As the World Swoons With Israel Derangement Syndrome (IDS), Can't We Just Get Hold of Ourselves?

SHORT ANSWER---PROBALY NOT

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I traveled to Israel as the only Christian with a humanitarian group---The Jewish Federation of Lehigh Valley (JFLV). It was and still is one of the highlights of my life. Many wonderful friendships were made and endure today. Now as the world again swoons with Israel Derangement Syndrome (IDS), I'd like to post a briefing sent to me this morning by Mark Goldstein, good friend and executive director of JFLV. It includes information you probably won't find readily in the MSM.

BTW, I absolutely support Israel's right to exist as a separate state. Unequivocally. I support its attempts to co-exist with the Palestineans. I do not believe Israel is always right and without fault all the time in its struggle to exist in the Middle East.

But I do think the world is far, far too quick judge and rule against Israel. It's filled with the political chicness which harsly and automatically judges Israel before all the facts are in and without putting it in context.

I think the MSM routinely makes spaghetti of Israel and slants news towards its enemies---enemies hellbent on wiping it---Israel--- off the face of the Earth. Enemies that have no intention of co-existing with the State of Israel. For the sake of balance, I am copying here Mark's worthwhile update---and its invaluable links---on the incident below:

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WITHOUT A DOUBT, there is tremendous fluidity to the news surrounding the interception of the Gaza flotilla and the unfortunate deaths of nine aboard one of the six ships.

At the risk of inundating you with too much information, I wish to call your attention to several facts that seem to be either missing or limited to a fleeting reference in the news. Note that links to videos and source information is in bold, blue text.

Israelis Met by Deadly Violence on Mavi Marmara:

The Israeli Navy provided several warnings to the Mavi Marmara ship. Click here to see the video.

The Israeli Navy boarded five ships with no resistance and no fighting. This clearly undermines statements by anti-Israel news commentators who state that the Israelis boarded the ships intending to create a violent conflict.

Only on one boat, the Mavi Marmara, was there significant violence. The first Navy paratroopers to land were attacked with metal rods and knives. In some cases, soldiers’ weapons were stolen and used against them. Israeli soldiers interviewed on Israeli television report that police riot equipment and ordinance, including paint balls, were initially utilized. Only after 30-40 minutes of combat did they resort to live fire. Link here (video: IDF Navy soldiers attacked on ship) and here (video: demonstrators use violence against IDF Navy) for 2 separate videos graphically reporting the violent greeting awaiting the Israeli Navy paratroopers.

Note: viewing of the 3 videos referenced above in this section is highly recommended.

Connected to Terror: Who is Behind the Flotilla?

§ The organizations and passengers behind the Gaza flotilla have been variously described as "peace activists" and "humanitarian organizations". This could not be further from the truth. The primary objective of this flotilla was not to deliver aid packages to Gaza but to spread anti-Israel propaganda in cooperation with Gaza's Hamas rulers.

§ Playing a central role in the flotilla is the Turkish IHH organization, which besides its legitimate philanthropic activities is also, according to the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, a supporter of radical Islamic networks, including Hamas, and at least in the past, even global jihad elements.

§ See here and here for detailed information on the IHH.

§ Amongst the other organizations involved in the flotilla is
the International Solidarity Movement. The ISM has a shameful record of placing foreign nationals in danger through encouraging 'direct action', which resulted in the death of American citizen Rachel Corrie. In 2003, ISM's extreme ideology was underscored when terrorists, originating from the UK, used ISM as a cover to attack Mike's Place bar in Tel Aviv, murdering three people. More recently, ISM has been a leading force in the violent protests against the security barrier at Ni'lin, while an ISM activist has been jailed in the US, charged with "giving about $20,000 to a group he knew supported Hamas."

§ An Al-Jazeera report from May 28, translated by Palestine Media Watch (click here for video), shows activists on board before departing for Gaza, chanting Intifada songs aimed at Jews and praising martyrdom. Chants include "Intifada, intifada, intifada! Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews! The army of Mohammed will return!" relating to a seventh century massacre of Jews in Khaybar by early Muslims.

§ From Telegraph.uk: Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedom and Humanitarian Relief, one of the main groups involved with the flotilla, “is a radical Islamist group masquerading as a humanitarian agency.” Israeli authorities claimed that the group is "sympathetic to al-Qaeda". Israel does not dispute that the foundation, known by the initials IHH, provides relief compatible with its official status, including supplying food and medicines to orphans and conflict zones, and investing in education. But they accuse it of overtly supporting Hamas, designated as a terrorist group by both the United States and the European Union, and also of being in contact with al-Qaeda cells and with the Sunni insurgency in Iraq.

§ Carnegie Endowment analyst, Henri Barkey: "It's (IHH) an Islamist organization as it has been deeply involved with Hamas for some time, … some of its members went on the boat saying that they had written their last will and testament."

International Law

§ Dr. Ronnie Sabel, Hebrew University international law expert, explains that a state, in a time of conflict, can impose an embargo, and while it cannot carry out embargo activities in the territorial waters of a third party, it can carry out embargo activities in international waters.

§ Within this framework it is legal to detain a civilian vessel trying to break an embargo and if in the course of detaining the vessel, force is used against the forces carrying out the detention then that force has every right to act in self defense.

§ Dr. Sabel noted that there is a long history of embargo activities in international waters.

§ Indeed, according to the San Remo Manual that governs international humanitarian law, it is permissible under rule 67(a) to attack neutral vessels on the high seas when the vessels "are believed on reasonable grounds to be carrying contraband or breaching a blockade, and after prior warning they intentionally and clearly refuse to stop, or intentionally and clearly resist visit, search or capture."

Important Points:

§ We regret the loss of life and the serious injuries that occurred on both sides of the confrontation.

§ While it is too early for definitive judgments, it appears that Israeli forces were brutally attacked when they peacefully tried to divert the flotilla to Ashdod port where an assessment of items on board could be made.

§ This tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea could have been avoided. The fact that the flotilla refused to cooperate with Israel’s repeated entreaties to unload their humanitarian cargo in Ashdod for delivery to Gaza proves that violent clashes are exactly what the international supporters of Hamas must have been seeking.

§ According to Israeli sources, their commandos were acting completely in self-defense.

§ The motivation of the Gaza flotilla organizers is questionable: As flotilla organizer Greta Berlin stated: "this mission is not about delivering humanitarian supplies, it's about breaking Israel's siege,” and another supporter exclaimed that the aim of the flotilla was “either of two good things…achieving martyrdom or reaching Gaza."

US Reaction

§ Ambassador Alejandro Wolff, Deputy Permanent U.S. Representative to the United Nations, forthrightly dismissed the flotilla's attempt to directly deliver aid to Gaza by sea as "neither appropriate, nor responsible, (and) certainly not effective under the circumstances” reminding the UN Security Council that “mechanisms exist for the transfer of humanitarian assistance to Gaza by member states and groups that want to do so. These non-provocative and non-confrontational mechanisms should be the ones used for the benefit of all those in Gaza.” He added that “Hamas’ interference with international assistance shipments and the work of nongovernmental organizations complicates efforts in Gaza. Its (Hamas’) continued arms smuggling and commitment to terrorism undermines security and prosperity for Palestinians and Israelis alike.” Wolff stressed that the US “will continue to work closely with the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, along with international NGOs and the UN, to provide adequate access for humanitarian goods, including reconstruction materials, through the border crossings, while bearing in mind the Government of Israel’s legitimate security concerns.

§ Sunday statement by the Office of the White House Press Secretary: “…The President spoke by phone with Prime Minister Netanyahu. He said he understood the Prime Minister's decision to return immediately to Israel to deal with today's events. They agreed to reschedule their meeting at the first opportunity. The President expressed deep regret at the loss of life in today's incident, and concern for the wounded, many of whom are being treated in Israeli hospitals. The President also expressed the importance of learning all the facts and circumstances around this morning's tragic events as soon as possible.”