- Even America's major media can't duck a crime this grave
- attacking and slaughtering up to 20 Gaza Freedom Flotilla activists and
injuring dozens more.
-
- New York Times writer Isabel Kershner headlined "At
Least 10 Killed as Israel Intercepts Aid Flotilla, saying:
-
- "The Israeli Navy raided a flotilla carrying thousands
of tons of supplies for Gaza in international waters on Monday morning....The
incident drew widespread international condemnation, with Israeli envoys
summoned to explain their country's actions in several European countries....The
killings also coincided with preparations for a planned visit to Washington
on Tuesday (June 1) by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."
-
- Late word is it's postponed.
-
- The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and Los Angeles
Times carried similar reports, trying, but hardly able to downplay a major
crime.
-
- The UK-based Stop the War Coalition called it "Yet
another act of Israeli barbarism" in announcing an "emergency
demonstration" at 2:00PM near the prime minister's Downing Street
residence, saying spread the word and come.
-
- In Gaza, thousands protested, expressing anger, outrage
and sympathy, carrying banners condemning willful crimes, and calling for
Arab solidarity. Similar demonstrations turned out in Amman, Cairo, Damascus,
Tehran, Ankara, Istanbul, Beirut and other regional cities.
-
- Defense Minister Ehud Barak blamed the Flotilla organizers
for inciting the attack, while his deputy, Danny Alalon said they were
connected to international terrorist organizations and were trying to smuggle
in arms. Weapons were found on board, he claimed.
-
- At a hastily called news conference, sparsely attended,
he referred to "the armada of hate and violence in support of the
Hamas terror organization," accusing peaceful activists of a "premeditated
and outrageous provocation," saying "The organizers are well
known for their ties with global Jihad, Al Qaeda and Hamas. (Their) intent
was violent, their method was violent, and the results were unfortunately
violent."
-
- Shameless lies from a criminal caught red-handed, Haaretz's
Gideon Levy saying:
-
- "The Israeli propaganda machine has reached new
highs (distributing) false information. It embarrassed itself by entering
a futile public relations battle....There is nothing to explain, certainly
not to a world that will never buy (its) web of explanations, lies and
tactics."
-
- In Washington, of course, they're echoed along with toned
down pious indignation publicly, but privately, assurances of solid US-Israeli
relations are affirmed.
-
- On May 31, White House spokesman William Burton said:
-
- "The United States deeply regrets the loss of life
and injuries sustained, and is currently working to understand the circumstances
surrounding this tragedy," stopping short of condemning crimes too
grave to ignore and demanding harsh measures in response to premeditated
slaughter.
-
- Much the same from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (a
reliable Israeli ally) stating:
-
- "It is vital that there is a full investigation
to determine exactly how this bloodshed took place. I believe Israel must
urgently provide a full explanation," stopping short of demanding
it and full accountability.
-
- Saying he "deplored in the strongest terms the killing
of civilians," Italian Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini, like his
EU counterparts, said it was "indispensable that there be an inquest
to ascertain the facts, which are still not clear."
-
- They're very clear. Israeli forces planned and executed
a premeditated attack against peaceful humanitarian activists, trying to
deliver essential to life aid to Gazans under siege - to break Israel's
attempt to suffocate and starve them.
-
- The Wall Street Journal online headlined "More than
10 Dead After Israel Intercepts Gaza Aid Convoy," saying (like most
US media reports) that "An Israeli military spokesman said later in
the day that some activists 'appeared' to be armed with guns, and fired
at the Israeli soldiers, though it wasn't clear who fired first."
-
- The activists, in fact, were unarmed civilians, delivering
vitally needed humanitarian aid to 1.5 million Gazans, trapped under siege
for three years this month. Without provocation, they were maliciously
and willfully attacked in international waters by armed Israeli commandos
with orders to open fire if the convoy failed to abort its mission.
-
- The best Journal writer Joshua Mitnick could say was
"whether the military action was warranted or not (it) threatens to
further sully Israel's international reputation, after a series of recent
diplomatic setbacks."
-
- No mention of the Gaza war, daily West Bank and East
Jerusalem incursions, the three-year siege, a 43-year occupation, daily
killings, targeted assassinations, homes bulldozed, mass arrests, torture,
and Palestinian communities throughout the Territories and in Israel threatened
by daily terror.
-
- No mention by European nations either, the EU merely
calling for a full inquiry, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner (a
staunch Israeli supporter) saying he was "deeply shocked by the 'tragic'
consequences of Israel's military operation (against) a humanitarian initiative,"
but little else. The same hypocrisy echoed from most European capitals,
much like already from Washington.
-
- Turkey's Communist Party's press statement, in contrast,
said:
-
- "The pirate commandos trained by Israel Naval Forces
mounted an operation this morning to capture the flotilla carrying aid
to Gaza and slaughtered unarmed civilians in the course of this outrageous
operation."
-
- Calling the attack "barbarous," it "demanded"
immediate deportation of Israel's diplomatic mission, cancellation of Turkish-Israeli
military and other agreements, and Israel held fully accountable for its
crime against humanity - its specialty against civilians and nonviolent
activists.
-
- Al Jazeera reported that "Thousands of Turkish protesters
tried to storm the Israeli consulate in Istanbul soon after the news (shouting)
'Damn Israel' as police blocked them."
-
- It also said Israeli radio confirmed at least 19 were
killed and dozens injured, quoting IDF spokeswoman, Avital Leibovich, saying,
"This happened in waters outside Israeli territory, but we have the
right to defend ourselves," - the usual response from scoundrels caught
red-handed.
-
- Video footage on board the Turkish passenger ship Mavi
Marmara showed Israeli commandos opened fire during the assault, activists
saying it began immediately after storming on board.
-
- Al Zazeera's Jamal Elshayyal, on the ship, said "a
white surrender flag was raised (and) there was no live fire coming from
the passengers."
-
- The Free Gaza Movement reported that "Under darkness
of night, Israeli commandos dropped from a helicopter onto the Turkish
passenger ship, Mavi Marmara, and began to shoot the moment their feet
hit the deck." No action on board provoked it. It was premeditated,
willful slaughter.
-
- The Gisha Legal Center for Freedom of Movement expressed
sorrow in denouncing the attack, citing it as further "proof that
despite claims to the contrary, Israel never 'disengaged' from the Gaza
Strip but rather continues to control its borders - land, air and sea....hermetically
(cutting off) 1.5 million human beings (from) access to the outside world"
and vitally needed humanitarian aid.
-
- Netanyahu's spokesman, Mark Regev, claimed "They
initiated the violence," and the IDF insisted it responded when its
forces "were attacked with knives, clubs, and even live fire."
Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said soldiers were forced by violent acts
to respond with live fire.
-
- They lied.
-
- Viewing the video footage, Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin
reported that:
-
- "All the images being shown from the activists on
board those ships show clearly that they were civilians and peaceful in
nature, with medical (and other humanitarian) supplies on board."
-
- Other footage showed black-clad commandos descending
from helicopters, then immediately opening fire on deck against peaceful
activists.
-
- Israeli forces seized the ship and a smaller one, took
them to Israel's port of Ashdod, and censored all information on the assault.
-
- The Flotilla, with 700 activists, left Cyprus at 3:00PM
(1200 GMT) Sunday, on the last leg of their journey, heading for Gaza,
hoping to arrive by daylight. Six hours after departure, three Israeli
missile boats left Haifa to interdict it, according to reporters on board
before being ordered to turn off their cell phones.
-
- The convoy hoped to break the siege and deliver over
10,000 tons of vitally needed aid, including food, medicines, educational,
construction, and other materials. Israel warned it would intercept and
abort the mission, giving no details except to say ships would be seized,
then taken to Ashdod.
-
- A May 31 Gaza Freedom March.org press release called
for a "global response to killings on the Freedom Flotilla,"
saying:
-
- "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....against the Gaza Freedom Flotilla....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, from Gaza, call on you to demonstrate and support
the courageous men and women on the Flotilla and join the 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 an international outlaw. "Join a growing critical mass around
the world with a commitment to the day when Palestinian are entitled to
the same rights as (all) other people, when the siege is lifted, the occupation
over and the 6 million Palestinian refugees are finally granted justice."
-
- Stand in solidarity for their freedom in peace, and demand
nothing less, including full accountability for Israeli officials responsible
for high crimes of war and against humanity.
-
- On board the Flottilla are over 700 activists from 40
countries, including 35 politicians and a Nobel Peace laureate, Mairead
McGuire, who protesting with Bil'in village activists against Israel's
Separation Wall, in April 2007, was shot and injured with a rubber bullet,
then tear-gassed, overcome, and had to be taken by stretcher to an ambulance.
-
- Again, she and 700 others risked their lives to deliver
vitally needed aid. In solidarity, people of conscience everywhere must
support them and demand full accountability for the latest Israeli crimes
too grave to ignore.
-
- Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at
lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com
and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the
Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays
at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs
are archived for easy listening.
-
- http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- h/o Brave Israeli Commandos Slaughter Aid Activists
-
-
-
- top box, lendman box, H and DP
-
-
-
- Brave Israeli Commandos Slaughter Aid Activists At Sea
-
-
- By Stephen Lendman
-
- 5-30-10
-
-
- Even America's major media can't duck a crime this grave
- attacking and slaughtering up to 20 Gaza Freedom Flotilla activists and
injuring dozens more.
-
- New York Times writer Isabel Kershner headlined "At
Least 10 Killed as Israel Intercepts Aid Flotilla, saying:
-
- "The Israeli Navy raided a flotilla carrying thousands
of tons of supplies for Gaza in international waters on Monday morning....The
incident drew widespread international condemnation, with Israeli envoys
summoned to explain their country's actions in several European countries....The
killings also coincided with preparations for a planned visit to Washington
on Tuesday (June 1) by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."
-
- Late word is it's postponed.
-
- The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and Los Angeles
Times carried similar reports, trying, but hardly able to downplay a major
crime.
-
- The UK-based Stop the War Coalition called it "Yet
another act of Israeli barbarism" in announcing an "emergency
demonstration" at 2:00PM near the prime minister's Downing Street
residence, saying spread the word and come.
-
- In Gaza, thousands protested, expressing anger, outrage
and sympathy, carrying banners condemning willful crimes, and calling for
Arab solidarity. Similar demonstrations turned out in Amman, Cairo, Damascus,
Tehran, Ankara, Istanbul, Beirut and other regional cities.
-
- Defense Minister Ehud Barak blamed the Flotilla organizers
for inciting the attack, while his deputy, Danny Alalon said they were
connected to international terrorist organizations and were trying to smuggle
in arms. Weapons were found on board, he claimed.
-
- At a hastily called news conference, sparsely attended,
he referred to "the armada of hate and violence in support of the
Hamas terror organization," accusing peaceful activists of a "premeditated
and outrageous provocation," saying "The organizers are well
known for their ties with global Jihad, Al Qaeda and Hamas. (Their) intent
was violent, their method was violent, and the results were unfortunately
violent."
-
- Shameless lies from a criminal caught red-handed, Haaretz's
Gideon Levy saying:
-
- "The Israeli propaganda machine has reached new
highs (distributing) false information. It embarrassed itself by entering
a futile public relations battle....There is nothing to explain, certainly
not to a world that will never buy (its) web of explanations, lies and
tactics."
-
- In Washington, of course, they're echoed along with toned
down pious indignation publicly, but privately, assurances of solid US-Israeli
relations are affirmed.
-
- On May 31, White House spokesman William Burton said:
-
- "The United States deeply regrets the loss of life
and injuries sustained, and is currently working to understand the circumstances
surrounding this tragedy," stopping short of condemning crimes too
grave to ignore and demanding harsh measures in response to premeditated
slaughter.
-
- Much the same from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (a
reliable Israeli ally) stating:
-
- "It is vital that there is a full investigation
to determine exactly how this bloodshed took place. I believe Israel must
urgently provide a full explanation," stopping short of demanding
it and full accountability.
-
- Saying he "deplored in the strongest terms the killing
of civilians," Italian Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini, like his
EU counterparts, said it was "indispensable that there be an inquest
to ascertain the facts, which are still not clear."
-
- They're very clear. Israeli forces planned and executed
a premeditated attack against peaceful humanitarian activists, trying to
deliver essential to life aid to Gazans under siege - to break Israel's
attempt to suffocate and starve them.
-
- The Wall Street Journal online headlined "More than
10 Dead After Israel Intercepts Gaza Aid Convoy," saying (like most
US media reports) that "An Israeli military spokesman said later in
the day that some activists 'appeared' to be armed with guns, and fired
at the Israeli soldiers, though it wasn't clear who fired first."
-
- The activists, in fact, were unarmed civilians, delivering
vitally needed humanitarian aid to 1.5 million Gazans, trapped under siege
for three years this month. Without provocation, they were maliciously
and willfully attacked in international waters by armed Israeli commandos
with orders to open fire if the convoy failed to abort its mission.
-
- The best Journal writer Joshua Mitnick could say was
"whether the military action was warranted or not (it) threatens to
further sully Israel's international reputation, after a series of recent
diplomatic setbacks."
-
- No mention of the Gaza war, daily West Bank and East
Jerusalem incursions, the three-year siege, a 43-year occupation, daily
killings, targeted assassinations, homes bulldozed, mass arrests, torture,
and Palestinian communities throughout the Territories and in Israel threatened
by daily terror.
-
- No mention by European nations either, the EU merely
calling for a full inquiry, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner (a
staunch Israeli supporter) saying he was "deeply shocked by the 'tragic'
consequences of Israel's military operation (against) a humanitarian initiative,"
but little else. The same hypocrisy echoed from most European capitals,
much like already from Washington.
-
- Turkey's Communist Party's press statement, in contrast,
said:
-
- "The pirate commandos trained by Israel Naval Forces
mounted an operation this morning to capture the flotilla carrying aid
to Gaza and slaughtered unarmed civilians in the course of this outrageous
operation."
-
- Calling the attack "barbarous," it "demanded"
immediate deportation of Israel's diplomatic mission, cancellation of Turkish-Israeli
military and other agreements, and Israel held fully accountable for its
crime against humanity - its specialty against civilians and nonviolent
activists.
-
- Al Jazeera reported that "Thousands of Turkish protesters
tried to storm the Israeli consulate in Istanbul soon after the news (shouting)
'Damn Israel' as police blocked them."
-
- It also said Israeli radio confirmed at least 19 were
killed and dozens injured, quoting IDF spokeswoman, Avital Leibovich, saying,
"This happened in waters outside Israeli territory, but we have the
right to defend ourselves," - the usual response from scoundrels caught
red-handed.
-
- Video footage on board the Turkish passenger ship Mavi
Marmara showed Israeli commandos opened fire during the assault, activists
saying it began immediately after storming on board.
-
- Al Zazeera's Jamal Elshayyal, on the ship, said "a
white surrender flag was raised (and) there was no live fire coming from
the passengers."
-
- The Free Gaza Movement reported that "Under darkness
of night, Israeli commandos dropped from a helicopter onto the Turkish
passenger ship, Mavi Marmara, and began to shoot the moment their feet
hit the deck." No action on board provoked it. It was premeditated,
willful slaughter.
-
- The Gisha Legal Center for Freedom of Movement expressed
sorrow in denouncing the attack, citing it as further "proof that
despite claims to the contrary, Israel never 'disengaged' from the Gaza
Strip but rather continues to control its borders - land, air and sea....hermetically
(cutting off) 1.5 million human beings (from) access to the outside world"
and vitally needed humanitarian aid.
-
- Netanyahu's spokesman, Mark Regev, claimed "They
initiated the violence," and the IDF insisted it responded when its
forces "were attacked with knives, clubs, and even live fire."
Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said soldiers were forced by violent acts
to respond with live fire.
-
- They lied.
-
- Viewing the video footage, Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin
reported that:
-
- "All the images being shown from the activists on
board those ships show clearly that they were civilians and peaceful in
nature, with medical (and other humanitarian) supplies on board."
-
- Other footage showed black-clad commandos descending
from helicopters, then immediately opening fire on deck against peaceful
activists.
-
- Israeli forces seized the ship and a smaller one, took
them to Israel's port of Ashdod, and censored all information on the assault.
-
- The Flotilla, with 700 activists, left Cyprus at 3:00PM
(1200 GMT) Sunday, on the last leg of their journey, heading for Gaza,
hoping to arrive by daylight. Six hours after departure, three Israeli
missile boats left Haifa to interdict it, according to reporters on board
before being ordered to turn off their cell phones.
-
- The convoy hoped to break the siege and deliver over
10,000 tons of vitally needed aid, including food, medicines, educational,
construction, and other materials. Israel warned it would intercept and
abort the mission, giving no details except to say ships would be seized,
then taken to Ashdod.
-
- A May 31 Gaza Freedom March.org press release called
for a "global response to killings on the Freedom Flotilla,"
saying:
-
- "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....against the Gaza Freedom Flotilla....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, from Gaza, call on you to demonstrate and support
the courageous men and women on the Flotilla and join the 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 an international outlaw. "Join a growing critical mass around
the world with a commitment to the day when Palestinian are entitled to
the same rights as (all) other people, when the siege is lifted, the occupation
over and the 6 million Palestinian refugees are finally granted justice."
-
- Stand in solidarity for their freedom in peace, and demand
nothing less, including full accountability for Israeli officials responsible
for high crimes of war and against humanity.
-
- On board the Flottilla are over 700 activists from 40
countries, including 35 politicians and a Nobel Peace laureate, Mairead
McGuire, who protesting with Bil'in village activists against Israel's
Separation Wall, in April 2007, was shot and injured with a rubber bullet,
then tear-gassed, overcome, and had to be taken by stretcher to an ambulance.
-
- Again, she and 700 others risked their lives to deliver
vitally needed aid. In solidarity, people of conscience everywhere must
support them and demand full accountability for the latest Israeli crimes
too grave to ignore.
-
- Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge
discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour
on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and
Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.
-
- http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.
|
