles around Cuba in 1962. The U.S. Navy enforced a naval blockade of the CSA in 1861-65. The USCG used to regularly intercept, search and turn back in international waters boats carrying Haitian refugees.

The Royal Navy enforced a strict naval blockade around napoleonic europe and used to search all vesels sailing to and from Europe, including US vessels. This was one of the causes of the war of 1812.

Ultimately a Blockade is an act of war. Israel has decreed a naval blockade of Gaza, set out the rules and enforces it with its navy. Other countries can choose to respect the blockade or go to war with Israel.

Except of course when it's about Somali pirates, then Bilge Rat will be nowhere around saying things like "The law of the sea has always been nebulous..." etc.

Well that was a nice first post. :DL

I always thought the law when it came to pirates was "Hang 'em all"... Unless you're Russia, and then it's 'Set 'em all adrift' ;)