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Israel turns its crack forces against an Aid Ship

category galway | anti-war / imperialism | opinion/analysis author Monday May 31, 2010 18:06author by donkylemore - self Report this post to the editors

Israeli's commandos finest hour ??


Is this attack on an Aid ship Israel's taking advantage of an erstwhile preoccupied and unfortunate American President ? Or is it just more of Israel doing what Israel does best ..taking murderous and disproportionate action against civilians to further subjugate the Palestinian people - and doing all of this under the pre configured ideation imprinted on the Israeli mind that Europe 'owes' her because of the Holocaust - and therefore whatever would be deemed unacceptable by another country is Ok for Israel ?


I see Mark Regev just now describing the approaching Aid ship as an attack on Israel... an assault on the State of Israel. The Aid ships are now being accused of being an invading flotilla
Catapults and iron bars against automatic weapons in the hands of marksmen ?? where's the proportionality there.
Will there be an international enquiry.? Of course not . The commandos will probably be decorated .
And as for the aid so necessary in Gaza , will the embargo on tonnage be 15,000 tons/wk be lifted.? Unlikely More likely to be restricted further . The Gazans need about 45,000 tons of product ranging from construction materials such as cement to food to clothes , wood ( magnanimously the Israelis do allow in some medicines ).. but not cement , or pencils or computer parts. Pencils?

The Israelis have used the trump card of the Holocaust every time there has been international condemnation of her actions against the Palestinians . The aptly named '' Operation grapes of Wrath'' where they slaughtered over a hundred Lebanese in a UN refugee camp scarcely raised a finger of international admonishment .
The refugees were mostly Lebanese but some Palestinians who had been assimilated into Lebanese society were among them.
Why does Europe now particularity that we have our own relationship with Israel, one not codependent on the USA opinion , speak out against this atrocity.

Part of the answer is that our EU spokesman to the EU is Tony Blair- a man reviled for his duplicity in the Arab world, and the least possible trusted head of state in the western World.A lap dog of the previous Bush administration. Blair is a perfidious master of self advancement . He has visited the beleagured Gaza just once sunce his appointment as EU representative to the Middle East.To the Arabs he is capricious ,and serves as a reminder to the Arab mind of the UK treachery to the Arabs in WW1.

What will happen now . Bibi is back and has been justifying the attack . - they were attacking our soldiers with bars- this coming form a country whose commandos have the most sophisticated weaponry available from taser guns to - hallucinogenic drugs, to instant paralyzing agents - all for use in the field .. and they responded to an attack with ''steel bars'' with devastating gun power.

But the world will watch and forget . As we all did even after Operation Cast Lead showed the disproportionate response to the Hezbollah where the Israelis used white phosphorus against civilians.

How will the relationship between Israel and Turkey develop ? Will the Israelis retaliate againstthe wrath of Turkey by changing its mindset from one of forbearance to one of enmity over the Turkish massacre of Armenian civilians in 1915 ?-
But this is not a time for history lessons ,
It is a time for expulsion of Israel from all civilian discourse until she adheres to the UN determination that she withdraw to her pre 1966 borders.
And this happens while a troubled Mr Obama is wallowing in his BP difficulties- difficulties which may well swamp him.
Obama , whose soaring rhetoric in his Cairo speech brought some hope for a renewed relationship between the West and the Arab world , whose audacity to hope, whose determination to dream against adversity ..it all seems sadly pathetic now.

We all wanted to hope to dream with him.. even to the extent of his finally bringing to an end the USA as the most reliable apologist for Israeli hegemony against the Palestinians and its threat of the Nuclear option against Iran.

Now it is Europe's turn to show its resolve. It is timely how this will also test Turkish diplomacy .
Leaving aside the USA , the EU and Turkey have a problem now dealing with this atrocity .With the Turkish application to the EU still on hold much is to be learned from each other in the coming weeks

author by donkylemorepublication date Tue Jun 01, 2010 00:03author address author phone Report this post to the editors



This reprehensible drivel above , must be aggressively rebutted.
Of course the real truth is that Israel was being invaded by a group of international terrorists . They came on a ships camouflaged as passenger and cargo vessels, but in their holds were 200 nuclear warheads - a 10000 tons of Anthrax , Nerve gas , Botulinus , Pencils and Catholic Holy water ( 10 Gals)
The Brave Israeli Commandos were massively out manned and out gunned but true to the heroism of their ancient Hebrew forbears , they managed to overpower the enemy , from their light semi inflatables.- Ribs !

True , the Commandos were armed with water pistols which foiled the enemy from unleashing their destructive power. The ships , which were in Israeli waters were escorted and treated with the utmost civility and courtesy. They moved the attackers into 4 star hotels in Tel Aviv and all media were forbidden from upsetting the convalescing visitors, and hence a ll communications were blocked , so that the Israeli psychiatrists could offer them succor for post traumatic stress.

It is understood that Mr Obama will receive Mr Netenyahu in the coming days, and there is already widespread talk of a Nobel Peace Prize for the Israeli supremo.

''Roumers that Israel are about to expel the ambassadors from EU , UK , USA , Russia , Syria . Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt..''. said Mr Netyenyahu- are exaggerated '' wildly exaggerated !
- We don't do that kind of thing , he added ., for clarity.

author by hbpublication date Tue Jun 01, 2010 00:16author address author phone Report this post to the editors

are totally gung-ho when it comes to attacking helpless civilians, old ladies, people in wheelchairs and children

Years of lording it over terrified helpless civilians, little old ladies, people in wheelchairs and children, in Gaza and the West Bank, has led the Nazi IDF scum to believe they are invincible - so naturally they were delighted to demonstrate how fearless they are, when they were provided with the opportunity to attack a boat load of unarmed civilians - that's just too good an opportunity for them too pass up -

but as Hezbollah repeatedly showed in 2006, the cowardly Israeli scum are not worth a shit when required to attack, face-to-face, well-armed and trained, determined fit adults -

author by hbpublication date Tue Jun 01, 2010 00:27author address author phone Report this post to the editors


By the rules of NATO, if Israel attacks Turkish Naval vessels then all NATO countries are obligated to treat Israel as a belligerent hostile enemy.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/turkey-threatens-action-isra....html

Turkey has warned that further supply vessels will be sent to Gaza, escorted by the Turkish Navy

Ankara warned that further supply vessels will be sent to Gaza, escorted by the Turkish Navy, a development with unpredictable consequences.

author by donkylemorepublication date Tue Jun 01, 2010 01:00author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I've just listened to an extraordinary statement by an Israeli spokeswoman. She described how when the commandos boarded the ship they met with a curiously hostile reception , and she feared that the soldiers might be'' lynched''.
That's why they fired in self defence after dropping from a chopper .

The impression is given that these men fully conscious of their diplomatic obligations , tried boarding the ship in a civilized manner and immediately set about accommodating the ' stray ' ship , lest she flounder in the treacherous waters, and that while they were negotiating this , a Greek captain suddenly came to be shot, and this led to some confusion .
The rabble in charge of the ship became hostile and the soldiers immediately drew their water pistols in order to thwart the ''lynching'' of the soldiers .
Subsequent to this the soldiers decided to take measured preventative action to avert their being ''lynched''. But let it be very clear.
The occupants of the ship started hostilities despite the unusual arrival on deck of the Israeli commandos.

The spokeswoman was very concise , articulate , authoritive and of course stunningly beautiful..
Just makes me wonder..

author by Davy Carlinpublication date Tue Jun 01, 2010 11:50author address author phone Report this post to the editors

For those 'interested

Below is part of my blog input to go up in a few months on my 40th -

I was downtown recently in a local book shop when I heard from the back of the room ‘Zionist Bas***** just as bad as the Nazis, Pirates and murderers, etc etc. Indeed I have heard in the hours since, real anger and more, much much more, as the Israeli state once again, on many eyes, showed again their true colours.

Yet, I have long heard and indeed been a part of such anger, time and time again, when the Israeli state once again danced on the template of/for democracy and indeed humanity, while voicing victimhood.

I had heard it from thousands

‘Now thousands called out 'Free Palestine, Free Palestine, Freeeeee Palestine' as flags waved and voices echoed as one all around Belfast as they had done similarly around Genoa - it was both an unbelievable sight and sound not witnessed in such a form and scale in Belfast city.

Taken from my article on the blanket site –

{Belfast - Building A Mass Anti-War Movement: Tens of Thousands March In Belfast on February 15’Th 2003

Davy Carlin • 30’.03’.03’

Through to hearing such from individuals, {in recent hours}

And so I was coming home in a taxi in recent hours when a child of 10 or 11 heard the commotion on the radio and asked their father what it was all about. The father then gave what would be described as a short but balanced history of the region including that of the brutality and dehumanisation that had happened to the Jewish peoples in many parts of the world {which brought visible sadness to that kids face} – and those International who stood and fought against such brutality and in solidarity {in its many forms} with the Jewish people at the time.

Then when speaking of the brutality and dehumanisation happening now to the Palestinian people I saw again the visible sadness on the kids face.

Yet it was the words of that kid that struck a cord with me, ‘How can they do this after going through all that’. Indeed it is a question I had heard many ask in the context of such history.

But it was the answer given by another kid a few years older who had sat silently listening to the conversation’ ‘they do it because they can, because they are allowed to’ Indeed a point that is already acknowledged by millions – and growing.

And as I got out of the taxi I felt anger swell to my eyes that I had not felt in a long time, as I thought of recent years and the still brutality and slaughter of innocents, of the repression, the occupation, the slow strangling and blockade, the still sticking up of fingers to the International world, the ignoring, snubbing {and laughing behind closed doors} of many International laws of democracy that they continually break and ignore, this, and more, much much more.

‘They do it because they can, because they are allowed to’ I mulled to myself, and I thought of many other countries that would be hounded and rounded on if they did but a ounce of what the Israeli state has and is doing.

And as always as grassroots citizens, progressives and right thinking leaders continue to lend support and solidarity {in such times of need} while others literally are laying their lives on the line - {and so while living in the immediate world }– it is time, that those with the clout, those with the immediate say so, for a start, say enough is enough and stand firm against this ongoing injustice and eventually for a peaceful and just resolution.

Indeed it is ironic that the Israeli state talks about stability and democracy, as I foresee that it is indeed their actions that very well may be central to the instability that will be felt across this world – in time – as they continue their cocky, destructive, brutal, unjust, callous and undemocratic ways.

There is no if's, no buts about that

It is time for change, one way or another

D

Related Link: http://trinitycarlin.blogspot.com/
author by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite partypublication date Wed Jun 02, 2010 10:59author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Jaysis ,hb,your rants are more likely to drive people into sympathy with the Israeli side of the argument.You sound as if you actually have a certain relish for confrontation.
That will not help the ordinary Palestinian people who are preoccupied with trying to keep their shit together under the IDF jackboot and international media collaboration and appeasement.

Less of the 'scum' and demonising of every Israeli in your sawn-off scope.And not all Palestinians are wheelchair-bound infant innocents.If you think its that simple you need to circulate and listen a bit more.You can read like some of those rabid fascist commentators in the Jerusalem Post at times.Except yours is a different flag so thats ok.Sound familiar?Hitler used the rightful grievances of the German population against the plunder of Versailles to lever his way in.Zionists use the rightful anger of the world after Nazi horrors to bolster their militarised expansions.The trick is not to fuel the same blindness in Arab reaction to the plight of Palestine to create a counter fascism.We have to break the cycle,not get our rocks off feeling a mirror righteousness that will fall on non-belligernts on all sides.More of the light of your often solid and objective feeds,and a little less please of the offputting personal anger.We all have enough of that between our own ears.Its solutions we need not the joie de mort of the militarist mentality.I've been too deep into the sour side of Irish nationalism to have a wish for the people of Gaza to be driven into such a cul-de-sac.
Shalom.

author by Socialistpublication date Wed Jun 02, 2010 12:10author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I agree with the above comments regarding hb's tirade. I also want to point out to hb that your posts are politically very disturbing. You have in reality advocated a NATO assault on Israel and are giving support to the Turkish government. NATO are currently occupying and fighting a war in Afghanistan and are an imperialist military alliance, there should be no support whatsoever for it to take action against anyone. They won't do it anyway as Israel is an ally of NATO.
The Turkish government are hypocrites. They are guilty of horrendous crimes against the Kurdish people and have no right to lecture the Israel regime about its actions. Neither too have the Irish government any right, they have been giving active support to the US war in Iraq.
My point is, oppose what the Israeli right-wing state has done. But don't expect or support any capitalist government taking action to resolve the problem. Nothing effective will come from that and in the meantime you are sowing illusions in capitalist governments that are also guilty of carrying out war crimes.
The working class and poor of the Middle East are the only people who can resolve this problem through a struggle for socialism.

author by Michaelpublication date Wed Jun 02, 2010 15:22author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Socialist,

How many dead Palestinians you are willing to tolerate while you're waiting for the masses to rise up?

Michael

author by DarbyMcGillpublication date Wed Jun 02, 2010 16:18author address author phone Report this post to the editors

How can you expect a bunch of poor palestinians to rise up against the third largest army in the world, equipped with state of the art weaponry (and 200 nukes!) supplied by the US in order to make palestine an autonomous socialist state?? Get real. We can't even bring them some food and aid without being shot and arrested. It is up to the other nations with a shred of decency left to band together and stand up to these bullies on behalf of the down trodden palestinians. Too many people looking after their own lucrative political careers. lots of condemnation and huffing and puffing, but it will all die down as usual after a bit and then nobody will dare to try and bring another boat to Gaza. Very tragic. Plus ca change unfortunately. All we can do as little people is boycott ALL israeli goods and services, support any actions we can and think before we vote. Not very effective really :-(.

author by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite partypublication date Wed Jun 02, 2010 20:07author address author phone Report this post to the editors

...ALL DIE DOWN AFTER A BIT AND NOBODY WILL DARE BRING ANOTHER BOAT TO GAZA?

Thats what Tel Aviv thought when they decided to cow us with the dozer blade on Rachel.

Check the reality.Shiploads in her name and now a repeat of their logic is going viral.The hard hit on the Turks was their shot at what they thought was the soft racist underbelly of Europe who would let a Turkish hit pass.Not looking that way.Obama may be sucking the peeled glans still but Cameron surprised a few of us today.There is something about living to be old enough to see a Tory make sense on foreign policy in a way BAebi Face Blair must deplore that gives me an appetite for breakfast.Noli illigitimi carburundum.

author by donkylemorepublication date Thu Jun 03, 2010 13:53author address author phone Report this post to the editors

We accept Israeli's entry to the godawful Eurovision Song Contest.One presumes that Israel wanted to be part of it. They were hardly pressured into participating. But we accept Turkey ,and all the ..ftganastan countries . This suggests that these countries want to identify with European -Western cultural values. The corollary of this is that countries like Israel must accept European ethical , moral and value systems.
Of course the wretched song contest is a useless frivolous exercise, and has long ceased to represent anyone's value system- Turks , Swedes - all singing with American accents..- but I offer it as a social barometer of Israeli society -( albeit a weak one ) , many whom I have known and worked with on service with UNIFIL.

Lets park NATO , and The UN for the moment .
As a putative world power with a nascent EU army with a rapid reaction force in which Ireland participates , surely this is where such a force should be allowed cut it's teeth .
Micheal Martin , it should be remembered was one of the first Ministers to take the ' long road' to Gaza . He was there before even Blair ventured in, just in advance of the Clinton/ Mitchell visit.
Martin was unequivocal about the carnage he'd seen . He was measured in his assessment of the extent of the privations , the needs the squalor the Gazans lived in .
But he stopped short of suggesting that a UN or a EU force should be deployed .
But an attack on the high seas is another matter.
We who took part in WW1 in the belief that it was in defence of smaller nations cannot afford to turn away from such an attack.
High sea piracy was what the British Navy prided itself in ptting down in the 19 century. ( of course piracy also contributed to Britannia ruling the waves and spreading the British Empire where it was not just unwelcome but was reviled.)
Ireland should be more provocative in advocating
1. an EU intervention force to secure safe pasage of European ships through International waters
2. consider sanctions against Israel
3. support the call for an international independent investigation into the attack
4. when the Goldstone report is published , she should consider whether Israel deserves to be deemed worthy or sufficiently aware of its obligations of a mature democratic , fair state to continue our ambassadorial relationship with Israel.
and ultimately
5. it should seek a way through the UN to monitor the opening of the borders into Gaza . In this regard it might be salutary to be guided by Mt J Ging's position with regard to the logistics of this .

author by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite partypublication date Thu Jun 03, 2010 14:19author address author phone Report this post to the editors

rapid reactions will only deepen Israeli rabid paranoia.Your fourth point should go first.Expulsion of Evrony is overdue since the passport hit.He should be gone.Martin is appeasing total contempt for all international law and any pretence at civilised behaviour.More,and mostly Palestinians will pay for this deference to Uncle Sam's and Dame Brittania's renegade nephew.

author by donkylemorepublication date Thu Jun 03, 2010 19:46author address author phone Report this post to the editors



couldn't agree re expulsion of anyone at this stage . strategically this would play srtaight into the Rabinical rabid hand. Diplomacy is a world of intrigue. smoke and daggers stuff for fast learners!
cook him slowly.. first by inviting him with open arms to the minister's office.. not a summons mark you.. then give him a 3 legged stool to sit on while the minister sits upon a lofty throne .. thats what the Israeli's did to the Turks.
Then when he walks out in the searing heat of umbrage ,order the expulsion of his juniour , then another ..and so on - embassies do things by increments- death by a 1000 cuts and all that .. eventually if he hasnt walked by mid afternoon flight to Tel Aviv following day- expel him.. by slow boat.. a decommissioned trawler.. Not to Israel but to the Lebanese port of Tyre .

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