[Peace-discuss] Jewish Voice for peace Digest
David Green
davegreen84 at yahoo.com
Mon May 31 21:18:22 CDT 2010
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Subject: [JVP-Chgo-BB] Digest Number 3132[1 Attachment]
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Messages In This Digest (25 Messages)
1.
Fwd: [GushShalom press release] Only a government that crossed all r From: Michael Levin
2.
Fw: [TikunOlam] Richard Silverstein - Demand International Investiga From: Michael Levin
3.
Live blogging re. Gaza flotilla [5/31/10] From: Michael Levin
4.
Fwd: [ISM] Corrected: Call from Gaza for global response to killings From: Michael Levin
5.
Update from [US] Free Palestine Movement [5/31/10] From: Michael Levin
6.
Fw: [ei/ISM] Action alert: [#'s to] Call your governments, demonstra From: Michael Levin
7.
Fwd: WRI condemns attack on Free Gaza Flotilla From: Sergeiy Sandler
8.
Fw: [A7news] Rep Nat Comm Chair Michael Steele on the importance of From: Michael Levin
9.
Fw: [SundayTimesUK] Israel stations nuclear missile subs off Iran [5 From: Michael Levin
10.
[MewNews] Digest Number 4354 From: Paul
11.
Fwd: [USCampaign] EMERGENCY-Take Action: Israel Attacks Gaza Humanit From: Michael Levin
12.
Haaretz - A Special Place in Hell / The Second Gaza War: Israel los From: Paul
13.
George Galloway comments on the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotil From: Burton Steck
14.
Mandela's Elders group condemns Israeli attack [5/31/10] From: Burton Steck
15.
"Israelis and India accused of arming/training Taliban" From: Caroline Herzenberg
16.
Fwd: ICAHD-USA condemns Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla [5/31 From: Michael Levin
17.
Fwd: [Jewish Peace News] Electronic Intifada editorial: Internation From: Michael Levin
18.
Fw: [IJAN] Free Gaza! Respect International Waters! From: Louis Hirsch
19.
Belén Fernández – International activists cause their own From: Michael Levin
20.
Link to live stream of coverage from Al Jazeera English From: Michael Levin
21.
: [MewNews] Digest Number 4355 From: Paul
22.
Fwd: [CJPME] Please Condemn Gaza Flotilla Killings / Condamnez le ra From: Michael Levin
23.
Fwd: [CodePink] Obama: Join Nobel Laureates condemning Israel! [5/31 From: Michael Levin
24.
Fw: Facebook Group Calls for End of Gaza Siege, International Invest From: Michael Levin
25.
Fw: [Kabobfest] Israel’s Culture of Impunity Leads to Another Ma From: Michael Levin View All Topics | Create New Topic Messages
1.
Fwd: [GushShalom press release] Only a government that crossed all r
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 3:45 am (PDT)
????? ???? ??????
Press Release 05/31/2010
Uri Avnery: this night a crime was perpetrated in the middle of
the sea, by order of the government of Israel and the IDF
Command
A warlike attack against aid ships and deadly shooting at peace
and humanitarian aid activists
It is a crazy thing that only a government that crossed all red
lines can do
"Only a crazy government that has lost all restraint and all
connection to reality could something like that - consider ships
carrying humanitarian aid and peace activists from around the
world as an enemy and send massive military force to
international waters to attack them, shoot and kill.
"Noone in the world will believe the lies and excuses which the
government and army spokesmen come up with," said former Knesset
member Uri Avnery of the Gush Shalom movement. Gush Shalom
activists together with activists of other organizations are to
depart at 11:00 from Tel Aviv to protest in front of the
prepared detention facility where the international peace
activists will be brought.
Greta Berlin, the spokeswoman for the flotilla organizers
located in Cyprus, told Gush Shalom activists that the Israeli
commandos landed by helicopter on the boats and immediately
opened fire.
This is a day of disgrace to the State of Israel, a day of
anxiety in which we discover that our future was entrusted to a
bunch of trigger-happy people without any responsibility. This
day is a day of disgrace and madness and stupidity without
limit, the day the Israeli government took care to blacken the
name of the country in the world, adding convincing evidence of
aggressiveness and brutality to Israel's already bad
international image, discouraging and distancing the few
remaining friends.
Indeed, today a provocation took place off the coast of Gaza -
but the provocateurs were not the peace activists invited by the
Palestinians and seeking to reach Gaza. The provocation was
carried out by Navy ships commandos at the bidding of the Israeli
government, blocking the way of the aid boats and using deadly
force.
It is time to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip, which causes
severe suffering to its residents. Today the Israeli government
ripped the mask of its face with its own hands and exposed the
fact that Israel did not "disengage" from Gaza. Real
disengagement from the area does not go together with blocking
the access to it or sending soldiers to shoot and kill and wound
those who try to get there.
The State of Israel promised in the Oslo Accords 17 years ago to
enable and encourage the establishment of a deep water port in
Gaza, through which Palestinians could import and export freely
to develop their economy. It's time to realize this commitment
and open the Port of Gaza. Only after the Gaza port will be open
to free and undisturbed movement, just like the Ashdod and Haifa
ports, will Israel really have disengaged from the Gaza Strip.
Until then, the world will continue - and rightly so - to
consider the Gaza Strip under Israeli occupation and the State
of Israel as responsible for the fate of the people living
there.
Contact: Uri Avnery []
Adam Keller, Gush Shalom spokesman [] or []9
Coalition Against the Siege Yacov - , Sebastian -[]
Greta Berlin spokeswoman for flotilla organizers
357[]
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??????: ???? ????? 0505-306449
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[]
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2.
Fw: [TikunOlam] Richard Silverstein - Demand International Investiga
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 4:02 am (PDT)
Demand International Investigation of Gaza Flotilla Massacre
Richard Silverstein
Tikun Olam
5/31/10
I’m hoping to join together with other peace activists and groups like Jewish Voice for Peace to create an international campaign that will have the following demands:
1. A Goldstone-like investigation of the massacre which would investigate culpability of the commander of the Israeli navy and defense minister for this incident (and charges of attacks by Flotilla activists against IDF)
2. Immediate release of bodies of the dead for independent forensic autopsy and burial by their families
3. Immediate release of names of dead and injured (information presently embargoed by IDF censor)
4. Demand Obama cancel his meeting with Bibi immediately
5. Demand strong statement from Hillary Clinton and withdrawal of U.S. ambassador to match actions taken by EU nations
6. End Israeli siege of Gaza
Among other things, we can create a petition campaign and a Facebook group. Let me know if you’re interested in joining in.
_____
http://www.richards ilverstein. com/tikun_ olam/2010/ 05/31/demand- international- investigation- of-gaza-flotilla -massacre/
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3.
Live blogging re. Gaza flotilla [5/31/10]
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 4:29 am (PDT)
http://www.promised landblog. com/?p=2759
Promised Land
news and opinion from Israel
Death at Sea | the attack on the Gaza flotilla (live blogging)
Posted: May 31st, 2010
Author: noam [Noam Sheizaf]
1:50 PM: CH 10 TV defense correspondent Alon Ben David at Ashdod: Rioting expected to continue at port. Some passengers still locked in cabins. Channel 10 site: Arabs from Haifa among casualties.
1:40 PM: Israeli Foreign Office warned Israelis from trips to Turkey. Those already here are advised to stay in hotels. Turkey canceled three planned military maneuvers with IDF. Greece also canceled its planned maneuver with Israeli air force.
1:30 PM: Turkish ambassador leaving for Ankara.
12:30: Deputiy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon accuses Flotilla organizers of having ties to Hamas and AL-Qaeda. Regarding the attack, the Foreign Ministry web site stated that:
According to reports from sea, on board the flotilla that was seeking to break the maritime closure on the Gaza Strip, IDF forces apprehended two violent activists holding pistols. The violent activists took these pistols from IDF forces and apparently opened fire on the soldiers as evident by the empty pistol magazines.
As a result of this life-threatening and violent activity, naval forces employed riot dispersal means, including live fire.
12:10: Leftwing protests scheduled for 6 Pm in Jerusalem; 7 Pm in Tel Aviv (in front of the Defense Ministry on Kaplan st.); 7 Pm in Haifa. Some protesters are on their way right now to Ashdod and Haifa ports, to which the flotilla boats are headed.
12:00 AM: Ynet: two soldiers badly injured during the attack on the ships. 7 civilians in Israeli hospitals.
11:40 AM: Haaretz: Raad Saleh injured, not dead, hospitalized in Tel Hashomer (Tel Aviv). UPDATE: ynet reports that according to army sources, Salah is on one of the boats, only slightly injured.
video: MK Hanin Zuabi (Balad) calling for help in English and Hebrew from the attacked ship.
Ynet: 15 died on Ships.
10:50 AM: We woke up to the news of the violent takeover of the flotilla by IDF soldiers, and to the rumors that Sheikh Raad Salah, the Israeli-Palestinian Muslim leader, is among the 10 casualties. Regardless of one’s political views and what comes out of this incident, these are horrible news. It seems that the government really blew it this time. Violence looks almost inevitable, and who knows what will follow.
After a few hours of silence, Army and government spokesmen started commenting on the affair, declaring that the people on the boats “tried to lynch the soldiers“. But the spins won’t work here. Even without knowing what really happened, so much is clear: when you keep more than a million under siege for years – even if you make sure they don’t starve to death, as Israelis constantly remind us they do – some people are bound to try and break this siege. And when they do, if you send the commando at them in the middle of the night – and on international water! – there will be consequences, and there might be casualties.
I will keep updating this post as news come.
___
___
http://www.promised landblog. com/?page_ id=52
My name is Noam Sheizaf. I’m a freelance journalist and editor. I worked for Ha-ir local paper in Tel Aviv, for Ynet.co.il and for Maariv daily paper. My last post there was as a deputy editor on Maariv’s weekend magazine.
I was born in Ramat-Gan; now I live and work in Tel Aviv. Before working as a journalist, I served four and a half years in the IDF.
You can contact me at noamsheizaf [at] gmail.com
twitter.com/ nsheizaf
Comments policy: No racism, hate-talk, incitement. No antisemitism. No cursing. No Holocaust questioning or denying. Try to stay on topic. All posts close for comments after 28 days to avoid spam, so if you have something to say feel free to express yourself on newer posts, or just write me an e-mail.
___
Also see http://coteret. com/2010/ 05/31/death- at-sea-noam- sheizaf-live- blogging- as-the-gaza- flotilla- affair-unfolds/
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4.
Fwd: [ISM] Corrected: Call from Gaza for global response to killings
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 4:50 am (PDT)
Call from Gaza for global response to killings on the Freedom Flotilla
Gaza, Occupied Palestinian Territories, 31 May 2010: We Gaza based
Palestinian Civil Society Organizations and International activists
call on the international community and civil society to pressure
their governments and Israel to cease the abductions and killings in
Israel’s attacks against the Gaza Freedom Flotilla sailing for Gaza,
and begin a global response to hold Israel accountable for the murder
of foreign civilians at sea and illegal piracy of civilian vessels
carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza.
We salute the courage of all those who have organized this aid
intervention and demand a safe passage through to Gaza for the 750
people of conscience from 40 different countries including 35
international politicians intent on breaking the Israeli-Egyptian
blockade. We offer our sincerest condolences to family and friends
who have lost loved ones in the attack.
By sailing directly to Gaza, outside of Israeli waters, with cargo
banned illegally by Israel, such as the 10,000 tonnes of badly needed
concrete, toys, workbooks, chocolate, pasta and substantial medical
supplies, the flotilla is exercising international law and upholding
article 33 of the Geneva Convention which clearly states that
collective punishment is a crime against humanity.
The hardships of Israel's closure of Gaza have been well documented
by all human rights groups operating, most recently by Amnesty
International in their Annual Human Rights Report concluding that the
siege has "deepened the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Mass
unemployment, extreme poverty, food insecurity and food price rises
caused by shortages left four out of five Gazans dependent on
humanitarian aid. The scope of the blockade and statements made by
Israeli officials about its purpose showed that it was being imposed
as a form of collective punishment of Gazans, a flagrant violation of
international law." The United Nations continuously states that only
a fraction of the required aid is entering the Strip due to what it
calls ‘the medieval siege’, with John Ging the Director of UNRWA in
Gaza specifically expressing the need for the Flotilla to enter Gaza.
The European Union’s new foreign affairs minister Catherine Ashton has
just reiterated its call for, “an immediate, sustained and
unconditional opening of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid,
commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza.”
The people of Gaza are not dependent people, but self sufficient
people doing what they can to retain some dignity in life in the wake
of this colossal man-made devastation that deprives so many of a basic
start in life or minimal aspirations for the future.
We, from Gaza, call on you to demonstrate and support the courageous
men and women who went on the Flotilla, many now murdered on a
humanitarian aid mission. We insist on severance of diplomatic ties
with Israel, trials for war crimes and the International protection of
the civilians of Gaza. We call on you to join the growing
international boycott, divestment and sanction campaign of a country
proving again to be so violent and yet so unchallenged. Join the
growing critical mass around the world with a commitment to the day
when Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as any other people,
when the siege is lifted, the occupation is over and the 6 million
Palestinian refugees are finally granted justice.
Press Contacts:
Dr Haidar Eid: One Democratic Sate Group and University Teachers'
Association
Dr Mona El Farra: Middle East Children's Alliance, Gaza
00.972(0)598. 868.222
Adie Mormech: International Solidarity Movement 00.972(0)597. 717.696
Max Ajl: Gaza Freedom March 00.972(0)597. 750.798
Signatory Organisations:
The One Democratic State Group
University Teachers Association
Arab Cultural Forum
Palestinian Students’ Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel
Association of Al-Quds Bank for Culture and Info
Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements
International Solidarity Movement
Palestinian Network of Non-Governmental Organisations
Palestinian Women Committees
Progressive Students Union
Medical Relief Society
The General Society for Rehabilitation
Gaza Community Mental Health Program
General Union of Palestinian Women
Afaq Jadeeda Cultural Centre for Women and Children
Deir Al-Balah Cultural Centre for Women and Children
Maghazi Cultural Centre for Children
Al-Sahel Centre for Women and Youth
Ghassan Kanfani Kindergartens
Rachel Corrie Centre, Rafah
Rafah Olympia City Sisters
Al Awda Centre, Rafah
Al Awda Hospital, Jabaliya Camp
Ajyal Association, Gaza
General Union of Palestinian Syndicates
Al Karmel Centre, Nuseirat
Local Inititiative, Beit Hanoun
Union of Health Work Committees
Red Crescent Society Gaza Strip
Beit Lahiya Cultural Centre
Al Awda Centre, Rafah
###
--
The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) is a Palestinian- led non-violent resistance movement committed to ending Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian land. We call for full compliance with all relevant UN resolutions and international law.
For specific media inquires such as interview requests, photo usage, etc. please email the ISM Media Office at media at palsolidarity .org
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5.
Update from [US] Free Palestine Movement [5/31/10]
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 4:53 am (PDT)
FREEDOM FLOTILLA UNDER ATTACK
Monday, 31 May 2010 04:11
URGENT: As of 5/31 3 am California local time, all boats of the the Freedom Flotilla were stormed by hundreds of Israeli commandos, live ammunition was used, 19 dead 26 injured, no news on the FPM team on the Sfendoni ship. All Passengers were arrested including the US Citizens on the Sfendoni Greek ship that carries the FPM delegation. The White House, US Department of State and the US Consulate in Jerusalem were contacted by the FPM ground team. No updates on the status of the 5 Americans on the Sfendoni ship.
Last Updated (Monday, 31 May 2010 09:56)
_____
https://www. freepalestinemov ement.org/ index.php
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6.
Fw: [ei/ISM] Action alert: [#'s to] Call your governments, demonstra
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 8:48 am (PDT)
Action alert: Call your governments, demonstrate support for Freedom Flotilla
International Solidarity Movement
31 May 2010
Under darkness of night, Israeli commandos from at least 14 warships and military helicopters boarded the Turkish passenger ship, Mavi Marmara, and began shooting. According to live video from the ship, at least two civilians have been murdered, and dozens injured. Israeli television is reporting 16 civilians killed.
The Mavi Marmara was part of a six-ship unarmed flotilla, including a US-flagged vessel, carrying 700 passengers from 40 different countries and 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid on a mission of mercy to besieged Gaza.
The last GPS signal from the flotilla, sent just prior to the attack, placed the ships at latitude: 32.64113, longitude: 33.56727 -- approximately 65 miles off the coast of Netanya, well in international waters.
Palestinian fishermen are regularly fired upon off the coast of Gaza, but these are the first Israeli murders of internationals at sea. In recent years, the Israeli military has adopted increasingly vicious policies toward international human rights workers in Palestine, murdering Rachel Corrie and Tom Hurndall in 2003.
The names of the dead are not yet known. The flotilla passengers included retired US diplomats Amb. Edward Peck and Col. Ann Wright as well as humanitarian aid and human rights workers, several Members of Parliament from Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Turkey, Malaysia, and Palestinian Members of the Knesset.
Numbers for Israeli officials:
* Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office: +972 2670 5354 +972 2670 5354 +972 5 0620 3264
* Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defense: +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
* Major Liebovitz from the Israeli navy: + 972 5 781 86248
* The Israeli Ministry of Defense, Fax: 972-3-697-6717
* The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fax: 972-2- 5303367
* List of Israeli embassies in other countries
Organize a demonstration at an Israeli embassy
Register your demonstration or find a planned action in your area at the Gaza Freedom March
Numbers for United States officials:
* White House: 1.202.456.1111
* Department of State: 1.202.647.4000
Call or send a letter to your Congressional representative with this sample letter:
Dear YOUR REPRESENTATIVE,
In one of the most outrageous attacks on civilized people, the Israeli military killed at least three people and injured at least 30 more in an unprovoked assault on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters. The ships presented no threat as they were filled with diplomats, academics, journalists and human rights workers hoping to bring humanitarian goods to the besieged Gaza Strip.
I call on you to hold Israel accountable for their despicable actions and to immediately dispel your Israeli ambassador until a thorough investigation can be undertaken by a credible third party.
United Kingdom
Contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Other countries
Please contact your foreign ministries, embassies and representatives.
_____
http://electronicin tifada.net/ v2/article11304. shtml
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7.
Fwd: WRI condemns attack on Free Gaza Flotilla
Posted by: "Sergeiy Sandler" sergeiys at gmail.com
Mon May 31, 2010 8:48 am (PDT)
[Attachment(s) from Sergeiy Sandler included below]
Feel free to forward (text and attachment).
Thanks,
Sergeiy.
War Resisters' International
5 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DX, Britain
31 May 2010
Israel's Ruthless Criminality
War Resisters' International - an international pacifist network with more
than 80 affiliates in more than 40 countries - condemns the murderous
Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza and calls for an immediate
lifting of the blockade on Gaza.
The Israeli state has been responsible for many outrages in its history,
especially against the population of Gaza. To put it at its mildest, as
reported last week by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, after a
thousand days of the Israeli blockade, 61 per cent of the households of Gaza
are “food insecure”.
The international nonviolent activists killed in the attack on the Free Gaza
Flotilla did not regard their lives as more important than those of
Palestinians, only more visible. The ruthless criminality of this attack on
an unarmed flotilla of nonviolent activists bearing humanitarian aid
demonstrates for those who did not know before just to what extent the state
of Israel regards itself as immune from international norms.
In view of the involvement of some of our own members in organising this, we
also know full well that this flotilla is not an instrument of Hamas or Al
Qaeda or whatever other spectre the Israeli propaganda services seek to
conjure up. Knowing the nonviolent preparations undertaken for this
flotilla, and knowing a number of the activists involved and their
principled commitment to nonviolent forms of action, we suggest that only
those who want to excuse Israel can believe that Israeli commandos who
boarded the ships were then attacked.
This is a state that has acquired nuclear weapons illicitly and offered them
to at least one other racist state, apartheid South Africa. This is a state
whose secret services have carried out acts of assassination, kidnapping,
sabotage and espionage throughout the world. This is a state which day
after day has committed violence against Palestinians, indeed whose own
sense of security depends on subjection and expropriation of Palestinians.
War Resisters' International works in support of those Israelis who speak
out against or refuse to cooperate with the criminality of their
government. Our affiliates pressure their own governments and also
particular corporations to withdraw support from the Israeli government and
its politics of paranoia and persecution. We work too alongside Palestinians
to develop nonviolent strategies that offer hope for justice and ultimately
peace – strategies including the nonviolent Free Gaza Flotilla.
War Resisters' International now calls once more
- for disinvestment from companies supporting the state of Israel,
- for a boycott of Israeli products and support for the fair trade
products of Palestinian cooperatives.
- for support for the war resisters in Israel itself
- for support for Palestinians in persevering with nonviolent strategies
for justice and freedom
It is clear that the state of Israel is not the rightful inheritor of the
millions of innocent Jews killed in the Nazi holocaust, but rather is based
on violence, denial of human rights and the violation of international norms
of human decency.
Signed on behalf of the Executive Committee of WRI:
(Howard Clark, Chairperson)
Dear friends
Note: We've hurried to get out this statement even before all the members of
the Exec are awake or have connected, and even before the facts of the
attacks on the Free Gaza flotilla are clarified.
Please forward it as appropriate.
Be warned that we might amend it as the day progresses - so anybody who
translates it should check with the version on the web page before
finalising their translation.
all the best
Howard
Attachment(s) from Sergeiy Sandler
1 of 1 File(s)
flotilladraft.pdf
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8.
Fw: [A7news] Rep Nat Comm Chair Michael Steele on the importance of
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 8:53 am (PDT)
MICHAEL STEELE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ISRAEL
by Arutz Sheva staff
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele spoke recently at the Israel Day Concert in New York. Steele spoke of America's ties to Israel in faith, in freedom, and in destiny, and slammed the Obama administration for “dithering” while Iran arms itself.
Steele's speech was as follows:
It is a real honor and real pleasure to be here with all of you this afternoon. These are sobering times, these are important times, and I am just really grateful to be able to take a moment to share a few thoughts. First I want to thank Joe Frager for the opportunity to be here. What an incredible effort, Joe. Congratulations again for bringing all the community together. And to Danny Dannon - thank you so much for your leadership in the Knesset. I’m looking forward to joining you in Israel soon so that we can continue the hard work of raising the flag around the world about Israel’s security.
>From the earliest moments of American history, before there was a political state of Israel, Americans were dreaming dreams of a Jewish homeland. John Adams wrote to Thomas Jefferson, “I will insist that the Hebrews have done more to civilize man than any other nation.” In another letter he wrote, “I really wish the Jews again in Judea an independent nation.” Abraham Lincoln, responding to a friend proposing a homeland for the Jews in the Holy Land, said, “This was a noble dream and one shared by many Americans.” Ronald Reagan noted as well, back in 1948 when Israel was founded, pundits claimed the new country could never survive. Today Mr. Reagan said, “No one questions that Israel is the land of stability and democracy in a region of tyranny and unrest.”
Ladies and gentlemen, every generation in each century of American history, the greatest of American patriots and leaders - Adams, Lincoln, Reagan - have linked the heart of America to the cause of Israel. Why? What is it about America that so deeply connects us to Israel? There are many possible explanations: our shared moral code, rooted deeply in Mosaic law, our common history as nations founded by those seeking refuge from religious persecution, our democratic political systems, our free market economic systems, our shared commitment to equality, tolerance and generosity in the face of less than generous treatment by others.
With all this in common, it is no wonder that we share not only a deep friendship, but we also share enemies. There are many who hate and envy both of our nations, our freedoms, our values, our very existence. The same villainous characters around the world and throughout history have targeted US and Israeli interests, including the Nazis, the Soviet Communists, the Islamic Radicals. Wherever there’s a titan of tyranny anywhere in the world, he hates America and he hates Israel.
What is it about this tiny country, barely holding on to a little strip of land, that so provokes the powers of evil on the earth? I would argue that it’s not just political or historical or ethnic differences driving this animosity. I believe that the presence of the Jewish people, the very presence of the Jewish people, surviving all horrors, thriving in the midst of constant terror and attack, does indeed serve as a rebuke to the nations; because her nationhood, her continued blessedness, despite all the curses that man has spewed and inflicted, is an irrefutable manifestation to the watching world of G-d’s covenant with the people of Israel.
You see, some would argue that we share interests with Israel. I would argue that we share faith with Israel. As modern man becomes increasingly secular and forgets G-d, the nation of Israel is a stark reminder that Israel’s G-d has not forgotten man. Americans are a deeply religious people, with most of us rooted in a Judeo-Christian tradition. As such, our bond with Israel isn’t just on a political or economic level. Our bond is spiritual. As Ruth said to Naomi in the Hebrew Scriptures, so America says to Israel, “Where you go, we will go, your people will be our people, and your G-d our G-d.” That is why we have stuck so closely together all these years. We have always known that our fates our linked.
Ever since the founding of Israel in 1948 and the recognition of her by the US eleven minutes later, America has been a reliable friend, ally and partner in the struggle for Israel’s survival. The world has also always known: you mess with Israel, you mess with America. You try to wipe out seven million Israelis, you better be prepared to take out three hundred million Americans as well. That is why America has said repeatedly that vicious and dangerous regimes like Iran will not, on our watch, develop the capability to carry out their clear and unmistakable threats to destroy Israel and her people. That is, until now.
It grieves me to the core to have to admit that today the American government has abdicated her traditional solidarity with Israel. Today Israel truly stands alone among governments, facing existential threats more dangerous and more imminent that ever before. That’s not to say that Israel has been abandoned however by the American people, but there is no denying that the current administration and its congressional collaborators have left Israel to fend for herself.
Now I’m talking about, of course, the grave and gathering threat in Iran. This threat has never been more urgent and more important, and the US response to such dangerous intentions has never been so timid. We all know the stakes. Iran’s rulers have repeatedly and unashamedly threatened to eliminate Israel and are aggressively enriching uranium to that end. But our intelligence efforts are so tepid that we can’t tell you whether or not those nuclear weapons will be developed within a year or five years.
Undoubtedly, Iran is the most dangerous threat to the world. As Israel implores the international community to take action, what is America’s response? Well, we are governed by a modern day Neville Chamberlain, constantly issuing assurances of coming peace filled with Orwellian doublespeak about not tolerating a nuclear Iran, while simultaneously abandoning every possible point of leverage that can be used to bring Iran’s nuclear program to its knees. World governments know Iran’s economy is in the tank, but this administration’ s policy towards Iran is so upside down that President Obama is more likely to offer Iran a Greece style bailout than use Iran’s economic vulnerabilities to put a stake in the heart of her nuclear ambitions.
The only product Iran’s economy can export is terrorism, and at this Iran is unsurpassed by any other nation. Iran’s funding, resources, weapons, training and soldiers are killing Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan just as sure as they are supporting Hezbollah’s efforts to kill Israelis and further radicalize Israel’s neighbors. If you can examine any of the rockets falling at will and at random on innocent children in Israeli towns, you wouldn’t be surprised to see a sticker reading “I am Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and I approve this message.”
And still the Obama administration dithers. The president shuts down Washington DC for days on end to hold nuclear summits that aren’t attended by the world’s actual nuclear threats and result only in promises by that rogue regime to the north, Canada, to turn over its uranium. All this would be laughable if it wouldn’t be so deadly serious. And the seriousness is felt no where more than in Israel. About five minutes after Iran acquires a nuclear weapon Israel will be bombed. Period. This is an absolute certainty. Iran is not restrained by any sort of instinct for survival the way the Soviets were. So we must take them at their word - they will attack.
This is the cold, hard reality that the international community doesn’t want to face, because admitting it would demand action that is simply inconvenient. It would require ending lucrative business deals. It would require some sacrifice on the part of Europeans. If recent economic events are any indication then short term sacrifice to achieve long term goals seems not to be the modern European strength. It would require some unpleasant diplomatic pressure applied to China, which requires some fiscal restraint here at home, but given the leverage that we have given the Chinese with our debt and deficits that’s not likely to happen. It would require some unpleasant phone calls to Moscow, and liberals today still recoil at anything that would irritate the increasingly repressive, not so former communists in the Kremlin.
All of this is embarrassingly awkward for the president. It has the added downside requiring this administration to stand for something resembling American values, including our traditional solidarity with Israel. It might even require some common courtesy the next time the Israeli prime minister visits the United States. It seems that all of this is simply too much to ask of this administration and those who have an appeasement first mentality. I say, no more! For the sake of Jerusalem, we must not be silent. For the sake of Jerusalem, we must no longer allow this or any administration to second guess the relationship between Israel and America. For the sake of Jerusalem, the world can no longer demand that Israel sell out the security of her people and make every concession in the book just for the off chance that a Palestinian leadership might show up at the bargaining table willing to recognize Israel’s right to exist.
This administration has begun to make a different choice when it comes to Israel. The Republican party that I head sees only one choice - solidarity. Now I would argue further that the core principals of our party are inherently friendlier to Israel because they are based on the truth of human nature and good and evil. Republicans, unlike our utopian friends in Washington, recognize that there’s evil in the world, and it is emboldened rather than mitigated by concessions and appeasement. Republicans recognize that liberty will always cost something, but it’s always worth the cost. Republicans understand that the first and foundational responsibility of securing peace is securing strength.
My friends, if Israel is to be safe, if Iran’s nuclear program is to be shut down, then we must recognize that not all political parties are created equally. Ideas have consequences. Elections have consequences. Elections more than ever are not just popularity or beauty contests. They are deadly serious contests of those ideas. Their results matter not just for America, but for the world. Israel’s survival requires an America that is strong and a president whose words have meaning and whose promises are kept.
Former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice said at the 2008 AIPAC policy conference that the only way we lose in the war on terror is if we quit, if we lose the will to support and promote our own values. Well, the only way Israel will lose is if we quit on her, if we lose the will to secure and support her peace. My friends, I cannot promise you the outcome of elections this November. I can’t promise what America will do or won’t do. There used to be a time when America could promise a solidarity with Israel. Even those days are starting to grow dark. However, I will promise you this: Republicans across this nation will continue to stand with our ally and our friend Israel, as we work to secure the future, not only for the next generation of Americans, but for Israel’s children and grandchildren as well.
As I close and as we reflect on these sobering times and what they mean for both Israel and America, I want to share with you the Psalm of Assaf from psalm 83, “Oh G-d, do not keep silent. Be not quiet, oh G-d, be not still. See how Your enemies are astir; how Your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against Your people. They plot against those You cherish. Come they say, let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more. With one mind they plot together. They form an alliance against You. Make them like tumbleweed, oh my G-d, like chaff before the wind. As fire consumes the forest or flame sets the mountains ablaze, so pursue them with Your tempest and terrify them with Your storm. Cover their faces with shame so that men will seek Your name, oh, my Lord. May they ever be ashamed and dismayed. May they perish in disgrace. Let them know that You, whose name is the Lord, and You alone are the most high over all
the earth.”
This is my prayer for Israel. I pray too that there will be a day when, as Golda Meir said, Israel’s enemies love their children more than they hate Israel. I pray that the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will continue to bless his covenant people and that their survival and, indeed, their prosperity as a nation will continue to shame the enemies of freedom and unite Jerusalem forever. May G-d bless our nations and those who defend them. Shalom.
(Sara Lehmann of New York transcribed the speech).
__________
From Arutz Sheva Daily Israel Report
http://www.IsraelNa tionalNews. com
Monday, May. 31 '10, Sivan 18, 5770
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9.
Fw: [SundayTimesUK] Israel stations nuclear missile subs off Iran [5
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 8:53 am (PDT)
From The Sunday Times [UK]
May 30, 2010
Israel stations nuclear missile subs off Iran
Uzi Mahnaimi in Tel Aviv
Three German-built Israeli submarines equipped with nuclear cruise
missiles are to be deployed in the Gulf near the Iranian coastline.
The first has been sent in response to Israeli fears that ballistic
missiles developed by Iran, Syria and Hezbollah, a political and
military organisation in Lebanon, could hit sites in Israel, including
air bases and missile launchers.
The submarines of Flotilla 7 --- Dolphin, Tekuma and Leviathan --- have
visited the Gulf before. But the decision has now been taken to ensure a
permanent presence of at least one of the vessels.
The flotilla's commander, identified only as "Colonel O", told an
Israeli newspaper: "We are an underwater assault force. We're operating
deep and far, very far, from our borders."
Each of the submarines has a crew of 35 to 50, commanded by a colonel
capable of launching a nuclear cruise missile.
The vessels can remain at sea for about 50 days and stay submerged up to
1,150ft below the surface for at least a week. Some of the cruise
missiles are equipped with the most advanced nuclear warheads in the
Israeli arsenal.
The deployment is designed to act as a deterrent, gather intelligence
and potentially to land Mossad agents. "We're a solid base for
collecting sensitive information, as we can stay for a long time in one
place," said a flotilla officer.
The submarines could be used if Iran continues its programme to produce
a nuclear bomb. "The 1,500km range of the submarines' cruise missiles
can reach any target in Iran," said a navy officer.
Apparently responding to the Israeli activity, an Iranian admiral said:
"Anyone who wishes to do an evil act in the Persian Gulf will receive a
forceful response from us."
Israel's urgent need to deter the Iran-Syria-Hezbolla h alliance was
demonstrated last month. Ehud Barak, the defence minister, was said to
have shown President Barack Obama classified satellite images of a
convoy of ballistic missiles leaving Syria on the way to Hezbollah in
Lebanon.
Binyamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, will emphasise the danger to
Obama in Washington this week.
Tel Aviv, Israel’s business and defence centre, remains the most threatened city in the world, said one expert. “There are more missiles per square foot targeting Tel Aviv than any other city,” he said.
_____
http://www.timesonl ine.co.uk/ tol/news/ world/europe/ article7140282. ece
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10.
[MewNews] Digest Number 4354
Posted by: "Paul" paulfa at gmail.com fayspf
Mon May 31, 2010 9:19 am (PDT)
There are 14 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. YNET: Israeli State official: Obama provided Israel with historic gu
From: News-M
2. JPost - Flotilla Organizers: More than 10 activists killed
From: Paul
3. Aljazeera
From: Paul
4. JPOST/AP: IDF: Soldiers were met by well-planned lynch in Gaza water
From: Ami-gmail
5. Gulf News Israeli warships storm Freedom Flotilla
From: Paul
6. Gulf News International reaction to Israel's naval attack
From: Paul
7. Reuters/Haaretz: Abbas: Israel has committed a massacre on the Gaza
From: News-M
8. Haaretz/AP/Reuters: At least 10 activists killed in Israel Navy clas
From: News-M
9. Israel MFA: : IDF forces met with pre-planned violence when attempti
From: News-M
10. IDF SPOX: Pistols Found on Flotilla Activists, 31 May 2010
From: Ami-gmail
11. YNET: Gaza flotilla ships transported to Ashdod
From: News-M
12. YNET/AFP/Reuters: World in shock at deadly Gaza ship raid
From: News-M
13. YNET: Bernard-Henri Levy: Israel secular miracle
From: News-M
14. bbc Turkey rocket attack 'kills six' at naval base
From: moiz esufally
Messages
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1. YNET: Israeli State official: Obama provided Israel with historic gu
Posted by: "News-M" news at mideastweb. org ami_iss
Date: Sun May 30, 2010 3:48 pm ((PDT))
Israeli State official: Obama provided Israel with historic guarantees
Following NPT conference's unprecedented decision to name Israel as country
whose nuclear facilities must be inspected, with US endorsement, [Israel]
State official claims President Obama provided Netanyahu with unequivocal
assurances for Israel's strategic abilities
Attila Somfalvi YNET Published: 05.30.10, 23:35 / Israel News
www.ynetnews. com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 3896361,00. html
[Israeli]State officials are trying to send calming messages following the
US's endorsement of a nuclear-free Middle East resolution advanced by the
NPT conference, which named Israel as a country whose facilities must be
placed under inspection. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to
meet US President Barack Obama in the White House later this week amid
recent tensions.
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has received unequivocal guarantees from
Obama for the State of Israel's preservation of strategic and deterring
abilities," a senior State official said. "These assurances include a
significant upgrade in the history of US-Israel relations in the line of
strategic understandings. "
The source noted that the US had effectively promised Israel that no
decision made by the NPT conference would harm Israel's vital interests.
The 189 member nations of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty on Friday
adopted a detailed plan of small steps down a long road toward nuclear
disarmament, which includes naming Israel as a state whose nuclear
facilities must be placed under inspection.
The 28-page Final Declaration was approved by consensus on the last day of
the month-long conference, convened every five years to review and advance
the objectives of the 40-year-old NPT.
State officials also mentioned that Netanyahu has spent the last couple of
months making sure that the NPT resolution won't have a practical effect on
Israel's security.
"This activity included contacts between the prime minister and the US
president, intense daily contacts between the Prime Minister's Office and
the White House and professional contacts between the Israeli lower
strategic ranks and their American counterparts, " the State official said.
He also added that as part of these efforts Netanyahu had decided as early
as April to not attend the NPT conference in Washington and that Defense
Minister Ehud Barak discussed the matter with Obama in the White House
shortly thereafter.
News agencies contributed to this report
Messages in this topic (1)
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2. JPost - Flotilla Organizers: More than 10 activists killed
Posted by: "Paul" pf1 at skynet.be fayspf
Date: Sun May 30, 2010 10:38 pm ((PDT))
JPost -
The Jerusalem Post
Flotilla Organizers: More than 10 activists killed
By JPOST.COM STAFF AND YAAKOV KATZ
05/31/2010 08:25
Defense officials say soldiers were attacked with rocks and knives upon
boarding ships; activists stole soldier's weapon escalating violence.
http://www.jpost. com/Israel/ Article.aspx? id=176963
IDF Navy commandos encountered fierce resistance early Monday morning as
they boarded international aid ships on the way to Gaza to break the
Israeli blockade of the Strip.
According to defense officials, upon boarding the ships the commandos
were attacked by activists with rocks, knives and metal pipes.
The soldiers responded with crowd dispersion measures.
At one point activists succeeded in stealing the weapon of one of the
soldiers, leading to an escalation in violence.
According to unconfirmed Turkish reports, 10 activists were killed and
dozens more were injured.
At least 6 Israeli soldiers were injured in the fighting, 2 of whom are
in moderate condition.
The Navy made initial contact with the flotilla at 11 p.m. on Sunday
ordering the ships to follow them to Ashdod Port or otherwise be boarded.
The actual boarding of the ships took place at 2 a.m. Sunday and was yet
to be completed by 8 a.m.
Activists aboard the ships repeatedly said they would not respond with
violence to the navy's interception of their flotilla prior to the boarding.
Al-Jazeera reported Turkish leaders called an emergency meeting to
discuss responses to the attack at sea. The Israeli ambassador in Turkey
was called in to offer explanations, according to a report.
Hamas Prime Minister Haniyeh came on Al-Jazeera to condemn the “brutal
attack” and called on the UN to intervene on the activists' behalf.
Apparently, IDF attempts to prevent broadcasting from the ships were
unable to block the Turkish camera crew on board one of the ships.
The flotilla's change of course earlier in the night to force the
confrontation with the navy to occur in daylight seemed to have
succeeded. The attack began still under cover of dark, but continued in
daylight.
The initial contact took place about 200 km. off the Gaza Coast.
Flotilla organizers said they detected three Israel Navy ships on the radar.
Passengers on the ships were instructed to don life vests as organizers
warned of potential Israeli violence.
Israel Radio quoted the flotillaÂ’s organizers as saying they did not
expect the navy to meet them so far out at sea.
International activists promised to send more aid ships to the besieged
Gaza Strip late Sunday night, as the Israel Navy moved to intercept a
flotilla of international vessels that were attempting to break the
blockade of the Strip.
Israeli Navy ships set sail earlier Sunday night for what was expected
to be a dramatic showdown out at sea as they try to prevent a flotilla
of international aid ships from breaking the blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Messages in this topic (1)
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3. Aljazeera
Posted by: "Paul" pf1 at skynet.be fayspf
Date: Sun May 30, 2010 10:54 pm ((PDT))
Aljazeera
Israel attacks Gaza aid fleet
http://english. aljazeera. net/news/ middleeast/ 2010/05/20105313 3047995359. html
Israeli forces have attacked a flotilla of aid-carrying ships aiming to
break the country's siege on Gaza.
Up to 16 people were killed and more than 30 people injured when troops
stormed the Freedom Flotilla early on Monday, the Israeli Army Radio said.
The flotilla was attacked in international waters, 65km off the Gaza coast.
Footage from the flotilla's lead vessel, the Mavi Marmara, showed armed
Israeli soldiers boarding the ship and helicopters flying overhead.
Al Jazeera's Jamal Elshayyal, on board the Mavi Marmara, said Israeli
troops had used live ammunition during the operation.
The Israeli Army Radio said soldiers opened fire "after confronting
those on board carrying sharp objects".
Free Gaza Movement, the organisers of the flotilla, however, said the
troops opened fire as soon as they stormed the ships.
They also said the ships were now being towed to the Israeli town of
Haifa, instead of Ashdod to avoid waiting journalists.
Earlier, the Israeli navy had contacted the captain of the Mavi Marmara,
asking him to identify himself and say where the ship was headed.
Israeli intervention
Shortly after, two Israeli naval vessels had flanked the flotilla on
either side, but at a distance.
Organisers of the flotilla carrying 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid
then diverted their ships and slowed down to avoid a confrontation
during the night.
They also issued all passengers life jackets and asked them to remain
below deck.
Al JazeeraÂ’s Ayman Mohyeldin, reporting from Jerusalem, said the Israeli
action was surprising.
"All the images being shown from the activists on board those ships show
clearly that they were civilians and peaceful in nature, with medical
supplies on board. So it will surprise many in the international
community to learn what could have possibly led to this type of
confrontation, " he said.
Protests
Condemnation has been quick to pour in after the Israeli action.
Thousands of Turkish protesters tried to storm the Israeli consulate in
Istanbul soon after the news of the operation broke. The protesters
shouted "Damn Israel" as police blocked them.
Turkey is also reported to have summoned the Israeli ambassador to lodge
a protest.
Meanwhile, Ismail Haniya, the Hamas leader in Gaza, has dubbed the
Israeli action as "barbaric".
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists, including a Nobel laureate and
several European legislators, are with the flotilla, aiming to reach
Gaza in defiance of an Israeli embargo.
But Israel has said it will not allow the flotilla to reach the Gaza
Strip and vowed to stop the six ships from reaching the coastal
Palestinian territory.
The flotilla had set sail from a port in Cyprus on Sunday and aimed to
reach Gaza by Monday morning.
Israel said the boats were embarking on "an act of provocation" against
the Israeli military, rather than providing aid, and that it had issued
warrants to prohibit their entrance to Gaza.
It asserted that the flotilla would be breaking international law by
landing in Gaza, a claim the organisers rejected.
Messages in this topic (1)
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4. JPOST/AP: IDF: Soldiers were met by well-planned lynch in Gaza water
Posted by: "Ami-gmail" Ami.isseroff@ gmail.com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 12:55 am ((PDT))
IDF: Soldiers were met by well-planned lynch in Gaza waters
By YAAKOV KATZ The Jerusalem Post 05/31/2010 09:18
www.jpost.com/ Israel/Article. aspx?id=176970
Army says at least 10 activists killed, dozens injured, six Navy commandos
wounded as protesters open fire in violent Israeli takeover of Gaza
flotilla.
International activists aboard the flotilla of ships on their way to the
Gaza Strip opened fire on IDF soldiers who boarded the ships to prevent them
from breaking the Israeli-imposed sea blockade, the IDF said Monday.
According to the IDF, the international activists “prepared a lynch” for the
soldiers who boarded the ships at about 2 a.m. Monday morning after calling
on them to stop, or follow them to the Ashdod Port several hours earlier.
RELATED:
Analysis: Why Israel's media defense will be washed away by the flotilla
Flotilla delayed by glitches again
Analysis: Israel can learn from its adversaries to harness media
Haniyeh: Gaza flotilla a triumph
Report: Abbas plans to visit Gaza
According to IDF reports, at least 10 acitivists were killed during the
ensuing clashes as well as six Navy commandos, some of them from gunfire and
at least one in serious condition with a head wound. Foreign reports claimed
that the number of dead was close to 15. Some of the wounded were evacuated
to Israeli hospital by Air Force helicopters.
Upon boarding the ships, the soldiers encountered fierce resistance from
the passangers who were armed with knives, bats and metal pipes. The
soldiers used non-lethal measures to disperse the crowd. The activists
succeeded in stealing the weapon from one of the IDFÂ’s soldiers and
reportedly opened fire, leading to an escalation in violence.
“It was like a well-planned lynch,” one IDF officer said. “These people
were anything but peace activists.”
The IDF said that the ships would be taken to the Ashdod Port where,
despite the violence, the cargo that are carrying will be inspected and then
transferred to the Gaza Strip via land crossings. Israeli Navy commander
Vice-Admiral Eliezer Marom was commanding over the operation from sea.
The Navy made initial contact with the flotilla at 11 p.m. on Sunday
ordering the ships to follow them to Ashdod Port or otherwise be boarded.
The actual boarding of the ships took place at 2 a.m. Monday and was yet to
be completed by 8 a.m.
Activists aboard the ships repeatedly said they would not respond with
violence to the navy's interception of their flotilla prior to the boarding.
Al-Jazeera reported Turkish leaders called an emergency meeting to discuss
responses to the attack at sea. The Israeli ambassador in Turkey was called
in to offer explanations, according to a report.
Hamas Prime Minister Haniyeh came on Al-Jazeera to condemn the “brutal
attack” and called on the UN to intervene on the activists' behalf.
The ministry condemned Monday's raid on the ship carrying pro-Palestinian
activists, called it unacceptable and demanded an "urgent explanation" from
Israel. It says Israel violated international laws and will suffer
consequences.
AP contributed to the report
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5. Gulf News Israeli warships storm Freedom Flotilla
Posted by: "Paul" paulfa at gmail. com fayspf
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 1:56 am ((PDT))
*Gulf News **May 31 2010***
*Israeli warships storm Freedom Flotilla *
European Union demands "full inquiry" into the killing of at least 16 people
in an Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound ship with pro-Palestinian activists
onboard, including a Gulf News reporter
- Gulf News Report
- *live coverage*Published: 12:40 May 31, 2010
* *
http://gulfnews. com/news/ region/palestini an-territories/ israeli-warships -storm-freedom- flotilla- 1.634798
- A television grab made on May 31, 2010 from the Turkish TV channel
shows an injured human-rights activist onboard the Turkish aid boat
"Mavi
Marmara," carrying aid to the Gaza Strip on May 30. The Israeli army
said
more than 10 people died when its forces stormed a flotilla of ships
carrying aid to Gaza while the Turkish charity involved with the
fleet put
the death toll at at least 15 dead.
- Image Credit: AFP
Image 1 of 13
Gaza: An international uproar emerged while the death toll rose in an
attack on the Freedom Flotilla after Israeli commandos stormed at least one
ship loaded with pro-Palestinian activists bound for Gaza, according to
media reports on Monday.
*Al Jazeera TV* reported that at least 16 people had been killed in
clashes. Media reports earlier put the death toll at 14. *Al Jazeera TV* and
*CNN Turk TV *reported that at least 30 others injured in the attack.
*Watch Al Jazeera TV's video report:*
Arab League chief Amr Moussa called the raid a "crime" against a
humanitarian mission and said the organisation is "conducting calls to Arabs
to decide on our next step".
The European Union demanded a "full inquiry" into the attack, while
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas announced three days of mourning. Abbas
condemned what he called "a massacre".
The Israeli attack sparked a strong reaction in Gaza, where people prepared
for a huge demonstration in the main squares, witnesses told *Gulf News*.
Gazans were also seen sailing out in their fishing boats when they heard the
news of the attack.
In Bahrain, Islamist societies and families waited for news about four
Bahrainis who were on board one of the Gaza aid ships.
Calls have been made to Bahrain's embassies in Cairo and Jordan, UN agencies
and Palestinian officials to find out about the whereabouts and conditions
of Shaikh Jalal Al Sharqi, Khalid Abdul Kareem Bujeeri, Hassan Murad and
Yusuf Mahmood. However, no news were available.
*Read international reaction to the
attack*<http://gulfnews. com/news/ world/other- world/internatio nal-reactions- to-israel- s-naval-attack- 1.634850>
Israeli security forces were put on high alert to handle any on high
"possible disturbances" among the country's Arab Israeli population in the
wake of the naval raid, a police spokesman said.
Israel's *Army Radio* said the clashes broke out after the passengers
allegedly tried to grab weapons off the naval commandos who tried to storm
one of the boats.
Israel radio said at least one vessel was boarded by Israeli troops backed
with helicopters. An unnamed Arab journalist traveling with the flotilla
reported that shooting was taking place. Hamas-run TV showed pictures of the
wounded.
Gaza's *Al Aqsa *television also showed footage of black-clad Israeli
commandos descending from helicopters and clashing with activists.
Israeli TV *10 *reported that Israeli marine commandos opened fire after
being attacked with axes and knives by a number of the passengers on board
the aid ships.
The Israeli military denied that its forces attacked the boats but said they
would enforce the decision to keep them away from Gaza.
The head of the Hamas, Esmail Haniya, condemned the "brutal" Israeli attack,
adding: "We call on the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban
Ki-moon, to shoulder his responsibilities to protect the safety of the
solidarity groups who were on board these ships and to secure their way to
Gaza."
*Blog: Sailing to Gaza on the Freedom Flotilla
*<http://gulfnews. com/news/ region/palestini an-territories/ gazablog- 1.631390>
Earlier, three Israeli missile boats left their naval base in the northern
coastal city of Haifa on a mission to intercept the Freedom Flotilla,
reporters on board one of the vessels told *Gulf News *before being told to
turn off their phones.
*Gulf News *reporter Abbas Al Lawati was on board the Mavi Marmara, which
was attacked by Israeli forces. He lost contact with the *Gulf News *office
when the Israelis blocked communication but had been blogging and sending
live updates up to that point. *Follow Al Lawati on twitter
(@allawati<http://twitter. com/allawati>
*
Emergency teams were distributing life jackets to people onboard the Gaza
aid ships. Some passengers were seen wearing gas masks and sirens were heard
before communication systems were jammed, making it difficult to reach
anyone onboard.
*Al Jazeera* reported by telephone from the Turkish ship leading the
flotilla that Israeli navy forces fired at the ship and boarded it, wounding
the captain. The Turkish *NTV* network also reported an Israeli takeover
with gunfire, and at least two people were killed.
The* Al Jazeera *broadcast ended with a voice shouting in Hebrew, "Everybody
shut up!"
*Read special coverage of Gaza aid
mission*<http://gulfnews. com/in-focus/ sailingtogaza>
A Turkish website showed video of pandemonium on board one of the ships,
with activists in orange life jackets running around as some tried to help
an activist apparently unconscious on the deck. The site also showed video
of an Israeli helicopter flying overhead and Israeli warships nearby.
*Map: Freedom Flotilla's journey *
*International reaction**
*Turkey warned that the attack could lead to "irreparable consequences" in
bilateral ties.
A statement from the foreign ministry said: "We strongly condemn these
inhumane practices of Israel. This deplorable incident, which took place in
open seas and constitutes a fragrant breach of international law, may lead
to irreparable consequences in our bilateral relations."
In Istanbul, Turkish police blocked dozens of stone-throwing protesters who
tried to storm the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul over reports of the Israeli
attack. Rising tension in the country forced Israel to call on its citizens
to leave the country, Al Arabiya TV reported.
Hamas urged Arabs and Muslims to "rise up" in front of Israeli embassies
across the globe in protest against Israel's deadly raid on a fleet of aid
ships destined for the Gaza Strip.
An Israeli cabinet minister voiced regret for deaths aboard the Gaza aid
ships, the first official acknowledgement that the incident had turned
fatal.
"The images are certainly not pleasant. I can only voice regret at all the
fatalities," Trade and Industry Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer told Israel's
*Army Radio*.
Hamas urged Arabs and Muslims to "rise up" in front of Israeli embassies
across the globe in protest against Israel's deadly raid on a fleet of aid
ships destined for the Gaza Strip.
In Gaza, anti-siege activists called on the international community to
ensure the protection of the "Freedom Flotilla" which had been aiming to
arrive on Saturday but was repeatedly delayed.
*Israeli military zone extended**
*
Israel has extended the military zone it has designated off Gaza from 20
nautical miles to 68 miles, one of the organisers of the Freedom Flotilla
said Sunday.
Professor Norman Baech, a German international law expert and former member
of the German parliament who is on the Mavi Marmara, said that states that
feel threatened often extend naval military zones up to 68 miles beyond
their coasts.
Israel's jurisdiction over Gaza's territorial waters are however disputed.
Gaza is considered occupied by the international community but not by
Israel, which does now allow Israel to justify its practices under its own
laws.
It is believed that the military zone has been extended to pursue the
flotilla in international waters, and away from the coast of Gaza. While
Israel has in the past pursued such aid boats in international waters in the
past, the move could be an attempt to have a legal cover.
The flotilla consists of six vessels that are attempting to deliver
humanitarian aid to Gaza in defiance of Israel's naval blockade of the
territory.
Beach said that such moves are only justifiable if states feel threatened.
"We are no threat to Israel. We are only carrying humanitarian aid".
*Watch a livestream of the flotilla:*
* *
* *
The Mavi Marmara, the largest passenger ship in the flotilla is carrying
more than 550 passengers including two German members of the Bundestag, the
parliament, and one Swedish member of parliament, who were transferred to
the ship from the Challenger I.
The Challenger I was barred by the authorities in south Cyprus from leaving
its ports to join the flotilla. Only after the intervention of the German
and Turkish government were its passengers allowed to exit from the Turkish
controlled North Cyprus.
*With inputs from Habib Toumi, Bahrain Bureau Chief; Abbas Al Lawati, Staff
Reporter; Nasser Najjar, Correspondent, and agencies. Follow our Gulf News
reporter on **twitter.com/ a <http://twitter. com/allawati>**llawati
<http://twitter. com/allawati>**as he reports on board a ship on the Freedom
Flotilla.*
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6. Gulf News International reaction to Israel's naval attack
Posted by: "Paul" paulfa at gmail. com fayspf
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 2:04 am ((PDT))
*Gulf News **May 31 2010***
*International reaction to Israel's naval attack*
Israeli attack on Gaza-bound aid ship sparks reactions from countries in the
region and the world
- Gulf News Report
- Published: 12:53 May 31, 2010
* *
http://gulfnews. com/news/ world/other- world/internatio nal-reaction- to-israel- s-naval-attack- 1.634850
Dubai: The Israeli attack on a Gaza aid boat on Monday sparked a global
reaction, with the European Union calling for an inquiry into the attack and
the Arab League calling on Arab nations to decide on their next step.
The European Union also urged Israel to allow the free flow of humanitarian
aid to the Gaza Strip.
“High Representative Catherine Ashton expresses her deep regret at the news
of loss of life and violence and extends her sympathies to families of the
dead and wounded,” said a spokesperson for Ashton, the EU’s foreign policy
chief.
"On behalf of the European Union she demands a full enquiry about the
circumstances in which this happened... She calls for an immediate,
sustained and unconditional opening of the crossing for the flow of
humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza."
*Arab League*
Arab League chief Amr Moussa called the raid a "crime" against a
humanitarian mission and said the organisation is "conducting calls to Arabs
to decide on our next step".
*Bahrain*
Islamist societies and families waited for news about four Bahrainis who
were on board one of the Gaza aid ships.
Calls have been made to Bahrain's embassies in Cairo and Jordan, UN agencies
and Palestinian officials to find out about the whereabouts and conditions
of Shaikh Jalal Al Sharqi, Khalid Abdul Kareem Bujeeri, Hassan Murad and
Yusuf Mahmood. However, no news were available.
*Gaza*
In Gaza, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas announced three days of
mourning. Abbas condemned what he called "a massacre".
Gazans have also gathered in the city centre to conduct a huge
demonstration.
Hamas urged Arabs and Muslims to "rise up" in front of Israeli embassies
across the globe in protest against Israel's deadly raid on a fleet of aid
ships destined for the Gaza Strip.
*Iran*
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denounced Israel's deadly attack on a
Gaza aid ship as "inhuman," saying it brought Tehran's arch-foe "closer than
ever to its end."
*Lebanon*
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Monday slammed as "dangerous and
crazy" a deadly Israeli raid on a fleet of ships carrying aid to Gaza.
"The Israeli attack on the aid convoy is a dangerous and crazy step that
will exacerbate tensions in the region," Hariri said in a statement.
"Lebanon firmly denounces this attack and calls on the international
community, notably major powers... to take action in order to end this
continued violation of human rights and threat to international peace," he
added.
*Kuwait
*Kuwait's prime minister called for an emergency meeting over the Gaza aid
ship attack.
Islamist MP Waleed Al Tabtabai was among 16 Kuwaiti nationals on board one
of the six ships carrying aid destined for Palestinians in Gaza Strip, which
has been under Israeli siege for four years.
Parliament speaker Jassem Al Khorafi condemned what he called the "heinous
Israeli crime against the freedom convoy which was on a peaceful and
humanitarian mission of solidarity with the population of Gaza."
*France*
France said that "nothing can justify" the violence of Israel's Gaza ship
raid.
*Germany*
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said he was "deeply concerned"
about the killing of more than 10 people when Israeli forces stormed a boat
carrying aid and activists to the Gaza Strip.
"The foreign ministry is now working to establish the full facts of what
happened," a foreign ministry spokesman said.
*Greece *
The Greek government summoned the Israeli ambassador and withdrew from joint
military exercises with Israel after the deadly raid on an aid convoy headed
for the Gaza Strip.
The foreign ministry said in a statement it had demanded details on about 30
Greeks who were on the flotilla attacked by Israeli commandos.
The ministry "stressed the need to take the necessary measures to ensure
their security." Israel's ambassador Ali Yahya was called in for talks with
Greek deputy foreign minister Dimitris Droutsas.
"Greece's consistent position is that the activities of any non-government
organisation must be freely allowed as long as they are legal," said the
ministry statement.
*Spain
*
Spain, which holds the rotating EU presidency, summoned Israel's ambassador
on Monday for an explanation for a deadly raid on an aid ship flotilla bound
for Gaza, the foreign ministry said.
*Sweden*
Sweden summoned the Israeli ambassador to Stockholm over the "unacceptable"
Gaza flotilla raid, the foreign ministry said.
"I summoned the Israeli ambassador this morning to tell him that we thought
the raid was completely unacceptable and that we are taking the situation
very seriously," State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Frank Belfrage told
reporters.
*Turkey*
In Turkey, the government warned that the attack could lead to "irreparable
consequences" in bilateral ties.
A statement from the foreign ministry said: "We strongly condemn these
inhumane practices of Israel. This deplorable incident, which took place in
open seas and constitutes a fragrant breach of international law, may lead
to irreparable consequences in our bilateral relations."
In Istanbul, Turkish police blocked dozens of stone-throwing protesters who
tried to storm the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul over reports of the Israeli
attack.
Israel has asked citizens to leave Turkey amid rising tensions in the
country, Al Arabiya TV reported.
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7. Reuters/Haaretz: Abbas: Israel has committed a massacre on the Gaza
Posted by: "News-M" news at mideastweb. org ami_iss
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 2:04 am ((PDT))
Abbas: Israel has committed a massacre on the Gaza flotilla
http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/abbas- israel-has- committed- a-massacre- on-the-gaza- flotilla- 1.293186
Turkey says Israel's attack on Gaza aid convoy violated international
law, summons Israeli ambassador over attack which killed at least 10
left-wing activists.
By Reuters and Haaretz Service Tags: Israel Turkey Gaza
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described as a "massacre" the
killing of at least 10 activists on Gaza-bound aid ships boarded by
Israeli military forces on Monday.
"What Israel has committed on board the Freedom Flotilla was a
massacre," Abbas was quoted as saying by the official Wafa news agency.
Turkey also condemned Israel's actions on Monday, denouncing them a
"unacceptable" and summoning Israel's ambassador to discuss the incident
- bringing already tense relations between the countries to new heights.
The ministry said that Israel had violated International law and must
now carry the consequences.
"[The interception on the convoy] is unacceptable ... Israel will have
to endure the consequences of this behavior," it said in a statement.
Murat Mercan, a lawmaker from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's
ruling party, said: "I was expecting an intervention. I was not
expecting bloodshed, the use of arms and bullets."
"Israel is engaged in activity that will extremely hurt its image," he said.
Following the events, the Turkish government called emergency meetings,
Channel 10 reported.
The Arab League said mid-Monday it would call an emergency meeting to
dicuss the incident.
Meanwhile, France became the first European nation to respond to the
early morning's events. Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said he was
"profoundly shocked".
Many of the activists aboard the protest ships were European nationals
and analysts have predicted a harsh diplomatic response from the
European Union and its member states.
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8. Haaretz/AP/Reuters: At least 10 activists killed in Israel Navy clas
Posted by: "News-M" news at mideastweb. org ami_iss
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 2:04 am ((PDT))
Latest update 11:14 31.05.10
At least 10 activists killed in Israel Navy clashes onboard Gaza aid
flotilla
http://www.haaretz. com/misc/ article-print- page/at-least- 10-activists- killed-in- israel-navy- clashes-onboard- gaza-aid- flotilla- 1.293089? trailingPath= 2.169%2C2. 216%2C2.217% 2C
IDF says 10 killed, 2 commandos wounded, troops attacked when trying to
board ships; Turkish TV says over 60 pro-Palestinian campaigners wounded
after aid convoy bound for Gaza ignored Israel's order to turn back.
By Anshel Pfeffer, Avi Issacharoff, The Associated Press and Reuters
Tags: Gaza aid Freedom flotilla
Israel Navy troops opened fire on pro-Palestinian activists aboard a
six-ship aid flotilla sailing for the Gaza Stripearly Monday, killing at
least 10 and wounding several others after the convoy ignored orders to
turn back.
The Israeli military said 10 activists were killed after its troops came
under fire while intercepting the convoy. Unofficial reports put the
death toll at between 14 and 20.
Turkey's NTV said over 60 were also wounded after Israel Defense Forces
vessels stormed the flotilla in international waters.
"Our initial findings show that at least 10 convoy participants were
killed," an army spokesman said.
The military said in a statement: "Navy fighters took control of six
ships that tried to violate the naval blockade (of the Gaza Strip) ...
During the takeover, the soldiers encountered serious physical violence
by the protesters, who attacked them with live fire."
The IDF earlier confirmed that two navy commandos had been wounded in
fight, which apparently broke out after activists tried to sieze their
weapons.
According to the IDF, commandos who stormed the Turkish ferry Mavi
Marmara, the largest vessel in the convoy, encountered violent
resistance from activists armed with sticks and knives.
Activists attacked a commando with iron bars as he descended onto the
ship from a helicopter, the army said. The IDF said its rules of
engagement allowed troops to open fire in what it called a
"life-threatening situation".
Elite troops from Shayetet 13, a naval commando unit, boarded the
protest boats at around 4:00 A.M. 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.
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 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 on Sunday afternoon after two days of delays. According to
organizers, the flotilla was expected to reach Gaza, about 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, heading 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.
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 the three-week military offensive against
Gaza's Hamas rulers in January 2009. The flotilla bound for Gaza is the
largest to date.
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.
Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade on Gaza after Hamas militants
violently seized control of the seaside territory in June 2007.
Israel says the measures are needed to prevent Hamas, which has fired
thousands of rockets at Israel, from building up its arsenal. But United
Nations officials and international aid groups say the blockade has been
counterproductive, failing to weaken the Islamic militant group while
devastating the local economy.
Israel rejects claims of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying it allows
more than enough food and medicine into the territory. The Israelis also
point to the bustling smuggling industry along Gaza's southern border
with Egypt, which has managed to bring consumer goods, gasoline and
livestock into the seaside strip.
Israel has condemned the flotilla as a provocation and vowed to block it
from reaching Gaza.
Israeli military officials said they hoped 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 had been set up in Ashdod.
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9. Israel MFA: : IDF forces met with pre-planned violence when attempti
Posted by: "News-M" news at mideastweb. org ami_iss
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 2:19 am ((PDT))
http://www.mfa. gov.il/MFA/ Government/ Communiques/ 2010/Israel_ Navy_warns_ flotilla_ 31-May-2010. htm
MFA Newsletter
IDF forces met with pre-planned violence when attempting to
board flotilla
Early this morning (31 May), IDF naval forces intercepted
six ships attempting to break the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.
During the interception of the ships, the demonstrators onboard attacked
the IDF naval personnel with live fire and light weaponry including
knives and clubs.
(Communicated by the IDF Spokesperson)
Early this morning (31 May), IDF naval forces intercepted
six ships attempting to break the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. This
happened after numerous warnings from Israel and the Israel Navy that
were issued prior to the action. The Israel Navy requested the ships to
redirect toward Ashdod where they would be able to unload their aid
material which would then be transferred over land after undergoing
security inspections.
During the interception of the ships, the demonstrators
onboard attacked the IDF naval personnel with live fire and light
weaponry including knives and clubs. Additionally one of the weapons
used was grabbed from an IDF soldier. The demonstrators had clearly
prepared their weapons in advance for this specific purpose.
As a result of this life-threatening and violent activity,
naval forces employed riot dispersal means, including live fire.
According to initial reports, these events resulted in over
ten deaths among the demonstrators and numerous injured; in addition,
more than four naval personnel were injured, some from gunfire and some
from various other weapons. Two of the soldiers are moderately wounded
and the remainder sustained light injuries. All of the injured, Israelis
and foreigners are currently being evacuated by helicopter to hospitals
in Israel.
Reports from IDF forces on the scene are that it seems as
if part of the participants onboard the ships were planning to lynch the
forces.
The events are ongoing, and information will be updated as
soon as possible. Israeli Naval commander, Vice Admiral Eliezer Marom is
overseeing the events.
In the coming hours, the ships will be directed to the
Ashdod port, while IDF naval forces will perform security checks in
order to identify the people on board the ships and their equipment. The
IDF Spokesman conveys that this event is currently unfolding and further
details will be provided as soon as possible.
This IDF naval operation was carried out under orders from
the political leadership to halt the flotilla from reaching the Gaza
Strip and breaching the naval blockade.
The interception of the flotilla followed numerous warnings
given to the organizers of the flotilla before leaving their ports as
well as while sailing towards the Gaza Strip. In these warnings, it was
made clear to the organizers that they could dock in the Ashdod sea port
and unload the equipment they are carrying in order to deliver it to the
Gaza Strip in an orderly manner, following the appropriate security
checks. Upon expressing their unwillingness to cooperate and arrive at
the port, it was decided to board the ships and lead them to Ashdod.
IDF naval personnel encountered severe violence, including
use of weaponry prepared in advance in order to attack and to harm them.
The forces operated in adherence with operational commands and took all
necessary actions in order to avoid violence, but to no avail.
31 May 2010
MFA Website
Subscribe to MFA newsletters
Email to a friend
Quick links
.
IDF warns flotilla (YouTube)
.
Israel calls on flotilla organizers to deliver aid through
Ashdod port
.
Behind the Headlines: The Israeli humanitarian lifeline to Gaza
.
MFA legal expert Sarah Weiss Maudi on the legal aspects of
Gaza aid (YouTube)
.
IHH supports radical Islamic networks (ITIC, May 2010)
Questions or comments? E-mail us at feedback at mfa. gov.il
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10. IDF SPOX: Pistols Found on Flotilla Activists, 31 May 2010
Posted by: "Ami-gmail" Ami.isseroff@ gmail.com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 2:21 am ((PDT))
Pistols Found on Flotilla Activists, 31 May 2010
Pistols Found on Flotilla Activists
31 May 2010
http://idfspokesper son.com/2010/ 05/31/pistols- found-on- flotilla- activists- 31-may-2010/
According to reports from sea, on board the flotilla that was attempting
to break the maritime closure on the Gaza Strip, IDF forces apprehended
two violent activists holding pistols. The violent activists took these
pistols from IDF forces and apparently opened fire on the soldiers as
evident by the empty pistol magazines.
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11. YNET: Gaza flotilla ships transported to Ashdod
Posted by: "News-M" news at mideastweb. org ami_iss
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 2:44 am ((PDT))
Gaza flotilla ships transported to Ashdod
http://www.ynet. co.il/english/ articles/ 0,7340,L- 3896515,00. html
(Video) IDF spokesperson says fighters who raided vessels headed to Gaza
'attacked with clubs, long knives.' Army reports more than 15 passengers
killed in operation. Dozens injured, including six soldiers
Ynet reporters
Published: 05.31.10, 10:01 / Israel News
VIDEO - Navy fighters on Monday morning took over vessels which tried to
sail into the Gaza Strip and began transporting them to the Ashdod Port,
accompanied by Naval Commando forces.
"This was not a humanitarian sail, but a violent provocation directed
against us," said Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson Avi Benayahu. "We
were attacked with clubs and long knives."
According to an initial military report, more than 15 activists who took
part in the sail were killed and several were injured.
Arab media provided conflicting reports on the casualties, some stating
that 15 people were killed and 50 were injured.
The IDF reported that six Navy fighters were injured, one of them
sustaining serious wounds. The injured were evacuated to Israeli
hospitals by helicopters.
According to an IDF source, "The sail's participants were not innocent
and used violence against the soldiers. They were waiting for the
forces' arrival."
According to Benayahu, "Our forces encountered serious violence, nearly
unprecedented. Throughout the night, we continued the diplomatic effort
through the communication methods in the sea.
"The Navy commander took charge of the event from a command post in the
sea. He ensured that the six ships received warnings to turn back and an
invitation to sail to the Ashdod Port to complete the delivery of the
aid through land crossings after an Israeli security check. In all these
cases we were firmly turned down."
'Near lynch against soldiers'
According to the IDF spokesperson, the army received an order to stop
the boats which were carrying unknown equipment. "In the largest boat,
called 'Marmara', there are 570 people. The fighters, who arrived with
ladders and came down from ropes, encountered what they described as a
near lynch.
"There was serious violence, cols arms, knives, we have a stabbed
soldier, clubs. You can see that every soldier that came down was
attacked. This is not the activity of peace activists."
Benyahu confirmed that the activists snatched one of the fighters'
weapons. "He was attacked by the crowd and they opened fire. During the
incident, our fighters were in real danger, both from the clubs and from
the weapons. They used crowd dispersal means, and when there was no
choice – live ammunition. We don't know if there were any other weapons
on the ship, because the entire picture is unclear. We did not encounter
peace activists on this boat."
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12. YNET/AFP/Reuters: World in shock at deadly Gaza ship raid
Posted by: "News-M" news at mideastweb. org ami_iss
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 2:44 am ((PDT))
World in shock at deadly Gaza ship raid
http://www.ynet. co.il/english/ articles/ 0,7340,L- 3896586,00. html
EU foreign policy chief calls for comprehensive enquiry into deaths
aboard aid ships seized by Israel's Navy. Spain, Sweden and Greece
summon Israeli ambassadors to their capitals to demand explanations
News agencies
Latest Update: 05.31.10, 12:34 / Israel News
The European Union called on Monday morning for a comprehensive enquiry
into deaths aboard Gaza aid ships seized by Israel's Navy on Monday and
urged Israel to allow the free flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
More than 15 people were killed in the incident – all activists
participating in the flotilla. Six IDF soldiers were among the wounded.
The ships were transported to Ashdod, under heavy security of the Navy
commando.
"High Representative Catherine Ashton expresses her deep regret at the
news of loss of life and violence and extends her sympathies to families
of the dead and wounded," said a spokesperson for Ashton, the EU's
foreign policy chief.
"On behalf of the European Union she demands a full enquiry about the
circumstances in which this happened ... She calls for an immediate,
sustained and unconditional opening of the crossing for the flow of
humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza."
The UN's rights chief Navi Pillay said she was "shocked" at the violence
of the raid, which left at least 10 dead, many of them reportedly Turks,
while the European Union demanded a full inquiry from Tel Aviv.
Spain - the current European Union president - Sweden and Greece
summoned the Israeli ambassadors to their capitals to demand
explanations, with Madrid slamming the operation as "unacceptable" .
Greece, which had some 30 nationals on board the flotilla, also withdrew
from joint military exercises with Israel in protest at the raid.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said he was "deeply shocked"
by the Israeli raid and insisted "nothing can justify" such violence.
Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle also said he was "deeply
concerned" about the deaths.
Kuwait's parliament speaker condemned the storming of the flotilla,
which was carrying 16 Kuwaitis including an MP, as a "heinous Israeli
crime."
On Monday morning, police blocked dozens of protesters who tried to
storm the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul. The protesters rioted, hurled
stones and called out anti-Israel slurs.
Another protest took place Monday morning in the Jordanian capital of
Amman. The al- Jazeera network reported that dozens of protesters are
gathered near the Israeli embassy in Amman and are calling to cut
diplomatic ties with Israel and cancel the peace agreement between the
two countries.
Other protests were reportedly taking place in Algeria. No unusual
incidents were reported.
AFP, Reuters, Roee Nahmias and Roni Sofer contributed to this report
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13. YNET: Bernard-Henri Levy: Israel secular miracle
Posted by: "News-M" news at mideastweb. org ami_iss
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 2:44 am ((PDT))
Bernard-Henri Levy: Israel secular miracle
http://www.ynet. co.il/english/ articles/ 0,7340,L- 3896375,00. html
At Tel Aviv conference, Jewish-French philosopher lauds IDF morals,
calls Israel 'island of democracy where dictatorships rule'
Attila Somfalvi
Published: 05.31.10, 00:33 / Israel News
Referring to the IDF, Jewish-French writer and philosopher Bernard-Henri
Levy said, "Much can and should be learned from Israel."
Addressing the French-Israeli conference on democracy in Tel Aviv
Sunday, Levy said, "I've covered many wars, and I've never seen an army
that asks itself so many questions related to morals."
As for Israel's status in the international community, the French
philosopher said, "There is a demonization campaign against Israel all
over the world.
"In a region where dictatorships and truly fascist regimes rule, Israel
represents an island of democracy. Zionism is the only movement that has
not failed and turned into a caricature. It is the only movement that
has preserved its spirit," he told the conference.
"Israel is a miracle because since its inception it has been in a
constant state of war, yet it never gave up on the democratic values at
its core," according to Levy.
He added, "Democracy was created (in Israel) out of nothing. People had
no experience in democracy, but through willpower and a miracle, they
invented a functioning democracy. Israel is proof that democracy does
not require time. In France a newspaper was shut down every two weeks
during the war in Algeria."
Levy also praised the Israeli government's treatment of the Arab
minority during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, adding that Arab-Israel
villages he had visited during the war "were on the brink of explosion."
"I am not certain that (governments in other countries) would have acted
the same. I remember a terrible atmosphere and my admiration of the
Israeli authorities' level-headed conduct. Israel represents a secular
miracle," he said.
The renowned philosopher also said democracy was a Jewish idea. "The
Talmud is democracy in practice. The Jewish nation invented the notion
that the truth lies in the most heated argument," he said.
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14. bbc Turkey rocket attack 'kills six' at naval base
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 6:40 am ((PDT))
Turkey rocket attack 'kills six' at naval base
Page last updated at 8:03 GMT, Monday, 31 May 2010 9:03 UK
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ europe/10195996. stm
[image: Map]
Six Turkish soldiers have been killed and seven injured in a rocket attack
on a navy base in the country's south, state media reports.
Suspected Kurdish rebels fired on a military vehicle carrying troops in the
Mediterranean port of Iskenderun.
The attack took place at about 0400 (0100 GMT). Soldiers at the base fired
at the attackers but it was not clear if any were injured.
The government has recently intensified efforts to end the Kurdish
insurgency.
Three Turkish soldiers were in a critical condition and were taken to a
military hospital in the capital, Ankara, according to the Anatolia news
agency.
Police and troop reinforcements have been sent to the area, the report said.
Long insurgency
Five members of the Turkish security forces were killed over the weekend in
clashes with Kurdish rebels in the south and east of the country.
It follows the bombing of Kurdish rebels targets in northern Iraq two weeks
ago by the Turkish airforce.
Meanwhile the jailed Kurdish rebel leader, Abdullah Ocalan, has reportedly
said he was abandoning efforts for dialogue with the Turkish government.
However, Ocalan - jailed since 1999 - said his decision was not a call for
the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to intensify its campaign.
The PKK has been fighting for autonomy in Turkey's largely Kurdish
south-east for more than two decades. Some 40,000 people have been killed.
The rebels are described as terrorists by the US and the European Union, as
well as Turkey.
--
wa salaam
Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
Amatullah Villa
10 Jawatte Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
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11.
Fwd: [USCampaign] EMERGENCY-Take Action: Israel Attacks Gaza Humanit
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 9:20 am (PDT)
<http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=eRTANnavX\
5tSCRURb5qxy11U% 2BRUXbR1S>
EMERGENCY-Take Action: Israel Attacks Gaza Humanitarian Aid
Flotilla
May 31, 2010
In an international act of piracy and murder in international
waters, the Israeli navy intercepted, boarded, and opened fire on
humanitarian activists on a flotilla of ships attempting to
deliver humanitarian supplies to the Israeli-blockaded
Palestinian Gaza Strip.
According to news reports, Israeli commandos killed as many as 19
humanitarian activists on board one ship, and have abducted all
700 passengers on board the six boats composing the flotilla who
are in the process of being sent against their will to Israel for
arrest and/or deportation.
The reaction of the Obama Administration to Israel's attack on
the humanitarian aid flotilla, which included U.S. citizens, has
been tepid. A White House spokesperson stated that he
"deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained."
Of course, this statement completely ignores U.S. complicity in
arming Israel and enabling its human rights abuses. In July
2008, the United States signed a contract worth $1.9 billion to
transfer the latest-generation of naval combat vessels to Israel
at U.S. taxpayer expense. Currently, Congress is in the
process of appropriating a record $3.2 billion in military aid to
Israel this budget year.
Events are moving quickly. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu has apparently canceled his meeting tomorrow at the
White House to return to Israel. Later today, the UN
Security Council is set to address Israel's attack on the
humanitarian flotilla. For the latest news from the
flotilla, please click here
<http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=cPzbcEXYt\
Kthny3CeVgpDl1U% 2BRUXbR1S> . Â
TAKE ACTION
1. Organize an emergency protest against Israel's attack on the
humanitarian flotilla. Find events near you and post your
event details by clicking here
<http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=Jmspzy9qZ\
SAJFVz19V9zxl1U% 2BRUXbR1S> .
2. Contact the U.S. Mission to the United Nations at 212-415-4062
right away and demand that U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Susan Rice vote to support a UN Security Council resolution
condemning Israel's action and initiating an investigation.
3. Learn more about the deadly impact of U.S. military aid to
Israel and take action to end it by clicking here
<http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=BEnyGf6A6\
OmvyPbi%2FwQ5z11U% 2BRUXbR1S> .
Take Action
1.
<http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=Ay% 2Fu3Da\
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protests near you
<http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=oB5x2P406\
tQ5h3OETxfaz11U% 2BRUXbR1S> .
2. Call the U.S. Mission to the UN at 212-415-4062 and demand it
vote with the Security Council to condemn Israel's action.
3. Learn more about U.S. aid to Israel and how to take action to
end it
<http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=1QDrryKfw\
rDIkv0jjVSjc11U% 2BRUXbR1S> .
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12.
Haaretz - A Special Place in Hell / The Second Gaza War: Israel los
Posted by: "Paul" paulfa at gmail.com fayspf
Mon May 31, 2010 10:24 am (PDT)
Haaretz - 31.05.10
• Published 12:24 31.05.10
• Latest update 12:24 31.05.10
A Special Place in Hell / The Second Gaza War: Israel lost at sea
We are no longer defending Israel. We are now defending the siege, which
is itself becoming Israel's Vietnam.
By Bradley Burston
A war tells a people terrible truths about itself. That is why it is so
difficult to listen.
We were determined to avoid an honest look at the first Gaza war. Now,
in international waters and having opened fire on an international group
of humanitarian aid workers and activists, we are fighting and losing
the second. For Israel, in the end, this Second Gaza War could be far
more costly and painful than the first.
http://www.haaretz. com/blogs/ a-special- place-in- hell/a-special- place-in- hell-the- second-gaza- war-israel- lost-at-sea- 1.293246
In going to war in Gaza in late 2008, Israeli military and political
leaders hoped to teach Hamas a lesson. They succeeded. Hamas learned
that the best way to fight Israel is to let Israel do what it has begun
to do naturally: bluster, blunder, stonewall, and fume.
Hamas, and no less, Iran and Hezbollah, learned early on that Israel's
own embargo against Hamas-ruled Gaza was the most sophisticated and
powerful weapon they could have deployed against the Jewish state.
Here in Israel, we have still yet to learn the lesson: We are no longer
defending Israel. We are now defending the siege. The siege itself is
becoming Israel's Vietnam.
Of course, we knew this could happen. On Sunday, when the army spokesman
began speaking of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in terms of an attack on
Israel, MK Nahman Shai, the IDF chief spokesman during the 1991 Gulf
war, spoke publicly of his worst nightmare, an operation in which
Israeli troops, raiding the flotilla, might open fire on peace
activists, aid workers and Nobel laureates.
Likud MK Miri Regev, who also once headed the IDF Spokesman's Office,
said early Monday that the most important thing now was to deal with the
negative media reports quickly, so they would go away.
But they are not going to go away. One of the ships is named for Rachel
Corrie, killed while trying to bar the way of an IDF bulldozer in Gaza
seven years ago. Her name, and her story, have since become a lightning
rod for pro-Palestinian activism.
Perhaps most ominously, in a stepwise, lemming-like march of folly in
our relations with Ankara, a regional power of crucial importance and
one which, if heeded, could have helped head off the First Gaza War, we
have come dangerously close to effectively declaring a state of war with
Turkey.
"This is going to be a very large incident, certainly with the Turks,"
said Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, the cabinet minister with the most sensitive
sense of Israel's ties with the Muslim world.
We explain, time and again, that we are not at war with the people of
Gaza. We say it time and again because we ourselves need to believe it,
and because, deep down, we do not.
There was a time, when it could be said that we knew ourselves only in
wartime. No longer. Now we know nothing. Yet another problem with
refraining from talks with Hamas and Iran: They know us so much better
than we know ourselves.
They know, as the song about the Lebanon War suggested ("Lo Yachol
La'atzor Et Zeh") that we, unable to see ourselves in any clarity, are
no longer capable of stopping ourselves.
Hamas, as well as Iran, have come to know and benefit from the toxicity
of Israeli domestic politics, which is all too ready to mortgage the
future for the sake of a momentary apparent calm.
They know that in our desperation to protect our own image of ourselves,
we will avoid modifying policies which have literally brought aid and
comfort to our enemies, in particular Hamas, which the siege on Gaza has
enriched through tunnel taxes and entrenched through anger toward Israel.
For many on the right, it must be said, there will be a quiet joy in all
of what is about to hit the fan. "We told you so," the crowing will
begin. "The world hates us, no matter what we do. So we may as well go
on building [Read: 'Settling the West Bank and East Jerusalem'] and
defending our borders [Read: 'Bolster Hamas and ultimately harm
ourselves by refusing to lift the Gaza embargo']."
Hamas, Iran and the Israeli and Diaspora hard right know, as one, that
this is a test of enormous importance for Benjamin Netanyahu. Keen to
have the world focus on Iran and the threat it poses to the people of
Israel, Netanyahu must recognize that the world is now focused on Israel
and the threat it poses to the people of Gaza.
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13.
George Galloway comments on the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotil
Posted by: "Burton Steck" brtn at comcast.net burtonsteck
Mon May 31, 2010 2:41 pm (PDT)
George Galloway comments on the Israeli attack on the Freedom
Flotilla - from Houston
4 minute audio:
http://www.ipadio. com/phlogs/ Gaza_TVNews/ 2010/05/31/ Gaza-TVs- phlog-
George-Galloway- Speaks-Out
http://www.ipadio. com/phlogs/ Gaza_TVNews/
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14.
Mandela's Elders group condemns Israeli attack [5/31/10]
Posted by: "Burton Steck" brtn at comcast.net burtonsteck
Mon May 31, 2010 2:43 pm (PDT)
http://beta. thehindu. com/news/ international/ article442925. ece
May 31, 2010 20:27
Nobel-winning Elders deplore Gaza flotilla attack
In this photo taken on Saturday, former South Africa president Nelson
Mandela is reunited with The Elders, three years after he launched
the group, in Johannesburg. Photo: AP.
The Elders group of past and present world leaders, including former
South African president Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu,
on Monday condemned as “completely inexcusable” the deadly Israeli
attack on a flotilla carrying aid for Gaza.
At least 10 people are reported to have been killed when Israeli
commandos raided the boats on Monday in an operation that has drawn
international condemnation.
“The Elders have condemned the reported killing by Israeli forces of
more than a dozen people who were attempting to deliver relief
supplies to the Gaza Strip by sea,” the 12—member group said in a
statement issued in Johannesburg, where it met over the weekend.
The group, which was launched by Mr. Mandela on his birthday in 2007
to try to solve some of the world’s most intractable conflicts,
called for a “full investigation” of the incident and urged the UN
Security Council “to debate the situation with a view to mandating
action to end the closure of the Gaza Strip.” “This tragic incident
should draw the world’s attention to the terrible suffering of Gaza’s
1.5 million people, half of whom are children under the age of 18,”
the group said.
Israel’s three—year blockade of Gaza was not only “one of the world’s
greatest human rights violations” and “illegal” under international
law, it was also “counterproductive” because it empowered extremists
in the Palestinian territory, they said.
The Elders includes six Nobel peace prize winners — former UN
secretary general Kofi Annan, former Finnish president Martti
Ahtisaari, former US president Jimmy Carter, detained Burmese leader
Aung San Suu Kyi and Mr. Mandela and Tutu.
Norway’s first female Prime Minister Gro Brundtland; former Brazilian
president Fernando Henrique Cardoso; former Irish president and ex—UN
High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson; Mozambican social
activist Graca Machel; Indian women’s rights activist Ela Bhatt; and
Algerian veteran UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi are the other members.
u
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15.
"Israelis and India accused of arming/training Taliban"
Posted by: "Caroline Herzenberg" carol at herzenberg.net cherzenberg
Mon May 31, 2010 2:45 pm (PDT)
An important issue is raised in this email that I am forwarding; as Dave
Trippel indicates, it would be desirable to have further evidence, but the
subject is potentially so important that I think that it should be
presented even in the absence of additional evidence at present.
- Carol
------- Forwarded message -------
From: "David Trippel" <davetrippel@ ameritech. net>
To: neighborsforpeace@ yahoogroups. com, m20all at m20coalition .net
Cc:
Subject: [M20all] Israelis and India accused of arming/training Taliban
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 13:13:24 -0500
Interestng article.
http://www.islamtim es.org/vdcgnu9x. ak93n4j5ra. html
Here's an excerpt. If true, this would be a bombshell if proved and
not censored out of the mainstream. If Obama doesn't know this, he
verges on autism. If he does know, he is clearly as heinous a war
criminal as his severest critics consider him.
------------ -
"As Gordon Duff, senior editor of Veterans Today, revealed in a
recent interview: “We have very little doubt that the Indians and the
Israelis, that are all over Afghanistan with German passports
pretending to be military contractors, are operating 17 camps along
the Taliban regions training and arming terrorists.�
According to Duff, “The Pakistani Taliban is in close cooperation
with, supplied, financed, armed and trained by Israel and India to
attack Pakistan.�
Duff’s claims are based on a February 2010 fact-finding tour of
Pakistan, where he was briefed by the highest levels of the country’s
military and intelligence establishment, including Lieutenant General
Hamid Gul, former director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence
(ISI), Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed Sirohey, former Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, and General Mirza Aslam Beg, former Chief of Army
Staff.
Fearful of offending their Israel-conscious paymasters in Washington,
the Pakistani military and intelligence services have been forced
into the humiliating position of leaking their side of the story
through the Veterans Today website. "
------------ --
Dave
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16.
Fwd: ICAHD-USA condemns Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla [5/31
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 2:46 pm (PDT)
Having trouble viewing this email? Click here
<http://campaign. constantcontact. com/render? v=001wOJ9jnfVkvh uPyB8\
ksn3eWoBXNdU0mHVZ_ 3bKA-ndbRr90FjwS JNTI7ITMWTXhOPiK Km6IfhQWUqUVfa0\
u6h0KlG4BxV8- 1cXhjiNL- M5bMZIrZB5y7yFxg OaTLXzbbsRibBgqw YCws%3D>
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447681211 &s=3410&e= 001YW3805s0_ \
bkAkJ775P7qlUHvsSgk laBmKOQYrWvrrAC2 E4Yd4D1mbsqCKGpE WR62irYMqzd95w\
x73xp1KqP-ZUIAeXMNm nv33xyP4_ YCM44=> May 31, 2010
____________ _________ _________ _________ ___
Israeli soldiers assault passengers on board the Freedom Flotilla
[Israeli soldiers assault passengers on board the Freedom
Flotilla]
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447681211 &s=3410&e= 001YW3805s0_ \
bnjvEZjgKJuqd92LYTR DHeQlLY-OKca5FDP 9nFGgESXxOwuwbC5 epyZXFbMMe_ 0F8\
t6AbIwiqykLQ- R3C3RSdx96_ LQDApA3ts=> ICAHD-USA stands in strong
support of the Freedom Flotilla
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447681211 &s=3410&e= 001YW3805s0_ \
bmilDE0Y-s0ft408lAK VGcMY2kPSv6hiwv7 pI2cQlZA9D- 5mCVHQRmv8QD_ ttW0xw\
Eo1S7pu95Im50oErsgb A65ugpMD7ButLwJH GI6kGKDHg= => , which was
violently attacked overnight as its ships headed for Gaza
carrying thousands of tons of humanitarian relief supplies.
Reports indicate that anywhere from 10 to 20 passengers were
killed and many more injured when Israeli forces stormed the
boats in international waters. This grave breach of
well-established international law in response to an expressly
non-violent effort is the latest in a long list of the Israeli
government's disproportionate use of force leading to violations
of human rights. Israel has not only once again transgressed
international law, but also the bounds of moral law.
We express our heartbreak and sympathy for the families of those
killed and injured.
What more will it take before the U.S. and the international
community truly call Israel to account for its unconscionable
actions towards Palestinians and their supporters? ICAHD-USA
joins with all those around the world demanding that Israel be
held accountable. We particularly look to the U.S. government,
which supports Israel with billions of our tax dollars, to both
rebuke Israel for this most recent abuse of military power and
demand an end to the inhumane blockade on Gaza.
TAKE ACTION
From our friends at the US Campaign to End the Israeli
Occupation:
1. Organize an emergency protest against Israel's attack on
the humanitarian flotilla. Find events near you and post your
event details -
http://gazafreedomm arch.org/ cms/en/flotilla/ protest.aspx
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447681211 &s=3410&e= 001YW3805s0_ \
bnLjbILyRshXMWZUtA6 8JH7hM1P8sFEPc1n iqhfRu_LDtH4qgc6 C0Hj5NWlCbIqav\
l84tKzX1Y-655QPJMR6 3rg95m57109N8bhu u3DH3P22qPEXiTCO VEvvt6fjUUjhp5\
L0W9Q2IpeaBTbiWOq5X iJ80ya843OrZc=>
2. Contact the U.S. Mission to the United Nations at
212-415-4062 right away and demand that U.S. Ambassador to the
United Nations Susan Rice vote to support a UN Security Council
resolution condemning Israel's action and initiating an
investigation.
In addition, you can call / email with the following message (or
create one of your own):
The Israeli military has attacked a humanitarian relief ship
headed to Gaza, killing and injuring many innocent civilians. The
Israeli government continues to breach international law, U.S.
law, and moral law. Enough is enough. I say no more -- no more
of my tax dollars for Israel until the Israeli government ends
the blockade on Gaza, stops settlement expansion, and reaches a
just negotiation that ends the Occupation.
3. US State Department Comment line at 202-647-6575 or its
office of Israeli and Palestinian affairs at 202-647-2268
4. Your member of Congress at 202-224-3121 (live switchboard
will direct you to your Congressperson' s office)
5. The White House opinion line at 202-456-1111, the
switchboard at 202-456-1414, or email
http://www.whitehou se.gov/contact
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447681211 &s=3410&e= 001YW3805s0_ \
bmCn0MPFAjbsriK2h3u i1Ey_7gVam63uxCh LtDEQ14biLJ6E1_ Gmjs9NKYgO0_ _Dc\
PNzVLyiAwO85RxVK0bn B8ApbwLGlB3jNqQt vdAQG60JA7SlgZzB Lnz>
ICAHD-USA
http://icahdusa. org
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17.
Fwd: [Jewish Peace News] Electronic Intifada editorial: Internation
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 2:47 pm (PDT)
This editorial from the Electronic Intifada gives a good summary of what's known so far in regards to the deadly attack inflicted by Israeli forces on the Freedom Flotilla. There is a lot that isn't known, since Israel has not released basic information such as: Names of the dead and injured.
Racheli Gai.
International solidarity and the Freedom Flotilla massacre
Editorial, The Electronic Intifada, 31 May 2010
Early this morning under the cover of darkness Israeli soldiers stormed the lead ship of the six-vessel Freedom Flotilla aid convoy in international waters and killed and injured dozens of civilians aboard. All the ships were violently seized by Israeli forces, but hours after the attack fate of the passengers aboard the other ships remained unknown.
The Mavi Marmara was carrying around 600 activists when Israeli warships flanked it from all sides as soldiers descended from helicopters onto the ship's deck. Reports from people on board the ship backed up by live video feeds broadcast on Turkish TV show that Israeli forces used live ammunition against the civilian passengers, some of whom resisted the attack with sticks and other items.
The Freedom Flotilla was organized by a coalition of groups that sought to break the Israeli-led siege on the Gaza Strip that began in 2007. Together, the flotilla carried 700 civilian activists from around 50 countries and over 10,000 tons of aid including food, medicines, medical equipment, reconstruction materials and equipment, as well as various other necessities arbitrarily banned by Israel.
As of 6:00pm Jerusalem time most media were still reporting that up to 20 people had been killed, and many more injured. However, Israel was still withholding the exact numbers and names of the dead and injured. Passengers aboard the ships who had been posting Twitter updates on the Flotilla's progress had not been heard from since before the attack and efforts to contact passengers by satellite phone were unsuccessful. The Arabic- and English-language networks of Al-Jazeera lost contact with their half dozen staff traveling with the flotilla.
News of the massacre on board the Freedom Flotilla began to emerge around dawn in the eastern Mediterranean first on the live feed from the ship, social media, Turkish television, and Al-Jazeera. Israeli media were placed under strict military censorship, and reported primarily from foreign sources. However, by the morning the Jerusalem Post reported that the Israeli soldiers who boarded the flotilla in international waters were fired upon by passengers. Quoting anonymous military sources, the Jerusalem Post claimed that the flotilla passengers had set-up a "well planned lynch." ("IDF: Soldiers were met by well-planned lynch in boat raid")
The Israeli daily Haaretz also reported that the Israeli soldiers were "attacked" when trying to board the flotilla. ("At least 10 activists killed in Israel Navy clashes onboard Gaza aid flotilla")
This narrative of passengers "attacking" the Israeli soldiers was quickly adopted by the Associated Press and carried across mainstream media sources in the United States, including the Washington Post. ("Israeli army: More than 10 killed on Gaza flotilla")
Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon stated in a Monday morning press conference that the Israeli military was acting in "self-defense. " He claimed that "At least two guns were found" and that the "incident" was still ongoing. Ayalon also claimed that the Flotilla organizers were "well-known" and were supported by and had connections to "international terrorist organizations. "
It is unclear how anyone could credibly adopt an Israeli narrative of "self-defense" when Israel had carried out an unprovoked armed assault on civilian ships in international waters. Surely any right of self-defense would belong to the passengers on the ship. Nevertheless, the Freedom Flotilla organizers had clearly and loudly proclaimed their ships to be unarmed civilian vessels on a humanitarian mission.
The Israeli media strategy appeared to be to maintain censorship of the facts such as the number of dead and injured, the names of the victims and on which ships the injuries occurred, while aggressively putting out its version of events which is based on a dual strategy of implausibly claiming "self-defense" while demonizing the Freedom Flotilla passengers and intimating that they deserved what they got.
As news spread around the world, foreign governments began to react. Greece and Turkey, which had many citizens aboard the Flotilla, immediately recalled their ambassadors from Tel Aviv. Spain strongly condemned the attack. France's foreign minister Bernard Kouchner expressed "profound shock." The European Union's foreign minister Catherine Ashton called for an "enquiry."
What should be clear is this: no one can claim to be surprised by what the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights correctly termed a "hideous crime." Israel had been openly threatening a violent attack on the Flotilla for days, but complacency, complicity and inaction, specifically from Western and Arab governments once more sent the message that Israel could act with total impunity.
There is no doubt that Israel's massacre of 1,400 people, mostly civilians, in Gaza in December 2008/January 2009 was a wake up call for international civil society to begin to adopt boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel similar to those applied to apartheid-era South Africa.
Yet governments largely have remained complacent and complicit in Israel's ongoing violence and oppression against Palestinians and increasingly international humanitarian workers and solidarity activists, not only in Gaza, but throughout historic Palestine. We can only imagine that had former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni indeed been arrested for war crimes in Gaza when a judge in London issued a warrant for her arrest, had the international community begun to implement the recommendations of the UN-commissioned Goldstone Report, had there been a much firmer response to Israel's assassination of a Hamas official in Dubai, it would not have dared to act with such brazenness.
As protest and solidarity actions begin in Palestine and across the world, this is the message they must carry: enough impunity, enough complicity, enough Israeli massacres and apartheid. Justice now.
Latest articles on EI:
Palestine : Activism News: Gazans unite in call for solidarity with Freedom Flotilla (31 May 2010)
Palestine : Opinion/Editorial: International solidarity and the Freedom Flotilla massacre(31 May 2010)
Palestine : Action Items: Action alert: Call your governments, demonstrate support for Freedom Flotilla (31 May 2010)
Palestine : Human Rights: Rights org condemns "hideous" attack on Freedom Flotilla (31 May 2010)
Palestine : Opinion/Editorial: The Gaza flotilla and the ironies of history (30 May 2010)
Palestine : Opinion/Editorial: Freedom Flotilla exposes international community's failure(28 May 2010)
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Jewish Peace News editors:
Joel Beinin
Racheli Gai
Rela Mazali
Sarah Anne Minkin
Judith Norman
Lincoln Z. Shlensky
Rebecca Vilkomerson
Alistair Welchman
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Jewish Peace News archive and blog: http://jewishpeacen ews.blogspot. com
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18.
Fw: [IJAN] Free Gaza! Respect International Waters!
Posted by: "Louis Hirsch" louishirsch1 at sbcglobal.net louishirsch1 at sbcglobal.net
Mon May 31, 2010 3:01 pm (PDT)
Click to view this email in a browser
2010 US Assembly of Jews: Confronting Racism & Israeli Apartheid
Free Gaza! Respect International Waters!
The International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN) strongly condemns Israel's barbarous early-morning raid, carried out in international waters, on a maritime humanitarian convoy, during which Israeli soldiers attacked with live ammunition peaceful civilians on board, murdering at least fifteen according to the Israeli army, perhaps many more, and wounding scores.
We are humbled and inspired by the commitment and the sacrifice of the people on board these ships. One of the boats in the convoy was named after Rachel Corrie, murdered by an Israeli bulldozer driver while obstructing the demolition of a Palestinian house in Rafah seven years ago. This boat reminds us all that the courage and perseverance of the ships sailing to Gaza follows in an international tradition of total civic engagement and ethical commitment that echoes and responds to the perseverance and courage of a century of Palestinian resistance to ethnic cleansingand colonialism.
This attack on ships carrying 10 tons of humanitarian aid, including educational supplies, medical supplies and construction material, is international high seas piracy. We call on all governments to end Israel's impunity, enforce international law and hold Israel accountable for its recurrent violations. Furthermore, this act of piracy was carried out in pursuit of maintaining a siege on Gaza, imposed by Israel with participation of the Egyptian government and US backing, a siege that is itself a crime against humanity. This criminal siege is deepening a terrible humanitarian crisis, with mass unemployment, extreme poverty and food insecurity affecting over a million and a half people, most of whom are refugees from the ethnic cleansing of Palestine in 1948, who are now locked in the world's largest concentration camp. Palestinians in Gaza are prevented from rebuilding their houses destroyed by Israel in the massacre of 2009, and forbidden to import
stuff such as toys and chocolate as punishment for having democratically elected a government that refused to collaborate with the occupation.
As the occupying power, Israel should be held accountable for its gross violations of the human rights of Palestinian in Gaza. All states have an obligation to do all they can to enforce international law and punish its gross and recurrent violations, as detailed in the Goldstone report as well as reported by many human rights organizations and international agencies.
As Israeli authorities issue conflicting reports regarding the number of victims during the raid, we call on Israel to immediately allow international and independent access to the wounded and to the bodies of the martyrs, release the abductees and let the ships sail unmolested to Gaza.
We call attention to the islamophobic media portrayal of this civil engagement as a conflict between Israel and Islam. It is a conflict between Israel and a worldwide, diverse, and united solidarity movement that include people of all faiths, standing up together peacefully against violent repression. There were 750 people of conscience from 40 different countries, including 35 politicians, on board.
We call on the states whose ships were attacked, and especially on Turkey, to react in a way that addresses the gravity of Israel's actions, going beyond the verbal rebukes dispensed on the occasion of previous outrages. Despite heated rhetoric, trade between Israel and Turkey grew 27% year over year in the first trimester of 2010. We call on Turkey to break diplomatic relations, suspend all trade and fully cut military ties with the apartheid state of Israel.
We call on Switzerland to convene, as is its obligation, the high contracting parties of the Fourth Geneva Convention to discuss Israel's recurrent violations of international law and to hold it accountable. Let the world not be silent yet again in the face of a people abandoned.
Most importantly, we call on civil society everywhere, and on ourselves, to redouble our efforts to break the siege of Gaza, intensify our BDS campaigns, stand in solidarity and perseverance with Palestinian resistance, hold Israel accountable for its recurrent transgressions, and end the occupation, colonization and apartheid in Palestine.
We also call on Jews to recognize in this violent and deadly raid a piece of a larger and unmistakable pattern of unbridled violence, punitive repression and gratuitous meanness, self-isolation and hatred that reveal Zionism's historical direction. Constrained by the inescapable implications of its colonial logic, Zionism is not a revival of Jewish life, but a self-fulfilling prophecy of self-destruction. As Israeli officials place more value today on preventing the disabled in Gaza from having wheelchairs than on the welfare of their own citizens, we urge you to see that there is no future to Zionism but its progressive descent into ever more senseless brutalization and violence.
International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network
Canada :: Europe :: India :: Israel :: Latin America :: Morocco :: United Kingdom :: United States
ijan at ijsn.net :: www.ijsn.net
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19.
Belén Fernández – International activists cause their own
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 3:03 pm (PDT)
Belén Fernández – International activists cause their own deaths by attacking nonconfrontational Israeli commandos
Palestine Think Tank: Free Minds for a Free Palestine
May 31st, 2010 at 12:49
At a press briefing this morning following the massacre by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) commandos of passengers on board the Mavi Marmara, one of the boats pertaining to the Freedom Flotilla attempting to break the siege of Gaza, IDF spokeswoman Avital Liebovitch claimed that the passengers had engaged in “severe violence against our soldiers.”
According to Liebovitch, the violence was premeditated and was administered via live fire, sharp items such as knives, and weapons “grabbed” from the IDF commandos. While underscoring Israel’s unique ability to portray its armed forces as victims, the analysis failed to provide a compelling reason for why—if the alleged attack using grabbed weapons was indeed premeditated— the IDF did not throw a wrench in the works by simply refraining from raiding the ship.
Apparently not satisfied with sporadic violations of logic, Liebovitch reiterated that the IDF had not desired a confrontation with the activists but that the justness of the confrontation— which she herself admitted occurred “not in Israeli territory”—had since been proven given the passengers’ alleged reaction. The Israeli tendency to award retroactive justification to its actions was also evident during the 2008-2009 attack on Gaza, which Israel advertised as a defensive war against Palestinian rockets by severing the portion of the cause-and-effect timeline that involved deliberate Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The inversion of aggressor and victim did not of course prevent Gazan civilians from perishing in this particular confrontation at a rate of approximately 400:1 vis-à-vis their Israeli counterparts.
As for the inversion of aggressor and victim aboard the Mavi Marmara, a communiqué on the website of the Israeli Foreign Ministry this morning confirmed that pre-planned “life-threatening and violent activity” against the IDF commandos could have been averted had the humanitarian vessels heeded the invitation of the Israeli Navy to dock at Ashdod, “where they would be able to unload their aid material which would then be transferred over land [to Gaza] after undergoing security inspections.” Such charitable offers regarding the fate of 10,000 tons of international aid have yet to be reconciled with the continuing Israel denial that there is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, or with the fact that pencils and laundry detergent have not in recent Gazan history been eligible for overland transfer. The naval invitation to Ashdod has meanwhile been called into question by Liebovitch’s declaration this morning that the purpose of the confrontation on
the Mavi Marmara was simply to prevent the passengers’ entrance to Israel.
Other finishing touches to Liebovitch’s post-massacre performance include her announcement that it was fortunate that the commandos participating in the raid “had those guns” to defend themselves during the attack, despite her earlier claim that said weaponry had been a critical feature of the premeditated violence. We can only assume that the same sort of fortune is awaiting the IDF in the event that it is forced into another confrontation with Gazan civilians, whose fabricated humanitarian crisis is of course the root cause of the plot by international activists to attack Israeli soldiers.
also here: wp-content/uploads/ 2010/05/liebovit z-thumb.jpg
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http://palestinethi nktank.com/ 2010/05/31/ belen-fernandez- international- activists- cause-their- own-deaths- by-attacking- nonconfrontation al-israeli- commandos/ ?utm_source= feedburner& utm_medium= feed&utm_ campaign= Feed%3A+palestin e-think-tank+ %28Palestine+ Think+Tank% 29
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20.
Link to live stream of coverage from Al Jazeera English
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 3:12 pm (PDT)
http://english. aljazeera. net/watch_ now/
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21.
: [MewNews] Digest Number 4355
Posted by: "Paul" paulfa at gmail.com fayspf
Mon May 31, 2010 3:33 pm (PDT)
There are 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1a. Gulf News Israeli warships storm Freedom Flotilla
From: Paul
2. Gulf News International reaction to Israel's naval attack
From: Paul
3. Gulf News Five Al Jazeera anchorwomen resign
From: Paul
4. Gulf News Lawyers call for revision of Kuwait divorce laws
From: Paul
5. Gulf News Non-proliferation efforts marred by double standards
From: Paul
6. bbc More cosmetic surgery in Iraq after drop in violence
From: moiz esufally
7. bbc Iran narrowly wins UN nuclear battle
From: moiz esufally
8. bbc UN talks back conference on nuclear-free Middle East
From: moiz esufally
9. bbc West Bank rabbi bans women from local election
From: moiz esufally
10. bbc Libya welcomes return of ancient relics from Britain
From: moiz esufally
11. bbc Egypt jails government officials over Cairo rockslide
From: moiz esufally
12. bbc Iraqi Airways to be closed following bankruptcy
From: moiz esufally
13. bbc Israel bombs Gaza in night raid wounding two seriously
From: moiz esufally
14. Haaretz - Israel tows Gaza aid ships to Ashdod after 10 activists k
From: Paul
15. Haaretz - Barak: Organizers of Gaza flotilla to blame for deadly cl
From: Paul
16. bbc Deaths as Israeli forces storm Gaza aid ship
From: moiz esufally
17a. bbc Turkey rocket attack 'kills six' at naval base
From: moiz esufally
18. bbc Egypt: Lost ancient Memphis tomb rediscovered
From: moiz esufally
19. bbc Libya plane crash 'not technical fault'
From: moiz esufally
20a. bbc West Bank road partially opened to Palestinian traffic
From: moiz esufally
21. bbc Israel rejects Middle East nuclear talks plan
From: moiz esufally
22. bbc Six die in Gaza tunnel explosion
From: moiz esufally
23. Haaretz - Pagan altar unearthed at Ashkelon hospital construction s
From: Paul
24. Haaretz -Israeli forces on high alert, bracing for more protests ov
From: Paul
25. bbc Iraq inquiry: Bremer says UK backed post-war plan
From: moiz esufally
Messages
____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
1a. Gulf News Israeli warships storm Freedom Flotilla
Posted by: "Paul" pf1 at skynet.be fayspf
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 8:57 am ((PDT))
Gulf News May 31 2010
Israeli warships storm Freedom Flotilla
European Union demands "full inquiry" into the killing of at least 16
people in an Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound ship with pro-Palestinian
activists onboard, including a Gulf News reporter
• Gulf News Report
• live coveragePublished: 12:40 May 31, 2010
http://gulfnews. com/news/ region/palestini an-territories/ israeli-warships -storm-freedom- flotilla- 1.634798
Gaza: An international uproar emerged while the death toll rose in an
attack on the Freedom Flotilla after Israeli commandos stormed at least
one ship loaded with pro-Palestinian activists bound for Gaza, according
to media reports on Monday.
Al Jazeera TV reported that at least 16 people had been killed in
clashes. Media reports earlier put the death toll at 14. Al Jazeera TV
and CNN Turk TV reported that at least 30 others injured in the attack.
Watch Al Jazeera TV's video report:
Arab League chief Amr Moussa called the raid a "crime" against a
humanitarian mission and said the organisation is "conducting calls to
Arabs to decide on our next step".
The European Union demanded a "full inquiry" into the attack, while
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas announced three days of mourning.
Abbas condemned what he called "a massacre".
The Israeli attack sparked a strong reaction in Gaza, where people
prepared for a huge demonstration in the main squares, witnesses told
Gulf News.
Gazans were also seen sailing out in their fishing boats when they heard
the news of the attack.
In Bahrain, Islamist societies and families waited for news about four
Bahrainis who were on board one of the Gaza aid ships.
Calls have been made to Bahrain's embassies in Cairo and Jordan, UN
agencies and Palestinian officials to find out about the whereabouts and
conditions of Shaikh Jalal Al Sharqi, Khalid Abdul Kareem Bujeeri,
Hassan Murad and Yusuf Mahmood. However, no news were available.
Read international reaction to the attack
Israeli security forces were put on high alert to handle any on high
"possible disturbances" among the country's Arab Israeli population in
the wake of the naval raid, a police spokesman said.
Israel's Army Radio said the clashes broke out after the passengers
allegedly tried to grab weapons off the naval commandos who tried to
storm one of the boats.
Israel radio said at least one vessel was boarded by Israeli troops
backed with helicopters. An unnamed Arab journalist traveling with the
flotilla reported that shooting was taking place. Hamas-run TV showed
pictures of the wounded.
Gaza's Al Aqsa television also showed footage of black-clad Israeli
commandos descending from helicopters and clashing with activists.
Israeli TV 10 reported that Israeli marine commandos opened fire after
being attacked with axes and knives by a number of the passengers on
board the aid ships.
The Israeli military denied that its forces attacked the boats but said
they would enforce the decision to keep them away from Gaza.
The head of the Hamas, Esmail Haniya, condemned the "brutal" Israeli
attack, adding: "We call on the Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Ban Ki-moon, to shoulder his responsibilities to protect the safety of
the solidarity groups who were on board these ships and to secure their
way to Gaza."
Blog: Sailing to Gaza on the Freedom Flotilla
Earlier, three Israeli missile boats left their naval base in the
northern coastal city of Haifa on a mission to intercept the Freedom
Flotilla, reporters on board one of the vessels told Gulf News before
being told to turn off their phones.
Gulf News reporter Abbas Al Lawati was on board the Mavi Marmara, which
was attacked by Israeli forces. He lost contact with the Gulf News
office when the Israelis blocked communication but had been blogging and
sending live updates up to that point. Follow Al Lawati on twitter
(@allawati
Emergency teams were distributing life jackets to people onboard the
Gaza aid ships. Some passengers were seen wearing gas masks and sirens
were heard before communication systems were jammed, making it difficult
to reach anyone onboard.
Al Jazeera reported by telephone from the Turkish ship leading the
flotilla that Israeli navy forces fired at the ship and boarded it,
wounding the captain. The Turkish NTV network also reported an Israeli
takeover with gunfire, and at least two people were killed.
The Al Jazeera broadcast ended with a voice shouting in Hebrew,
"Everybody shut up!"
Read special coverage of Gaza aid mission
A Turkish website showed video of pandemonium on board one of the ships,
with activists in orange life jackets running around as some tried to
help an activist apparently unconscious on the deck. The site also
showed video of an Israeli helicopter flying overhead and Israeli
warships nearby.
Map: Freedom Flotilla's journey
International reaction
Turkey warned that the attack could lead to "irreparable consequences"
in bilateral ties.
A statement from the foreign ministry said: "We strongly condemn these
inhumane practices of Israel. This deplorable incident, which took place
in open seas and constitutes a fragrant breach of international law, may
lead to irreparable consequences in our bilateral relations."
In Istanbul, Turkish police blocked dozens of stone-throwing protesters
who tried to storm the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul over reports of the
Israeli attack. Rising tension in the country forced Israel to call on
its citizens to leave the country, Al Arabiya TV reported.
Hamas urged Arabs and Muslims to "rise up" in front of Israeli embassies
across the globe in protest against Israel's deadly raid on a fleet of
aid ships destined for the Gaza Strip.
An Israeli cabinet minister voiced regret for deaths aboard the Gaza aid
ships, the first official acknowledgement that the incident had turned
fatal.
"The images are certainly not pleasant. I can only voice regret at all
the fatalities," Trade and Industry Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer told
Israel's Army Radio.
Hamas urged Arabs and Muslims to "rise up" in front of Israeli embassies
across the globe in protest against Israel's deadly raid on a fleet of
aid ships destined for the Gaza Strip.
In Gaza, anti-siege activists called on the international community to
ensure the protection of the "Freedom Flotilla" which had been aiming to
arrive on Saturday but was repeatedly delayed.
Israeli military zone extended
Israel has extended the military zone it has designated off Gaza from 20
nautical miles to 68 miles, one of the organisers of the Freedom
Flotilla said Sunday.
Professor Norman Baech, a German international law expert and former
member of the German parliament who is on the Mavi Marmara, said that
states that feel threatened often extend naval military zones up to 68
miles beyond their coasts.
Israel's jurisdiction over Gaza's territorial waters are however
disputed. Gaza is considered occupied by the international community but
not by Israel, which does now allow Israel to justify its practices
under its own laws.
It is believed that the military zone has been extended to pursue the
flotilla in international waters, and away from the coast of Gaza. While
Israel has in the past pursued such aid boats in international waters in
the past, the move could be an attempt to have a legal cover.
The flotilla consists of six vessels that are attempting to deliver
humanitarian aid to Gaza in defiance of Israel's naval blockade of the
territory.
Beach said that such moves are only justifiable if states feel
threatened. "We are no threat to Israel. We are only carrying
humanitarian aid".
Watch a livestream of the flotilla:
The Mavi Marmara, the largest passenger ship in the flotilla is carrying
more than 550 passengers including two German members of the Bundestag,
the parliament, and one Swedish member of parliament, who were
transferred to the ship from the Challenger I.
The Challenger I was barred by the authorities in south Cyprus from
leaving its ports to join the flotilla. Only after the intervention of
the German and Turkish government were its passengers allowed to exit
from the Turkish controlled North Cyprus.
With inputs from Habib Toumi, Bahrain Bureau Chief; Abbas Al Lawati,
Staff Reporter; Nasser Najjar, Correspondent, and agencies. Follow our
Gulf News reporter on twitter.com/ allawati as he reports on board a ship
on the Freedom Flotilla.
Messages in this topic (2)
____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
2. Gulf News International reaction to Israel's naval attack
Posted by: "Paul" pf1 at skynet.be fayspf
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:00 am ((PDT))
Gulf News May 31 2010
International reaction to Israel's naval attack
Israeli attack on Gaza-bound aid ship sparks reactions from countries in
the region and the world
• Gulf News Report
• Published: 12:53 May 31, 2010
http://gulfnews. com/news/ world/other- world/internatio nal-reaction- to-israel- s-naval-attack- 1.634850
Dubai: The Israeli attack on a Gaza aid boat on Monday sparked a global
reaction, with the European Union calling for an inquiry into the attack
and the Arab League calling on Arab nations to decide on their next step.
The European Union also urged Israel to allow the free flow of
humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
“High Representative Catherine Ashton expresses her deep regret at the
news of loss of life and violence and extends her sympathies to families
of the dead and wounded,” said a spokesperson for Ashton, the EU’s
foreign policy chief.
"On behalf of the European Union she demands a full enquiry about the
circumstances in which this happened... She calls for an immediate,
sustained and unconditional opening of the crossing for the flow of
humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza."
Arab League
Arab League chief Amr Moussa called the raid a "crime" against a
humanitarian mission and said the organisation is "conducting calls to
Arabs to decide on our next step".
Bahrain
Islamist societies and families waited for news about four Bahrainis who
were on board one of the Gaza aid ships.
Calls have been made to Bahrain's embassies in Cairo and Jordan, UN
agencies and Palestinian officials to find out about the whereabouts and
conditions of Shaikh Jalal Al Sharqi, Khalid Abdul Kareem Bujeeri,
Hassan Murad and Yusuf Mahmood. However, no news were available.
Gaza
In Gaza, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas announced three days of
mourning. Abbas condemned what he called "a massacre".
Gazans have also gathered in the city centre to conduct a huge
demonstration.
Hamas urged Arabs and Muslims to "rise up" in front of Israeli embassies
across the globe in protest against Israel's deadly raid on a fleet of
aid ships destined for the Gaza Strip.
Iran
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denounced Israel's deadly attack
on a Gaza aid ship as "inhuman," saying it brought Tehran's arch-foe
"closer than ever to its end."
Lebanon
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Monday slammed as "dangerous and
crazy" a deadly Israeli raid on a fleet of ships carrying aid to Gaza.
"The Israeli attack on the aid convoy is a dangerous and crazy step that
will exacerbate tensions in the region," Hariri said in a statement.
"Lebanon firmly denounces this attack and calls on the international
community, notably major powers... to take action in order to end this
continued violation of human rights and threat to international peace,"
he added.
Kuwait
Kuwait's prime minister called for an emergency meeting over the Gaza
aid ship attack.
Islamist MP Waleed Al Tabtabai was among 16 Kuwaiti nationals on board
one of the six ships carrying aid destined for Palestinians in Gaza
Strip, which has been under Israeli siege for four years.
Parliament speaker Jassem Al Khorafi condemned what he called the
"heinous Israeli crime against the freedom convoy which was on a
peaceful and humanitarian mission of solidarity with the population of
Gaza."
France
France said that "nothing can justify" the violence of Israel's Gaza
ship raid.
Germany
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said he was "deeply concerned"
about the killing of more than 10 people when Israeli forces stormed a
boat carrying aid and activists to the Gaza Strip.
"The foreign ministry is now working to establish the full facts of what
happened," a foreign ministry spokesman said.
Greece
The Greek government summoned the Israeli ambassador and withdrew from
joint military exercises with Israel after the deadly raid on an aid
convoy headed for the Gaza Strip.
The foreign ministry said in a statement it had demanded details on
about 30 Greeks who were on the flotilla attacked by Israeli commandos.
The ministry "stressed the need to take the necessary measures to ensure
their security." Israel's ambassador Ali Yahya was called in for talks
with Greek deputy foreign minister Dimitris Droutsas.
"Greece's consistent position is that the activities of any
non-government organisation must be freely allowed as long as they are
legal," said the ministry statement.
Spain
Spain, which holds the rotating EU presidency, summoned Israel's
ambassador on Monday for an explanation for a deadly raid on an aid ship
flotilla bound for Gaza, the foreign ministry said.
Sweden
Sweden summoned the Israeli ambassador to Stockholm over the
"unacceptable" Gaza flotilla raid, the foreign ministry said.
"I summoned the Israeli ambassador this morning to tell him that we
thought the raid was completely unacceptable and that we are taking the
situation very seriously," State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Frank
Belfrage told reporters.
Turkey
In Turkey, the government warned that the attack could lead to
"irreparable consequences" in bilateral ties.
A statement from the foreign ministry said: "We strongly condemn these
inhumane practices of Israel. This deplorable incident, which took place
in open seas and constitutes a fragrant breach of international law, may
lead to irreparable consequences in our bilateral relations."
In Istanbul, Turkish police blocked dozens of stone-throwing protesters
who tried to storm the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul over reports of the
Israeli attack.
Israel has asked citizens to leave Turkey amid rising tensions in the
country, Al Arabiya TV reported.
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3. Gulf News Five Al Jazeera anchorwomen resign
Posted by: "Paul" pf1 at skynet.be fayspf
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:02 am ((PDT))
Gulf News May 31 2010
Five Al Jazeera anchorwomen resign
Investigation committee formed to look into the unprecedented mass
resignations.
• By Habib Toumi, Bahrain Bureau Chief
• Published: 18:10 May 30, 2010
http://gulfnews. com/news/ gulf/bahrain/ five-al-jazeera- anchorwomen- resign-1. 634564
Manama: Five female presenters at Al Jazeera satellite channel have
resigned over conflicts with management over “delicate issue”, including
their looks and dresses.
Jumana Nammour (Lebanon), Luna Al Shibl (Syria), Lina Zahr Al Deen
(Lebanon), Jullinar Mousa (Lebanon) and Nawfar Afli (Tunisia) were among
a group of eight women working for the Doha-based pan-Arab channel who
had filed a complaint to protest against “repeated offensive public
remarks” by an official from Al Jazeera about “clothes and decency.”
The other three female presenters, Khadija Bin Qenna (Algeria), Laila Al
Shaikhli and Eman Bannoura did not hand in their resignations, Saudi
paper Al Hayat reported on Sunday.
Sources that the paper did not name said that Al Jazeera formed an
investigation committee to look into the unprecedented mass resignations.
The panel, chaired by Khalid Abudullah Al Mulla, concluded that Al
Jazeera had legal rights over the looks and appearances of its
presenters and that the channel was entitled to “set conditions and
criteria for its employeesÂ’ physical aspects in line with the spirit,
values and images it wants to disseminate,” Al Hayat said.
The probe committee dismissed the harassment complaint levelled against
Ayman Jaballah, the deputy editor-in-chief, saying that his attitudes
and behaviour were within his prerogatives and that he did not make any
remarks that could harm the presentersÂ’ reputation. His observations
were not personal and were purely professional and related to the
general appearance of the presenters, the panel said.
A similar complaint about the behaviour of the head of the make-up
section was also dismissed.
“Arguments with the head of the make-up section were the result of
different professional approaches and linguistic and cultural
differences,” the committee said. However, it called for the drafting of
a guidebook stating the presentersÂ’ looks and clothes and recommended
the appointment of a clothing adviser to offer expertise.
The panel said that all remarks on the presentersÂ’ looks and clothes
should be given in writing to avoid embarrassment.
Al Jazeera, established in 1996 as a news channel modelled after the
BBC, quickly became the most popular media in the Arab world, mainly
thanks to its talk shows, live reporting and analyses. It has often
incurred the anger of Arab countries and was singularly targeted by the
Bush administration
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4. Gulf News Lawyers call for revision of Kuwait divorce laws
Posted by: "Paul" pf1 at skynet.be fayspf
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:06 am ((PDT))
Gulf News May 31 2010
Lawyers call for revision of Kuwait divorce laws
Lawyers and sociologists in Kuwait want divorce laws rewritten after
high divorce statistics
• By Habib Toumi, Bahrain Bureau Chief
•
• Published: 12:46 May 30, 2010
•
http://gulfnews. com/news/ gulf/kuwait/ lawyers-call- for-revision- of-kuwait- divorce-laws- 1.634401
Manama: Lawyers and sociologists in Kuwait have called for rewriting the
divorce laws after official figures indicated that 42 per cent of
marriages ended in separations in 2009.
"There are many reasons for the alarming increase in divorce rates, but
the Kuwaiti law is also to blame," lawyers said. "Under the law, a
divorcee gets a salary, a house, a car and a maid and at the same time,
she is free of all marriage commitments, " Kuwaiti newspaper Al Seyassah
quoted the lawyers as saying.
Laws and legal texts that do not place family bonds and cohesion at the
top of the priorities should be amended as they are often the direct or
indirect causes of high divorce rates, the lawyers said.
"The phenomenon is widespread mainly among newly-married couples, which
denotes that they were not ready for marriage. Their lack of experience
and their inability to appreciate the commitments and responsibilities
associated with the marriage are the main cause of this phenomenon," the
lawyers said.
The justice ministry said that it recorded 5,965 divorce cases in 2009
for 14,155 marriages. "This gives us a divorce rate of 42 per cent, one
of the highest in the world," the ministry said.
Sociologists said that the high occurrence meant a whole generation
would not grow up in the stability and security provided by an intact
two-parent family.
"Children are the main victims of such a divorce rate. They are made to
pay high prices for their parents' faults and this should not be the
case. Parents may re-marry and start new lives, but the children have
already been deeply affected," they said.
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5. Gulf News Non-proliferation efforts marred by double standards
Posted by: "Paul" pf1 at skynet.be fayspf
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:09 am ((PDT))
Gulf News May 31 2010
Non-proliferation efforts marred by double standards
The NPT review meet has had some success, but it is likely to
remain seriously flawed unless it produces concrete results
* By Adel Safty, Special to Gulf News
* Published: 00:00 May 31, 2010
Image Credit: Illustration: Danesh Mohiudd in/©Gulf News
http://gulfnews. com/opinions/ columnists/ non-proliferatio n-efforts\
-marred-by-double- standards- 1.634592
<http://gulfnews. com/opinions/ columnists/ non-proliferatio n-effort\
s-marred-by- double-standards -1.634592>
The last few weeks, Israel and Iran dominated high-level, intense
diplomatic activities in New York and Washington. The UN Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference ended with a
declaration in which 189 countries reaffirmed their commitment to
eliminating all nuclear weapons.
However, this is once again more of a rhetorical commitment than
a roadmap of concrete and practical steps of how to achieve the
goal of eliminating all nuclear weapons. Moreover, the nuclear
weapons states successfully opposed the imposition of a deadline
for achieving total nuclear disarmament. They also refused any
reference to any legally binding commitment on not using nuclear
weapons against non-nuclear weapons states. The major
achievements of the conference seem to be the setting for the
first time of a deadline (2012) for the holding of a conference
to discuss the proposal of making the Middle East a nuclear
weapons-free zone.
Another novelty is the call to Israel, Pakistan and India to join
the treaty — an unlikely prospect if membership of the
treaty entails their renouncing their nuclear status. On the
other hand, the nuclear weapons states successfully strengthened
the language imposing an obligation on the non-nuclear weapons
states to keep their nuclear programmes open to international
inspection and to suffer the consequences if they failed to do so
— a development likely to affect the current standoff
between the West and Iran over the latter's nuclear programme.
In short, if in 40 years these are the major accomplishments of
the NPT, then it is fair to say that the major goal of total
nuclear disarmament and the novel goal of making the Middle East
a nuclear weapons-free zone will remain distant prospects.
Parallel to the negotiations at the NPT review conference in New
York, a set of other negotiations was quietly but dramatically
challenging the balance of power in place since 1945. Two
emerging powers — Brazil and Turkey were successfully
negotiating a new nuclear agreement with Iran to end the standoff
between the West and Iran over the latter's nuclear programme.
The agreement is basically a new version of the agreement Iran
had reached with the West last year, but was never implemented;
that is to say Iran agreed to stockpile its low-enriched uranium
abroad (in this case in Turkey) in return for specially packed
fuel for its medical reactors. Further, the Brazil-Turkey
sponsored agreement acknowledges Iran's right to enrich uranium
while committing Iran to accepting regular inspections of its
nuclear programme.
But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the successful
Brazilian-Turkish initiative is that it was carried out in spite
of the intriguing absence of support from Washington and the
European Union. It is fair to ask why Washington reacted
patronisingly to the Brazilian-Turkish initiative and why the
failure to embrace the Iranian concession and, instead, press
ahead with sanctions.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated that Washington was
pressing ahead with sanctions and explained that the timing of
the sanctions was Washington's response to the Iran-Brazil- Turkey
agreement: "This announcement is as convincing an answer," she
declared, "to the efforts undertaken in Tehran over the last few
days as any we could provide." This tough position is likely the
result of pressure from Israel and seems eerily reminiscent of
the propaganda campaign designed to prepare public opinion for
the war against Iraq.
Even the corporate media's contributions to the propaganda
campaign, including the dissemination of disinformation about the
alleged existence in Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, finds
parallels in the present standoff between Iran and Washington.
Both the Washington Post and The New York Times belittled the
value of the Brazilian-Turkish initiative and applauded
Washington's tough position.
An editorial in The New York Times dismissed the Iranian
concession and questioned the value of the agreement: "Brazil and
Turkey … are eager to avoid a conflict with Iran. We
respect those desires. But like pretty much everyone else, they
got played by Tehran." Yet another piece of evidence of Israel's
possession of nuclear weapons recently came to the fore. British
newspaper The Guardian revealed the existence of secret South
African documents revealing that Israel offered to sell nuclear
weapons to apartheid South Africa.
The picture that emerges is still one of double standards
— a perennial complaint addressed to the nuclear weapons
states. On the one hand, Israel is unquestionably a nuclear power
and remains so for the foreseeable future beyond the
accountability of the NPT. On the other hand, Iran is a signatory
to the NPT and has just provided evidence of readiness for
cooperation, but continues to be the object of unnecessarily
tough treatment. The NPT review conference may have achieved some
success, especially by comparison to the disarray that
characterised the previous review conference, but it is likely to
remain seriously flawed unless it produces concrete results and
remedies the issue of double standards.
Adel Safty is Distinguished Professor Adjunct at the Siberian
Academy of Public Administration, Russia. His new book, Might
Over Right, is endorsed by Noam Chomsky, and published in England
by Garnet, 2009
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6. bbc More cosmetic surgery in Iraq after drop in violence
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:15 am ((PDT))
More cosmetic surgery in Iraq after drop in violence
Page last updated at 14:30 GMT, Monday, 31 May 2010 15:30 UK
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10198222. stm
By Jim Muir BBC News, Baghdad [image: Dr Abbas al-Sihn (l) examines a
prospective patient] Dr Abbas al-Sihn has seen the demand for cosmetic
surgery increase since violence has dropped
Over the years of upheavals in Iraq, plastic surgeons have gained huge
experience and skills in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery to help
rehabilitate many thousands of people wounded by bombs or bullets.
But now that general levels of violence have dropped sharply, they are
facing a huge upsurge in demand for more conventional forms of cosmetic
surgery.
Every day, the clinic of Dr Abbas al-Sihn in the relatively prosperous
suburb of Mansour is besieged by scores of patients eagerly waiting their
turn to apply for elective aesthetic procedures which they hope will improve
their looks and perhaps their lives.
Dr Sihn says that demand has risen by about 50% over the past year alone.
By far the most popular operation is rhinoplasty - reshaping the nose. He
has performed around 1,400 such operations in recent years.
"I'm currently doing about 50 operations a week, but that number will go up
sharply in the summer, when students are on holiday," he said.
War injuries
His clinic is crowded with men and women, old and young, and even children.
[image: Dr al-Sihn operates on Haifa Shahin] Operations are done on war
injuries, but cosmetic surgery is on the rise
Some have congenital deformities or war injuries. But many here are simply
seeking to improve their looks.
Sara Mohammad, 24, is one of the hundreds of young women whose noses Dr Sihn
has remodelled.
She had the operation a month ago, and has come back just for a check-up.
"I'm happy because my look is better than before, and I feel better about
myself," she says. "When I see myself in the mirror, I smile."
Sara broke her nose when she was young, and had to wait till she was over 18
to have corrective surgery.
Magazine girls
But many others going in for the operation have nothing noticeably "wrong"
with their noses.
[image: Haifa Shain after her operation] An operation could be the
route to
a quicker marriage, people say
"Especially the females, teenagers, they want to be like in the movies, like
magazine girls," says Dr Sihn.
"The majority of girls think when they are getting surgery for the nose, for
the face or for the eyes, that they will become more attractive and get
married earlier."
He puts the sharp upsurge in demand for cosmetic surgery down to a
combination of factors.
The improved security situation is clearly basic, accompanied by a bettering
of economic conditions.
"When there's peace, there's life - because of peace, they want to live
more," says Dr Sihn.
"From magazines, television and the internet, there's also much more
information available about cosmetic surgery now, so they know it only takes
half an hour, is not too expensive, and recovery time is a week to 10 days."
Take the plunge
For a typical nose job, involving internal intervention to straighten
cartilage and external beautification (septoplasty and rhinoplasty) the
charge is around $700.
[image: Haifa Shahin before (l) and after (r)] Haifa says she is a lot
happier since her operation
At the hospital where Dr Sihn performs his operations, I met Haifa Shahin, a
38-year-old librarian, as she nervously awaited her turn on the operating
table for exactly that procedure..
She had been thinking about straightening her nose for the past two years,
and finally decided to take the plunge - with some trepidation.
"When the doctor called me and told me to come in, my heart started thumping
and I was shaking all over - I hate hospitals and operations," she said.
A general anaesthetic and about 20 minutes' surgery later, it was all over.
Her voice muffled and nasal from the bandages swathing her nose and face,
Haifa said that when she came round she felt pain all over, then just in the
head.
"But I'm happy," she said. "God be praised, it's over!"
'Prettier now'
Two months after the operation, laughing and joking with friends, Haifa
appeared to be enjoying life with her new nose.
A little residual bruising above the cheekbones were the only traces of the
operation, and they would soon fade.
"The pain was bearable, it didn't cost too much and I'm happy with the
result," she said.
"But the only thing that's changed is my nose. It's prettier now. That's all
I wanted."
Haifa won't be taking up any of the other options on offer for cosmetic
"improvement" .
But back at Dr Sihn's clinic, scores of impatient applicants were jostling
for their turn to go under the scalpel.
--
wa salaam
Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
Amatullah Villa
10 Jawatte Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
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7. bbc Iran narrowly wins UN nuclear battle
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:16 am ((PDT))
Iran narrowly wins UN nuclear battle
Page last updated at 12:28 GMT, Monday, 31 May 2010 13:28 UK
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ us_and_canada/ 10190356. stm
By Paul Reynolds World affairs correspondent, BBC News website [image:
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad] Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may see the
meeting as a diplomatic success
Israel was the big loser in the nuclear review conference in New York - and
Iran the big winner.
Egypt came out a high scorer.
The cause of nuclear non-proliferation was haltingly served in that the
conference did reach a consensus, unlike the last time, and a number of
watered-down measures were agreed to seek ways of strengthening the nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). But overall, there was not the decisive
strengthening that some states wanted.
Instead, governments rallied round one objective - the concept of a nuclear
weapons-free zone in the Middle East. This was first called for 15 years ago
but until now neglected.
To its annoyance, Israel found that the US did not block a proposal to hold
a one-off conference in 2012 on setting up such a zone. In addition Israel
was named for not being a party to the treaty and for not having its nuclear
activities under international inspection. Being named like this is always
regarded as a diplomatic defeat.
It will produce further soul-searching about the relationship between Israel
and the US administration of President Barack Obama, which has often been
tense and which will now be more so. Israel has already denounced the
agreement as "hypocrisy".
Mr Obama came out with a statement afterwards that spoke of the US being
"strongly opposed" to efforts to "single out Israel" but he did not use the
veto available to him.
Whether the conference will be held is debatable (conditions are already
being attached) and whether it will do anything practical is doubtful.
Israel opposes any nuclear-free zone until there is a comprehensive peace.
So does the US.
(Update: a Western diplomatic source has challenged the idea that Israel
lost and Iran won. This source says that Iran was isolated in the talks and
that the reference to Israel joining the NPT was "anodyne." Extremely
critical language of Israel in early drafts had been removed.
Iran, the source claimed, was outmanoeuvred in that it has tried to block
progress over the NPT. The conference was never about naming Iran but about
stabilising the NPT and that was achieved.
Nevertheless, Israel does not see it that way. It complained that Israel had
been "singled out" and that Iran was "not even mentioned."
A commentator in the Jerusalem Post said that Egypt had "hit Israel squarely
on the jaw" and that the US had thrown Israel a "sucker punch."
Interpretations therefore vary.)
Iran prepared
Arab countries, led skilfully by Egypt, managed to manoeuvre the US into
agreeing to a Middle East conference. Washington did not want to be blamed
for wrecking the talks. It would have undone much of the goodwill that Mr
Obama has engendered over the past year through his efforts to reduce the
American stockpile of nuclear weapons and to reconfigure US nuclear policy.
[image: Anti-nuclear protesters in New York] The UN's nuclear
deliberations
typically draw anti-nuclear protesters
On the other hand, Iran was not named, despite being in violation of
instructions both from the IAEA, which administers the nuclear
non-proliferation treaty, and the Security Council that it should suspend
the enrichment of uranium. Instead there were a couple of references to
countries not being in compliance and since Iran is the only such state,
Iran is meant. But it is not named. Iran would have blocked the necessary
consensus if it had been.
It was ready to stop a consensus. The US was not.
"It is good that there was an outcome," said Mark Fitzpatrick of the
International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.
"It restores the consensus about the importance of the NPT, which had been
unravelling. The NPT was in danger and some new health and vitality has been
put back into it.
"However it doesn't move the ball forward or strengthen the NPT and is
therefore a missed opportunity. "
One example is that the US had pressed for countries leaving the NPT (as
they can with three months' notice and as North Korea did) to face
sanctions. This was not adopted, but at least it was stated that North Korea
would not be recognised as a nuclear-weapons state, which will please South
Korea.
Another is that there is not much immediate hope of getting the stronger
inspections of nuclear plants that the US wanted. If no such action is
forthcoming, the US attitude towards further disarmament could well be
affected.
Nor, from the opposite side, was there agreement to set a deadline or even a
target for nuclear-weapons states to negotiate their weapons away. Some
non-aligned countries had wanted sometime after 2025 as the target. There is
no date in the document. Instead there is language pressing for progress.
Indeed, there has been some progress over the past year, with a new
agreement between Russia and the United State as an example.
The next NPT review conference is in 2015.
Paul.Reynolds- INTERNET@ bbc.co.uk
--
wa salaam
Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
Amatullah Villa
10 Jawatte Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
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8. bbc UN talks back conference on nuclear-free Middle East
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:17 am ((PDT))
UN talks back conference on nuclear-free Middle East
Page last updated at 8:56 GMT, Saturday, 29 May 2010 9:56 UK
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ us_and_canada/ 10185256. stm
[image: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad] Iran has faced
international
pressure over its nuclear programme
Nearly 200 nations, signatories of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
(NPT), have agreed to work towards a nuclear-weapons- free zone in the Middle
East.
The members, meeting at the UN in New York, called for a conference in 2012
attended by Middle Eastern states - including Iran - to establish the zone.
The unanimously agreed document also said that Israel should sign the NPT.
US President Barack Obama backed the deal but said he was "strongly opposed"
to Israel being singled out.
The US says the reference could jeopardise efforts to persuade the Israelis
to attend the 2012 talks.
An Israel official later denounced the document as "hypocrisy".
"Only Israel is mentioned, while the text is silent about other countries
like India, Pakistan and North Korea, which have nuclear arms, or even more
seriously, Iran, which is seeking to obtain them," a senior government
official told AFP news agency on condition of anonymity.
'Important step'
The 28-page final declaration was agreed by 189 member states following
intense talks on the last day of a month-long conference on strengthening
the NPT, the cornerstone of global disarmament efforts.
Continue reading the main
story<http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ us_and_canada/ 10185256. stm#skip_ feature_02>
All eyes the world over are watching us
Libran Cabactulan NPT conference president
The document calls for the United Nations secretary general to organise a
meeting of Middle East states in 2012 to agree to the creation of a "zone
free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction" .
"All eyes the world over are watching us," said conference president Libran
Cabactulan, of the Philippines, as the final text was approved.
Egypt's Maged Abedelaziz, speaking for the Non-Aligned Movement of 118
developing nations, welcomed the decision, saying it was "an important step
forward towards the realisation of the goals and objectives of the treaty".
Diplomats discussing the proposals had continued talks late into the night
on Thursday before resuming on Friday.
One of the sticking points involved Israel, which is not a member of the
NPT, and is widely believed to have nuclear weapons. It has never admitted
possessing them.
Arab states and Israel's allies had to work hard to find agreement over
wording for the proposed nuclear-weapons- free zone.
Continue reading the main
story<http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ us_and_canada/ 10185256. stm#skip_ feature_02>
However flawed some believe the existing non-proliferation machinery to be,
all agree that it has at least been partially rehabilitated after a decade
of failure
Barbara Plett BBC UN correspondent Modest progress at NPT
talks<http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ us_and_canada/ 10188928. stm>
Correspondents say Arab nations want to put pressure on Israel to relinquish
its undeclared nuclear arsenal.
Iran also made a late demand that the five recognised nuclear-armed nations
agree to a timetable for negotiating a treaty to abolish their arsenals.
In the final document adopted, no specific timetable is set out but the five
states commit to "accelerate concrete progress" towards reducing their
nuclear arsenals and to report back on that in 2014.
Iran has faced repeated questions over its own nuclear programme, which the
West believes is aimed at making weapons. Tehran insists it is solely
designed to meet its energy needs.
Iran, a member of the NPT, says it will stick to its obligations under the
treaty.
The NPT has encountered difficulty in coming up with the best method for
monitoring suspect nuclear programmes in Iran and North Korea.
India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel - which are known or suspected to
have nuclear weapons - are not signatories to the treaty. They are not
covered by any NPT agreement.
The NPT conference meets every five years. The last review conference, in
2005, failed to adopt a consensus declaration
--
wa salaam
Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
Amatullah Villa
10 Jawatte Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
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9. bbc West Bank rabbi bans women from local election
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:21 am ((PDT))
West Bank rabbi bans women from local election
Page last updated at 10:34 GMT, Wednesday, 26 May 2010 11:34 UK
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10161713. stm
[image: Map]
The chief rabbi of a West Bank settlement has prohibited women from standing
in a local community election.
Rabbi Elyakim Levanon of the Elon Moreh settlement, near Nablus, said women
lacked the authority to stand for the post of local secretary.
He wrote in a community newspaper that women must only be heard through
their husbands.
No women have registered for the election due to be held later on Wednesday,
Israeli media reported.
The rabbi made his comments in the community's newspaper after an
unidentified young woman wrote to him asking if she could run for the
position of community secretary, the Israeli news website Ynet News said.
'Giving authority'
"I am a young woman and I think I have desire and energy to do things," Ynet
News quoted the woman as writing to Rabbi Levanon.
Continue reading the main
story<http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10161713. stm#skip_ feature_02>
Within the family certain debates are held and when opinions are united the
husband presents the family's opinion
Rabbi Elyakim Levanon Elon Moreh
"It's not right for men to be the only ones deciding how to run the
community," the letter reportedly said.
But in his weekly column, Rabbi Levanon wrote that, according to the
teachings of influential rabbis, women were not allowed to apply for the
position.
"The first problem is giving women authority, and being a secretary means
having authority," Rabbi Levanon wrote in the community's newspaper.
"Within the family certain debates are held and when opinions are united the
husband presents the family's opinion.
"This is the proper way to prevent a situation in which the woman votes one
way and her husband votes another," he wrote.
He also said it was not appropriate for women to mix with men in late
evening meetings of community leaders.
Women's groups have condemned the comments.
"Such talk is scandalous enough to call the rabbi for a clarification. I
expect leaders of the religious public in Israel to condemn the rabbi's
instruction, " Nurit Tzur of the Israel Women's Lobby said .
--
wa salaam
Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
Amatullah Villa
10 Jawatte Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
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10. bbc Libya welcomes return of ancient relics from Britain
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:21 am ((PDT))
Libya welcomes return of ancient relics from Britain
Page last updated at 19:29 GMT, Thursday, 27 May 2010 20:29 UK
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ africa/10175793. stm
By Rana Jawad BBC News, Tripoli [image: Artefacts in Tripoli museum] The
artefacts had been taken from Libya in the 1950s
Libya has welcomed the return of a selection of ancient relics, which have
been put on display in Tripoli Museum.
The items were taken by two British soldiers in the 1950s, when Libya was a
British protectorate.
The items - some of which are up to 2,500 years old - were returned to the
land of their origin by the soldiers' families.
Libya sees their return as a significant step in its efforts to piece
together its historical legacy.
Items returned include the bronze prow of a Greek ship - a piece found above
the waterline at the ship's front that is often presented in films as a
figurine.
Colonial souvenirs
Juma Anag, the former head of Libya's archaeology department, said the prow
was found by the two British soldiers during a diving excursion off the
coast of the Libyan city, Benghazi.
Mr Anag, who kick-started the process to have the latest items returned,
said one of the soldiers had since died and his colleague seemed to want a
clear conscience.
Other objects returned included a Roman terracotta lamp representing the god
of wine.
Mr Anag, who now acts as a private archaeological consultant, said Libya was
still working to reclaim many of its artefacts from countries including the
US and Turkey.
It is believed that various pieces are on display in foreign museums, whilst
others are in the hands of private collectors.
Libya has been lobbying for the return of its artefacts for years.
Some were removed from the country as souvenirs during the colonial era and
others were later believed to have been stolen by organised crime gangs.
In 2008, Italy handed over a Roman statue to Libyan authorities as a sign of
goodwill and improving relations.
--
wa salaam
Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
Amatullah Villa
10 Jawatte Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
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11. bbc Egypt jails government officials over Cairo rockslide
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:22 am ((PDT))
Egypt jails government officials over Cairo rockslide
Page last updated at 14:45 GMT, Wednesday, 26 May 2010 15:45 UK
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10164146. stm
[image: People tried to lift rocks from crushed houses (file pic)] There was
a public outcry over the incident in September 2008
A Cairo deputy governor has been sentenced to five years in jail over the
deaths of 119 people when a rockslide hit a slum area he was responsible
for.
Large boulders crashed down a hillside smashing into makeshift houses in the
Egyptian capital in September 2008.
The court found Mahmoud Yassin guilty of negligence. Seven other officials
got three years each.
The sentences come after a long government investigation.
The incident caused public outcry and drew condemnation from human rights
groups.
Amnesty International said last year that the government investigation into
the deadly rockslide in the Duwayqa area was flawed.
The court found that the accused ignored studies warning that waste seepage
could cause the hillside to collapse and that the residents should be moved
to a safe distance, AFP news agency reported.
--
wa salaam
Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
Amatullah Villa
10 Jawatte Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
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12. bbc Iraqi Airways to be closed following bankruptcy
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:23 am ((PDT))
Iraqi Airways to be closed following bankruptcy
Page last updated at 16:53 GMT, Wednesday, 26 May 2010 17:53 UK
- http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/business/ 10162501. stm
[image: Iraqi Airways planes at Baghdad international airport (image from
2003)] Iraqi has blamed Kuwait for its flag-carrier' s failure
The Iraqi government has said it will close the state-owned Iraqi Airways
after declaring it bankrupt.
Iraq's transportation ministry told reporters the airline would be closed
following a damaging dispute with Kuwait over war reparations.
Kuwait Airways says the Iraqi flag carrier owes it about $1.2bn for aircraft
and plane parts taken during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
All scheduled Iraqi Airways flights have been cancelled.
They include weekly flights between Baghdad and London, and flights from
Baghdad to a number of other destinations in the Middle East, including
Tehran, Damascus and Cairo.
The ministry blamed "harassment" from Kuwait for the airline's failure.
Last month, lawyers acting for Kuwaiti authorities tried to have an Iraqi
Airlines plane confiscated while at London's Gatwick Airport.
Flights cancelled
It had just arrived following the first direct flight between Baghdad and
London for 20 years.
The airline's chief executive also had his passport confiscated and was held
in London, but has since returned to Iraq.
Earlier this week, Iraqi Airways said it would end flights to Europe and
Sweden because of the efforts of Kuwait to retrieve compensation.
Lawyers acting for Kuwaiti authorities are unable to seize planes, however,
because they are chartered from other airlines, rather than owned by Iraqi
Airways itself.
Chris Gooding, a lawyer representing Kuwait Airways, said the winding up of
Iraqi Airways would not stop his clients from pursuing compensation.
He pointed to a statement made by the Iraq transport minister last week
which said: "This action will not protect a government company because when
a government company is declared bankrupt its assets are transferred to the
ministry of finance and therefore the ministry will be prosecuted."
"I'm sure he won't be surprised to hear that Kuwait Airways' legal team
entirely supports that conclusion," Mr Gooding told BBC World Service.
The transport minister warned that winding down the company could take as
long as three years.
But all Iraqi Airways flights were immediately cancelled and refunds are
already being offered to affected customers.
The move also puts around 30 jobs at risk in the UK.
--
wa salaam
Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
Amatullah Villa
10 Jawatte Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
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13. bbc Israel bombs Gaza in night raid wounding two seriously
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:23 am ((PDT))
Israel bombs Gaza in night raid wounding two seriously
Page last updated at 8:07 GMT, Wednesday, 26 May 2010 9:07 UK
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10160892. stm
[image: A man walks past bombed out camp in Beit Hanoun] The air strikes
were aimed at Hamas training site and tunnels, Israel said
Israel has launched two night-time air strikes on the Gaza Strip which has
left a number of people wounded, Palestinian medical sources said.
The Israeli air force bombed a target in the north of Gaza and struck
tunnels in the south, near the border with Egypt.
Palestinian medical sources told reporters that about 22 people had been
injured, two seriously.
The attacks come a day after militants in Gaza fired mortars into Israel.
One of the seriously wounded Palestinians was 15, Palestinian medical
sources said.
The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed the attacks in Beit Hanoun, east of
Gaza City, and Rafah in the south.
"The tunnels were dug 1km from the security fence and were intended for
infiltrating into Israel and executing terror attacks," a spokesman told the
news agency Agence France Presse.
The attacks come just hours after a donkey cart carrying dynamite exploded
on the border between Gaza and Israel.
The donkey was killed in the explosion, which was aimed at blowing a hole in
the security fence.
Militants later fired two mortars into Israel, but there were no reported
casualties.
--
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Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
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Sri Lanka
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14. Haaretz - Israel tows Gaza aid ships to Ashdod after 10 activists k
Posted by: "Paul" pf1 at skynet.be fayspf
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:25 am ((PDT))
Haaretz - 31.05.10
• Published 00:18 31.05.10
• Latest update 12:12 31.05.10
Israel tows Gaza aid ships to Ashdod after 10 activists killed in
clashes with navy
IDF says 10 killed, 2 commandos wounded as troops tried to board; ships
towed to Ashdod port.
By Avi Issacharoff, Anshel Pfeffer, The Associated Press and Reuters
http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/israel- tows-gaza- aid-ships- to-ashdod- after-10- activists- killed-in- clashes-with- navy-1.293089
Israel Navy troops opened fire on pro-Palestinian activists aboard a
six-ship flotilla carrying aid destined for the Gaza Strip before dawn
Monday, killing at least 10 people and wounding several others, after
the convoy ignored orders to turn back.
The Navy later towed the ships to Ashdod port.
The Israel Defense Forces said its troops were to forced to react after
they came under fire from the activists while intercepting the convoy.
Unofficial reports put the death toll at between 14 and 20.
"Our initial findings show that at least 10 convoy participants were
killed," an army spokesman said.
The military said in a statement: "Navy fighters took control of six
ships that tried to violate the naval blockade (of the Gaza Strip) ...
During the takeover, the soldiers encountered serious physical violence
by the protesters, who attacked them with live fire."
Turkey's NTV said over 60 were also wounded after IDF vessels stormed
the flotilla in international waters.
The IDF earlier confirmed that two navy commandos had been wounded in
fight, which apparently broke out after activists tried to seize their
weapons.
According to the IDF, commandos who stormed the Turkish ferry Mavi
Marmara, the largest vessel in the convoy, encountered violent
resistance from activists armed with sticks and knives.
Activists attacked a commando with iron bars as he descended onto the
ship from a helicopter, the army said. The IDF said its rules of
engagement allowed troops to open fire in what it called a
"life-threatening situation".
Elite troops from Shayetet 13, a naval commando unit, boarded the
protest boats at around 4:00 A.M. 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.
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 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 on Sunday afternoon after two days of delays. According to
organizers, the flotilla was expected to reach Gaza, about 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, heading 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.
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 the three-week military offensive against
Gaza's Hamas rulers in January 2009. The flotilla bound for Gaza is the
largest to date.
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.
Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade on Gaza after Hamas militants
violently seized control of the seaside territory in June 2007.
Israel says the measures are needed to prevent Hamas, which has fired
thousands of rockets at Israel, from building up its arsenal. But United
Nations officials and international aid groups say the blockade has been
counterproductive, failing to weaken the Islamic militant group while
devastating the local economy.
Israel rejects claims of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying it allows
more than enough food and medicine into the territory. The Israelis also
point to the bustling smuggling industry along Gaza's southern border
with Egypt, which has managed to bring consumer goods, gasoline and
livestock into the seaside strip.
Israel has condemned the flotilla as a provocation and vowed to block it
from reaching Gaza.
Israeli military officials said they hoped 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 had been set up in Ashdod.
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15. Haaretz - Barak: Organizers of Gaza flotilla to blame for deadly cl
Posted by: "Paul" pf1 at skynet.be fayspf
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:25 am ((PDT))
Haaretz - 31.05.10
• Published 09:42 31.05.10
• Latest update 09:42 31.05.10
Barak: Organizers of Gaza flotilla to blame for deadly clashes
Dep. FM: activists were armed; Netanyahu mulls canceling U.S. trip as
Israel kills 10 aboard protest ship.
By Barak Ravid
http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/barak- organizers- of-gaza-flotilla -to-blame- for-deadly- clashes-1. 293187
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Monday that the organizers of the Gaza
aid flotilla were to blame after at least 10 activists were killed when
Israel Navy commandos stormed the ship.
In a press conference hours after the incident, Barak said that Israel
was prepared to accept the consequences of its actions and would
continue to protect its autonomy.
Barak voiced regret for the deaths, but called the flotilla a political
provocation by and said the sponsors of the flotilla were violent
supporters of a terror organization.
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, meanwhile, said the
soldiers were forced by violent activists to respond with live fire.
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said earlier Monday that the
organizers of the Gaza aid flotilla have connections to international
terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Al-Qaida, and called the aid
convoy a violent and provocative attempt to break the blockade on Gaza.
Ayalon, speaking at a press conference at the Foreign Ministry, said
that Israel found weapons aboard the Gaza flotilla, which were used
against IDF troops.
The deputy foreign minister said that the Gaza flotilla did not heed
Israel's calls to halt its movement toward Gaza on Monday morning, and
stressed that no sovereign country would have allowed such a provocation
to take place.
"We couldn't allow the opening of a corridor of smuggling arms and
terrorists," said Ayalon.
The deputy foreign minister told reporters that Israel does not want to
fight with any country, but that the incident on the Gaza flotilla is
not yet over.
Meanwhile. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering the
cancellation of his imminent trip to the United States, in wake of the
deaths of at least 10 people after Israel Navy troops boarded a flotilla
of ships heading to the Gaza Strip carrying aid.
Netanyahu was due to head to Washington at the invitation of President
Barack Obama.
The Israeli military said at least 10 people were killed after its
troops came under fire while intercepting the convoy as it headed for
the Gaza Strip.
Trade and Industry Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer voiced regret Monday
morning for deaths aboard the Gaza-bound ships.
"The images are certainly not pleasant. I can only voice regret at all
the fatalities," Ben-Eliezer told Army Radio.
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16. bbc Deaths as Israeli forces storm Gaza aid ship
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:25 am ((PDT))
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10195838. stm
Deaths as Israeli forces storm Gaza aid ship
Page last updated at 15:39 GMT, Monday, 31 May 2010 16:39 UK
The BBC's Jon Donnison on Turkish TV footage which apparently shows
Israeli troops on board
At least nine people have been killed after Israeli commandos stormed a
convoy of ships carrying aid to the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army says.
Armed forces boarded the largest vessel overnight, clashing with some of the
500 people on board.
It happened about 40 miles (64 km) out to sea, in international waters.
Israel says its soldiers were shot at and attacked with weapons; the
activists say Israeli troops came on board shooting.
The activists were attempting to defy a blockade imposed by Israel after the
Islamist movement Hamas took power in Gaza in 2007.
ANALYSIS [image: Jonathan Marcus]
Jonathan Marcus
BBC diplomatic correspondent
This was always going to be a high-risk operation for Israel both in terms
of reputation and diplomatic repercussions.
Taking over vessels at sea is no easy task, even if the units carrying out
the mission are well-trained, and it is especially difficult if the people
already on board the vessels resist.
The full details of what happened will emerge in time, but in political
terms the damage has already been done.
The deaths threaten to make what was always going to be a potential public
relations disaster for Israel into a fully-fledged calamity.
<http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10198737. stm>
There has been widespread condemnation of the violence, with several
countries summoning the Israeli ambassadors serving there.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon said he was "shocked by reports of killings and
injuries" and called for a "full investigation" into what happened.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is in Canada, has cancelled a
scheduled visit to Washington on Tuesday to return to Israel, officials
said.
Earlier, he expressed his "full backing" for the military involved in the
raid, his office said.
The White House said the US "deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries
sustained" in the storming of the aid ship.
A spokesman said US officials were "currently working to understand the
circumstances surrounding this tragedy".
'Guns and knives'
The six-ship flotilla, carrying 10,000 tonnes of aid, left the coast of
Cyprus on Sunday and had been due to arrive in Gaza on Monday. Israel had
repeatedly said the boats would not be allowed to reach Gaza.
Israel says its soldiers boarded the lead ship in the early hours but were
attacked with axes, knives, bars and at least two guns.
"Unfortunately this group were dead-set on confrontation, " Israeli
government spokesman Mark Regev told the BBC.
"Live fire was used against our forces. They initiated the violence, that's
100% clear," he said.
Organisers of the flotilla said at least 30 people were wounded in the
incident. Israel says 10 of its soldiers were injured, one seriously.
Deputy Speaker of Israeli parliament Danny Danon: "It was not a peaceful
mission"
A leader of Israel's Islamic Movement, Raed Salah, who was on board, was
among those hurt.
Contact with activists on the ships was lost after the raids and no
first-hand accounts from them have yet emerged.
Arafat Shoukri, of the Free Gaza Movement (FGM) which organised the convoy,
said those on board one ship had told them by telephone that Israeli
helicopters had arrived.
"Then we started to hear screams, shouting, shooting everywhere," he said.
"We heard some of them shouting 'we are raising the white flag, stop
shooting at us'."
He said Israeli claims that activists had pistols and other weapons were
"cheap propaganda".
Audrey Bomse, also of the FGM, told the BBC that the activists were "not
going to pose any violent resistance".
By midday Israel had towed three of the six boats to the port of Ashdod and
says it will deport the passengers from there.
Condemnation
Turkish TV pictures taken on board the Turkish ship leading the flotilla
appeared to show Israeli soldiers fighting to control passengers.
GAZA AID CONVOY [image: Mavi Marmara just before it left Istanbul on 22
May]
- Consists of three cargo ships and three passenger ships
- Casualties reported on the Mavi Marmara passenger ferry
- Mavi Marmara is one of three ships provided by Insani Yardim Vakfi
(IHH), a Turkish aid organisation with links to the Turkish government
- Other ships are organised by the Free Gaza Movement, an international
coalition of activist groups
- Up to 600 mostly Turkish passengers, tonnes of cement and at least two
journalists on board the Mavi Marmara
<http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/uk/10197770 .stm>
The footage showed a number of people, apparently injured, lying on the
ground. A woman was seen holding a blood-stained stretcher.
Al-Jazeera TV reported from the same ship that Israeli navy forces had
opened fire and boarded the vessel, wounding the captain.
The Al-Jazeera broadcast ended with a voice shouting in Hebrew, saying:
"Everybody shut up!"
Israel's deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said his country "regrets any
loss of life and did everything to avoid this outcome".
He accused the convoy of a "premeditated and outrageous provocation" ,
describing the flotilla as an "armada of hate".
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Israel's actions,
saying it had committed a massacre, while Hamas said Israel had committed a
"great crime and a huge violation of international law".
Turkey, whose nationals comprised the majority of those on board, accused
Israel of "targeting innocent civilians".
Turkey was Israel's closest Muslim ally but relations have deteriorated over
the past few years.
In Turkey, thousands of protesters demonstrated against Israel in Istanbul,
while several countries have summoned Israeli ambassadors to seek an
explanation as to what happened.
Greece has withdrawn from joint military exercises with Israel in protest at
the raid on the flotilla.
Israel had repeatedly said it would stop the boats, calling the campaign a
"provocation intended to delegitimise Israel".
Israel says it allows about 15,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid into Gaza
every week.
But the UN says this is less than a quarter of what is needed.
Do you know someone aboard these ships? What is your reaction to this story?
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--
wa salaam
Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
Amatullah Villa
10 Jawatte Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
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17a. bbc Turkey rocket attack 'kills six' at naval base
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:29 am ((PDT))
Turkey rocket attack 'kills six' at naval base
Page last updated at 8:03 GMT, Monday, 31 May 2010 9:03 UK
- http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ europe/10195996. stm
-
[image: Map]
Six Turkish soldiers have been killed and seven injured in a rocket attack
on a navy base in the country's south, state media reports.
Suspected Kurdish rebels fired on a military vehicle carrying troops in the
Mediterranean port of Iskenderun.
The attack took place at about 0400 (0100 GMT). Soldiers at the base fired
at the attackers but it was not clear if any were injured.
The government has recently intensified efforts to end the Kurdish
insurgency.
Three Turkish soldiers were in a critical condition and were taken to a
military hospital in the capital, Ankara, according to the Anatolia news
agency.
Police and troop reinforcements have been sent to the area, the report said.
Long insurgency
Five members of the Turkish security forces were killed over the weekend in
clashes with Kurdish rebels in the south and east of the country.
It follows the bombing of Kurdish rebels targets in northern Iraq two weeks
ago by the Turkish airforce.
Meanwhile the jailed Kurdish rebel leader, Abdullah Ocalan, has reportedly
said he was abandoning efforts for dialogue with the Turkish government.
However, Ocalan - jailed since 1999 - said his decision was not a call for
the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to intensify its campaign.
The PKK has been fighting for autonomy in Turkey's largely Kurdish
south-east for more than two decades. Some 40,000 people have been killed.
The rebels are described as terrorists by the US and the European Union, as
well as Turkey.
--
wa salaam
Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
Amatullah Villa
10 Jawatte Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
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18. bbc Egypt: Lost ancient Memphis tomb rediscovered
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:29 am ((PDT))
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10196971. stmEgypt: Lost ancient
Memphis tomb rediscovered
Page last updated at 10:44 GMT, Monday, 31 May 2010 11:44 UK
[image: Wooden sarcophagus returned to Egypt from the US (file photo 13
March 2010)] The team is looking for a sarcophagus like this one discovered
100 years ago
A lost ancient Egyptian tomb has been rediscovered by archaeologists in the
desert sands south of Cairo.
The 3,300-year-old tomb is believed to belong to a mayor of the ancient
capital of Memphis.
It was originally discovered by artefact hunters in the 19th Century, who
then lost the tomb's location.
The tomb was located by a team of Egyptian researchers after a five-year
search and they are hopeful mummified remains are still inside.
Nile hunt carvings
The tomb belongs to Ptahmes, who was also army chief, overseer of the
treasury and a royal scribe under the Pharaohs Seti I and his son Ramses II,
during the 13th Century BC.
"Since 1885 the tomb has been covered in sand and no-one knew about it,"
Professor Ola el-Aguizy of Cairo University said.
"It is important because this tomb was the lost tomb."
The 70m-long tomb, located in the Saqarra necropolis, contains carvings
depicting Ptahmes and his family hunting and fishing on the Nile River.
The team is still looking for the main chamber where it is believed the
mummified remains and sarcophagus of the occupants may still remain.
--
wa salaam
Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
Amatullah Villa
10 Jawatte Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
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19. bbc Libya plane crash 'not technical fault'
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:30 am ((PDT))
Libya plane crash 'not technical fault'
Page last updated at 20:03 GMT, Sunday, 30 May 2010 21:03 UK
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ africa/10195452. stm
[image: Wreckage of the Afriqiyah plane] Officials said there was no
evidence of a terrorist act
A plane crash in Libya that killed 103 people on 12 May was not caused by
mechanical failure, according to a preliminary inquiry.
The "black box" recorders indicated that the Afriqiyah Airways plane had
enough fuel and made no call for help.
A nine-year-old Dutch boy was the sole survivor of the crash.
Most of the dead were Dutch citizens killed when the plane missed the runway
at Tripoli airport as it flew in from South Africa.
Neji Dhaou, head of the Libyan commission investigating the crash, said the
causes remained unknown and indicated it could be some time before his
conclusions were ready.
[image: Map]
"There is no sign indicating a technical failure in the plane before the
incident, according to data recovered up until now from the two black
boxes," he said in a statement reported by Reuters.
The flight recorders were sent to Paris for an examination that was overseen
by international observers.
After studying the recorders, officials also ruled out a terrorist act as a
potential cause.
The Airbus 330 was carrying 93 passengers and 11 crew.
Some 70 of the dead were Dutch citizens; all of the crew were Libyan.
The airline said nationals from South Africa, the UK, Austria, Germany,
Zimbabwe and France were also killed.
--
wa salaam
Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
Amatullah Villa
10 Jawatte Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
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20a. bbc West Bank road partially opened to Palestinian traffic
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:30 am ((PDT))
West Bank road partially opened to Palestinian traffic
Page last updated at 9:59 GMT, Friday, 28 May 2010 10:59 UK
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10181437. stm
[image: Highway 443 as it runs through the occupied West Bank] The motorway
was shut to Palestinian traffic in 2002 after a series of attacks
The Israeli military has partially opened a motorway that runs through the
occupied West Bank to Palestinian drivers, to comply with a ruling by
Israel's Supreme Court.
For Israelis, Highway 443 is a major link between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
The Israeli military banned Palestinian cars in 2002 after shooting attacks
on the road killed six Israeli motorists.
In 2009, Israel's Supreme Court ruled that the general closure of the road
to Palestinians was illegal.
The road was built in the 1980s, according to the Israeli human rights group
B'tselem, some of the land was expropriated privately-owned Palestinian
land.
At the time it was argued that the road would benefit Palestinians.
The 25km (15 mile) four-lane road links Israel's coastal plain with the area
north of Jerusalem. About 14km of it run through the West Bank. An estimated
40,000 Israeli drivers use the route daily.
'False impression'
As it opened the road, the Israeli military set up new road blocks and
checkpoints along the route.
Palestinians will now able to use part of Highway 443 to reach some of the
villages alongside it.
[image: West Bank and Israel map]
Access to Ramallah - the West Bank's economic and administrative centre -
will not be allowed, nor will the road provide access to Jerusalem for
Palestinian drivers.
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), which petitioned the
Supreme Court to allow Palestinians onto Highway 443, said the army was
"acting in utter disregard of the spirit of the ruling".
"This creates the false impression of new regulations, genuine freedom of
movement and adherence to the rule of law, though in fact no real change
will occur," Acri said in a statement.
Israel has built an extensive road network in the West Bank to serve the
settlements.
Palestinian traffic is prohibited or restricted on these roads by a system
of roadblocks and checkpoints that human rights groups have criticised as
informal and arbitrary.
Israeli security officials say the restrictions are imposed for security
reasons.
The restrictions on access to roads force Palestinians to use long and
winding routes rather than direct roads, adding greatly to the duration of
journeys.
Israel has occupied the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since 1967,
settling close to 500,000 Jews in more than 100 settlements.
There are about 2.5 million Palestinians living in the West Bank.
The settlements are illegal under international law, although Israel
disputes this.
--
wa salaam
Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
Amatullah Villa
10 Jawatte Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
Messages in this topic (2)
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21. bbc Israel rejects Middle East nuclear talks plan
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:30 am ((PDT))
Israel rejects Middle East nuclear talks plan
Page last updated at 17:45 GMT, Saturday, 29 May 2010 18:45 UK
- E-mail this to a
friend<http://newsvote. bbc.co.uk/ mpapps/pagetools /email/news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10191339. stm>
- Printable
version<http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10191339. stm#>
[image: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] Israeli leaders do not
comment on the country's nuclear status
Israel says it will not take part in a conference aimed at achieving a
nuclear-arms free Middle East, proposed at a UN meeting in New York.
Nearly 200 nations, signatories of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
(NPT), backed plans for the meeting in 2012.
In a document agreed at the talks, Israel was singled out for criticism.
Israel, which has not signed the NPT, dismissed the document as "deeply
flawed" and "hypocritical" .
"It ignores the realities of the Middle East and the real threats facing the
region and the entire world," the Israeli government said in a statement
quoted by the AFP news agency.
Continue reading the main
story<http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10191339. stm#skip_ feature_02>
We strongly oppose efforts to single out Israel, and will oppose actions
that jeopardise Israel's national security
Barack Obama US president Iran narrowly wins nuclear
battle<http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ us_and_canada/ 10190356. stm>
Israel
deflects nuclear
pressure<http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10183302. stm>
"Given the distorted nature of this resolution, Israel will not be able to
take part in its implementation. "
The statement was issued in Canada, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
is visiting.
In the past, the Israeli government has refused to comment on rumours that
Israel has a stockpile of nuclear weapons.
In April, Mr Netanyahu pulled out of a US summit on nuclear arms after
learning that Egypt and Turkey intended to raise the issue.
'Insignificant' document
Some 189 nations agreed to the 28-page document following a month-long
conference on strengthening the NPT, the cornerstone of global disarmament
efforts.
The document urged Israel to sign the NPT, but did not mention Iran, a
nation widely suspected of having a nuclear-weapons programme.
Analysts say this was a diplomatic victory for Iran, which denies seeking a
nuclear weapon.
The US was among the nations who agreed the document, but President Barack
Obama warned that he did not agree with Israel's treatment.
"We strongly oppose efforts to single out Israel, and will oppose actions
that jeopardise Israel's national security," he said.
Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon promised that his country's
co-operation with the US would remain unchanged, but he condemned the
document as "insignificant" .
"Iran has signed [the treaty], Iraq has signed it... Syria has signed it,
and we see that it hasn't stopped them from seriously breaking the treaty
and from trying to bypass it," he said.
Israel also questioned why India and Pakistan - declared nuclear states who
have not signed the treaty - were not singled out for mention.
Page last updated at 17:45 GMT, Saturday, 29 May 2010 18:45 UK
- E-mail this to a
friend<http://newsvote. bbc.co.uk/ mpapps/pagetools /email/news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10191339. stm>
- Printable
version<http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10191339. stm#>
[image: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] Israeli leaders do not
comment on the country's nuclear status
Israel says it will not take part in a conference aimed at achieving a
nuclear-arms free Middle East, proposed at a UN meeting in New York.
Nearly 200 nations, signatories of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
(NPT), backed plans for the meeting in 2012.
In a document agreed at the talks, Israel was singled out for criticism.
Israel, which has not signed the NPT, dismissed the document as "deeply
flawed" and "hypocritical" .
"It ignores the realities of the Middle East and the real threats facing the
region and the entire world," the Israeli government said in a statement
quoted by the AFP news agency.
Continue reading the main
story<http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10191339. stm#skip_ feature_02>
We strongly oppose efforts to single out Israel, and will oppose actions
that jeopardise Israel's national security
Barack Obama US president Iran narrowly wins nuclear
battle<http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ us_and_canada/ 10190356. stm>
Israel
deflects nuclear
pressure<http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/world/ middle_east/ 10183302. stm>
"Given the distorted nature of this resolution, Israel will not be able to
take part in its implementation. "
The statement was issued in Canada, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
is visiting.
In the past, the Israeli government has refused to comment on rumours that
Israel has a stockpile of nuclear weapons.
In April, Mr Netanyahu pulled out of a US summit on nuclear arms after
learning that Egypt and Turkey intended to raise the issue.
'Insignificant' document
Some 189 nations agreed to the 28-page document following a month-long
conference on strengthening the NPT, the cornerstone of global disarmament
efforts.
The document urged Israel to sign the NPT, but did not mention Iran, a
nation widely suspected of having a nuclear-weapons programme.
Analysts say this was a diplomatic victory for Iran, which denies seeking a
nuclear weapon.
The US was among the nations who agreed the document, but President Barack
Obama warned that he did not agree with Israel's treatment.
"We strongly oppose efforts to single out Israel, and will oppose actions
that jeopardise Israel's national security," he said.
Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon promised that his country's
co-operation with the US would remain unchanged, but he condemned the
document as "insignificant" .
"Iran has signed [the treaty], Iraq has signed it... Syria has signed it,
and we see that it hasn't stopped them from seriously breaking the treaty
and from trying to bypass it," he said.
Israel also questioned why India and Pakistan - declared nuclear states who
have not signed the treaty - were not singled out for mention.
--
wa salaam
Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
Amatullah Villa
10 Jawatte Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
Messages in this topic (1)
____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
22. bbc Six die in Gaza tunnel explosion
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:31 am ((PDT))
Six die in Gaza tunnel explosion
Page last updated at 22:00 GMT, Saturday, 29 May 2010 23:00 UK
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/entertainme nt_and_arts/ 10181238. stm
[image: Palestinian man in smuggling tunnel on border with
Egypt]Palestinians have faced an Israeli blockade since 2007
Six Palestinians have died in an explosion in a smuggling tunnel under the
border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, medical officials say.
At least 14 were injured in the blast, which is believed to have been caused
by a cooking gas cannister exploding.
Palestinians regularly smuggle arms, fuel and goods from Egypt in the face
of an Israeli economic blockade.
Egypt is building a huge underground barrier along the Gaza border in an
attempt to stop smugglers.
The Israeli and Egyptian blockade was imposed in 2007 after the Islamist
movement Hamas took power in Gaza.
In an effort to break the blockade, a convoy of ships carrying up to 10,000
tons of supplies and human rights activists are due to arrive in Gaza on
Sunday.
--
wa salaam
Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
Amatullah Villa
10 Jawatte Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
Messages in this topic (1)
____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
23. Haaretz - Pagan altar unearthed at Ashkelon hospital construction s
Posted by: "Paul" pf1 at skynet.be fayspf
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:31 am ((PDT))
Haaretz - 31.05.10
• Published 23:35 20.05.10
• Latest update 23:35 20.05.10
Pagan altar unearthed at Ashkelon hospital construction site
Archeologists say discovery proves hotly contested cemetery at site
slated for hospital ER is pagan, not Jewish.
By The Associated Press
http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ pagan-altar- unearthed- at-ashkelon- hospital- construction- site-1.291335
Israeli archaeologists say workers have uncovered an ancient pagan altar
while clearing ground for construction of a hotly disputed hospital
emergency room in Ashkelon.
They say the discovery proves an ancient cemetery at the site that has
been at the center of protests by ultra-Orthodox Jews does not contain
the graves of Jews.
Protesters claim an emergency room extension at Barzilai Hospital in the
city of Ashkelon is being built on an ancient Jewish cemetery. They
demonstrated there when officials began removing graves this week, and
rioting erupted in ultra-Orthodox areas of Jerusalem.
The Israel Antiquities Authority said Thursday the discovery of the
2,000-year-old incense altar, along with the nature of the graves, shows
the cemetery was pagan.
Messages in this topic (1)
____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
24. Haaretz -Israeli forces on high alert, bracing for more protests ov
Posted by: "Paul" pf1 at skynet.be fayspf
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:31 am ((PDT))
Haaretz - 31.05.10
• Published 10:17 31.05.10
• Latest update 14:17 31.05.10
Israeli forces on high alert, bracing for more protests over Gaza
flotilla deaths
Protests erupt in Nazareth after Arab media reports Islamic Movement
head Raed Salah seriously wounded; Arabs leaders declare general strike
for Tuesday.
By Jack Khoury and Amos Harel
http://www.haaretz. com/israeli- forces-on- high-alert- bracing-for- more-protests- over-gaza- flotilla- deaths-1. 293199
Israeli security forces were on high alert along all of the country's
borders, as well as around Jerusalem and the West Bank, bracing for
response after at least 10 international activists were killed by Israel
Navy commandoes who stormed an aid board heading to Gaza.
Forces were on alert at the Gaza, Syrian and Lebanese borders. In
Jerusalem, angry Palestinians were hurling rocks at police forces
positioned near the Old City gates.
A spontaneous demonstration erupted in Nazareth as Israel's law
enforcement authorities prepared to face an anticipated wave of violence
after Israel shot dead at least 10 pro-Palestinian activists aboard a
Gaza-bound aid convoy.
The protest in the Arab-populated town in northern Israel was the first
mass response to news in the early hours of the morning that Israeli
commandos had fired on flotilla passengers as they approached a maritime
exclusion zone imposed by Israel off Gaza.
Reports in the Arabic-language press on Monday that Raed Salah, head of
the northern branch of the Israeli-Arab Islamic Movement, had been
seriously wounded sparked widespread anger among the country's Arab
minority - some 20 per cent of the population.
IDF officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Haaretz that
Salah was alive - but offered no other details on his condition.
Salah's deputy, Kamel Khatib, said in a radio interview that there was
still no clear indication of Salah's state. Khatib said that if emerged
Salah had been killed, Israel would be directly responsible.
Local authorities in Arab-populated areas in Israel on Monday declared a
general strike for the following day.
Israeli-Arab leaders condemned Israel's handling of the interception.
Knesset member Mohammed Barakeh offered sardonic praise for the
government, congratulating Defense Minister Ehud Barak on his "decisive
victory of the army of pirates over the flotilla of civil liberty".
Barakeh added: "Any government that puts itself outside international
and humanitarian law will consign itself to the garbage can of history.
MK Taleb al-Sana said the operation had "exposed the ugly face of
Zionism, the violence and aggression of the government of Israel". Sana
described the interception as an act of state terror against a
humanitarian mission and called for Israel's leaders to be tried for war
crimes.
"This event proves you don't have to be a German to be a Nazi," he said.
By lunchtime, police were preparing for disturbances in Arab-majority
districts in the north of the country, as well as around the Al-Aqsa
Mosque atop the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, the harbor at Ashdod and
hospitals across the country where casualties are being treated.
"At this moment we have to act with restraint and complete control, so
as not to inflame the situation needlessly,' said police commander David
Cohen.
The internal security minister, Yitzhak Aharonovitch, also held
emergency planning meetings with police, saying that while he hope to
maintain calm, law enforcement agencies were prepared for any eventually.
The Arab Higher Monitoring Committee, which represents Israel Arab
minority, called on Israeli forces to stay out of Arab areas so as not
to provoke violence.
"The government of Israel and the police carry responsibility for the
safety of Arab citizens that will demand the right to protest against
the police of the government and defense ministry that was carrying a
message of peace to Gaza."
Messages in this topic (1)
____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
25. bbc Iraq inquiry: Bremer says UK backed post-war plan
Posted by: "moiz esufally" esufally at gmail. com
Date: Mon May 31, 2010 9:32 am ((PDT))
Iraq inquiry: Bremer says UK backed post-war plan
Page last updated at 16:02 GMT, Friday, 28 May 2010 17:02 UK
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/politics/ 10184461. stm
[image: Paul Bremer] Paul Bremer was George Bush's pro-consul in Iraq
British officials backed the purge of Saddam-era officials, the US
administrator of post-invasion Iraq has told the Chilcot inquiry.
Senior British diplomats and Army officers have blamed Iraq's post-war
descent into chaos on Paul Bremer's policy of de-Baathification.
But Mr Bremer told the inquiry UK officials agreed with it at the time.
Sir John Chilcot's inquiry met 15 leading figures on a five-day visit to the
US last week.
Unlike in the UK, where most of the evidence sessions have been televised,
the discussions, conducted between 17 and 21 May, were held behind closed
doors.
They were described by the inquiry as private discussions and, as such,
transcripts will not be published.
A spokesman for the inquiry said that they were intended "to allow the
committee to receive a wider international perspective on the UK's
involvement in Iraq over the period being examined by the inquiry".
'Fait accompli'
Mr Bremer is the most high profile US figure to speak to the panel and the
only one to release a statement, which has been published on the inquiry's
website.
Continue reading the main
story<http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/politics/ 10184461. stm#skip_ feature_02>
British officials agreed with the need for vigorous de-Baathification,
especially in the security sector
Paul Bremer
In it, he goes over much of the same ground he covered in his book on his
year in charge of the Coalition Provisional Authority, saying the CPA's
efforts were "chronically" under-resourced and coalition forces were "unable
to provide adequate security for Iraqi citizens" after the March 2003
invasion.
But he also stresses that British officials backed the disbanding of the
Iraqi army, saying "became evident in early April that the former army was
no longer intact".
He said British officials were briefed on the plan in London by the CPA's
senior adviser Walter Slocombe on 13 and 14 May 2003.
"His (Slocombe's) British interlocutors recognized that demobilisation was a
fait accompli.
"None of them expressed the view that the Coalition should instead try to
recall the Iraqi army.
"In fact, Slocombe reported that the British officials agreed with the need
for vigorous de-Baathification, especially in the security sector."
'Sensitive information'
In his evidence to the Chilcot Inquiry in December, Sir Jeremy Greenstock,
the former British ambassador to the UN, said the US had been
over-optimistic in its attitude towards rebuilding Iraq after the invasion.
He said Mr Bremer had refused to appoint him as his deputy, claiming that
Britain had been cut out of the post-war decision-making process.
"He did not want to hand over to a non-American as acting administrator when
he left the country to return to Washington," said Sir Jeremy.
A live television feed of Sir Jeremy's evidence was cut for more than a
minute as he discussed post-war planning. Sir John said he interrupted the
broadcast as it contained "sensitive information" .
Others questioned by the Chilcot inquiry at a series of meetings in
Washington and Boston included the former US ambassador to Iraq Ryan
Crocker.
The panel also spoke to David Kay and Charles Duelfer who led the Iraq
Survey Group, which conducted a fruitless search for weapons of mass
destruction in the aftermath of the 2003 war.
The independent inquiry into the UK's involvement in Iraq was commissioned
by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown in June 2009 and is expected to report
later this year.
It has already taken evidence from witnesses including Tony Blair and Mr
Brown himself, but public hearings were suspended during the recent general
election.
--
wa salaam
Moiz Mohsinally Hasanally Esufally
Amatullah Villa
10 Jawatte Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
Messages in this topic (1)
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22.
Fwd: [CJPME] Please Condemn Gaza Flotilla Killings / Condamnez le ra
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 4:46 pm (PDT)
[CJPME Logo - En - Fr]
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
4ff7bK9tYAUBVnPUoWz BdT7flS3uvfVr5pC W2iJjiUdYMf1HwS1 wGs8UV2v_ hmQ7l\
JX5sNYlBPFEZF7a6pnS xManGcv91yuGFD0b -8pU2L27tg= =>
Call Canada to condemn Israeli attack / Demandez au Canada de
condamner le raid d'Israël [Israeli
soldiers boarding flotilla]
The Freedom Flotilla was made up of ships from various European
countries, including Ireland, Turkey and Greece. The ships were
carrying construction materials, as well as medical and
educational supplies. / La Flottille de la liberté était
composée de bateaux en provenance de divers pays européens,
incluant l'Irlande, la Turquie et la Grèce. Ceux-ci
transportaient des matériaux de construction ainsi que des
fournitures médicales et scolaires. Relevant Documents
* CJPME Press Statement: Israeli attack on humanitarian aid
flotilla leaves up to 19 dead, provokes international
condemnations
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
4fcieUmy5l_b7549suL BNvJQ0eI3PUmG5DM RoQv3-inSWTa2f00 5Tq5UVbnPIgZG9\
_XuTqeXf6BfjIlFJbiP akcRrSB6hp_ gyQ3744hFKlz6- uC0JamM0Dhn_ Xt8lnJD_e\
x6Fvnlnu3kjdczuQ95y L84Wb7OhAdlhTgeH dX39_vPlA= => * CJPME
Press Statement: Freedom Flotilla en route to Gaza to deliver aid
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
4fc_0EEscryU- 4Tnhh2rRuLScrFeE Mv5oSCnypVA_ EPr1VLObpTCNlT5N xg-ZMX6q\
qGOc0oISxWvWe5oDqwl KfHI_Oi-7f2djo40 Y4wj_rgImDr5- 5TuhW2bxgoEZBY2T p\
HppQgEkDq60Jm_ xQhb7HjI- njuSorUG6UB1bDit D0Xtw==> * BBC Guide
- Gaza under Blockade
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
4fflQgWjzLlXFEZX8YF fJx75-1F1MRMHGZt YgqsBqAyUHd3MIeL YrweMiB39fERIs\
H6ES4bjFswTxOPO2Pnd DIfJRwF229Ai03rU SkxgfmRRRqJ_ IsaTbL72AJWCqG7a 1b\
qojuyTgGq_k0xWpqOn3 tPQ3w0Jy3OUrZVSi LX-YzOwUw= => * BBC -
Compiled list of items allowed into Gaza
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
4ffKzuD9fPBo18sJAcV fs7dvjD3mUK2Mq73 YDfPSzuuIEfv1ccG zH5Lh3KHUnhsZd\
6Cc_-SmJuw50lOdzVDm ehbCAHNEs1VJN_ QXoK6_D6D7HgpQal ytl4miMYXYVwE7GO \
GFsORId2R7XPmWkV43k GAfSQXqAE8KKQb2W naSVZiagw= =>
[Action Alert Video]
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
4feU6JnPUi5nwfWGAZw _2Xhyza4KDC2PjmY vHkrq4TetfJnOLSo gw3zoEUpag09Rx\
GuL3mhAOpLqPQM20DAQ oSmXZd8kRgTeBxk8 2Kab6V6aG407mqvv K-ZI15XaVuoTng\
fUR35Hg_-ihw= => Click the image above to see the importance of
responding to CJPME action alerts. / Cliquez sur l'image
ci-dessus pour en savoir plus sur l'importance de répondre aux
alertes à l'action de CJPMO.
Documents pertinents
* Communiqué de presse CJPMO: L'attaque israélienne
contre la flottille d'aide humanitaire fait jusqu'à 19 morts,
provoquant des condamnations internationales
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
4fdixbFIcYlGwjPaBUm rXDKK12njyyKREWa xUG2nU6hels5_ RM0tjkO-v0dwmydY 8\
0WAfHh4mhpEFdiTNWhi p1Sr732XuPLevzp6 RnjQMTYI4ug_ trH7f4bwDdZ41T3G wr\
aOuufSfUlNjDnPzPCe7 rlaUUSCntAOhSVor 9tKCVdhjA= => *
Communiqué de presse CJPMO: La Flottille de la liberté en
route vers Gaza pour acheminer de l'aide
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
4ffBgxX9mBDJGhUZJtD Ir06OHGzjLB5K3xt 3l6R_viVjrysVk_ uH0QzFgx- F1wnBA\
PFHgT6MfcWICgeTakmy zUzv14nI- KiBbGjQIbEKOHBfd Kc9tzWn4k5BT1HWf s2mFZ\
umjyBnB5ekcF6o6wKAY duMtFLYSe0KSG5Cy ZnPFgk6Ng= => * Guide de la
BBC - Gaza under Blockade
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
4fflQgWjzLlXFEZX8YF fJx75-1F1MRMHGZt YgqsBqAyUHd3MIeL YrweMiB39fERIs\
H6ES4bjFswTxOPO2Pnd DIfJRwF229Ai03rU SkxgfmRRRqJ_ IsaTbL72AJWCqG7a 1b\
qojuyTgGq_k0xWpqOn3 tPQ3w0Jy3OUrZVSi LX-YzOwUw= => * BBC - Liste
d'items dont l'entrée est permise à Gaza
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
4ffKzuD9fPBo18sJAcV fs7dvjD3mUK2Mq73 YDfPSzuuIEfv1ccG zH5Lh3KHUnhsZd\
6Cc_-SmJuw50lOdzVDm ehbCAHNEs1VJN_ QXoK6_D6D7HgpQal ytl4miMYXYVwE7GO \
GFsORId2R7XPmWkV43k GAfSQXqAE8KKQb2W naSVZiagw= =>
Please take 30 seconds to speak out against Israeli killing of
international activists taking aid to Gaza
La version française suit... Early on Monday, May 31, the
Israeli Navy attacked an aid flotilla of several ships bound for
Gaza, killing 19 activists on board. This attack was illegal and
immoral, as the ships were in international waters, and the ships
carried only civilians and aid for Gaza. Canada must join
European countries, immediately condemning the attack, and
addressing the issue directly with Israeli PM Netanyahu. Please
click here
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
4fdj9zR0HQyynVN_ InSKFyOuGx_ ObEoIM5ystAJMyJn zii6EC3EtBAuXvGo tIl91n\
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bRiIUMFv0Ugw= => to send an email to Stephen Harper and other
Canadian leaders pressuring them to act immediately on this
issue.
Please forward this email to other like-minded friends and
acquaintances.
If you like the work that CJPME does, please donate
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
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VtIAvwx5_bbv- HgK0s2RzQ08Mfsox lbjKAYBVZIEkoFUU iwbN5lzX7x> to help
us expand our work.
More Info The Freedom Flotilla was to have been made up of
eight ships, from various European countries, including Ireland,
Turkey and Greece. The ships were carrying construction
materials, as well as medical and educational supplies. The
people onboard the ships included members of various world
Parliaments, UN staff, human rights and trade union activists, as
well as journalists. The Flotilla was the largest contingent of
ships that had attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza,
since Israel began its siege of the occupied Palestinian
territory in 2007. Prior humanitarian efforts to deliver aid
to Gaza by ship were met with resistance by the Israeli Navy.
While aid boats have been rammed and shot at in the past, this is
the first time Israel has acted with such extreme violence.
International leaders have reacted strongly to the attack. UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was "shocked" by the
attack. Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair talked of "deep regret
and shock" at the deaths. Turkey recalled its ambassador from
Israel. UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said he "deplores the
loss of life" and called for limits on aid for Gaza to be lifted.
While news is still breaking, initial reports indicated that 19
activists had been killed, and 36 had been wounded. Please
forward this email to other like-minded friends and
acquaintances.
Warmest regards, The CJPME Leadership
CJPME Email <mailto:info at cjpme.org> - CJPME Website
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
4ff7bK9tYAUBVnPUoWz BdT7flS3uvfVr5pC W2iJjiUdYMf1HwS1 wGs8UV2v_ hmQ7l\
JX5sNYlBPFEZF7a6pnS xManGcv91yuGFD0b -8pU2L27tg= =>
Prenez 30 secondes pour vous prononcer contre le raid d'Israël
ayant causé la mort de militants internationaux acheminant de
l'aide à Gaza
Tôt lundi matin, le 31 mai, la marine israélienne a
attaqué une flottille humanitaire de plusieurs bateaux en
route vers Gaza, tuant 19 militants à bord. Cette attaque
était illégale et immorale, puisque les bateaux se
trouvaient dans les eaux internationales et ne transportaient que
des civils et de l'aide à Gaza. Le Canada doit se joindre aux
États européens et immédiatement condamner l'attaque, et
doit s'empresser d'aborder la question directement avec le
premier ministre israélien Netanyahu. Cliquez ici
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
4ff7CuXzjjwhBr6GKJp kK3LELHEaYevAGXR DW-Ases6xTjeuSgA OhQPyt0mLO9PXh\
VYsN7MXsryza38wWMHz cM7JCWQfEd5J6LBw btcV0KWzv9VFEVbI jPNjHHZpxsC97k\
UgEplr7JmbUars6- lxOyHY> pour envoyer un courriel à Stephen
Harper et aux autres dirigeants canadiens pour les inciter à
agir immédiatement sur cette question.
Faites suivre ce courriel à vos connaissances et amis qui
partagent votre point de vue.
Si vous aimez ce que fait CJPMO, nous vous invitons à faire un
don
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
4fe5YWRpg_ItJvsjwpr O7CvV9Kajyv8Nwvp rvyEMEdgLCUbSd0k UGzu1bBlEkFt10\
hWb6xJG4pz_k_ _CLexisbCZ- xH3jOLDZkwOdF6ZA UjOoNp7R1waTlL6> pour
que nous puissions prendre de l'expansion.
Plus d'informations La Flottille de la liberté devait
être composée de huit bateaux, en provenance de divers pays
européens, incluant l'Irlande, la Turquie et la Grèce.
Ceux-ci transportaient des matériaux de construction ainsi que
des fournitures médicales et scolaires. Les personnes à
bord de ces bateaux comprennent des membres de différents
parlements à travers le monde, du personnel des Nations Unies,
des militants des droits de l'homme et des milieux syndicaux,
ainsi que des journalistes. La Flottille est le plus grand
contingent de navires à tenter d'acheminer de l'aide
humanitaire à Gaza depuis qu'Israël a commencé son
siège paralysant du territoire palestinien occupé en 2007.
D'autres tentatives d'acheminement de l'aide humanitaire par
bateau à Gaza s'étaient déjà butées à la
résistance de la marine israélienne. Or même si des
bateaux ont été éperonnés et essuyé les tirs de la
marine israélienne dans le passé, c'est la première fois
qu'Israël agit avec une telle violence extrême. Les
dirigeants internationaux ont vivement réagi face à
l'attaque. Le secrétaire général Ban Ki-moon s'est dit
« choqué » par celle-ci. L'émissaire pour la paix au
Moyen-Orient, Tony Blair, a parlé de « profond regret et de
choc » face aux morts causées. La Turquie a rappelé son
ambassadeur en Israël. Le ministre britannique des Affaires
étrangères, William Hague, a déclaré qu'il «
déplore les pertes en vies humaines » et a demandé à
ce que les limites sur l'acheminement de l'aide à Gaza soient
levées. Bien que les nouvelles sur l'état de la situation
soient encore mises à jour, les rapports initiaux ont
indiqué que 19 militants avaient été tués et 36
blessés.
Faites suivre ce courriel à vos connaissances et amis qui
partagent votre point de vue. Sincères salutations, La
direction de CJPMO
Courriel CJPMO <mailto:info at cjpme.org> - Site Web CJPMO
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4fdaPwfSpqXQ1b6p1GQ cLnklmLRqKfjGRXM TqoeIBOWjWoeptle uHeocIOeeaVdD2\
bnaxrenDaBXwWQlwonh I6BnB4DPB6iVdWfb BPI9Glpwkg= =>
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is a
non-profit and secular organization bringing together men and
women of all backgrounds who labour to see justice and peace take
root again in the Middle East. CJPME's work depends on donations
to continue. Please click here
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
4fejPsACsLkhwU25fzI KSIKnvyXKPBkDhtw 9mdGWtoxszpuNkVU AT0SJ_qL_ VqTg_\
VtIAvwx5_bbv- HgK0s2RzQ08Mfsox lbjKAYBVZIEkoFUU iwbN5lzX7x> to
donate now.
Canadiens pour la justice et la paix au Moyen-Orient (CJPMO)
est une organisation séculière, sans but lucratif,
regroupant des hommes et des femmes d'horizons divers qui
x0153;uvrent pour que la justice et la paix renaissent au
Moyen-Orient. Le travail de CJPMO dépend de vos contributions
pour continuer. Cliquez ici
<http://r20.rs6. net/tn.jsp? et=1103447691747 &s=23786& e=001uk9s- jRX\
4fe5YWRpg_ItJvsjwpr O7CvV9Kajyv8Nwvp rvyEMEdgLCUbSd0k UGzu1bBlEkFt10\
hWb6xJG4pz_k_ _CLexisbCZ- xH3jOLDZkwOdF6ZA UjOoNp7R1waTlL6> pour
faire un don dès maintenant.
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23.
Fwd: [CodePink] Obama: Join Nobel Laureates condemning Israel! [5/31
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 4:47 pm (PDT)
<http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=0M7M8t0qK\
XNpiND2hZWyyQFNj3Ux %2FSkU>
May 31, 2010
,
We are outraged, stunned and broken-hearted that the Israeli Navy
has not only intercepted 6 ships that were carrying humanitarian
aid to the 1.5 million people in Gaza who are living under an
Israeli-imposed siege, but has actually killed and wounded dozens
of these brave humanitarian activists.Â
This must be a turning point for U.S. policy toward Israel. Nobel
Laureates from Nelson Mandela to Jimmy Carter and Aung San Suu
Kyi have condemned Israel's brutal action. Where is
Obama?Â
A White House spokesperson stated that President Obama "deeply
regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained." We need to hear
a STRONG CONDEMNATION of this abominable attack, and it must be
accompanied by action: an immediate cut off of all aid to Israel
and sustained pressure on Israel to lift the siege of Gaza.
Join us in calling on Obama to condemn the attacks!
<http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=KBIJ2DKCk\
4zGNXtJ%2FabJUwFNj3 Ux%2FSkU> Pass it on to your friends and
colleagues!
Organize or join protests in your community against Israel's
attack on the humanitarian flotilla. Call for the aid workers to
be released and allowed to complete their humanitarian mission.
Find events near you and post your event details here
<http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=1wjcZkaa6\
Js8QHuUhTPkGQFNj3Ux %2FSkU> .Â
For people in the U.S., call or sit-in at your elected officials'
offices and demand that they condemn Israel, call on Israel to
lift the siege of Gaza, and cut off all U.S. aid (learn more
about the deadly impact of U.S. military aid to Israel here
<http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=vqjKflrGO\
sw7VA94D7KTggFNj3Ux %2FSkU> ).
For the latest news on the Gaza Flotilla, check
www.gazafreedommarc h.org
<http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=GR% 2Bo5T5\
cNU%2FLnTlXOmJXhAFN j3Ux%2FSkU> . The over 700 human rights
activists, including Ret. Col. Ann Wright, who were aboard the
boats need your solidarity. Take action now!Â
With grief for the fallen,
Dana, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Joan, Jodie, Medea,
Nancy, Prerna, Rae, and Victoria
<http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=qktP9uhCA\
rBTMfvq5I4RzQFNj3Ux %2FSkU>
Call On Obama to Condemn the Israeli Attack!
<http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=fj5C3sEv6\
NWiXphzI91PnQFNj3Ux %2FSkU>
<http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=H508lSz7o\
ISexj9plu4KLwFNj3Ux %2FSkU> Read our Statement: CODEPINK Condemns
Israeli Attack on Gaza Flotilla
<http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=D6QNnYE6t\
Jcn57%2FBjRJaAwFNj3 Ux%2FSkU>
Â
GET CONNECTED:
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24.
Fw: Facebook Group Calls for End of Gaza Siege, International Invest
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 4:49 pm (PDT)
Facebook Group Calls for End of Gaza Siege, International Investigation of Flotilla Massacre
http://www.richards ilverstein. com/tikun_ olam/2010/ 05/31/facebook- group-calls- for-end-of- gaza-siege- international- investigation- of-flotilla- massacre/
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25.
Fw: [Kabobfest] Israel’s Culture of Impunity Leads to Another Ma
Posted by: "Michael Levin" MichaelLevin11 at mac.com michaellevin11
Mon May 31, 2010 5:08 pm (PDT)
"The obvious and overt militarism Israel practices to maintain a system of ethnic chauvinism — one that prioritizes those of Jewish persuasion over all other citizens, residents and occupied subjects — is just simply indefensible. And each time Israel used grotesque violence to defend it, the call for ending it will grow louder. American inaction will just further remind the world that the path to peace is not through phony talks, but through justice. And the most direct and logical source of justice is the global boycott, divestment and sanctions movement."
______
Israel’s Culture of Impunity Leads to Another Massacre
By Will
Kabobfest
5/31/10
Israel’s farcical propaganda aside, its murderous rampage against unarmed humanitarian aid organizers aboard the flotilla to Gaza is beyond justification. To start with, Israel’s embargo is morally bankrupt and deplorable. Its enforcement of this siege is inherently criminal. And so criminality is the basic principle of Israeli policy regarding Gaza.
Now, news that Israeli forces have killed upwards of ten, and injured more than 50, of the people taking aid to Gaza as part of the international Gaza freedom movement, demonstrates beyond a doubt how nasty the Israeli government is.
It is undeniable. Preposterous Israeli claims that the ships’ non-violent activists aboard were armed and attacking innocent Israeli commandos and that they were chanting anti-Semitic slogans, show just how desperate and liberal in their use of lies the Israeli government is.
The more realistic possibility is that the government wanted to teach the protesters a lesson; we’ve seen the same logic at work in its overwhelming use of force against nonviolent activists, which have left several dead or severely injured. Israel thinks such force will deter protests, but they will find the opposite is true in the long-run. And when armed commandos land on ship, firing their weapons, the natural instinct is to attack the attackers. But the Israeli government really wants us to think the soldiers were not the provokers?
What this attack does not say as clearly, but is just as much true, is that this further example of Israeli criminality is enabled by a culture of impunity built by Israel’s own feigned victimhood and righteousness, and America’s unwillingness to hold the state to any sort of standards. Indeed, the United States has given Israel maximum protection against every charge of violence against Palestinians and Lebanese. And when it kills or maims international solidarity activists, there is not even a slap in the wrist.
This case will present another test of the Israel-can-do- know-wrong principle underlying US-Israel relations. I can predict that the United States will go further in symbolic sanctioning, in some public harsh words, but will not back them up with any material consequences. I do not mind this. It will just further help forward the international cause to give Israel the South Africa treatment it so obviously deserves.
The obvious and overt militarism Israel practices to maintain a system of ethnic chauvinism — one that prioritizes those of Jewish persuasion over all other citizens, residents and occupied subjects — is just simply indefensible. And each time Israel used grotesque violence to defend it, the call for ending it will grow louder. American inaction will just further remind the world that the path to peace is not through phony talks, but through justice. And the most direct and logical source of justice is the global boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.
_____
http://www.kabobfes t.com/2010/ 05/israels- culture-of- impunity- leads-to- another-massacre .html
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