Israeli Navy Commandeers Gaza Aid Boat

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- The Israeli navy intercepted a ship carrying foreign peace activists trying to break a blockade of Gaza on Tuesday and forced it to sail to an Israeli port, the military said.

A statement said the Greek-registered freighter Arion ignored a radio message from the Israeli military saying it would not be allowed to enter Gaza waters and ordering it to turn back.

The statement said naval personnel boarded the small vessel without any shots being fired.

The military said those on board would be handed over to immigration authorities on arrival in the southern port of Ashdod, and humanitarian cargo would be trucked into the Gaza Strip after a security check. The ship arrived at Ashdod port after nightfall.

An earlier statement by the voyage's organizers, the Free Gaza Movement, said the vessel, renamed the Spirit of Humanity, left the Cypriot port of Larnaca on Monday bound for Gaza with three tons of medical supplies.

The 20 passengers include former U.S. Representative Cynthia McKinney, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire and other activists from Britain, Ireland, Bahrain and Jamaica.

MORE...

AP: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/30/AR2009063000788.html

start here...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=124x279086#279128

IDF seizes control of boat bound for Gaza

The Israel Navy intercepted a boat carrying international activists attempting to break a blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on Tuesday and forced it to sail to the southern port city of Ashdod, the Israel Defense Forces said.

Earlier Tuesday, the navy surrounded the vessel, which was also carrying humanitarian aid, and told the activists to turn back because of security risks in the area and the blockade, according to the IDF.

But the boat later entered Gaza's coastal waters, the IDF Spokespersons' Office said in a statement, after which a naval force boarded it.
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No shots were fired during the boarding of the boat, and the crew was to be handed over to the appropriate authorities, the IDF said.

In the statement, the IDF Spokespersons' Unit added that it "would like to emphasize that any organization or country that wishes to transfer humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, can legally do so via the established crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1096729.html

same story different and Israeli source so was that twitter message sent befpre or after the boat was boarded

check their twitter link for yourself.

anyone anywhere on twitter

so they have been detained by IDF but do keep trying Shira if there was really nothing on the boat whats the big deal? If they had been bringing anymore cement they would have been charged with arming terrorists since Israel feels cement in the hands of Palestinians is a weapon, are you frustrated with that?

and the big deal is if they keep letting boats through, the siege will be lifted.

Not that you have a problem letting terrorists in and out of Gaza and ensuring they are armed to the teeth (which BTW violates international law).

as part of the Hasbara machine?

and in fact he just admitted that was true and gave his eulogy on Colbert

I just hope they don't "accidentally" kill any of the relief workers. :(

Of course not, that would take moral fiber and a urge to not hyperbolicly exploit a situation.

I do like how you said "US government" for america, but "Israelis" for Israel, Wonder what that means.

after all the israelis have never given anyone any reason to not trust them.

I'm a little mystified that after I pointed out the fact the previous poster isn't differentiating between the Israeli government and the Israeli people you continue to try and conflate the two.

So at this point I take it that is intentional?

youre not someone i listen to.

Take a break from ass-kissing long enough to use what little brain you got...

:rofl:

I'm still waiting for those "Accidental deaths" you seem so willing to slur the Israeli people with with. Not that you care, it doesn't matter to you if you slur a entire population of 7 million with your fake concern and crocodile tears.

Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council Dr Mustafa Al-Barghouthi condemned Israeli decision to abduct the crew of the siege-breaking Free Gaza ship and bring the boat and its cargo to Ashdod against their will.

Speaking following the incident Barghouthi called it a “pirate attack” where internationals were illegally captured in international waters and prevented from showing solidarity with Gazans. He expressed shock that Israeli forces would treat crew members which included a former US Congresswoman and Nobel Peace Prize winner as criminals.

He said he hoped the mission would not be deterred from continuing their mission, which is scheduled to run two more missions to Gaza this summer.

http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=38931

Source: wxia tv

This is the entire story at this point:

(11ALIVE) - The BBC is reporting that a boat carrying aid to pro-Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip has been surrounded and held captive by the Israeli Navy. Former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney is reported onboard the boat.

According to the reported posted on BBC.co.uk, Ms. McKinney described it as "an outrageous violation of international law", as the boat was on a humanitarian mission and was not in Israeli waters.

The Israeli military said the boat was trying to enter Gaza illegally.

Read more: http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=131972&catid=8

:D Someone had to say it.

She then would accuse the IDF of executing 5,000 prisoners in a Louisiana swamp. :tinfoilhat:

McKinney deserves whatever harassment she gets. Her cause this time around is indeed just (in fact, I rarely disagree with her causes), but that doesn't make her any less a lunatic.

If you'd like to tick off another number, be my guest.

It'll make a great t shirt.

I am sure she'll love it. Drama queen that she is.

She tries and it matters.

If she is such a "drama queen", why hasn't her work been highly publicized?

I thought good actions mattered, much louder than words.

..and grand-standing drama queens.

"If she's such a "drama queen" why wasn't her work been highly publicized?" You are kidding right?

"I thought good actions mattered much louder than words." Good actions do.

Damn, she should just let those 1 of 10 Gazan kids and their growth stunted by malnutrition fend for themselves quietly. :sarcasm:

I hope they have a good recipe for cement soup.

:hi:

Pin a rose on your nose.

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

that are deforming the bones of children.

If that's a conspiracy, I think you lose.

The "conspiracy" to which you thought was involving you. You lose, but I am sure you are used to it by now.

I don't give a rat's ass where they live.

:bounce:

I am pledging $10 for every stupid comment in this thread. I am sure they will gladly accept your check as well. :)

http://www.freegaza.org/

:applause:

Ferrari is one of the most honorable and sincere people we've got on DU.

There's no reason for Israel to be stopping any food shipments to Gaza at all. It'd be enough for them to just search the boat.

Unfortunately I believe there will be more, not less, work to do for the next several years at least.
:hug:
Thanks for your efforts!

:toast:
:hug:

:hug: :hi:

Nice.

So much for "an injury to one is an injury to all".

So much for common humanity.

Take your straw and build a hut.

And there was a clear assumption that the boat was running guns, even though this was shown not to be so.

Stop telling what I did or didn't say, especially when you don't even come close.

"And there was a clear assumption that the boat was running guns..." Until your little spurt, I have never heard such an assumption. Yet another strawman of your own design.

I suggest a class in debate and logic. Barring that, please run a google search of "logical fallacy" and do some reading.

dont realize its what we really think or said. I think you are just jealous of his uncanny ability. :7


If he stopped using logical fallacies then how could he even post anything as 90% of his posts are filled with such things.

to kill more Israeli civillians and it is wrong to make any impediment to their aquisition? So even though there are legitimate ways to send aid, as long as anyone just claims they are bringing aid they dont have to follow legitimate routes and should be able to do as they please with no impediment especially since as a bonus this will enable terror groups to bring more weapons in? So its ok to claim kids are starving when that is a false claim as long as its to demonize Israel?

And a single search of the boat would have been sufficient.

is pretty disgusting and is an affront to those who have suffered and are suffering real starvation.





UN: People in Gaza Are NOT Starving »

Khaled Abdel Shaafi, director the United Nations Development Program said about Gaza: "This is not a humanitarian crisis. It's an economic crisis, a political crisis, but it's not a humanitarian crisis. People aren't starving... children are not suffering from malnutrition."

http://www.propeller.com/story/2008/12/15/un-people-in-gaza-are-not-starving/




In fact, coupled with a large surplus of fruit and vegetables intended for markets in Israel, the vast majority of people here aren't wanting for food.

Reports that as many as 50 per cent of children are suffering from malnutrition are exaggerations, says Khaled Abdel Shaafi, director the United Nations Development Program.

"This is not a humanitarian crisis," he said. "It's an economic crisis, a political crisis, but it's not a humanitarian crisis. People aren't starving."

That doesn't mean it's pleasant, he said. "It's like a prison: You have shelter and food, but it's not a nice place to live."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/article727614.ece



A single search would not have been sufficient. Going through proper channels, meaning the UN, would be sufficient.

Yet another PR stunt...

when the press gets to that Nobel laureate.

There is no down side -- except for them. Oops.

We can REALLY trust THOSE sources.

:eyes:

Cynthia McKinney would not be a party to gunrunning.

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

:rofl:

:thumbsup:

Big fat FAIL.

Thank God she'll never hold office again.

I must have missed it somehow.

I hadn't heard she was doing this until this capture was announced.

Wow, the things I miss sometimes...

i am sure the people of gaza appreciate the help.

STFU, you damn DRAMA QUEENS!

:rofl:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Cynthia McKinney isn't fit to carry the bags of any of those brave women.

enjoy your stay

Unlike these women, name one accomplishment besides getting re-elected occasionally and staying in front of the camera? Name one thing.

I will continue to enjoy my stay. I've moved my stuff in and taken off my shoes.

hasn't forgotten the continuing nightmare that is going on in Gaza. Thank you Cynthia!

one has to wonder. Also, its amazing how easily some forget her comments about Al Gore being a racist.

with antisemitism is probably the lowest form of race baiting.

but she is linked to some pretty hateful things.

Have a good one.

Let's start with these: (you can also find these on youtube)

According to reports and video coverage, as McKinney arrived at her campaign headquarters late last night, Steve Muhammad, one of McKinney's security staff scuffled with the media and was accidentally struck by a news camera carried by a television photographer, receiving a cut on the right side of his head. Muhammad then physically lashed out at the photographer. During the scuffle, another member of her entourage who wore a New Black Panther Party pin shouted expletives at the media, including calling them "crackers" --a derisive term for whites – and telling them, "You got what you damn wanted. You got your Uncle Tom, now go put your cameras on him," referring to Hank Johnson, the African American candidate who defeated Ms. McKinney. He continued to rant, "You ain't in Israel and this ain't no Lebanese people, so back up. Gonna get your Jewish … (inaudible)…."

Following McKinney's concession speech, a reporter attempted to ask the Congresswoman why she thought she lost. The New Black Panther member interrupted, shouting, "Why do you think she lost? You wanna know what led to the loss? Israel. The Zionists. You. Put on your yarmulke and celebrate."

"This incident is reminiscent of the 2002 campaign in which Rep. McKinney's father "blamed the J-E-W-S" for her defeat."

lol

lol

:spray:

:rofl:

people may start to question your motives. Hahahaha.

:thumbsup:

but it doesn't mean we won't see it repeatedly on this thread.

implying people who are compassionate for starving children are somehow nazis is beyond the pale.

ignore list.

:)

I can see it on youtube along with everybody else. :)

This is one of my favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S8rHANZtE4

Somewhere, Rev. Wright is smiling.

straight from Fox News

So it matters who's camera's the vid is on? That is a weird requirement. I wonder who's audio they have her father blaming the J-E-W-S for her election loss.

great example of a "pro-Palestinian" peace activist. :eyes:

really, she deserves all the progressive support she can get. :sarcasm:

The two are not synonymous nor interchangeable.

The people who make up the government of Israel and who perpetuate the indefensible treatment of the Palestinians may be Jews, but that doesn't make all those who define themselves as Jews to be members of said government.

Nor, the last time I checked, were all Jews also Israelis.

And not all Israelis agree with the actions of said government.

(And yes, I know the history of the area. There is enough blame to pass around. But the Israeli government is the one oppressing residents of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. They have the power; ergo it is their responsiblity to make things right and they refuse to do so.)

Whatever is wrong is wrong no matter which side the perpetuator.

they truly want to rid themselves of all Palestinians. Time to support the left wing in Israel!

Thank you Cynthia

Many in Israel also hate whats going on.

Not an angry sister with her ass outta gear. May heaven help them. 'Cause she's gonna hurt them the best way she knows how.

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

What have you done to help?

lol

Michelle Bachman

If she's a "smart woman", does this also mean he's a dumb man?

:rofl:

:hi:

At least McKinney and friends are getting off easier than the USS Liberty. Give a wrong look to the IDF at sea and feel the wrath of their savage lawlessness.

Calling for demonstartion tomorrow...

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=102794840377&ref=nf

I hope the Israelis put her sorry ass in jail.

When Michelle Bachmann starts showing active concern about starving populations, then perhaps you'll be right. And I'll applaud her if she does. But I think I need never fear that.

I do not always agree with McKinney, nor do I act in the same way, but she is at least calling attention to a terrible situation that all too many would like to ignore. What is even worse is that those who want it ignored then try to discredit those who call attention to it, even when those who do call attention to it are Israelis. And yes, many very courageous Israelis are also in the forefront of these peace movements.

As an example of how the discreditors work, see how President Carter, an internationally-recognized and respected humanitarian par excellence, has been savaged for daring to speak truth.

Cry the beloved country indeed. We in the US had no problem seeing the situation for what it was when it applied to South Africa. Gaza is US-sanctioned apartheid at best. At worst, it's much worse.

if you don't mind?

Attempting to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza? Sailing on international waters? Or being a drama queen?

Khalad Abdelkader, Bahrain
Khalad is an engineer representing the Islamic Charitable Association of Bahrain.

Othman Abufalah, Jordan
Othman is a world-renowned journalist with al-Jazeera TV.

Khaled Al-Shenoo, Bahrain
Khaled is a lecturer with the University of Bahrain.

Mansour Al-Abi, Yemen
Mansour is a cameraman with Al-Jazeera TV.

Fatima Al-Attawi, Bahrain
Fatima is a relief worker and community activist from Bahrain.

Juhaina Alqaed, Bahrain
Juhaina is a journalist & human rights activist.

Huwaida Arraf, US
Huwaida is the Chair of the Free Gaza Movement and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage.

Ishmahil Blagrove, UK
Ishmahil is a Jamaican-born journalist, documentary film maker and founder of the Rice & Peas film production company. His documentaries focus on international struggles for social justice.

Kaltham Ghloom, Bahrain
Kaltham is a community activist.

Derek Graham, Ireland
Derek Graham is an electrician, Free Gaza organizer, and first mate aboard the Spirit of Humanity.

Alex Harrison, UK
Alex is a solidarity worker from Britain. She is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.

Denis Healey, UK
Denis is Captain of the Spirit of Humanity. This will be his fifth voyage to Gaza.

Fathi Jaouadi, UK
Fathi is a British journalist, Free Gaza organizer, and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage.

Mairead Maguire, Ireland
Mairead is a Nobel laureate and renowned peace activist.

Lubna Masarwa, Palestine/Israel
Lubna is a Palestinian human rights activist and Free Gaza organizer.

Theresa McDermott, Scotland
Theresa is a solidarity worker from Scotland. She is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.

Cynthia McKinney, US
Cynthia McKinney is an outspoken advocate for human rights and social justice issues, as well as a former U.S. congressperson and presidential candidate.

Adnan Mormesh, UK
Adnan is a solidarity worker from Britain. He is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.

Adam Qvist, Denmark
Adam is a solidarity worker from Denmark. He is traveling to Gaza to do human rights monitoring.

Adam Shapiro, US
Adam is an American documentary film maker and human rights activist.

Kathy Sheetz, US
Kathy is a nurse and film maker, traveling to Gaza to do human rights monitoring.

http://www.freegaza.org/index.php?language=EN

Prayers for Cynthia and the others being held captive.

http://www.freegaza.org/

$10 for every hateful comment in this thread.

I'll come back later to check for more comments to add to my donation. :)

I'd give you another hateful comment, just because, but it seems there are plenty further up the thread who will do it for me.

BTW, Why is it that so many people defend the IDF? From what I've heard, they're perhaps the best trained and have the best PR system of any army of the world- do you really think they need the help?

There's something about hungry kids and persecuted people that captures my heart. I don't care where they live or which side they are on. I would do the same thing for Israeli kids if they needed the help.

It just bugs me when armchair generals support things that hurt people.

Why do we have starving children in the world anyway? That sort of thinking was popular in the dark ages.

and any other comment supporting Zionist oppression.

:applause:

I told them I was going to give Planned Parenthood $10 every time they said something stupid. Then a couple others joined in and we raised a tidy sum in just an afternoon. :)

As far as I'm concerned this whole exercise was a good way to get a lunatic out of america for a few days.

Were going to send that money anyway?

Previous link broken
http://tinyurl.com/ljgkzg

remarkably enough.

when I first posted a link as part of another thread about the boat being boarded by Israel I purposely left any mention of McKinney out just to see how long it would be before that was latched on to as means of discrediting and well here we are

"intercepted" a twitter message saying there was nothing on the boat and gosh that makes it the absolute truth as in RIP Mr Goldblume but no the real story now is that Israel committed an act of piracy by commandeering an unarmed civilian boat in international waters and imprisoning the passagers

how desperate can you possibly get?

if there was really so so little on boat why was Israel so determined to stop it? The desperation is not mine, I seem to remember some saying but but but they could have been carrying weapons as if..... this is really all about Israel maintaining its au-thor-a-tay over the people of Gaza and nothing more and making themselves look like thugs in the process

that has nothing to do with helping Palestinians as much as helping Palestinian leadership like Hamas...and I remind you that helping or aiding Hamas in any way is against Int'l Law since they are a recognized terror organization. By trying to lift a LEGAL siege against a terror org (terror orgs are not allowed free passage anywhere or aid from anywhere) they are acting illegaly. They even lied to Cyprus authorities by saying they were headed for Egypt.

And now they're pretending they're being abused by the IDF. I guarantee you the IDF has been ordered to treat the FG folks with kid gloves to AVOID any problems. They are looking for any dirt they can toss onto Israel and they'll make it up even if they have none.

by boarding a civilian vessel and detaining its passengers while it was still in international water and the seige of Gaza is legal? Your claims seem to indicate a belief that no one in Gaza is a civilian but that is certainly no surprise

if they wanted to aid Palestinians, they could simply send it through the border crossings, or traveled to Egypt as they stated they would and send aid through Rafah. Heck, if YOU want to send aid packages through the crossings, you could arrange to send as much as you wish.

as it is, they're trying to disrupt Israel from maintaining Int'l Law which calls for the containment and non-support of terrorists.

UNSCR 1373 anti-terrorism resolution (passed unanimously)
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2001/sc7158.doc.htm

it's not just what goes into Gaza, but also what comes out....you break the siege and Hamas can go anywhere in the world they want...and THAT is against Int'l Law.

and aid to Hamas not surprising though that you seem so very adamant in your support of collective punishment

what's so difficult about this?

blame Int'l Law for 'collective punishment'......European govts along the Mediterranean don't want Hamas or IJ terrorists floating their way anytime soon and would blame Israel for anything that could possibly go wrong as a result of lifting the siege....and they'd have legal precedent to do so.

Israel doesn't have time or enough Int'l help to inspect every single ship that goes in and out of Gaza....thus the siege. And FGM is trying to break that and help Hamas, not Palestinians.

please your rhetoric grows more fantastic with every post and now Hamas would be invading Italy or is it Greece

That is just my perspective. On the IDF's side, no matter how foolish the violations are, you need to enforce your will even in the face of pointless propaganda chasers or else no one respects your will.

sending out anti-semites like McKinney, lying about the amount of aid they are bringing, etc. just goes to show people who have honest concerns that this anti-Israel 'cause' is rotten. It only supports Hamas, not the Palestinian people. Hamas, in fact, prefers that Palestinians keep suffering so that they are more useful pawns against Israel.

It's unsettling to see so many here supporting FG, not because they don't know better, but that they DO know just how corrupt the movement is and they STILL support it and want to enable the haters involved.

Being anti-Israel and pro-Hamas is NOT being pro-Palestinian.

11Alive.com) -- A boat carrying aid to pro-Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip was surrounded and boarded by Israeli forces off the coast of the Gaza Strip Tuesday. Former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney was one of the 21 people on board who were taken into Israeli custody and held at the port of Ashrod in Israel.

McKinney is quoted as saying that the confrontation was "an outrageous violation of international law," and she claimed the boat was on a humanitarian mission and was not in Israeli waters.

The Israeli military said the boat tried to violate Israel's security blockade and enter Gaza illegally.

The 21 passengers and crew on the Greek-registered ship "Arion" was working for the U.S.-based "Free Gaza Movement." Among them, besides McKinney, was 1977 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Mairead Maguire.

Israeli forces have maintained a blockade on the Palestinian territory since 2007, partly to prevent smugglers from delivering weapons and munitions to Gaza.

McKinney was involved in a similar incident exactly six months earlier, on December 30, 2008. She was on the S.S. Dignity, and it collided with an Israeli navy craft that was part of the same blockade as she and her group claimed they were attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Said McKinney then, "Our mission was a peaceful mission, to deliver medical supplies. And our mission was thwarted by the Israelis, the aggressiveness of the Israeli military."

Now, as then, the Israeli government is accusing McKinney and her group of knowingly entering waters internationally recognized as under Israeli security and control.

The Israeli Consulate General of Israel in Atlanta e-mailed a statement to 11Alive News pointing out that humanitarian aid organizations are delivering supplies into Gaza every day -- by land.

The statement said, "Once again, former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and her fellow travelers have taken it upon themselves to disregard their own safety... by leading a boat into restricted waters. Ms. McKinney ignored the available and legal means for the delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip and instead chose to make a reckless political stunt."

The "Free Gaza" website, freegaza.org, quotes McKinney as saying that she and her group are in the right.

"This is an outrageous violation of international law against us," she was quoted as saying. "Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip. President Obama just told Israel to let in humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that's exactly what we tried to do. We're asking the international community to demand our release so we can resume our journey."

Israel is expected to deport McKinney and her group shortly, and promised to deliver, to Gaza, all of the humanitarian aid that was on their boat -- by land.

McKinney has accused Israel of confiscating much of the aid that Israel lets into Gaza by land, while Israel has accused Hamas of confiscating much of that aid once it arrives.

Continued>>>
http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=131972&catid=8

Seriously, I've got many HUGE issues with the Israeli government, including the stupid and self-destructive sanctions against Gaza. But McKinney is, not to put too fine a point on it, fucking batshit crazy, and doing this sort of thing as a PR stunt with no intention of actually helping the Palestinians is counterproductive at best.

The incursion is in violation of the Israeli Ministry of Transportation notice to mariners 1/2009.

demands if he threatens to send Cynthia back to the US.

:rofl:

No ifs, buts about it!