9 Killed/Hundreds Kidnapped by Israeli commandos who stormed Gaza Flotilla

[citizenx]

Update: Turkey will reportedly send military escort with future Gaza aid boats.

Is this confirmed now?

[needguide]

Is this confirmed now?

I Just listened to Mike Rivero's Show...I think He Is Right It is going to be Big the next few days. He did not confirm anything except there is no glass in the U.S Embassy

[citizenx]

U.S. embassy in Turkey?  Istanbul?

[Viper]

..He did not confirm anything except there is no glass in the U.S Embassy

The israeli embassy in turkey.

[needguide]

The israeli embassy in turkey.

Sorry Isreali embassy, chmm, chmm had to clear my throat, for some reason on that one

[Stan]

Is Rivero's live broadcast downloadable? I only got a repeat on the GCN podcast.

[Viper]

Is Rivero's live broadcast downloadable? I only got a repeat on the GCN podcast.

http://www.justin.tv/michaelrivero/b/264549879

You can save the flash vid off justin tv if you got a browser add-on or just watch it on site.

[grapecrusher1]

U.S. embassy in Turkey?  Istanbul?

Ankara is the capital of Turkey.  Istanbul is the largest city and was the capital of the Roman Empire.



Israel and Turkey are not far apart.

[citizenx]

Quite right. Ankara, but it's a moot point, since it was the Israeli embassy there.

In any event, that map underscores what is going on.  Airstrikes in Gaza.  Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon and engagement with LAF.  Attack on the flotilla.

Israel is taking on the whole world at once, again.  I don't think they care anymore.

I wouldn't be surprised if Israel wound up in a conflict with Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and perhaps others right now.

They want to starve the Gazans out and push the West Bank Palestinians into Jordan.  This is the the final push.  They do not want to coexist with the Palestinians at all -- in one state or two.

I think they have thrown caution to the wind at this point, but I hope they decide to calm down and start acting rational at this point.  I'm not holding my breath though.

[needguide]

I just want to see what NATO Comes up with

[citizenx]

NATO ain't gonna go to war with Israel.  Non-starter.

If anything, NATO will be used to try to rope Turkey back in officially. I hope that backfires.

[Dig]

I just want to see what NATO Comes up with

Really? Since NATO assassinated Aldo Moro and most likely conducted a coup d'etat in Poland...their track record involves dumping the citizens into decades of debt slavery, media manipulation, and NWO eugenics objectives.

Gaza needs to be freed already, wtf? South Africa has been freed for over a decade now, this is nuts.

[needguide]

Really? Since NATO assassinated Aldo Moro and most likely conducted a coup d'etat in Poland...their track record involves dumping the citizens into decades of debt slavery, media manipulation, and NWO eugenics objectives.

Gaza needs to be freed already, wtf? South Africa has been freed for over a decade now, this is nuts.

YEP, I just want to see what NATO Comes up with....We Should see some real hi powered B.S on this

[s3d1t0r]

Is this confirmed now?

FROM: http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2010/5/31/145745/341

Turkey Kicks It Up a Notch
by BooMan
Mon May 31st, 2010 at 02:57:45 PM EST

Well, now Israel has done it. They have actually provoked Turkey to the point that they may start a war over this incident massacre:

Turkey has threatened Israel with unprecedented action after Israeli forces attacked an aid vessel, killing 10 peace activists headed to Gaza.
Israel said 10 people died while those on the ship said at least 15 were killed.

A shocked world has responded with outrage. Turkey recalled its ambassador to Israel and warned of unprecedented and incalculable reprisals.

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

Israel has sounded an alert throughout the country fearing rocket attacks by Hezbollah in Lebanon.

If Turkey is promising to send new supplies with naval escort, then we're headed for an epic showdown between two of Americas closest allies. I don't think Obama is getting too much rest and relaxation this Memorial Day.

Meanwhile, the Arab League will meet tomorrow and put immense pressure on Egypt to lift their portion of the Gazan blockade. I can't imagine that Egypt will refuse. In fact, I think Israel has jeopardized their peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan.

All this, and for what? To keep construction materials from the Gazan people? Israel is not behaving in anything resembling a rational manner. They just lost the only friends they had not named America. And who can help them now but Big Daddy? The problem is that Big Daddy has more to consider than Israeli's deluded interests. We have to worry about our own image and international relationships.

[Dig]

Rothschild could make one phone call and end the gaza occupation.

[needguide]

Rothschild could make one phone call and end the gaza occupation.

But that's not on the agenda

[spangler]

Rothschild could make one phone call and end the gaza occupation.

Would you put Rothschild atop the globalist pyramid?

[eddy64]

i thought the gaza seige would end soon once the people there have been relocated to the camps in the sinai

[citizenx]

The Sinai is Greater Israel, too.  They want the Palestinians dead.  The Sinai is simply where the camps will be, if the world does nothing.

[larsonstdoc]

 Mike Rivero said that some of these people on these ships have already been thrown in Israeli prisons for daring to oppose the IDF. Has anybody seen any proof of this or he just supposing this?

[needguide]

Alex will be all over it tomorrow! This has pre-planning all over it!

[Dig]

Would you put Rothschild atop the globalist pyramid?

I would put the houses of Rothschild, Windsor, Orange-Nassau pretty damn high, they control most Bilderberg directives.

[larsonstdoc]

  Another interesting point brought up by Ravero.  At 12 pm Eastern tonight the UN Security Council chairmanship changes to a different country.  THAT COUNTRY IS TURKEY.  Ravero said,"Payback is going to be hell for Israel."

[Tsul777]

[needguide]

I would put the houses of Rothschild, Windsor, Orange-Nassau pretty damn high, they control most Bilderberg directives.

All part of the same Family..."The Freaky bastard family"


This happening on memorial day weekend. tossed up the first flag to me.

Almost as good as the 4th of july.

[larsonstdoc]

What ship is the 2nd picture of?

[Dig]

 Another interesting point brought up by Ravero.  At 12 pm Eastern tonight the UN Security Council chairmanship changes to a different country.  THAT COUNTRY IS TURKEY.  Ravero said,"Payback is going to be hell for Israel."

whoah, i definitley sense more to this story than what we have been told.

one day before turkey takes over, israel kills 10 turks on a peace flotilla.

wow.

[citizenx]

I would put the houses of Rothschild, Windsor, Orange-Nassau pretty damn high, they control most Bilderberg directives.

Needguide,

Of the three, the House of Rothschild would have the most pull, since it was the largest financial sponsor of Zionism and the nascent Jewish State.  They would also have the most moral authority in this case as they are Jewish.

All three families are powerful within elite (Bilderberg) circles, but in this case it is the Rothschilds who would have the most influence and power.

In short, there was a lot of truth to S.'s original statement, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

I also think this was Israel's message to the UN.  Kinda like leaving a horse's head in their bed, eh?

[larsonstdoc]

  Ravero,  "If Washington doesn't condemn Israel for this, we (the USA) are Israeli occupied territory.  WE ARE BASICALLY PALESTINIANS."

[grapecrusher1]

Any reputable sources asserting that the Turkish navy will be escorting aid vessels in the near future?

[larsonstdoc]

http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=177062


HOW STUPID DO THEY THINK THE COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD ARE?  TO LET THE ISRAELIS DO THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION?  IT WOULD BE THE EQUIVALENT OF THE FED AUDITING THE FED OR BP INVESTIGATING BP!!!

US urges Israel probe flotilla incident, not international inquiry
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
06/01/2010 01:37


 
US deputy ambassador to the UN Alejandro Wolff did not support the Turkish and Arab demand for an independent international probe at the special UN Security Council session Monday overnight, saying: "We expect a credible and transparent investigation and strongly urge the Israeli government to investigate the incident fully."

[larsonstdoc]

http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=177061

ISRAEL CALLS FLOTILLA PASSENGERS ARMED---THEY HAD KNIVES AND BATS (AGAINST GUNS OF THE IDF)).  


Israel: Flotilla passengers were armed, "no peace activists"
By JPOST.COM STAFF
06/01/2010 01:31


 
Some of the flotilla passengers had "known terrorist histories,” Israel's deputy UN ambassador Daniel Carmon said at the special Security Council session Monday overnight.

How could men who were armed with bats and knives be called “peace activists," he asked the delegates.

[citizenx]

I don't know if I believe the flotilla members even had bats and knives just yet.  I don't trust the IDF not to have planted those things.

One staged daytime picture of a charicature Arab wielding a curved dagger does not evidence make.

Let Israel conduct its own investigation?

WTF!

Well, I guess when you have a 'fairy princess' President led around by the nose by his Mossad handler, things like that are bound to happen.

Now is the time when having a compromised chief executive really becomes a problem.

[larsonstdoc]

I don't know if I believe the flotilla members even had bats and knives just yet.  I don't trust the IDF not to have planted those things.

One staged daytime picture of a charicature Arab wielding a curved dagger does not evidence make.

Let Israel conduct its own investigation?

WTF!

Well, I guess when you have a 'fairy princess' President led around by the nose by his Mossad handler, things like that are bound to happen.

Now is the time when having a compromised chief executive really becomes a problem.

Agreed,  It's like Mike Rivero said--We are Israeli-occupied territory.

[larsonstdoc]

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=turk-israeli-ties-beyond-the-point-of-no-return-2010-05-31

From a Turkish newspaper.

Raid on flotilla puts final nail in coffin of Turkish ties with Israel


Font Size: Larger|Smaller
Monday, May 31, 2010
ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News
As details slowly emerge in the wake of Israel’s deadly attack on a flotilla of aid ships bound for the Gaza Strip, leaders from Turkey’s ruling and opposition parties raise their voices to condemn the action. It is the latest and worst incident in a long line of troublesome encounters over the last year and a half between the two allies and some say this could be the final act. ‘Our relations will never be the same,’ says a member of the ruling AKP
Israel’s deadly attack on a Palestinian aid convoy is likely to be the last straw in already fraught Turkish-Israeli relations, according to senior officials in Turkey’s ruling party.

Though the identities of the killed civilians were still unknown late Monday when the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review went to print, it is believed that many of the dead are Turkish citizens.

“Our relations with Israel will never be the same,” Hüseyin Çelik, spokesman of the Justice and Development Party, or AKP, told reporters Monday.

The Israeli attack dealt a devastating blow to relations already strained by tensions over Israeli actions in Gaza in late 2008.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s escalating rhetoric that targeted the Israeli government and his remarks that Israel’s alleged nuclear weapons capacity was comparable to Iran’s quest to develop such weapons was responsible for putting a strain on bilateral ties over the past year.

On Monday, Turkey appeared to be taking the lead in gathering international support against the Israeli attack, with the government already pressing international organizations such as the Organization of the Islamic Conference, or OIC, the European Union and the Arab League to take action.

“The worst possible scenario has happened,” said the head of the Turkish Center for International Relations and Strategic Analysis, or TÜRKSAM, Sinan Oğan.

“Israel has made a suicide commando move, and has committed suicide internationally, he said. “The Turkish-Israeli relationship is now open to every different scenario.”

He said, “The relationship between Turkey and Israel will face its biggest test in history, with the possibility of Turkey taking this issue to the European Union.”

Hasan Köni, an international relations professor, said the incident would further strain Turkish-Israeli ties in comments to the private Habertürk channel on Monday.

“Israel lost a lot. It’s a major mistake in the eyes of the West. This will strengthen Turkey’s hands,” Köni said, adding that it will be hard to repair Turkish-Israeli ties in the near future following Turkey’s decision to recall its ambassador for a second time in only a few months.

In addition to the diplomatic recall, Turkey also canceled three joint military drills and sporting activities on Monday.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu also called on the United Nations Security Council to convene an urgent meeting on the attack, which was declared “piracy” by Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç. Erdoğan, meanwhile, cut short his Latin America tour and was expected to return home Tuesday.

Three pillars of the strategy

Turkey’s strategy against Israel will likely be based on three main dimensions, including political, legal and humanitarian aspects.

Politically, Turkey plans to mobilize all international organizations to exert pressure on Tel Aviv to change its aggressive policies toward the Palestinians and remove the blockade on West Bank. Turkey is also likely to push for a global front to force Israel to punish those responsible for Monday’s attacks.

On the legal front, Turkish diplomats have begun to explore avenues to determine whether it is possible to bring the attack before international courts.

Lastly, Turkey will also use the attack to draw attention to the humanitarian situation of the Palestinian people. The visit of Mahmoud Abbas, president of Palestine, is seen within this context.

Attack not to remain unanswered

Crisis desks were established at the Turkish Prime Ministry and the Foreign Ministry on Monday morning. Speaking to reporters after an emergency meeting, Arınç said 400 of the Mavi Marmara’s 581 passengers were Turks.

“I strongly condemn the use of force by Israeli military forces on an aid convoy composed of 32 countries, including Turkey,” he said. “This attack must not remain unanswered.”

Arınç said the government was not involved in the organization of the flotilla, saying it was a pure civil society initiative.

Early in the day, Israel’s ambassador to Ankara, Gabby Levy, was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Deputy Undersecretary Ünal Çeviköz demanded Levy provide a detailed report about the outcome of the passengers of the boats, the Hürriyet Daily News has learned.

Çeviköz said it was against international law to forcibly interfere with ships carrying humanitarian aid in international waters.

“We want the return of the injured, and the cooperation needed to have them treated in Turkey. We expect the other passengers to be returned to their countries immediately,” he said. “We demand an end to this unlawful situation, and the release of the detained ships in international waters.”

Meanwhile, while en route to the United States, Davutoğlu said, “Under all conditions, even if no one had been injured, this is still an act of piracy.”

Opposition slams Israel

Turkey’s two main opposition parties strongly criticized Israel over a deadly attack on ships carrying aid to Gaza, announcing their support for a government decision to take the issue to international organizations.

“Nothing can justify this inhumane attack,” Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, head of the Republican People’s Party, or CHP, told reporters at a press conference Monday.

Criticizing the Israeli government for not sufficiently warning members of civilian organizations before their departure that soldiers could use deadly force, Kılıçdaroğlu said recalling the Turkish ambassador was the correct decision.

Devlet Bahçeli, head of the Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, called Israel’s attacks barbaric and said attacking a ship flying a Turkish flag was a hostile move. “These attacks should not be left unreciprocated. The reaction of the government should not be temporary and left on paper.”

He also asked the government to cut all economic and defense relations with Israel, adding that the country must pay compensation for the attacks.

“It should also apologize to Turkey,” Bahçeli said.

[larsonstdoc]

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=protests-in-front-of-israeli-consulate-in-istanbul-last-until-midnight-2010-06-01

From a Turkish newspaper.

Protests in front of Israeli consulate in Istanbul last until midnight
Font Size: Larger|Smaller
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News


DAILY NEWS photo, Emrah GÜREL
More than 10,000 of people gathered Monday night in front of the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul's Levent district to protest the attack of Israeli naval forces on a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip.

Many said they had gathered to have their voices heard and to show the volunteers on the aid ships as well as people in the Gaza Strip that they are not alone and that they are supported.

The protesters called on the Turkish government to cancel all bilateral agreements with Israel and dismiss all Israeli diplomatic bodies present in Turkey.

The crowd, which numbered 1,000 to 1,500 people during the day, grew considerably toward sunset and reached more than 10,000 at around 10 p.m, closing traffic on Büyükdere street, which runs in front of the Israeli Consulate. Thousands of women and children of all ages were also among the protesters, and according to the police at the venue, the number of female protesters had risen considerably in the late afternoon.

Several people were carrying placards with various slogans such as “It is enough,” “Do not remain silent,” and “Keeping silent against violence means to be a part of it."

Representatives of the Humanitarian Aid Association, or İHH, said in their speeches that Israeli soldiers attacked with real weapons, calling the incident a crime against humanity. They condemned the Israeli  attacks and urged for both national and international authorities not to remain silent but to take measures against Israel instead.

“The traitor, sly and cruel Israel, attacked cowardly,” they said, adding that nothing could stop their voices from being heard.

The crowds then started shouting religious phrases such as “Allah is the greatest” and various slogans such as “Cruel Israel, take your hands off the ships,” “Humanitarian aid cannot be restrained,” and “We are all volunteers of humanitarian aid." Several groups burned Israeli flags, while others held fireworks with colors of the Palestinian flag.

Müncahit Turan, who is 42 and lives in Gebze, in the suburbs of Istanbul, had come with his wife to protest against the attacks.

“No matter what one’s religion and nationality is, people should not be killed in such a brutal way,” he said, by adding that he would have protested against Palestine or any other country, had they behaved in the same way. He said he wished the attacks would end and the aid would be given to the people of Gaza.

Another protester, who was 41 but refused to give her name and said her name was "Palestine," said Israeli authorities could have talked to the volunteers on the aid ships instead of attacking them.

Mehmet Şimşek, 15, had come with his family to protest the attacks, which he considered a "shame of humanity." “The aids should reach their final destination and be delivered to Gaza people,” said Şimşek, adding that he would both go to school and come to protest, should the rally continue.

Kadir Durna, a 16-year-old who will also have to go to school in the morning, said he had come to protest against Israel’s ugly attacks. “We would even give our lives, if necessary,” he said.

The protests were peaceful, and no incidents occurred during the late hours. The crowds started to leave the venue toward midnight, yet a considerable number of protesters said they would continue staying there until they receive news on the fate of their relatives and friends, who were volunteers on the aid ships.

[larsonstdoc]

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=families-of-those-attacked-on-the-ship-shocked-and-devastated-2010-05-31

From a Turkish newspaper.

Families of those attacked on Turkish aid ship devastated

Monday, May 31, 2010
SEVİM SONGÜN
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News
The families of those on the Gaza aid flotilla that was attacked by Israeli soldiers early Monday morning have rushed to the building of the Humanitarian Aid Foundation in the hopes of receiving good news about their loved ones. Some are relieved to see their relatives alive after the operation, although others are preparing for the worst. The wait has been particularly anxious, especially since no contact has been established with those on board


Aynur Akdeniz's husband, Mehmet Ali Akdeniz, was on a Gaza aid ship in the flotilla. DAILY NEWS photo, Emrah GÜREL


As Aynur Akdeniz saw the first videos showing the attacks of Israel on the Gaza aid flotilla, she said she immediately switched off the TV to prevent her two children from seeing it. Her husband Mehmet Ali Akdeniz, 34, was on the ship.

After watching the news of an early morning Israeli army operation that killed as many as 19 people on a flotilla bringing aid to the Gaza Strip, Akdeniz rushed to the Humanitarian Aid Foundation, or İHH’s, building in Istanbul’s Fatih district.

The İHH was the main organizer of the aid shipments and its crisis management center, located at the top floor of the building, was bustling all day. Families rushed to the İHH building in the early hours of the morning and the press conference room was filled with crying families who watched developments on a television in the room.


Multimedia
PHOTO GALLERY: Relatives of Gaza aid ship passengers wait, worry

Akdeniz said she was planning to travel to Gaza together with her husband, but they decided not to because of the young age of their children.

“My son is 4 years old and my daughter is 6. They packed 300 lollipops for their father to take to Palestinian children in Gaza,” she said through tears.

Although her children have still not comprehended the unfolding events, they are also worried, Akdeniz said.

“They are asking about their father and they are worried even though I didn’t let them see the attack videos on TV,” she said.

Like the other families gathered at the İHH building trying to obtain news from their relatives on the ship, Akdeniz said she was shocked by the attacks and that she was worried and crying.

“I did not expect that much cruelty. My husband even did not have a pocket knife on him,” she said. “It was a strict rule for all of them not to have anything that might be used as a weapon. But Israel was afraid of a few civilian people.”

Akdeniz said she heard from friends that they saw a man who looked like her husband and that he was alive after the attacks.

Of the nearly 600 people on the Mavi Marmara ship, roughly 400 were Turkish citizens, according to İHH Vice Director Yavuz Dede, who said the passengers included men, women, and an 18-month-old baby.

Sümeyye Sena Tezcan, a 15-year-old high school student whose mother, Demet Tezcan, was on the ship, said she was relieved when she saw her mother in images on TV. “She was running during the attacks and was helping wounded people.”

Tezcan said her younger sister gave her baby doll to her mother and told her to give it to children in Gaza.

When her mother left home on May 24 for Antalya in preparation for boarding the ship at the Mediterranean port, Sümeyye Sena Tezcan said it was an ordinary day for the family. The mother was excited about the trip and was looking forward to seeing Gaza for the first time when the family last saw her at the İHH building, according to the daughter.

“She told us to take care of each other before leaving. We were afraid, we were worried, but never expected something horrible like this could happen,” she said.

Preparing for bad news

But while some families rejoiced at the apparent safety of their loved ones, many others were much worried about the fate of their loved ones.

Selma Erkal, whose brother Şahin İbrahim Güleryüz, 42, was on the ship, came immediately to the İHH building as soon as she saw the videos on TV.

She said she saw her brother in the videos on TV. “He had fainted, his head fallen on his chest, and there were people trying to help him,” said Erkal, who believed her brother had been wounded.

“We wanted to believe that he is only wounded, but he could also be dead. He has two sons and we did not tell his wife what we saw. We wouldn’t know what to say,” said Erkal, who was waiting at İHH in hope of good news.

Like others, Erkal said she was expecting a response from Israel, although not one so fatal. “I did not expect such a wild intervention. They were all unarmed people carrying humanitarian aid.”

Hatice Çorluk, whose son Fevzi Çorluk, 24, was on the ship, said she had expected the Israeli army’s response.

Struggling to speak due to her anguish, Çorluk said Turkey had abandoned those onboard.

Neslihan Üstündağ, Fevzi Çorluk’s sister, said those on the ship had called for help many times during the night before the attack occurred. “But Turkey did not do anything. It could have sent a ship to help them.”

The members of the Çorluk family said they had been crying all day and that they simply wanted to receive good news about their loved one’s condition.

Hayrünnisa Abdurrahman, a mother of four, said she was afraid her husband, Abdülahad Abdurrahman, 40, could be dead.

“He is a man who cannot stand injustice. I fear that he might have intervened during the attacks to save people from Israeli soldiers,” she said through tears. Abdurrahman has four children.

Before leaving home, Abdurrahman told his wife that the journey could be potentially fatal and asked for her blessing.

When he boarded the vessel, he had no possessions that could be construed as a weapon except a sewing needle with which to repair any tears to his pants, she said.

[larsonstdoc]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37442104

THE IDF IS GOING TO SEIZE ANOTHER SHIP BY WEDNESDAY!!!

Israel: We are ready for next Gaza ship
After deadly raid, Navy readies for new seizure by Wednesday

JERUSALEM - Israel's Navy is ready to stop another aid ship headed to Gaza, a commander said on Tuesday, playing down the prospect of his men shying from confrontation after their bloody seizure of a Turkish vessel a day earlier.

Israel's Army Radio reported that the MV Rachel Corrie, a converted merchant ship, would reach Gazan waters by Wednesday.

A Marine lieutenant who was not named told Army Radio that he expected an easy takeover of the ship.

Story continues below ↓
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"We as a unit are studying, and we will carry out professional investigations to reach conclusions," the lieutenant said, referring to a skirmish in which his unit shot nine international activists aboard the Turkish ferry.

"And we will also be ready for the Rachel Corrie," he added.

Early Monday, Israeli commandos rappelled down from helicopters to board the six ships, clashing with pro-Palestinian activists in a botched raid that left at least nine passengers dead.

Bloodied passengers sprawled on the deck and troops jumped into the sea to save themselves during several hours of hand-to-hand fighting that injured dozens of activists and six soldiers. Hundreds of activists — many Turkish along with some Europeans and Americans — were towed from the international waters to Israeli detention centers and hospitals.

International condemnation was swift and harsh as Israel scrambled to explain how what was meant to be a simple takeover of a civilian vessel went so badly awry.

Netanyahu-Obama meeting canceled
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly canceled a planned meeting with President Barack Obama in Washington to rush home.

Israel was trying to enforce its controversial 3-year-old blockade against Hamas-ruled Gaza when it intercepted the six ships carrying some 10,000 tons of aid for the isolated seaside territory.

   

Instead, the international condemnation of the raid — unprecedented in scope and ferocity — appeared likely to increase pressure to end the embargo that has plunged Gaza's 1.5 million residents deeper into poverty.

It also battered Israel's already shaky international standing and sharply raised Mideast tensions at a time the U.S. is making a new push for regional peace.

Most of the information about what happened on the single ship where violence broke out came from Israel, which cut off all communication to and from the activists and provided testimony and video evidence that its soldiers came under attack by activists armed with metal rods, knives, slingshots and two pistols snatched from the troops.

Passengers reached at an Israeli hospital and journalists aboard the ship accused the soldiers of using excessive force. One passenger, who identified himself as American, insisted he was not violent.

"I'm not violent. What I can tell you is that there are bruises all over my body. They won't let me show them to you," he said before being pushed away by a security escort.

The Israeli military said early Tuesday that all of the activists had either been hospitalized or placed in detention.

Three human rights groups — Adalah, the Public Committee against Torture in Israel and Physicians for Human Rights — submitted a petition to Israel's Supreme Court demanding that the state identify the people who were killed and injured in the raid, as well as the names and locations of those detained.


The high-seas confrontation was a nightmare scenario for Israel, which insisted its soldiers were simply unprepared for what awaited them on the Mavi Marmara, the ship carrying 600 of the 700 activists headed for Gaza and where all the violence took place. Instead of carrying their regular automatic rifles, the Israelis said they went in with non-lethal paintball guns and pistols they never expected to use.

   


  Anger spreads
Israel's raid of the aid flotilla sparked protests in several countries.
Israel's international image had already taken a beating from allegations that it committed war crimes during its 2008-2009 winter war in Gaza, and from widespread global opposition to the blockade, which Egypt helps enforce. Hamas was also accused of rights violations in that conflict.

The Israeli government had urged the flotilla not to try to breach the blockade before the ships set sail from waters off Cyprus on Sunday and offered to take some aid in for them.

Israel has allowed ships through five times, but has blocked them from entering Gaza waters since a three-week military offensive against Gaza's Hamas rulers in January 2009.

Key regional ally Turkey withdrew its ambassador on Monday, the U.N. Security Council held an emergency session, the British foreign secretary demanded an end to the blockade of Gaza, and Jordan called Israel's raid a "heinous crime."

[InfoArsenal]

Honestly it's hard to even care.

If Turkey doesn't care about their people they need to mobilize and throw them out.

They are all NWO stooges anyways.

[Optimus]

Israeli army threatens to use force against another aid ship to Gaza
http://www.ndchronicle.com/news/Israeli_army_threatens_to_use_force_against_another_aid_ship_to_Gaza_1275370250/
1 June, 2010

GAZA: The Israeli army threatened Tuesday to use force against Rachel Corrie ship, which has been sailing from Ireland, if it continued its trip towards besieged Gaza Strip, military sources said.

The Israeli radio quoted the sources as confirming the "use of force against Rachel Corrie if necessary." Rachel Corrie, boarded with pro-Palestinian activists, is slowing heading towards Gaza, said the sources.

The ship sailed from Ireland in mid-May carrying 1,200 tons of aid from Ireland.

A Freedom Flotilla aid convoy had been seized by the Israeli naval forces at dawn Monday in an operation that killed 19 people and injured some 35 others.