Posted on 05/30/2010 9:15:25 PM PDT by VRWCTexan
HAIFA, Israel (AP) — Israeli warships attacked at least one of the six ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists and aid for blockaded Gaza, killing at least two and wounding an unknown number of people on board, an Arabic satellite service and a Turkish TV network reported early Monday.
The Israeli military refused to comment on the report
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Via twitter ASoldiersMother
Three of the soldiers that were wounded today are doing better; one who was critical is no longer considered endangered B”H
This is going to develop into a huge scandal. The boat was on international waters. Looks like Israel made a big mistake here.
Basically, you don't have to wait until a hostile armada/force enters your waters and begins attacking or threatening your sovereignty.
This concept is also called “anticipatory self-defense.”
What ticks me off more than idiotic reporting is the idiotic IDF commanders that sent these men in with paint-guns and pistols (as a last resort.)
They should have been armed with automatic arms, sprayed the deck with gunfire at the stern of the ship, taken that ground and moved forward from there.
IDF commanders look completely inept, thoughtless and incompetent - I'd fire the lot of them.
Israel made no mistake. Here is a comment from 'George' at one of the websites I visited - thought it was so good, I kept a copy.
You are correct, the flotilla was in international waters. However, consider the following:
1. A maritime blockade is in effect off the coast of Gaza. Such blockade has been imposed, as Israel is currently in a state of armed conflict with the Hamas regime that controls Gaza, which has repeatedly bombed civilian targets in Israel with weapons that have been smuggled into Gaza via the sea.
2. Maritime blockades are a legitimate and recognized measure under international law that may be implemented as part of an armed conflict at sea. (Examples: USA blockaded Cuba, UK blockaded The Falklands, the EU blockaded Yugoslavia)
3. A blockade may be imposed at sea, including in international waters, so long as it does not bar access to the ports and coasts of neutral States.
4. The naval manuals of several western countries, including the US and England recognize the maritime blockade as an effective naval measure and set forth the various criteria that make a blockade valid, including the requirement of give due notice of the existence of the blockade.
5. In this vein, it should be noted that Israel publicized the existence of the blockade and the precise coordinates of such by means of the accepted international professional maritime channels. Israel also provided appropriate notification to the affected governments and to the organizers of the Gaza protest flotilla. Moreover, in real time, the ships participating in the protest flotilla were warned repeatedly that a maritime blockade is in effect.
6. Here, it should be noted that under customary law, knowledge of the blockade may be presumed once a blockade has been declared and appropriate notification has been granted, as above.
7. Under international maritime law, when a maritime blockade is in effect, no boats can enter the blockaded area. That includes both civilian and enemy vessels.
8. A State may take action to enforce a blockade. Any vessel that violates or attempts to violate a maritime blockade may be captured or even attacked under international law. The US Commander's Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations sets forth that a vessel is considered to be in attempt to breach a blockade from the time the vessel leaves its port with the intention of evading the blockade.
9. Here we should note that the protesters indicated their clear intention to violate the blockade by means of written and oral statements. Moreover, the route of these vessels indicated their clear intention to violate the blockade in violation of international law.
10. Given the protesters explicit intention to violate the naval blockade, Israel exercised its right under international law to enforce the blockade. It should be noted that prior to undertaking enforcement measures, explicit warnings were relayed directly to the captains of the vessels, expressing Israel's intent to exercise its right to enforce the blockade.
11. Israel had attempted to take control of the vessels participating in the flotilla by peaceful means and in an orderly fashion in order to enforce the blockade. Given the large number of vessels participating in the flotilla, an operational decision was made to undertake measures to enforce the blockade a certain distance from the area of the blockade.
12. Israeli personnel attempting to enforce the blockade were met with violence by the protesters and acted in self defense to fend off such attacks.
Biased anti-US anti-Israel media know that blockades extend into international waters - and always have. They (media) are doing nothing more than acting as shills for terrorists.
The first line of any objective story on this episode would read: “Despite repeated warnings from Israel that it should not attempt to breach a three year old blockade and despite Israel’s offer to transfer some of the cargo itself, a flotilla of ships carrying Palestinian activists departed on x date from Turkey bound for Gaza. As a result of unanticipated attacks by passengers on this flotilla when Israeli soldiers made a boarding attempt, Israeli soldiers were forced to defend themselves and as a result several passengers wielding knives, bats and guns taken from the Israeli soldiers were killed.”
Wishes occasionally come true. :-)
Youtube is bringing out the worst in people if you navigate the videos on this event.
“And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for allpeople: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, thoughall the people of the earth be gathered together against it” (Zech 12:3).
Ships suspected of carrying contraband headed towards embargoed shores even if in international waters may be subject to boarding. International waters do not protect you if you are a pirate or engaged in belligerent actions.
In the mean time, a good rule of thumb for the the peace activists on board the ship, never gang up and attack a police officer or a soldier....they may just have to defend themself.
Ugh..both sides are one big pita.
After watching the IDF trying to stop the violent actions against them by the so-called "passengers", I have a suggestion for Israel....source your blockade enforcers out to the Russians (after watching them deal with the pirates a couple weeks ago in the Indian Ocean). I guarantee that not one "humanitarian" ship would act that way against Russian boarders. The Ruskies would kick the muzzlim asses straight into the sea or would just mow them down if they attacked the Russians with steel pipes, fire bombs, etc. Israel is trying to be too nice.
Umm. Why is it a big sob fest when a Nation enforces their borders or sovereignty? Sorry they died. I think they knew the risk of death resulting from their shenanigans. Glad they never had a chance to give aid and comfort to Israel’s enemies.
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