The Gaza flotilla and the maritime blockade of Gaza - Legal background

IMRA ^ | 5-31-10

[Citizen Tom Paine]

A blockade is an act of war. As such, one should be careful.

[camp_steveo]

Thank you very much for posting this information.

[ncfool]

GOD BLESS ISRAEL and all who are rightous that stand with Israel!.

[Petrosius]

Israel better be careful with point no. 1: “Israel is currently in a state of armed conflict with the Hamas regime that controls Gaza.” International law recognizes reciprocal rights during armed conflict. If Israel seeks to justify their actions in international waters by claiming to be in armed conflict with Hamas then this would also justify military actions by Hamas as a party in armed conflict with Israel; it is a two edged sword. Historically Lincoln got in trouble diplomatically when he at first declared a blockade of southern ports. This was legally an act of war and would have justified the Confederacy as a legitimate combatant internationally. To forestall this the blockade had to be redefined as simply the closing of the southern ports by the Federal government. But this put limitations on the actions that the United States could take upon the high seas.

[SJackson]

No different than al Qaida's legitimate right to attack the US. International law hasn't caught up with terrorism, in the old days they were called spies and pirates, and summarily hung.

What would Hamas' "legitimate" right to kill Israeli civilians be based upon, the fact that Israel protects it's population? The unfortunate fact of the matter is that when it comes to international "law", we're out in Alice in Wonderland country.

[SJackson]

A blockade is an act of war. As such, one should be careful.

It is, Israel makes no bones about being in an armed struggle with Hamas, who rules Gaza illegitimately. Heck, the USA trains and arms "Fatah loyal" palestinians to combat Hamas in the West Bank, and presumably to retake Gaza. Yes, it's all a charade.