As the appointees to the Mavi Marmara Commission prepare to probe the Shayetet 13 commando operation, the Israel Navy is busy preparing to stop the next flotilla, this time from Lebanon, the Naji el-Ali. The boat is expected to attempt to break the marine embargo on Gaza “soon”, but government officials are not giving an expected date.
Other vessels are planning to following, including two setting sail from Iran, sponsored by the Red Crescent, enjoying the support of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Reports based largely on the Arab media speak of as many as ten vessels in the coming months until October, involving a number of countries, including Turkey again, Lebanon, Sudan, Britain, Norway and other countries affiliated with the European Union. Israel is calling on EU officials to stop the boats to prevent another standoff against the Israel Navy.
Iran’s FARS News Agency on Monday reported “Iran announced its plans to dispatch a convoy of humanitarian aids to Gaza next week to help the oppressed Palestinian people who have been suffering an Israeli-imposed siege for more than three years.
“Deputy Head of Iran’s Society for Defending Palestinians’ Rights Mohammad Ali Nourani made the announcement on Monday
“The ship is named Towards Gaza and will be dispatched to the region from (the Iranian port city of) Bandar Abbas (in southern waters), he said.
“The measure is being taken after the Zionist regime’s attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla on May 31. During the raid, over 100 Israeli soldiers supported by military choppers killed 20 international human rights activists and wounded 80 more.
“Some members of the European parliaments, former western diplomats, reporters and human rights activists were among the victims of Israel’s brutal act.
“Referring to the Zionist regime’s threats to attack any humanitarian convoy to Gaza, Nourani reiterated that the Iranian people are not afraid of the regime, and added, ‘They will confiscate our ship or martyr our people at most, otherwise the ship will reach Gaza safely and the humanitarian aids will be delivered to the people there. Either way, we will be the winner.’
“He also stressed that in case the Zionist regime prevents humanitarian convoys from reaching Gaza, all freedom-seeking youths around the world should rush to the region to help the Palestinian people”.
As in the past, vessels will be carrying journalists in a move to maximize the anti-Israel propaganda, and Israeli officials are trying to prevent additional standoffs, engaged in a dialogue with EU officials. On Monday, EU Mideast envoy Tony Blair commented that Israel is signaling that restrictions regarding the Gaza embargo would be relaxed in the coming days, perhaps a move by the administration to enlist the EU’s support to halt the flotillas before they set sail.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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8 Responses
Why on earth doesn’t Israel publicize TO THE WORLD PRESS the photos, (that I have seen on Jewish sites) of the Gaza markets full of produce, of fancy Gaza restaurants, etc.
All the world press shows is the “poor palestinians” sitting in front of bombed out homes that the “terrible Israelis” destroyed.
Israel has a “hasbara” department. Why don’t they use it?!?!
Torpedoes will bring a quick end to the flotilla phenomenon.
It’s not the ideal solution, it’s just the situationally optimal one.
To #2 – It’s not even necessary to use torpedoes (though I personally, wouldn’t shed a tear over these pereh-adam sonai Yisrael).
The Israeli Navy (specifically Shayetet-13) has the know-how) to just disable these ships at sea.
Let some yishmaeli loving other ship, or other navy, tow them to port somewhere.
1.
Derech HaTeva the Izzys are their own worst enemy when it comes to PR. Think of it. With the exception of Natanyahu they have no one who could speak clear & simple English.
They also far too many pacifists in control there who are always trying to make sure everyone likes them when in reality, that will never happen. If they took on the attitude of if you mess with us, we will mess with your face, it could do something. Keep in mind the teva of yishmaelim yemach sh’mom is that they cower when met with strong force. Sort of like the playground bully.
Of course, that is only Derech HaTeva.
To no. 3:
If they’re disabled and left adrift, then that in itself becomes another cruel and unusual Israeli act with its own protracted, televised human interest drama while the “humanitarians” struggle to survive.
And, as soon as they’re rescued they’ll set right back to sea once their boat is repaired.
A torpedo is over with relatively quickly, those on board don’t get another chance to harm Israel’s vital national defense interests, and all of the other anti-Semites getting ready to set sail on anti-Israel flotillas will revert to howling at the moon from their faraway shores.
Torpedoes are the way to go here.
#5 – If you think leaving a boat of “humanitarian peace activists” adrift in the Mediterranean would be bad for Israeli p.r., – what do you think blowing them in to the next world would do for p.r.?
#6–There seem to be no effective means to defend Israeli lives that don’t yield vociferous international condemnation.
Pursuing P.R. victories is, for Israel, a fool’s errand, and a vain distraction from the urgent need to ensure even by means of lethal force that terrorism materiel does not pass into Gaza.
The rejectionist attitude of these flotilla organizers may divide the world as political scimitar. But we all know it is merely chevlei moshiach.