Pro-Palestinian 'Peace Activists' Tried to Take Hostages (per Al Jazeera cameraman onboard)

[Ian David]

Israeli marines were held during ship raid-witness
* Soldiers freed after Israel agreed to airlift wounded
* Lebanese account echoes testimony from both sides

BEIRUT, June 3 (Reuters) - Activists on a Gaza-bound Turkish ship seized four Israeli marines before other commandos stormed aboard using live ammunition, a Lebanese cameraman said in an account on Thursday that echoed elements of Israeli testimony.

There were sharp differences in the versions of Monday’s events at sea on the cruise liner Mavi Marmara. Witnesses freed after three days incommunicado in Israel accused troops of war crimes; Israel held to its line that they fired in self-defence.

But the account from Andre Abu Khalil, a cameraman for Al Jazeera TV, echoed other testimony, from both sides, that after an initial landing by a small group of commandos armed with anti-riot weapons was overpowered by activists wielding sticks, a second wave of marines stormed in, killing those in their way. …

Abu Khalil told Reuters by telephone from the southern Lebanese village of Marjayoun: “There were four Israeli soldiers brought to the lowest deck. They had fracture wounds.”

More:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE6521UG

Hat-tip to: http://twitter.com/Lizardoid/status/15444331902

[MindandSoul]

1. Before or after the commandos took the whole ship as hostage???

[damntexdem]

2. Hmm, captured four pirates. Good work, I say.

The commandos should all be tried as pirates in an international court.

[JDPriestly]

3. If you run an internationally, legally recognized blockade, this is what

happened.

I know of someone who claimed to have run the blockade on South Africa. Running a blockade is a risky, potentially violent business. It's really stupid and was unnecessary in this case. The people trying to run the blockade could have permitted the Egyptians to look at their cargo and then could have gotten their goods into Gaza. The activists were just stupid. They were asking for trouble.

[Ignis]

4. "If you wear a short skirt, this is what happens!"

:puke:

[azurnoir]

5. Turkey who is/was an ally of Israel had already inspected the cargo

what on earth makes you think that Israel would have taken Egypt's word for it?

[JDPriestly]

11. Because that is how the blockade is structured.

Egypt does not want shipments to enter Gaza without inspection either. Israel and Egypt cooperate on enforcing the boycott. Israel will accept Egypt's decision on an inspection. Had the people on the ships submitted to and Egyptian inspection, there would have been no problem. This is a publicity stunt.

[azurnoir]

12. rrrrright no Israel knew and knows it can get away with murdering Muslims

that is why they went after the Turkish ship in the way they did and there is no other reason

[shira]

13. 5 other ships including the Rachel Corrie surrendered peacefully but you think Israel...

....just went after Muslims on the Marmara and 'murdered' them because they can get away with it.

:tinfoilhat:

Why weren't there murders on any other boats?

[sellitman]

7. They were looking for trouble and got it.

Bingo

[mysuzuki2]

9. you're still full of shit

[azurnoir]

6. title does not match story posted

[ConsAreLiars]

10. Nor the facts, but that is SOP for those who defend mass murderes (nt)

[Recursion]

8. Legally, pirates can be summarily executed

I don't know that putting boarders in the hold is a "hostage" situation

[mainer]

14. Held hostage only as a cry for medical help!

"Abu Khalil said he saw some 40 wounded people, some with bullet wounds to the legs, apparently to disable them. Others had wounds to the eye, stomach and chest.

One activist used a loudhailer to tell the Israelis the four captive soldiers were well and would be released if they provided medical help for the wounded.

With an Israeli Arab lawmaker acting as mediator, the Israelis agreed to the request and the wounded were brought to the top deck where they were airlifted off the ship."