Turks Sailing Again in Gaza Flotilla Chart a Collision Course With Israel

[xchrom]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-29/turks-sailing-again-in-gaza-flotilla-chart-a-collision-course-with-israel.html

In an Istanbul dockyard, workers are outfitting the Mavi Marmara, the ship on which Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish activists a year ago, to lead a second attempt to break Israel’s embargo of the Gaza Strip.

The first voyage ended when soldiers rappelled from helicopters and opened fire after the ship, part of a six-boat flotilla, refused to stop. Israel says people onboard shot first and attacked with iron bars, a charge they deny. This time, activists plan to sail 15 vessels loaded with cargo and pro- Palestinian supporters, setting them on a collision course with Israel’s military.

Their goal is to defy and undermine the blockade of Hamas- ruled Gaza next month by delivering aid to the enclave without permission. At stake are two often conflicting aims: Israel’s stated desire to limit and monitor cargo going into Gaza to prevent weapons from entering and Palestinian demands for self- determination and improved living conditions.

“For the flotilla’s organizers and supporters, including Turkey, it’s a win-win situation, in which they either secure humanitarian passage perceived to be alleviating suffering in Gaza, or are assaulted and perceived to be the victims of state- sponsored violence,” said Shashank Joshi, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London.

[bemildred]

1. That 4th paragraph really spells it out, doesn't it?

“For the flotilla’s organizers and supporters, including Turkey, it’s a win-win situation, in which they either secure humanitarian passage perceived to be alleviating suffering in Gaza, or are assaulted and perceived to be the victims of state- sponsored violence,” said Shashank Joshi, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London.

[xchrom]

2. that shook me up a little bit. but -- i think it's also true.

i really do hope no one is hurt.

[bemildred]

3. One presumes the people on the boats are willing to take that risk.

I mean they all know what happened last time.

[xchrom]

4. oh yeah. i realize that.

and i realized that after the last time -- people would try it again.

[bemildred]

5. It's a "win-win".

:sarcasm:

[JonScholar]

9. They're very brave individuals

The only kind of individual that can ever make a difference. We should commend them

[shira]

10. They'd be brave sending a flotilla into Syria where it's actually needed...

Of course, extreme rightwing, antisemitic warmongers or enablers/supporters of extreme rightwing antisemitic warmongers and their ideology, don't give a shit about what's happening in Syria...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3L7OV414Kk&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYjkLUcbJWo&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6sAEYpHF24&feature=player_embedded

[jimmie]

14. Ain't that the truth.

"syria?...who cares"

[bemildred]

6. Canadians to join Gaza flotilla despite warnings

OTTAWA — A group representing 200 Canadian organizations vowed on Monday to send a boat to the Gaza Strip as part of the second "Freedom Flotilla" despite Ottawa's warnings against "provocative" aid deliveries.

"The Canadian Boat to Gaza (CBG) is dismissing Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird's misinformation about the upcoming flotilla, and is promising to sail with the Freedom Flotilla II next month," the group said in a statement.

"CBG views Minister Baird's statement as an attempt to abdicate the Canadian government?s obligation to ensure the safety of the Canadians who will be on board the flotilla, including the Canadian boat Tahrir and to justify, in advance, any crimes Israel may commit against peaceful unarmed civilians from Canada and all over the world, as it did a year ago tomorrow," it added.

CBG claims to have the support of thousands of Canadians and some 200 local non-profit organizations.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hhv2_MADsPKs6XpX5shnJ93mGgHw?docId=CNG.b629fa3401e51f49136f0d3e79d7d8b7.71

[xchrom]

7. +1

[bemildred]

8. Americans Are Joining Flotilla to Protest Israeli Blockade

When an international flotilla sails for Gaza this month to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of the Palestinian territory, among the boats will be an American ship with 34 passengers, including the writer Alice Walker and an 86-year-old whose parents died in the Holocaust.

A year ago, nine people in a flotilla of six boats were killed when Israeli commandos boarded a Turkish boat in international waters off the coast of Gaza. The Israelis said their commandos were attacked and struck back in self-defense, but the Turks blamed the Israelis for using live ammunition. The raid soured relations between Israel and Turkey and intensified pressure on Israel to end the naval blockade.

Organizers said the new flotilla, scheduled to leave in late June from a port they would not identify, had at least 1,000 passengers on about 10 boats. One boat will carry Spaniards, another Canadians, another Swiss and another Irish.

The Americans have named their boat “The Audacity of Hope,” lifting the title of a book by President Obama to make a point, said Leslie Cagan, a political organizer who is the coordinator of the American boat.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/02/world/middleeast/02flotilla.html

[jimmie]

13. Yup.....real smart move there

swim baby swim

[pelsar]

11. this is where the definition of "useful idiots" comes from

the gaza govt: hamas is a theocratical fanatical anti civil rights, anti democratic rights, anti abortion, anti freedom of speech, thought etc...who have a habit of launching random attacks across the border in attempt to terrorize and kill...is being supported by "nice" progressives."

the gazans residents of gaza have now have a second border opened to egypt...and depending upon their wisdom and use of political pressure will have additional supplies to supplement whatever they dont get via israel and via their own tunnels.

so whats left?...military grade missiles......
they are limited in the types and numbers of military missiles that can be brought in via the tunnels, but a few large cargo ships should take care of that......

those "useful idiots" are putting not just my life in danger but that of my kids down south......within range......

I'm considering the pros and cons of a few torpedos.....

war zones, even low level war zones are very dangerous places....its not for naive children with simplistic ideas and little understanding of the concept of consequences for ones actions.

[jimmie]

12. works for me

except of course theyre not naive....they know exactly what they are doing.

[Never Stop Dancin]

15. Flotilla of Fear 2.0

May the Lord watch over Israel as this deathwagon of the seas closes in.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jimmie]

17. interesting

"Fuk your lord"

besides insulting a religion, why did you leave off the "c"?

[gerenimox]

18. is it prohibited to "insult a religion"?

if so, why doesn`t it apply to "insulting islam"?

[azurnoir]

20. lol are you a drama major? " death wagon of the seas " ? n/t

[tootrueleft]

21. Yes lord, protect the superpower while this deathwagon containing childrens shoes and medicine

threatens israels existence by attempting to delver goods to the impoverished people of gaza.

:sarcasm:

Sleep well?

[shira]

23. The deathwagon wants Hamas to have easier access to more of Iran's better weapons.

It's not a humanitarian mission....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=124&topic_id=316481&mesg_id=316668

It's a hate ship...
http://www.mideasttruth.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8881&sid=754fe34ecf2b7dab0c93b7f70c7d8abd

We can rest assured they're mostly all for BDS and the destruction of Israel, they support the recent UCU decision, have no issue with Norm Finkelstein saying Hezbollah has the 'RIGHT' to bomb Israeli civilians, and don't think Helen Thomas or Hamas are grossly antisemitic.

Please convince me that these people mean well...

:)

[tootrueleft]

25. So a link to a thread YOU originally posted plus a blog from an israeli ministry spokesman? LOL!!!!!

Ok, we're all SO convinced. Any solid news articles??

[shira]

27. Did you actually read what was in that link from the organizers of the flotilla?

Here's another link to something I posted earlier...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=124&topic_id=353956&mesg_id=354197

You're going to ignore that too and continue to reject fact?

[tootrueleft]

28. I read news and unbiased information sources. Try it on the boyscouts buddy.

[shira]

29. Those are actual facts you're rejecting.

Greta Berlin was quoted as saying the flotilla's mission was not humanitarian.

Those videos show the same and go further to prove some activists on the Marmara were antisemitic warmongers.

[tootrueleft]

30. Warmongers like the soldiers who rapelled with machine guns onto the deck? Like I said, try it on

the boyscouts buddy.....

[shira]

31. Where do you see them rappelling down w/machine guns blasting on a peaceful crowd?

What do you think about Greta Berlin's admission it wasn't a humanitarian flotilla?

Or the IHH crew on the Marmara chanting songs calling for death to Jews?

Or video of them preparing for the IDF before the IDF boarded?

Or video showing them attacking IDF boats before the IDF boarded?

=======

Your kind of non-violent peace activists?

[tootrueleft]

33. We didn't. They confiscated the footage, remember?

[shira]

19. Those assholes & their supporters totally know what they're doing. n/t

[Never Stop Dancin]

22. beware of Turks bearing gifts

We all know what's really on that flotilla. These ghost ships must not be allowed to touch Israeli shores.

[shira]

24. Aww, they just wanna have a little love-in with their fellow progressives @ Hamas HQ. n/t

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Never Stop Dancin]

26. you need to get those kids out of there

all of Southern Israel is now a killing field, thanks to that fool Olmert.