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Area: WoT Background    Non-WoT    Opinion        Politix   
Report: At least 10 activists killed as Israel Navy opens fire on Gaza aid flotilla
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 1: WoT Operations
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Page 4: Opinion
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Page 6: Politix
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Good morning
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  God I hate that chair. I have hated that chair ever since I first saw this photo. What was the photographer thinking? Couldn't he at least have had the sense to use a fan-back chair?

Preferably one with a higher back.
Posted by: gorb || 05/31/2010 0:45 Comments || Top||

#2  Happy Birthday/Daily Gam Shot

Elsy Steinberg aka Elaine Stewart aka Princess Fawzia "The Adventures of Hajji Baba" (age 81)

Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 05/31/2010 2:14 Comments || Top||

#3  The tune that comes to mind The Heavy- "How do you like me now? on YouTube.
Posted by: Dale || 05/31/2010 10:22 Comments || Top||


--Tech & Moderator Notes
It Is The Soldier
Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, United States Marine Corps

It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the Soldier, who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protestor to burn the flag.
Posted by: Steve White || 05/31/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1 
God and the soldier
All men adore
In time of trouble,
And no more;
For when war is over
And all things righted,
God is neglected -
The old soldier slighted.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 05/31/2010 2:05 Comments || Top||


Afghanistan
Bomb blasts kill 10 in Afghanistan
Two separate bomb blasts have hit Afghanistan, leaving 10 Afghan security forces dead amid a surge in militant attacks against foreign and government forces.

In the northeastern province of Badakhshan, at least seven policemen were killed after their vehicle hit a roadside bomb on Sunday.

Two other officers were injured in the attack, which the authorities blamed on the Taliban.

Badakhshan is considered the most peaceful province in Afghanistan.

In a separate incident a convoy of Afghan army soldiers hit roadside bomb in the eastern province of Nangarhar, killing three.

The developments come just hours after militants attacked a NATO supply convoy in the southern province of Ghazni.

US-led forces have failed to secure the war-torn country from the recent wave of violence.

The 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan was launched with the official objective of curbing militancy and bringing peace and stability to the war-ravaged country. Nine years on, however, US-led forces have failed to bring security to Afghanistan and civilians continue to pay the price.

The 130,000 US-led troops based in the country are expected to see a 30,000-increase in the coming months.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


Taliban Threaten Peace Jirga Invitees
[Quqnoos] Taliban have threatened tribal elders in southern Ghazni province not to participate in the upcoming Peace Jirga

"Unfortunately, this is not a peace jirga, but a funny jirga. People's representatives will not attend it because of the threats," said a member of the Ghazni Provincial Council, Abdul Wali Khanzada.

A number of Ghazni provincial council members said the participation of the threatened people would not help the twice-delayed jirga.

"The participation of these tribal elders will be of no use," another local council member said.

The Peace Jirga will be held in Kabul by next week, but the Taliban and some political factions are not willing to attend the assembly designed to put an end to the nine-year long war.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Taliban

#1  was interesting . good luck .
Posted by: ben || 05/31/2010 0:15 Comments || Top||


Africa Horn
Somalia: Islamists vacate central town
Hizbul Islam fighters have reportedly vacated from Baladweyne after allied government soldiers and Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a advanced to the town, witnesses said on Monday.

Hizbul Islam rebels have been controlling Baladwyne, the regional capital of Hiiraan region in central Somalia, recently. Residents said fierce fighting between the two sides erupted outside the town and Hizbul Islam fighters withdrew from the town.

So far, no casualties have been reported since it is too early to know. The bridge which divides the east and the west of the town collapsed recently which makes difficult for Hizbul Islam rebels to retreat back if they are overpowered in the fighting.
Posted by: ryuge || 05/31/2010 07:33 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Saudi Embassy Staff in Khartoum Receive Death Threats
[Asharq al-Aswat] Saudi Arabian diplomats based in Sudan have been threatened with "physical extermination" via SMS text messages to their mobile phones.

Some members of the Saudi embassy staff in Khartoum have been receiving threatening text messages for more than a month, and this is a major cause for concern for them. The local authorities are continuing to investigate the source of the latest threats received by the Saudi diplomats.

Until now, the real source of the threats being made against the mission that represents the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Sudan has yet to be identified. However, a diplomatic source at the Saudi embassy in Khartoum told Asharq Al-Awsat that the threats being received are "personal threats" and claimed that "a group of mercenaries are behind this."

For his part, Osama Nuqli, a commissioner at the Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry with the rank of Minister, told Asharq Al-Awsat that it is up to the host country's authorities to deal with any threat to the Saudi embassy in a serious manner.

Saudi Foreign Ministry spokesman Osama Nuqli also said that all Saudi diplomats around the world enjoy the protection of their host countries, in addition to the Saudi security guards who protect the embassy building.

He said that in the event of any threats being issued, it is the duty of the host country to step up the level of security around the embassy building. He added that the Saudi authorities also step up protection of their diplomats after threats have been received.

Nuqli also told Asharq Al-Awsat that in the event of Saudi embassies receiving any threats, it is up the authorities of the host countries to "deal seriously with the source of these threats, investigate who is responsible for them, and provide maximum protection to the Saudi diplomats."

According to information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, several members of Saudi Arabia's embassy to Sudan received threats of "physical extermination" over the past few weeks, including the Charge d'affaires, the Deputy Consul, and the Cultural Attaché.

The Saudi diplomatic source, who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the Saudi embassy in Khartoum had informed the Sudanese Foreign Ministry at the highest level of the threats received by its staff. He also said that guards accompany embassy staff during times of threat.

The unnamed source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi embassy contacted the Sudanese Foreign Ministry, the chief of the Sudanese police force, and political security agencies to inform them of the threats received by the Saudi embassy staff.

The Saudi diplomat described the threats that they received as being "personal." He said: "The threats are issued by people who have interests and who are harmed by the application of order." He added: "We apply the instructions. Some people do not like the regulations and seek to violate them. There are people who profit from this, and their agents have vested interest in defrauding people."
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Africa North
Aleg massacre survivor thanks Mauritania, opposes death penalty
[Maghrebia] The only survivor of the 2007 Aleg terrorist attack, Francois Tollet, thanked Mauritania for finding and prosecuting the perpetrators but opposes the death penalty, Journal Tahalil reported Tollet as saying on Thursday (May 27th). "It's revenge. It's anything but what one might call justice...and then, it does not give me my kids back," said Tollet, who lost his two sons in the attack. Three Mauritanians convicted for the attack were sentenced to death on May 26th.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in North Africa


Bangladesh
Tahrir regional commander held in Ctg
[Bangla Daily Star] Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested a regional commander of banned Islamist outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir in the city's Mohammadpur area on Saturday night.

Police also seized 500 anti-government leaflets, a laptop and two mobile phones from his possession.

The arrestee was identified as Amiruzzaman Parvez, 31 of Toyubbag Residential area under Panchlaish Police Station.

Assistant Commissioner (AC) of DB Jahangir Alam said acting on a tip-off, a team of DB police raided the area at around 10:00pm and arrested Parvez, while his fellow Tahrir-men Sharif, Ershad and Khaled Saifullah managed to escape.

The DB official said Parvez was the Chittagong regional commander of the banned unit and led the impromptu procession the organisation brought out at city's Jamal Khan on April 15.

However, Parvez claimed he was not the leader of the organisation but he had been supporting it since 2005.

He said he knew its regional Coordinator Sheikh Omar Sharif Al Maruf Russel and participated in a number of seminars with him and the April 15th procession.

Police unearthed the den of Russel at Khulshi on May 16 and found the traces of his activities. Russel is absconding since then, sources said.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Hizb-ut-Tahrir


Bangladesh blocks Facebook over cartoons
[Al Arabiya Latest] Bangladesh has blocked social networking site Facebook for posting caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed and "obnoxious" images of the Muslim-majority country's leaders, an official said Sunday.

Facebook was blocked late Saturday, the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission said.

The move was ordered after the website "hurt the religious sentiments of the country's majority Muslim population" by publishing caricatures of Mohammed, BTRC acting chairman Hasan Mahmud Delwar told AFP.


"Some links in the site also contained obnoxious images of our leaders including the father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the leader of the opposition," he said.

Bangladesh's elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested one young man over the images attacking the political leaders.

"A special intelligence team of the RAB arrested him and he has been charged with spreading malice and insulting the country's leaders," senior RAB official Enamul Kabir said.

Delwar said the authorities "cannot tolerate these offensive images" of Mohammed and the political leaders, but he stressed the ban was "temporary".

"Facebook will be re-opened once we erase the pages that contain the obnoxious images," he said.

On Friday thousands of Bangladeshis took to the streets of the capital Dhaka, demanding that the government ban Facebook over what they called "anti-Islamic propaganda".

The protests were in response to an "Everyone Draw Mohammed Day" campaign on Facebook which sparked angry protests and a ban on the site in Pakistan.

"Drawing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, is an attack on Islam and is extremely humiliating for Islam," protest organiser A.T.M. Hemayet Uddin told thousands of cheering, white-clad supporters.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  What would be really cool is a pattern of Mohammad in a fireworks display launched on 4th of July. It would already be exploding so you don't have to explicitly show the turban going off, calling all creative minds!
Posted by: Happy Memorial Day || 05/31/2010 12:12 Comments || Top||

#2  spectacular- can they give Mo a big red nose?
Posted by: Frangipani || 05/31/2010 13:03 Comments || Top||


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Kurdish rebel rocket attack kills six at Turkish navy base
Kurdish rebels fired rockets at a Turkish naval base Monday killing six troops in the latest assault on a military target since a jailed Kurdish rebel leader signalled an end to peace efforts.

Seven soldiers were wounded in the attack on a military vehicle carrying troops to guard duty in the southern city of Iskenderun, Hatay province, provincial governor Mehmet Celalettin Lekesiz was quoted as saying by Anatolia news agency.

The attack was carried out by members of the "separatist terrorist organization", Lekesiz said, using the official jargon for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leading a 25-year insurgency.

"Security operations were continuing," he said, adding that additional police and troops were deployed after the attack.

Media reports said three of the wounded soldiers were in critical condition in a military hospital in Ankara.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility by the PKK, an outlawed separatist group whose leader Abdullah Ocalan decided to abandon efforts to seek dialogue with the Turkish government.

Five members of Turkey's security forces were killed on Saturday in a string of attacks that gave a strong sign that Kurdish peace efforts are unravelling.

Army chief General Ilker Basbug cut short a visit to Egypt after the rocket attack and a deadly Israeli operation on an aid convoy headed to the Gaza Strip, which included several Turkish vessels.

Ocalan was jailed for life in 1999 but has retained his influence over the PKK from his prison cell on Imrali island, often issuing guidelines to rebels in statements released through his lawyers.

His calls for dialogue have been rejected by the government, which insists the PKK either lay down its arms or face the army, and he was quoted in a party mouthpiece over the weekend as having given up his pursuit of dialogue.

"Keeping up this process is no longer meaningful and useful. I am quitting after May 31 since I could not find an interlocutor," Ocalan was quoted by the Ozgur Politika newspaper as telling his lawyers during a recent prison visit.

Ocalan however said his decision did not amount to a call for the PKK to intensify its armed campaign.

"This should not be misunderstood. This is not a call for a war," he said, according to Saturday's Ozgur Politika.
Posted by: tipper || 05/31/2010 07:08 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Breaking news....
A flotilla of activists delivering "humanitarian supplies" are approaching the Turkish coast and are preparing for the last leg of their journey to Kurdistan.
Turkey has promised to meet them with peace loving Turkish soldiers wearing flowers in their hair. They will also throw petals on the road in front of the convoy and hold a big gumbaya when they arrive.
Posted by: tipper || 05/31/2010 7:30 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
12 killed including 4 policemen in hospital attack in Lahore of Pakistan
At least 12 people were reportedly killed in an on-going terrorist attack at the Jinnah Hospital in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore, which started at around 12 o'clock (local time) on Monday night.

The 12 people killed included 4 policemen. At least three to four unknown gunmen were involved in the terrorist attack. The gunmen attacked the emergency ward of the Jinnah Hospital where several injured people of the Friday attacks in Lahore as well the terrorists arrested under injured condition of the Friday massacre were admitted.

Local media reports said that the hospital attackers held patients, attendants and hospital staff hostage while firing back at the police who arrived at the spot shortly after the attack was launched.

Latest reports from Xinhua sources in Lahore said the attackers have run away after a brief crossfire with the police.
Posted by: tipper || 05/31/2010 20:22 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Sorry, we attacked the wrong train: PCPA
New Delhi: A leader of the Naxal-backed People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) accused of planning and executing the derailment of the Howrah-Kurla Lokmanya Tilak Gyaneshwari Super Deluxe Express train in West Bengal, has admitted that his group was behind the sabotage, but added that they were not planning to target civilians.

PCPA leader Bapi Mahato told The Indian Express that they were planning to target a goods train and not a passenger train.

Mahato told the newspaper that he was "sorry" for the attack on Gyaneshwari Express train near Jhargram on Friday that left 148 people dead and over 200 other injured hours after West Bengal Police held PCPA leaders Umakanto Mahato and him responsible for the incident.

"We're sorry. We never wanted these innocent civilians to die. Trust me, we targeted the goods train. But somehow, we were fed wrong information that the goods train would cross through this track and we removed pandrol clips from a long stretch. We didn't want to harm civilians. There must have been some miscalculation," Mahato to The Indian Express.

He also held Communist Party of India-Marxist activists responsible for the attack.

West Bengal Police sources had on Saturday told CNN-IBN that Umakanto and Bapi planned and executed the derailment of the Gyaneshwari Express.

The duo with the help of some disgruntled PCPA cadres abducted a railway lineman Dayaram Mahato posted at Sardiha station from his house at about 9:30 PM on Thursday night after threatening him and his family. The PCPA leaders warned him that his entire family would be killed if he did not accompany them and carried out their orders.

The PCPA leaders then forced Dayaram Mahato to open pandrol clips, which fix the track to the sleepers; at around 1 AM on Friday as they knew that Gyaneshwari Express would be passing the area in about 15-20 minutes.

Umakanto Mahato along with a few PCPA members remained at the site with the lineman while Bapi Mahato went to Sardiha station and blocked a goods train. He let the goods train go after getting go ahead from fellow cadres from the accident site. The goods train ploughed into some bogies of the derailed Gyaneshwari Express which led to more people being killed and injured.
Posted by: john frum || 05/31/2010 10:42 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Sounds like John Belushi, in Animal House, after he grabs and violently smashes Stephen Bishop's guitar.

"Sorry".

Bishop still has the pieces of that guitar, BTW.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 05/31/2010 11:12 Comments || Top||

#2  Better luck next time. /sarc
Posted by: gorb || 05/31/2010 11:39 Comments || Top||


Bid foiled to kidnap Malik's brother
[Dawn] A bid to kidnap the brother of Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Saturday night was foiled in Islamabad.

Police sources told DawnNews that the kidnappers in a Land Cruiser followed Malik's brother when he came out of the Ministers Enclave.

The kidnappers managed to flee when they found police on the Margalla road.

After the incident, police enhanced checking on all the exit points of the city and registered a case against three unknown suspects in Secretariat police station under section 345 and 511.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Pakistan


Businessman kidnapped from Karachi
[Dawn] Famous industrialist and businessman Riaz Laalji has been kidnapped by unknown persons in Karachi on Sunday.

Sources told DawnNews that Laalji returned to Pakistan from Dubai today. He was on his way home from the Quaid-e Azam Airport when unknown men on four vehicles kidnapped him.

His car was found empty on Shah-re-Faisal road, a private news channel reported.

Police have registered a case of the incident and started efforts for his release.

Laalji, a prominent friend of President Asif Ali Zardari, was wanted in several cases including the Steel Mills case.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Jets kill 18 suspected militants in Orakzai
[Dawn] A government official says fighter jets pounded militant hide-outs in northwestern Pakistan, killing 18 suspected fighters.

Jahanzeb Khan, a local administrator, says the attacks Sunday targeted militants in the Orakzai tribal region who had fled from an army offensive last year in nearby South Waziristan.

Khan says two soldiers were killed in Orakzai on Saturday night when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb.

Nasim Shah, an administrator in the neighboring Kurram tribal area, says militants also opened fire on a passenger vehicle Sunday, killing two women and wounding four other people.

Shah says the militants carried out the attack because they were frustrated by their inability to muster support in Tabertan village, where the shooting occurred.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: TTP


Iraq
Iraqi security forces arrest two Qaida leaders
Iraqi security forces on Monday announced the arrest of two al-Qaida leaders in Baghdad, and one of them is said to be al-Qaida's military commander of Baghdad.

Abbas Najem Abdullah al-Jawari, 26, known as Abu Abdulla, was captured in Yarmouk district in western Baghdad on April 16, Major General Qassim Atta, military spokesman of Baghdad Operation Command, told reporters at a news conference in Baghdad.

Atta said Abu Abdullah is the military emir, or commander, for the al-Qaida group in Baghdad and was one of the al-Qaida leaders who planned the attacks against Baghdad hotels in January and against foreign embassies in April.

Atta said that the Iraqi forces also captured Mohammed Nuri Mutar Yassin al-Abadi, 32, known as Abu Assad in Baghdad al-Jadida, or New Baghdad, neighborhood in southeastern the capital on May 1.

Abadi is the leader of the assassinations unit of al-Qaida in Baghdad who is responsible for varieties of terrorist attacks, he said.

Iraq frequently said that his troops killed or captured al- Qaida leaders across the country, including the killing of two top leaders Abu Omer al-Baghdadi and Abu Ayyub al-Musri during a military operation by Iraqi and U.S. forces last month.

Both Iraqi and U.S. officials said the killing of the two top leaders dealt a big blow to al-Qaida in the war-torn country. However, major attacks continued across the country, leaving hundreds dead in the past several weeks.
Posted by: tipper || 05/31/2010 20:25 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Protesters Storm Israeli Embassy in Turkey
Posted by: Glenmore || 05/31/2010 12:45 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Who'd Tayyip learn this from? And how tall is he?
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 05/31/2010 18:29 Comments || Top||

#2  The Turks are now threatening Israel that the next group of ships will be under Turkish naval escort.

At that point, I would heartily recommend to Israel that they inform Turkey that the next group of ships will encounter naval mines, when they enter Israeli waters.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 05/31/2010 20:22 Comments || Top||

#3  They are going to sail into waters over which the Israeli Air Force has overwhelming air superiority?
Posted by: john frum || 05/31/2010 20:24 Comments || Top||

#4  sail into waters over which the Israeli Air Force has overwhelming air superiority?

Sure. They probably won't send anything too valuable. If the Israelis don't stop them, they gain esteem throughout the Muslim world (and probably Europe too). And if the Israelis do attack, it would be an effective lever to use on fellow NATO member, the US, against Israel. And grounds for a unified (hah!) Muslim assault on Israel.
Posted by: Glenmore || 05/31/2010 20:48 Comments || Top||

#5  Or it could be considered an Article 5 attack under the NATO treaty.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 05/31/2010 21:16 Comments || Top||

#6  I take it this means Turkey has given up on joining the EU.
Posted by: SteveS || 05/31/2010 21:33 Comments || Top||

#7  Likely, considering the temptation to become a major player in the Islamic world...
Posted by: Pappy || 05/31/2010 22:43 Comments || Top||

#8  the bastard jew are playng with fire turkey is nuclear armed and will kick some jew asses
hope they eliminate that bastard jew scum one for all
Posted by: roast the jews || 05/31/2010 23:13 Comments || Top||


Israeli prime minister cancels White House meeting
Ay Pee, but important enough to give you verbatim.
Israel's prime minister has called off a planned visit to the White House to deal with a crisis over a botched naval raid that killed 10 pro-Palestinian activists.
Those are AP's words. I would characterize the flotilla as an act of war sponsored by Turkey, but what do I know?
Netanyahu, who is in Canada, was set to travel to Washington to meet with President Barack Obama on Tuesday.
President Obama summoned him summarily, to show the major Jewish donors to the Democratic party how much he simply adores his dear friend Bibi.
But his office says he decided to return home early after Monday's commando raid.

The commandos intercepted a flotilla of activists trying to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip.
Just about every word in that sentence should be in scare quotes. But Ay Pee doesn't like Israel, although of course we mustn't call them antisemites.
They aren't antisemites, they're just Joo-haters ...
The deadly crackdown has drawn widespread international condemnations.
Betcha the fact that the 'peace activists' had iron pipes and were trying to crack open the skulls of the Israeli commandos doesn't draw any condemnation ...
This Facebook page is doing a good job of following the story. Of interest is this link they have to a report about the Turkish humanitarian organization which sponsored the flotilla. It seems the CIA tagged them as linked to Islamist terror groups as far back as 1996.
Posted by: || 05/31/2010 10:54 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  No golf? No BBQ? No meetings with important baseball teams?
Posted by: gorb || 05/31/2010 11:42 Comments || Top||

#2  With our current administrations attitude towards them, they are standing alone and they are fighting for their survival. God help us all.
Posted by: djh_usmc || 05/31/2010 12:03 Comments || Top||

#3  Insani Yardim Vakfi, IHH, “humanitarian relief fund”. It is a radical Islamic organization

Radical islamic organization (maybe add, bent on destruction of Israel)? Are there any other kind?
Posted by: JohnQC || 05/31/2010 12:33 Comments || Top||

#4  "(maybe add, bent on destruction of Israel)"

Maybe, John?

"Radical islamic organization" and "bent on destruction of Israel" are synonyms.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 05/31/2010 12:54 Comments || Top||

#5  "Maybe" is wishy-washy.
Posted by: JohnQC || 05/31/2010 16:35 Comments || Top||

#6  Time to declare the waters around Gaza a "no shipping zone" and assault/sink every ship coming into the area.
Posted by: DarthVader || 05/31/2010 17:53 Comments || Top||

#7 

Let me be clear, I the "Divine One" need the Jewish votes in November, so I will not be condemning Israel at this particular time.
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 05/31/2010 18:03 Comments || Top||

#8  Prayers for Israel, BiBi and the IDF.

Months of msm toxic press on tap.
Posted by: Asymmetrical || 05/31/2010 22:08 Comments || Top||


Turkey withdraws ambassador to Israel over deaths
Turkey's deputy prime minister says Turkey is withdrawing its ambassador to Israel, canceling three joint military drills and calling on the U.N. Security Council to convene in an emergency session about Israel.

The moves come after 10 pro-Palestinian activists on an aid flotilla were reported killed and dozens wounded by Israeli forces.

Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc says Turkey is withdrawing its ambassador on Monday and also calling back a youth soccer team from Israel. He equates Israel's actions with "piracy."

He rules out deploying Turkish warships in the Mediterranean but severely condemns Israel.
Erdogan's Turkey changed from ally to enemy of Israel some time ago.
Posted by: tipper || 05/31/2010 07:06 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Let's see, Turkey wanted to violate Israel's sovereignty, Israel said "OK, let's have a look to make sure there aren't any weapons like last time", and now Turkey is having a hissy fit.

Sounds about right.
Posted by: gorb || 05/31/2010 11:44 Comments || Top||

#2  VARIOUS > seems TURKEY is threatening to send its NAVY, etc. next time to deal wid Israeli interference amid ACTIVS VOWS TO KEEP THE AID FLOTILLAS COMING TO GAZA + PA???

* ALso,HURRIYET NEWS > TURKISH PM CALLS ISRAELI RAID ON GAZA FLOTILLA [inhuman] "STATE TERRORISM", + TURKEY WARNS ISRAEL OF "IRREPARABLE CONSEQUENCES" [to Bilater Diplomatic, Regional Relations].

TURKEY REPOR IS PROCLAIMING IT IS RESERVING ANY AND ALL OF ITS UNILATERAL SOVEREIGN RIGHTS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW AS PER HOW TO RESPOND TO ISRAEL'S ACTIONS AGZ THIS FLOTILLA.

Read, TURKISH MIL RESPONSE/OPTION(S) = WAR agz Israel???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 05/31/2010 21:10 Comments || Top||


Aussies onboard Flotilla during Israeli raid
The public relations disaster continues.

I am sure these headlines will be front page news around the world as every country will have an islamonut supporter or a journalist onboard that flotilla.

Note: Israeli commandoes wounded apparently by GUNFIRE (from the "unarmed civilians" who seized a weapon in the hand-to-hand combat and turned it against them)

An Australian journalist and photographer onboard aid boats headed for the Gaza Strip have not been heard from since at least 10 people were reportedly killed during a clash with Israeli commandos.

A Fairfax spokesman says journalist Paul McGeough and photographer Kate Geraghty last made contact around noon (AEST) today while onboard the MV Samoud.

Israel's defence force says at least 10 people were killed when commandos stormed a convoy of six ships carrying aid to Gaza.

It was led by a Turkish vessel with 600 people on board and set sail for Gaza from international waters off Cyprus on Sunday in defiance of an Israeli-led blockade of the territory.

Commandos boarded the ships in international waters overnight, backed up by warships and helicopters.

Mr McGeough and Ms Geraghty joined the flotilla in Crete about a week ago, the Fairfax spokesman said.

He says the pair are on assignment covering the flotilla and have been moving from boat to boat - but were last known to be on the MV Samoud.

Both have satellite phones but Mr McGeough reported his GPS was not working, blaming the malfunction on Israeli attempts to jam communications.

Mr McGeough's last audio transmission revealed Israeli forces were using the cloak of darkness to approach the aid vessels.

"At 4.20[am, local time] we realised all communications on the boat were jammed," he reported.

"4.22[am] - we see two zodiacs moving in, pressing through. Two more zodiacs. Now there are five of them astern of us.

"There's white wakes on black water. Search lights on one of the cargo ships and from the Turkish ferry are picking up the zodiacs now."

It is understood Israeli forces boarded the Mavi Marmara and opened fire after passengers attacked them with axes and knives.

Israeli army radio reported 10 to 14 people were killed in the clash but it is not known if any Israeli commandos were among the dead.

Four Israeli commandos have been wounded, apparently by gunfire.

The Israel Defence Force says one of its weapons was stolen and used against its soldiers.

An Israeli religious medical service, ZAKA, said seven people had been admitted to hospital in Haifa, Israel's main naval base, one of them in a serious condition.

Turkey says it has "strongly protested" against Israel's military action.

Most of the 1.5 million Palestinians living in Gaza rely on aid, blaming Israel for imposing restrictions on the amount and type of goods it allows into the territory.

The United Nations and Western powers have urged Israel to ease its restrictions to prevent a humanitarian crisis. They have been urging Israel to let in concrete and steel to allow for post-war reconstruction.

Israel denies there is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying food, medicine and medical equipment are allowed in regularly.

It says the restrictions are necessary to prevent weapons and materials that could be used to make them from reaching Hamas.

The European Union has called for an inquiry into the deaths aboard the Gaza aid ships.

In a statement, the EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton expressed her regret for the loss of life and the violence.

She also called for the immediate and unconditional opening of the crossing into Gaza to allow in humanitarian aid.

Hamas has urged Arabs and Muslims to "rise up" in front of Israeli embassies around the world in protest against the raids.
Posted by: anon1 || 05/31/2010 04:53 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Turkey says it has "strongly protested" against Israel's military action.

Would Erdogan mind if Israel delivered an unspecified "humanitarian aid" package to the Kurds through Turkey?
Posted by: gorb || 05/31/2010 11:47 Comments || Top||

#2  aussies have surfaced alive now
Posted by: anon1 || 05/31/2010 13:27 Comments || Top||

#3  Good point Gorb!
Posted by: 3dc || 05/31/2010 14:49 Comments || Top||

#4  If Paul McGeough has surfaced alive, push him under again. Can't stand the POS.
Posted by: Grunter || 05/31/2010 17:50 Comments || Top||

#5  i don't see the problem besdies woumded commandoes.
Posted by: chris || 05/31/2010 21:21 Comments || Top||

#6  I'm sure if the passenger manifest was available, there were casualties from the United Colors of Beneton as well.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 05/31/2010 21:37 Comments || Top||

#7  Piss on public relations; at this point Israel needs to start thinking about more than appearance. Hell, half the papers who run anything probably had the story written before the weekend. Get the story out on the internet, just like they are doing.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 05/31/2010 21:42 Comments || Top||


Report: At least 10 activists killed as Israel Navy opens fire on Gaza aid flotilla
Gaza aid Freedom flotilla Israel Navy troops opened fire on pro-Palestinian activists aboard a six-ship aid flotilla sailing for the Gaza Strip, killing at least 10 and wounding several others after the convoy ignored orders to turn back, Turkey's NTV reported early Monday. NTV said between 10 and 15 people were killed, with over 6o wounded.
This is what was supposed to happen, of course. Life is cheap in the wonderful world of Islam. It's expended to make points, or even just for amusement.
Earlier Monday, Al Jazeera reported that the Gaza aid flotilla had changed course to avoid a confrontation with Israeli warships. The 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.

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.

Huwaida Arraf, one of the flotilla organizers, said the six-ship flotilla began the journey from international waters off the coast of Cyprus Sunday afternoon after two days of delays. According to organizers, the flotilla was expected to reach Gaza, about 250 miles (400 kilometers) away, on Monday afternoon, and two more ships would follow in a second wave.

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.

"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."

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

"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.

The 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. The activists said they also were carrying hundreds of electric-powered wheelchairs, prefabricated homes and water purifiers.

Israeli Foreign 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.

This is the ninth time that the Free Gaza movement has tried to ship in humanitarian aid to Gaza since August 2008.

Israel has let ships through five times, but has blocked them from entering Gaza waters since a three-week military offensive against Gaza's Hamas rulers in January 2009. The flotilla bound for Gaza is the largest to date.

Some 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.

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.

Israeli military officials said they hope 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.

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 has been set up in Ashdod.
Posted by: phil_b || 05/31/2010 00:58 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  wages of sin and all that....
Posted by: 3dc || 05/31/2010 1:17 Comments || Top||

#2  Let's hope the Israelis have video of whatever stupidity by the so called activists caused this.
Posted by: phil_b || 05/31/2010 1:28 Comments || Top||

#3  Passengers tried to wrest weapons from soldiers, Army Radio reports;
Posted by: phil_b || 05/31/2010 1:31 Comments || Top||

#4  Let's hope the Israelis have video of whatever stupidity by the so called activists caused this.

Like it's going to make any difference.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 05/31/2010 2:01 Comments || Top||

#5  The flotilla was fully prepared for the different scenarios that might arise,

I hope they brought lots of bandages.

and organizers were hopeful that Israeli authorities would do what's right

They did.

and not stop the convoy, one of the organizers said.

This half of that sentence definitely belonged somwhere else in the article, because it sure as hell didn't have anything to do with "doing what was right".

"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."

We? Us? Where is Arraf right now?
Posted by: gorb || 05/31/2010 2:32 Comments || Top||

#6  Debka

Up to 20 dead, dozens injured, on the pro-Palestinian flotilla lead boat intercepted by Israeli naval commandos 80 miles out at sea, Monday, May 31. Israel reports the clash was triggered by passengers shooting with a weapon snatched from a soldier and wielding knives. Six troops were injured. All casualties have been ferried by helicopter to Israel hospitals. Nationwide alert for disturbances declared in Israel and around its borders.
Turkey, which sponsored the flotilla to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, now threatens incalculable consequences for the attack.


They should have ferried them to Gazan hospitals IMO.
Posted by: phil_b || 05/31/2010 2:50 Comments || Top||

#7  I hope George Galloway is on board!
Posted by: Paul D || 05/31/2010 3:27 Comments || Top||

#8  Sponsored by Turkey says it all!
Posted by: Paul D || 05/31/2010 3:29 Comments || Top||

#9  Fools, don't they know this is a big fat PR exercise

the most 'polite' side wins and in this case that is NOT Israel.

Don't get me wrong I 100% support the Israelis, and the Palestinian Muslims should all move to Egypt, Jordon or Syria.

But this is not the way to win... killing an people on an international flotilla is just handing political ammunition to your enemies!
Posted by: anon1 || 05/31/2010 4:05 Comments || Top||

#10  Well, they've done it. They've created martyrs. Not since Saint Pancake have they had such wonderful luck.

"Israel Navy troops opened fire on pro-Palestinian activists"

Note how this is the lead, and "activists grabbed weapons from sailors and opened fire" is buried deep in the article and never followed up on.
Posted by: gromky || 05/31/2010 4:12 Comments || Top||

#11  Apparently Israeli soldiers were attacked with knives and axes, one stabbed, four injured.
They said they were shot at.

Al Jazeera is/was broadcasting footage of them being attacked with sticks.

It is a problem that Al Jazeera gets to be the news organisation of record they are hardly unbiased

they represent a massive threat and can forward the goals of political islam with a huge budget. See other story posted from the economist "al Jazeera gaining traction".

Al Jazeera will amplify the public relations disaster for Israel that this will be.

I mean for gods sake they had an Irish nobel prize winner - an old woman! and a holocaust survivor on board.

what idiot sent the commandoes in!!
Posted by: anon1 || 05/31/2010 4:21 Comments || Top||

#12  Good LoRD Now we have more than 10 saint pancakes.

Israeli forces put the death toll at between 14 and 16 (google news).

This is a disaster for Israel, they should have just left the islamonutbags bring their stupid ships in, let the Gazans use the smuggled weapons to commit some attrocity then retaliated with overwhelming force.

They would have been better off!
Posted by: anon1 || 05/31/2010 4:33 Comments || Top||

#13  sorry a lot of posts from me i know
but do you see what they are doing?
The Islamists are building a worldwide movement.

911 might have been a violent fist and set them back a fair bit

But they learned. And they are slowly isolating Israel and the US - and they are doing it with PR and al Jazeera.

You should see the UN meetings how they go with all the arab states putting resolution after resolution condemning israel.

They are building consensus around the world, beaming al Jazeera into remote parts of Africa. Watch the African states swing their votes at the UN in years to come.

If we do not reverse the tide, we will find ourselves isolated globally by their very effective use of propaganda.
Posted by: anon1 || 05/31/2010 4:44 Comments || Top||

#14  Anon1: Normally I would agree with you, but with the current Administration Isreal is basically alone. PR isn't going to help, and this won't do anything but reinforce both sides resolves. Those who want to believe Isreal is the enemy will.

I actually think this might be a good thing. It will be much harder to garner volunteers when those University students suddenly realize they might get killed.
Posted by: Charles || 05/31/2010 4:44 Comments || Top||

#15  I mean for gods sake they had an Irish nobel prize winner - an old woman! and a holocaust survivor on board.

Who put them in harm's way? Who explained the risks to them? Did they do this of their own free will? I'll bet Arraf told them of the danger, and I'll bet the passengers got on the boat knowing what may happen. What were they doing with all the knives and axes anyway?

And why did they snatch away the soldier's gun if they were so peaceful? Why did they fire on the Israeli soldiers with it? This won't remain buried.

Arraf was fully aware of the risks. If the passengers went along with it knowingly, it's the passengers' fault. I don't care who they are. If not all of the passengers were fully informed, it's Arraf's. Israel did what it should have done, and should do again until these idiots get it. They need to do it unflinchingly and unemotionally.

I believe Israel explained to Arraf that they were willing to sort through the cargo and pass along authorized goods to the "Palestinians". So this should obviously be a political ploy to anyone with a brain.

I am of the opinion that there will be a lot of ululating with the hope of getting a lot of sympathy, and it won't die off right away because this is the only chance they will get at it. But I'll bet it does die off, and Israel won't be any worse off.

We'll see.
Posted by: gorb || 05/31/2010 5:09 Comments || Top||

#16  And no more 'humanitarian convoys' for a while.

Apparently the Turks are really pissed about this.
Posted by: phil_b || 05/31/2010 5:44 Comments || Top||

#17  @ Gorb

I AGREE of course it was a set up

Of course the Islamists wanted violence - so they could win the PR war of showing the world how evil the Jooos are

And now because some silly idiot sent in the commandoes, they have succeeded!!
Posted by: anon1 || 05/31/2010 6:34 Comments || Top||

#18  @ Charles

I hope you are right my friend

But i fear it will only galvanise the idiocracy on the campuses in the left provinces of the US, UK and Australia

and give heart to the socialists. why are the communists always siding with the Islamonutz?
Posted by: anon1 || 05/31/2010 6:36 Comments || Top||

#19  Odd, nothing on the wire.

Mater of fact, sounds juchey.
I don't mean to say that INF arent soul-killer demons from Wallstreet, it just that. LOL

WTF?
Suckers.
Posted by: Shipman || 05/31/2010 6:43 Comments || Top||

#20  LOL, Looks like I'm wrong again.

Maybe it did happen!
Go Joooooooce!
Posted by: Shipman || 05/31/2010 6:52 Comments || Top||

#21  Global media (*spit*) falling into line.

It's an old trick: Confront armed security forces with a murderous mob armed with improvised weapons (rocks, iron bars, boards, etc), then scream bloody murder when the security force use firearms to keep from being beaten or hacked to death. Many a soldier and policeman has been killed and mutilated over the years by mobs of savages because he hesitated to use gunfire to defend himself. Lethal force does not require guns and bombs, but it does merit a lethal response.

A case in point from Northern Ireland
Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy || 05/31/2010 7:13 Comments || Top||

#22  On the other hand the American reaction to 9/11, a 21st Century Pearl Harbor, was showing restraint, mercy, magnanimity (before victory!).

That didn't turn out too well!

Bombarding the Afghans with food rations was a good deed of the kind that does not go unpunished.

In the end the old adage may be true: Let them hate us as long as they fear us.
Posted by: Enver Angineng2043 || 05/31/2010 7:18 Comments || Top||

#23  Hear, hear the ShipLord!

tl;dn

AC, got it.
Posted by: Shipman || 05/31/2010 7:28 Comments || Top||

#24  Media response is irrelevant, since it would work against Israel no matter what happened.
If the IDF hadn't stopped the propaganda convoy (and that's what it is) the global media would have fallen over themselves in their joyous gloating about the defeat of mighty Israel by a few boatloads of "unarmed" Kumbayists.

As it is, the terror-loving whorehouse media get what they want but that was pre-ordained anyway. On the other hand, the terrorists and their media allies and enablers get the message that human shields are not as viable a method of asymmetrical warfare as they had thought. This could be important down the road.
Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy || 05/31/2010 7:31 Comments || Top||

#25  nooo Israel have lost the high moral ground on this one and that will have terrible consequences for them politically on the international stage.

world opinion matters when you are a small country beset by enemies

Posted by: anon1 || 05/31/2010 7:35 Comments || Top||

#26  Israel has the moral and legal high ground, anon.

It will cost them more to appease the media when the latter are hellbent on demonizing Israel in every possible way. The Israelis would be cooperating with their own destruction if they allow the routine lies and distortions of Israel's
enemies to control their actions.
Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy || 05/31/2010 7:45 Comments || Top||

#27  Btw, "global media" and "world opinion" are not synonymous. They probably were 20 or 30 years ago but the establishment media have lost much of their monopoly over public perception.

Sri Lanka, for example, gave the finger to "global media," crushed the Tamil Tigers in a matter of weeks, and left the media and their terror-apologist allies sputtering in helpless rage.
Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy || 05/31/2010 7:50 Comments || Top||

#28  They should have just torpedoed the ship and claimed a old mine hit it.
Posted by: DarthVader || 05/31/2010 8:12 Comments || Top||

#29  LOL, Darth!
Posted by: Scooter McGruder || 05/31/2010 8:27 Comments || Top||

#30  Israel have lost the high moral ground on this one and that will have terrible consequences for them politically on the international stage.

There will be the usual useless idiots bemoaning the brutality of it all on the telly, as usual. A few more editorials going off about how these "peaceful activists" were just going about their bizness, distributing baby animals to the poor Palis....and I'm sure they'll dust the story off in a year or two to see if they can still milk something out of it. So, yeah, the Israelis lost the PR battle on this one.

But the moral high ground? No way.
Posted by: Cornsilk Blondie || 05/31/2010 8:44 Comments || Top||

#31  good riddance to Euro trash
Posted by: Frank G || 05/31/2010 8:56 Comments || Top||

#32  They should have just torpedoed the ship and claimed a old mine hit it.

..or borrowed some spare parts from NCIS:Inchon, since the world doesn't give a rat's A about that ship confrontation, salt the site and let them deal with the Nkors as well.

As for Israel. They've gotten the message that they're under the bus for this American administration. However, it is a two way sword as any severe reaction will only finalize the gulf between the secular American Jewish community and the religious community. The secular have traded socialism for the faith. That means the administration simply retains those who'd follow them over the socialist cliff regardless. The rest will sit it out or shift to the other side of the aisle. Not good this fall or 2012.

The Israelis have come to the realization that the rest of the world would just want them to shut up and quietly get on the box cars again in face of those calling for the second extermination. So why give a frig about 'world opinion'. Sri Lanka, Iran and the Nkors show the value of 'world opinion'. Now the Israelis are taking up the attitude. Expect more of this across the world with America's new Smart Diplomacy(tm)*.

*Speak loudly and carry a small stick.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 05/31/2010 8:59 Comments || Top||

#33  Ten killed, sixty wounded. Left properly unattended, hopefully others will succumbe to the injuries.
Posted by: Besoeker || 05/31/2010 9:08 Comments || Top||

#34  Well, heÂ’s surrounded by pacifists who all want peace
They pray for it nightly that the bloodshed must cease
Now, they wouldnÂ’t hurt a fly. To hurt one they would weep
They lay and they wait for this bully to fall asleep
HeÂ’s the neighborhood bully

- Bob Dylan
Posted by: Goober Crealet3411 || 05/31/2010 9:33 Comments || Top||

#35  Dire Revenge time coming soon. Bet they're REALLY hopping mad now. Might shoot some rockets. Israelis should have just said "come on in and enjoy yourselves. Why not just kill a few of us right here? Save everybody a lot of trouble and make the media and the Turks proud."
Jews get so worked up. Always complaining.
Posted by: Goober Goobelopolous || 05/31/2010 9:44 Comments || Top||

#36  In that case, since they have lost the moral high ground they should stop being weak about it and do the job properly. Then they can clean up and be 'nice' later.

Why not solve the problem once and for all now - move into Gaza and clean out the rats nest.

Reclaim that strip of beach. Truck all the Palestinian Muslim 'refugees' to the border with Jordan and march them over.

Hand each of them an envelope with US$10,000 as compensation to start their new life.

Then make sure they are NEVER allowed to cross the border again.

Time to separate the muslims from the Jews in Israel once and for all.

Just do it for gods sake and end this running sore! They have the military power to do it... just do it!

And clear all the palestinian muslims out of israel too.
Posted by: anon1 || 05/31/2010 10:09 Comments || Top||

#37  Mairead Corrigan Maguire = Cindy Sheehan. Never miss an opportunity to turn personal tragedy into media-hogging self-agrandizement.
Posted by: Odysseus || 05/31/2010 10:10 Comments || Top||

#38  The Israelis were smart enough to have a (hopefully friendly) Rooters reporter with them, close enough to observe the action through night vision.

However, I have to criticize the Israelis for having a crappy strategy, with a crappy execution. The laundry list of what they should have done:

Individually rappelling commandos must be covered by serious weaponry. They were not. In addition, some of their commandos *primary* "weapons" were frigging paintball guns.

They should not have landed on a moving ship. It is not hard AT ALL to disable a ship without serious damage. Either take out the propeller, or put a large caliber bullet or three through the hull and into the engine.

Don't even bother with the element of surprise. In fact, those ships should have sat dead in the water for several hours, while the Israelis then used megaphone communications to babble at them from a safe distance.

While they were smart enough to electronically jam the ships, they waited too long to do so, so they were able to get out some commo before being turned off.

A long boat boarding party should have included any number of clearly marked neutral nation observers, brought along with cameramen to record a very by the numbers search of the vessels for "contraband". This happens all the time in international waters.

etc., etc., etc.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 05/31/2010 10:12 Comments || Top||

#39  The entire paleo thing is a farce. They honestly should have been exterminated long ago. If you support terrorists, then you ARE a terrorist. EVERY single member of Hamas, Hezbollah, Fatah and every other terrorist in the areas Israel is dealing with should be killed along with every single supporter.

I don't even know why people pretend these people even have any legit issues at all. Once they're dead, the issue will be over with and Israel's enemies won't have their little catpaws to provoke Israel anymore.
Posted by: Silentbrick || 05/31/2010 10:56 Comments || Top||

#40  There is intersting coverage of the events and the reaction here at the Guardian website, which as you can imagine is feeling a major tingling in its collective leg. The site has dueling youtube video's put up by both sides, and, just now, a photo of a purely spontaneous demonstration of thousands of Turks who are marching along in good order and who happened to have had lying around the house neatly made banners that I assume do not express solidarity with the IDF.
Posted by: Matt || 05/31/2010 11:08 Comments || Top||

#41  Well, maybe Netanyahu can take a pass now on the little party Obama was going to throw for him. I guess that's out now.
Posted by: Goober Goobelopolous || 05/31/2010 11:08 Comments || Top||

#42  Major PR disaster. Shoulda disabled the ships by taking out the propellers. What was Netanyahu thinking?
Posted by: Zhang Fei || 05/31/2010 11:13 Comments || Top||

#43  GG oh yeah, Bibi has canned the visit
Posted by: Beavis || 05/31/2010 11:19 Comments || Top||

#44  Moral high ground!? LOL! Israel will never be granted the moral high ground. The Jews offend the libtard's moral sensitivities by the mere fact of existing. Good riddance to some Euro Darwin Award candidates. You think the outrage is great now? Wait until the Jews deal with Iran, up close and personal.
Posted by: SR-71 || 05/31/2010 11:31 Comments || Top||

#45  Various video here
Posted by: Shipman || 05/31/2010 11:31 Comments || Top||

#46  "good riddance to Euro trash"

You're about to get your wish. Katla is about to blow up and the 25 trillion EU credit bubble will burst, soon after that.

Down goes the EU!!!
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 05/31/2010 11:32 Comments || Top||

#47  What was Netanyahu thinking?

He was thinking he'd go in light because the folks on the boat wouldn't get stupid. The way they did it would have been easiest had they gone along with it. No shots fired, no damaged hull, no nothing. They were positioned to be able to defend themselves, but just barely. And without stalling international monitors.
Posted by: gorb || 05/31/2010 12:00 Comments || Top||

#48 
Posted by: Boss Joluth7350 || 05/31/2010 12:02 Comments || Top||

#49  ABC reports 9 'activists' killed, 16 jailed.
No mention of Cynthia McKinney this time.
Posted by: Muggsy Glink || 05/31/2010 12:10 Comments || Top||

#50  Videos are telling. I wonder what is actually on those ships....
Posted by: CrazyFool || 05/31/2010 13:02 Comments || Top||

#51 
Posted by: gorb || 05/31/2010 13:04 Comments || Top||

#52  http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israeli-commandos-gaza-flotilla-crew-tried-to-lynch-us-1.293089
Posted by: Deacon Blues || 05/31/2010 13:06 Comments || Top||

#53  I'm with Silentbrick.
Posted by: Canuckistan sniper || 05/31/2010 13:17 Comments || Top||

#54  This is NOT the PR disaster for Israel that some posters here anticipate. Although the headline was typical AP-style propaganda which more and more people are smart enough to see through, it was apparent at first read that the Paleos were trying to create a "March on Selma / Bull Connors" incident (this from the same group which has used ambulances to shuttle weaponry!) - after all, why were a number of well-armed Israeli soldiers also injured?

Well, the Paleos got their wish after yet another incident coordinated with the media (which they have bought using strategic donations of oil money).

Does that scenario make them more sympathetic? I think not!
Posted by: Jinens Lumplump6738 || 05/31/2010 13:59 Comments || Top||

#55  How PC can one be? Obviously enough to send in Israeli Navy SEAL's with their hands tied behind their backs only allowing them to use the equivalent of paint ball guns?! (this reported by FOX News) After learning their lives were in danger (DUH) they were able to use their handguns. Unf***ingbelievable.
I'm tired of seeing troops SEAL's or otherwise put in situations and not allow them the proper weapons needed to control the situation at hand. I'd like to see those that make these stupid decisions have their butts on the line.
There's no such thing as 'playing fair' in the war game.
Posted by: Jan || 05/31/2010 14:09 Comments || Top||

#56  Israel: Floatilla Had Ties To Al-Qaeda Terrorist Network
Posted by: Butch Omavirt4756 || 05/31/2010 14:23 Comments || Top||

#57  Israel: Floatilla Had Ties To Al-Qaeda Terrorist Network

Was there ever any doubt? Why else wouldn't they want to cooperate with the screening process.
Posted by: Jan || 05/31/2010 14:29 Comments || Top||

#58  Oh look, that flotilla just happened to have an Al-Jizz reporter on board. Watch him run around with his hands in the air like Spongebob, in fear of his life.

Posted by: gorb || 05/31/2010 14:57 Comments || Top||

#59 
Posted by: gorb || 05/31/2010 15:01 Comments || Top||

#60  Arab news investigation into how much humanitarian aid is actually making it into Gaza vs. how much they need. Could drive a truck through the holes in their argument that are left unspoken, but it's for Arabs so it is ignored.

Posted by: gorb || 05/31/2010 15:09 Comments || Top||

#61  Israel is going to have to accept that the only solution to their problem is to be mean enough the Arabs will give up attacking them. That MAY include having to use some of its nuclear stockpile. In this instance, after their commandos were attacked, they should have put a couple of rounds through the bridge of the ship, start pulling their people off, and sink the da$$$$ thing. Six hundred Turks on board was part of the clue this was an intentional confrontation. That's what, two full companies of people? Does Israel now have the ships in Ashdod, so they can be inspected? If not, are they still afloat? If they ARE still afloat, WHY???
Posted by: Old Patriot || 05/31/2010 15:24 Comments || Top||

#62  Various video here

Good link, Shipman. Thanks! :-)
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/31/2010 15:36 Comments || Top||

#63  The Joooos are certainly racking up some great PR these days.... lets see....
1. Moussad blatently assasinates someone in Dubai
2. Bernie Madoff rips off half the planet
3. Goldman Sachs rips off the rest
4. Isreal sends commandos out to shoot an old Irish woman.

Posted by: 746 || 05/31/2010 15:44 Comments || Top||

#64  5. Attracting trolls
Posted by: Frank G || 05/31/2010 15:52 Comments || Top||

#65  I don't understand this, it was obviously a PR stunt and the Israeli's commando attack provided the PR required by their enemies. Why not dump metal nets into the propellers and then use tugs to guide them wherever they need to go while ignoring the passangers and crew?
Posted by: rjschwarz || 05/31/2010 16:02 Comments || Top||

#66  Why not dump metal nets into the propellers and then use tugs to guide them wherever they need to go while ignoring the passangers and crew? let them drift wherever the wind and waves might take them.
Fixed it for you.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia || 05/31/2010 16:29 Comments || Top||

#67 
1. Moussad blatently assasinates someone in Dubai
2. Bernie Madoff rips off half the planet
3. Goldman Sachs rips off the rest
4. Isreal sends commandos out to shoot an old Irish woman


1. "Someone" was an avowed terrorist and the pimps who run Dubai were harboring him.
2. Madoff does not represent the Jewish community or the State of Israel and he is in jail anyway.
3. Goldman-Sachs is not predominately a Jewish firm and ditto #2 even if they were.
4. None of the videos show any Irish ladies, old or otherwise, beating Israeli soldiers with iron bars. None of the dead were Irish ladies, or gentlemen either for that matter.

Your side, the brain-dead media conformist slave-minions, is going to lose the current struggle despite your control of the whorehouse media and the billions in oil money your Arab fundamentalist paymasters can deploy.

Your post is the perfect demonstration of why you will lose: You are stupid. You are so stupid in fact that you think strawmen, half-truths, and completely unsupported claims are the height of rhetoric and argumentation.

In short, fuck you and the camel you rode in on.
Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy || 05/31/2010 16:39 Comments || Top||

#68  hence, my comment #64. Nice rant, AC
Posted by: Frank G || 05/31/2010 16:42 Comments || Top||

#69  Personnaly, I thought Israel was a far too restrained.
Posted by: JohnQC || 05/31/2010 17:16 Comments || Top||

#70  Although rules differ somewhat (and are more or less unwritten rules) international law favors the Israeli position:

1) Neutral vessels can be subject to capture, if they run a blockade. Check

2) The blockade has to be effective to be cognizable in a prize court, that is, not merely declared but actually enforced. Check

3 Neutrals (we are giving them the benefit of the doubt here) have to be warned of it. Check

4) If so then any ships running the blockade of whatever flag are subject to capture and condemnation.

But of course, all this isn't even necessary. Israel had the right to inspect the cargo. They were denied boarding violently. The Israeli Navy acted in self defense after that. Case closed.

That they botched the action is another thing. But show me a place in the world where you can attack troops with knives and iron bars and you are NOT shot.
Posted by: European Conservative || 05/31/2010 17:28 Comments || Top||

#71  Maybe they should have hit the ships with a good-ole rocket attack instead.

The Left doesn't seem to mind those one bit.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 05/31/2010 18:03 Comments || Top||

#72  I find it odd that Bibi was out of the country when this raid occurred. And even odder that now that it has occurred that he is returning and losing his chance to present Israel's case to the American people.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 05/31/2010 18:10 Comments || Top||

#73  Um, this could get much worse:

Two Turkish activists were reported to be among those killed in the flotilla. Ankara warned that further supply vessels will be sent to Gaza, escorted by the Turkish Navy, a development with unpredictable consequences.

Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/turkey-threatens-action-israel-on-alert/116743-2.html
Posted by: Uncle Phester || 05/31/2010 18:17 Comments || Top||

#74  Two Turkish activists were reported to be among those killed in the flotilla. Ankara warned that further supply vessels will be sent to Gaza, escorted by the Turkish Navy, a development with unpredictable consequences.

That's what subs and mines are for. Israel has both. And they are Israeli waters, not Gazan.
Posted by: gorb || 05/31/2010 18:21 Comments || Top||

#75  How can Rahm live with himself while el jefe is busy screwing his people? He would resign if he had any principles.
Posted by: Frangipani || 05/31/2010 18:30 Comments || Top||

#76  hey frank I know that you bastard are a retarded jew and indu cocksucker so I let this comment pass this time. but the next you have to suck my cock too , fuck you and fuck all the bastard scum posting on this crapy litle blog
Posted by: hunterkiller || 05/31/2010 18:48 Comments || Top||

#77  I admire your spelling skills
Posted by: European Conservative || 05/31/2010 18:51 Comments || Top||

#78  israel as to be nuked one for all! jews bastard get roasted every 80 years or so fuck them and the smelly indu the are next
Posted by: hunterkiller || 05/31/2010 18:52 Comments || Top||

#79  did you want suck to european faggot? heee
Posted by: hunterkiller || 05/31/2010 18:54 Comments || Top||

#80  Close-Up Footage of Mavi Marmara Passengers Attacking IDF Soldiers
Posted by: tipper || 05/31/2010 19:09 Comments || Top||

#81  No longer civilians when attempting to run a well advertised military blockade. Boarded by some of the best trained/least likely to make panic mistakes Israeli troops armed with little more than brass balls. PR disaster I disagree - far worse would be for the blockade to be run without any resistance. Some mission impossible soldiers got hurt but we see clearly that those on the ship may be called peace activists but are shown to be the second phase of whale wars with no aversion to violence themselves.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 05/31/2010 19:22 Comments || Top||

#82  Ankara warned that further supply vessels will be sent to Gaza, escorted by the Turkish Navy, a development with unpredictable consequences.

Sink every...

damned...

...one of them. Israelis subs should use what is left for underwater target practice.
Posted by: wr || 05/31/2010 20:07 Comments || Top||

#83  The noose - Iran's pending nuke, Hezbollah's increasing rocket capability, almost universal condemnation, near abandonment by its lone historic ally - is tightening around Israel.

Israel knows that at some point it must act decisively or face a second holocaust. Inaction is not an option.

An end game that does not involve several radioactive craters in the middle east where cities once were is unlikely. I pray that Tel Aviv is not among them.
Posted by: kcs || 05/31/2010 20:13 Comments || Top||

#84  Israel should immediately notify Turkey that a naval minefield will be emplaced in Israel territorial waters off Gaza.

Then Israel should offer free transport for any Gaza citizen to travel to Turkey, if Turkey will extend to them permanent residency.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 05/31/2010 20:31 Comments || Top||

#85  HEY SCUMBAGS YOU LOVE JEW COCK HEHEHEH ALL OF YOU FAGGOTS LOVE TO SUCK JEW COCKS THAT IS WHY YOU ARE KISSING ISRAEL ARSES SO GOOD FUCK YOU SCUM AND FUCK ISRAEL
Posted by: jews are bastards || 05/31/2010 23:07 Comments || Top||

#86  HEY SCUMBAGS YOU LOVE JEW COCK HEHEHEH ALL OF YOU FAGGOTS LOVE TO SUCK JEW COCKS THAT IS WHY YOU ARE KISSING ISRAEL ARSES SO GOOD FUCK YOU SCUM AND FUCK ISRAEL
Posted by: roast the jews || 05/31/2010 23:09 Comments || Top||

#87  Posted by wr 2010-05-31 20:07@ hey faggot hope your childrens get rapped and you bastard tortured and rapped also ...by a donkey
Posted by: roast the jews || 05/31/2010 23:17 Comments || Top||

#88  you wanna see some cartoons of Mohammad? He's plugging your ma?
Posted by: Frank G || 05/31/2010 23:22 Comments || Top||

#89  Clean up on aisle three, clean up on aisle three. Too stupid to live on aisle three.
Posted by: remoteman || 05/31/2010 23:23 Comments || Top||

#90  hunter killer, roast the Jews, whatever:

One more vile comment and you are banned from even reading Rantburg.

This is your last warning.
Posted by: badanov || 05/31/2010 23:30 Comments || Top||


Aid ships launch mission despite Israel threats
[Al Arabiya Latest] A six-ship convoy carrying 10,000 tons of aid for Palestinians set sail for Gaza on Sunday in defiance of an Israeli blockade on the impoverished territory and warnings that it would be intercepted. The ships, led by a Turkish vessel carrying 600 people, left a muster point in international waters off Cyprus early on Sunday. There was no estimated time for arrival in Gaza, which lies some 230 miles southeast of Cyprus.

"The flotilla is together and is on the move," said Greta Berlin, spokeswoman for the Free Gaza Movement, one of the organizers.

Israel has already said it will prevent the convoy from reaching Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Israeli naval commandos have held drills to practice boarding and searching the ships. Activists face arrest and deportation, and their cargo will be confiscated for possible transfer by Israel to Gaza, Israeli military officials said.

Berlin said Israel risked a public relations disaster if it tried to intercept the activists. "The only scenario which makes any sense is for them to stop being the bully of the Middle East and let us go through," she said.

In Gaza City, dozens of Palestinian fishing boats were preparing to set sail to meet the flotilla, which is carrying hundreds of civilians and a handful of European MPs as well as dozens of Muslim activists.

Audrey Bomse, another member of the Free Gaza Movement, said two vessels which had been due to join the so-called "Freedom Flotilla" had not been able to set sail after sustaining damage over the weekend, in a move which the convoy's organizers claimed was "sabotage."

"Now we are thinking of sending a second wave of boats including these two and the Rachel Corrie, which is still en route" from Ireland, she said, adding that the second convoy would probably set off around Tuesday.

"We're going to see how the others get on -- either they will reach Gaza or Israel will stop them and there will be a confrontation," Bomse said.

The flotilla of cargo and passenger ships, which is carrying 10,000 tons of aid for Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip, had been due to reach Gaza on Saturday. But its departure was delayed because of technical problems affecting two of the vessels.

Pro-Palestinian activists have landed in Gaza five times, with another three unsuccessful attempts since their first such voyage in August 2008. The latest is their biggest operation.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: Hamas

#1  "Now we are thinking of sending a second wave of boats including these two and the Rachel Corrie, which is still en route" from Ireland, she said, adding that the second convoy would probably set off around Tuesday.

Send out the INS Dozer to intercept it.
Posted by: gorb || 05/31/2010 1:15 Comments || Top||

#2  Both Israel & Egypt have offered to accept the cargo and deliver it to the Palestinians themselves. So "Free Gaza" doesn't really want to aid the people--they want the political confrontation.
Posted by: American Delight || 05/31/2010 1:56 Comments || Top||



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Two weeks of WOT
Mon 2010-05-31
  Report: At least 10 activists killed as Israel Navy opens fire on Gaza aid flotilla
Sun 2010-05-30
  Yemen hunts 60 suspected of kidnapping tourists
Sat 2010-05-29
  80 killed as Maoists derail train in India
Fri 2010-05-28
  Gunmen kill 40 in attacks on two Ahmadi mosques in Pakistain
Thu 2010-05-27
  Mullah Fazlullah Reported Out of Warranty
Wed 2010-05-26
  Peru Paroles NY Terrorist Lori Berenson After 15 Years
Tue 2010-05-25
  JMB military wing big turban bagged
Mon 2010-05-24
  70 killed in Orakzai airstrikes
Sun 2010-05-23
  Fighting in Mog kills 20
Sat 2010-05-22
  Yemen Qaeda figure accidentally blows himself up
Fri 2010-05-21
  Norks Threaten ''All-Out War'' Over Cheonan Report
Thu 2010-05-20
  Afghan forces capture northern shadow governor
Wed 2010-05-19
  Yemen court sentences six Somali pirates to death
Tue 2010-05-18
  Detained militant in Iraq details World Cup plot
Mon 2010-05-17
  Somali fighting kills 24, chaos in parliament

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