At this point, the number of dead in the Israeli attack on the "Free Gaza" flotilla stands somewhere between 10-15 with dozens injured-including several IDF troops. The initial tweets from Free Gaza claimed that IDF troops boarded the ships guns blazing and that some passengers were shot to death as they slept in their bunks. (I seriously doubt that.) In contrast, Israel says that the soldiers were attacked by passengers and/or crew members with clubs, knives and other weapons as they boarded. In addition, the IDF claims that some troops had their weapons taken away, at which point, gunfire was exchanged.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64U27020100531
At about the 20 second mark (above), you can see an IDF soldier landing on deck from a helicopter and immediately being attacked by three individuals (RT).
What is pretty obvious at this point is that no matter what details emerge, Israel will lose the world-wide public relations war. Forget that the Turkish aid organization, IHH, reportedly has ties to terrorist groups like al-Qaeda. Forget the IDF casualties. Forget whatever Israel discovers on board the ships. Israel's enemies are going to believe what they want to believe. The verdict of the UN is pre-ordained. The verdict of the Obama administration is pre-ordained. The verdict of the EU is pre-ordained. The verdict of the Arab world is pre-ordained. The verdict of western academia is pre-ordained. This will be interpreted as an unwarranted attack by the IDF on a humanitarian aid convoy consisting of peace activists and little old ladies like Hedy Epstein (who, two weeks ago, was speaking at UC-Irvine).
Here are some of those "peace activists" captured on Palestinian TV while en route to Gaza as they chant that old peace song, "Khaybar, Khaybar ah Yahud" (PalWatch.org):
That's not "Blowin' in the Wind" in Arabic, folks.
It is also noteworthy that Israel had offered to let the convoy sail into an Israeli port and after due inspection, allow legitimate relief supllies to enter Gaza. This was refused by the flotilla.
So I guess we can look forward to more "fun and games" on North American university campuses as the various Muslim Student Associations and their brethren in the anarchist groups, aided and abetted by all the radical professors, foment more unrest in "righteous indignation". More ominously, I shudder to think of what European Jews will be subjected to in the coming days and weeks.
6 comments:
SOP for Israel is NEVER go in with guns blazing. You can hit your own men that way. Plus it wastes ammo.
Guns blazing is a Hollywood thing. Not a tactical maneuver. It looks good on film, not in real life.
It appears that five of the ships complied with the orders. The Turkish vessel attacked the soldiers as they boarded.
These people were stupid to launch this expedition to begin with. Then some of them chose to fight the soldiers as they boarded. Not smart.
Gary, you are right. People will point the finger at Israel without looking at all the evidence. It was a failed mission and Israel will lose the in the PR world whenever there are incidents like this.
Israel should have had better intelligence before sending troops onto the ship.
It will be interesting what the world does when/if Israel actually does what it is often accused.
I heard a report that Turkey will send military ships to protect the next round of boats. Turkey is looking for a fight. The Islamists influence on govt and their shift away from secularism and the right wing govt in Israel are pushing each other into corners. I hope Egypt will step up and tell Turkey to tell the captains to deliver the boats to Egypt.
Another video - It is pretty clear their goal wasn't simply to provide aid.
http://tinyurl.com/22qtyxs
- wejomerv
That IS "blowin' in the wind" Gary. These ignorant oafs badly need a history lesson: the history of the Caliphate!
Who are the ignorant oafs you refer to?
I thought I had made this clear five times over: the ignorant oafs singing about Khaybar. The first three caliphates, plus the Caliphate of Cordoba, would have preferred its honored Jewish subjects to this motley crew.
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