Palestinian Activists Preparing New 15-Boat Gaza Flotilla

ISTANBUL -- Pro-Palestinian activists say a planned convoy of aid ships to the Gaza Strip will be twice as big as a similar flotilla that was raided a year ago by Israeli forces, leaving nine people dead on a Turkish boat.

Organizers say they hope to depart around the May 31 anniversary of the fatal raid, but say it could happen later than that.

Huseyin Oruc, a spokesman for an Islamic aid group in Turkey, said Tuesday that an international coalition of 22 non-governmental organizations plans to send 15 ships with a total of 1,500 people.

The goal is to break Israel's blockade of Gaza. Israel says any attempt to reach Gaza by sea is aimed at provoking violence.

Comments

[Phantom123]

04:13 PM on 04/27/2011

Israel should bring back the ramming bows …
What is it about these jihadists that they have to twist reality to fit the narrative they wish to believe in.

[Nwo2012]

04:44 PM on 04/27/2011

Nice try.

The flotilla includes Jewish and Christian aid groups

[Sam Bark]

11:29 PM on 04/27/2011

Nwo2012 -- so what.... fools exist everywhere.... even Italian...LoL

[Ibn Rushd]

05:02 PM on 04/27/2011

Wow, Zionists lecturing on the issue of twisted narratives. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

[Darcha]

03:19 PM on 04/27/2011

News Flash: Anyone interested in the hasbara line about there being 'no humanitarian crisis in Gaza' because the 'Red Cross says so', might be interested in the following. There was a story from the IDF Spokesman's office quoting one 'Mathilde Redmatn'. The quotes were from the IDF. Interestingly enough, the ICRC has made no changes to its official statements. Come to find out that there is no Mathilde Redmatn working for the Red Cross in Gaza. There IS a Mathilde De Riedmatten. So what? So it's clear that this story was fed directly from the IDF to the news agencies--and not one of them checked.

[CigarGod]

12:18 AM on 04/28/2011

I have personally contacted ICRC, IFRC, IDF and several Palestinian goverment offices...none have gotten back. 24+ hours and waiting.

[Darcha]

05:36 AM on 04/28/2011

Please do keep at it. This story stinks to high heaven.

[Ibn Rushd]

03:03 PM on 04/27/2011

The Gaza Blockade, as implemented by Israel, is simply indefensible, and one loses credibility defending it as a security measure, especially when the embargoed items so clearly do NOT involve weapons.

If Israel was truly only concerned about weapons getting to Hamas, the best course of action all along would have been to search for such weapons only, and then to forward ALL non-weapons related items into Gaza. Israel has only itself to blame for its over-reach in trying to collectively punish the civilian population of Gaza for electing Hamas.

Just look at the items on the embargoed list! I am simply amazed at the moral and legal gymnastics some Israelis are engaging in trying to defend this inhumane (criminal) blockade.

If Israel thought that murdering civilians on the high seas in cold-blood would discourage further attempts, they were sorely mistaken. As this article highlights, the current convoy will be TWICE as large, and future convoys are certain regardless of what happens this time. What are the Israelis thinking?

[Phantom123]

03:41 PM on 04/27/2011

The blockade is still in force. If ships attempt to break it, they must be sunk.

[Nwo2012]

04:51 PM on 04/27/2011

Even the looniest headbanger in the Israeli government (choose any) isn't suggesting that.
Israel couldn't handle the international outrage. You think Israels reputation is bad now? Wait till they try and send a thousand European and American civilians to the bottom of the sea for delivering wheelchairs and bottled water. These arent Palestinian teenagers throwing rocks.

I love these Chickenhawk American armchair Zionists. No Israeli talks like this.

[Ibn Rushd]

05:08 PM on 04/27/2011

I'm not sure if you read the previous comments talking about the concerted efforts of Zionists to ignore the illegality of the blockade in the first place, but thank you for proving my point.

[Sam Bark]

09:09 PM on 04/27/2011

Ibn R -- so far Israel managed OK without your advice and silly commentary......LoL

Here an interesting article for you to ponder, regarding your accusation against Israel, you may want to read:
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/04/25/the_ultimate_ally

[Nwo2012]

10:47 PM on 04/27/2011

MICHAEL OREN?

Israeli Ambassador to the United States? Hes written an article promoting Israel?

THATS HIS JOB.

[Talab]

05:28 AM on 04/28/2011

It cracks me up when zionists link Israeli ambassadors. ynet or the jeruselem post as a source and them stomp on contradicting links as Palestinian "propaganda" Most of the time we dont even need to reply . Zionists posts are their own worst PR unless the reader is republican or a reader with under a 6th grade reading level ROFL

[Ibn Rushd]

02:36 PM on 04/27/2011

I just love how Zionists are trying to deflect attention away from the illegality of the blockade itself by talking about anything else (Syria, Hamas, Islamic radicals). For if the blockade is illegal, then running it is not.

But, for arguments sake, even if we accept that the blockade might be legal, the manner in which it is being implemented is not. I think we can all agree that the right of sovereign state ends (or at least cannot serve as an excuse), if the manner in which that specific right is being exercised constitutes a war crime (see transcript and judgment of Nuremburg Trials). But perhaps an anology would be more helpful.

If a ‘sovereign nation’ decided to herd all of its Jews into an open air prison, impose a blockade upon that prison with the express purpose of ‘putting them on a diet,’ and justify its actions by claiming the ‘right to inspect’ for weapons, would people really have that much trouble seeing that nation’s exercise of its ‘right to inspect’ as unreasonable?

The manner and means by which the ‘right to inspect’ is being implemented, not just its stated goals, are the determinative factors. If the embargoed items were actually limited to weapons, they might have a ‘reasonable’ argument. But, as Israel itself has admitted, this is not the case.

Complying with a ‘right to inspect’ under such circumstances would be at best legally and morally unconscionable, at worst aiding and abetting a war crime.”

[Sam Bark]

09:48 PM on 04/27/2011

Ibn R -- please spare us your love, we are more comfortable with your hatred.....HAHAHAHa

[martin2]

11:47 PM on 04/27/2011

Childish Ibn never said that he loves the z occupiers.

hint figure of speech.

[Rallis]

02:03 PM on 04/27/2011

CIA report: Isreal will fall in 20 years
http://sfbayview.com/2009/cia-report-israel-will-fall-in-20-years/

tick-tock..tick-tock...

[enderM]

02:48 PM on 04/27/2011

please….hold your breath.

[SaneUSA]

03:04 PM on 04/27/2011

I know that's your hope (a sick hope, but hey whatever floats your boat), but I can't even find any sources that prove that the report is even real...just links to crack-pot websites and Arab propaganda sites (Press TV etc...).

Any who, Israel will most likely be around for a very long time, but your more than welcome to waste your time staring at the clock.

[Nwo2012]

04:53 PM on 04/27/2011

sick?

Non-viable states come and go all the time

[Rallis]

05:40 PM on 04/27/2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTHF8mxE9lA&feature=related

[Ibn Rushd]

01:40 PM on 04/27/2011

Zionists' blatantly false assertions about the "security" goals of the Gaza blockade have already been exposed.

See: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/06/09/95621/israeli-document-gaza-blockade.html

These brave blockade runners are risking their very lives to highlight the ongoing injustice of collectively punishing a civilian population.

Rather than modify behavior that they have effectively admitted constitutes collective punishment, Zionists would rather belittle and/or slander those daring to call attention to it.

It is time for Zionists to recognize that there might actually be legitimate grievances behind the criticism they are receiving on the Gaza blockade. They do themselves a disservice in the long term when they reflexively assume anti-semitism as the motivating factor behind such criticism. Demeaning or belittling legitimate grievances is not a recipe for long term peace.

[Sam Bark]

09:59 PM on 04/27/2011

Ibn R -- Zionists and Israelis beat your Arab brothers in 8 wars..... Get off your silly soapbox and touch reality.
Israel is strong and prosperous and the Pals better understand they cannot turn back the clock 63 years and wish for a resolution they rejected then and forced Israel to defend itself and give up its vistories....
All you accusations and claims are just fairytales........

[martin2]

11:56 PM on 04/27/2011

Sam read more about the last war against Egypt read facts not Z propaganda.
Read Israeli commission of inquiry on the IDF loss in Lebanon.

I know you will not bother to find out the truth on the mugging and atrocity committed upon the people of Gaza.

[misaacm]

01:37 PM on 04/27/2011

If these people were as brave as they think they are, they would instead sail to a Syrian port and offer help to the brave Syrians who are facing Assad's tanks and snipers. If they really wanted to help the those in need, they would sail to Syria, or Iran or Libya to bring medical attention to the critics of those regimes who are being massacred. Instead they go to Gaza where they can visit the Gaza Mall:

http://www­­.nytimes.­c­om/2010/­08­/23/wor­ld/­middle­east­/23ga­za.ht­ml?_­r=1

The Gaza Riding Stables

http://www­­.guardian­.­co.uk/wo­rl­d/2010/­sep­/06/ga­za-r­iding­-club­-fai­sal

Or my favorite, the Roots Club, including a 4 star restaurant­­: "A unique blend of contempora­­ry design and urban chic, Roots Club is an icon in the heart of Gaza City. Designed with business in mind this multi-use complex - which includes an internatio­­nal cuisine fine dinging restaurant­­, an elegant banquet hall and a terrace garden café - is just minutes from Gaza’s key attraction­­s, shopping facilities­­, and business center. It is only two hundred meters away from the white sand Gaza beach."

http://www­­.rootsclu­b­.ps/serv­ic­es.html

Try bringing a ship into a Syrian harbor, they won't use paint ball guns, but will probably sink it.

[martin2]

12:01 AM on 04/28/2011

So you still believe that your murderous IDF used paint ball guns?
They are still short of medical supplies for children burned by your IDF in Gaza.

[misaacm]

04:33 PM on 04/28/2011

The children of Gaza receive specialized medical attention in Israel. If there is a shortage of medicine, it is because Hamas confiscates the medical supplies the world sends. It was so bad that even the UN had to say something.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=29802&Cr=gaza&Cr1=unrwa

[Enliberate]

01:21 PM on 04/27/2011

As long as Israel keeps Gazans at near-starvation level of subsistence, unable to pursue legal means of self-support, this is what will happen. This is what humans do, respond to one another in need.
End the illegal detention of all Gazans.

[RubalKhali]

01:16 PM on 04/27/2011

Hamas and Fatah have just announced that they have no more differences and that free and fair elections will be held soon, A united Palestinian front going into the U.N. vote. The Israelis will hate it. As Netanyahu said to Abbas, you can have peace with Israel or peace with Hamas, the two are mutually exclusive. Since Netanyahu has shown there can be no peace with Israel, what other choice is there. Israel has done all it could to divide the Palestinians and it worked, for a while, but now, VIVA LA PALISTINIA LIBRE

[enderM]

02:56 PM on 04/27/2011

just like that. amazing. from throwing people off of rooftops, to refusing to speak, to beating
civilians into submission to stop a unity rally….and suddenly…. Poof….they are all friends….
just like that. LOL

[Sam Bark]

10:05 PM on 04/27/2011

rubalk -- Is this similar to the cease fire hamas signed with Israel in 2008......LoL

[Ibn Rushd]

01:14 PM on 04/27/2011

Contrary to the contention of Zionist apologists here and elsewhere on the web, the Gaza blockade is not and never has been about interdicting and inspecting cargo for the importation of offensive weaponry. Its goal has always been political: to cause the civilian population as much suffering as possible - while still politically excusable - in order for the Palestinians in Gaza to reject and rise up against the Hamas leadership elected in January 2006. “The idea is to put the Palestinians on a diet, but not to make them die of hunger,” senior Israeli government advisor Dov Weisglass notoriously explained in 2006.

See: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/06/03

Maintaining a strict embargo on arms and related materiel, which could be used by Hamas against Israeli civilians, is arguably reasonable. But Israel’s severe restriction on medicines, food, and construction material needed to rebuild the thousands of homes - as well as schools and medical facilities - destroyed in Israel’s three-week military offensive is NOT.

[Sam Bark]

10:07 PM on 04/27/2011

Ibn R -- keep wishing, Israel will do what it is best for its Citizens.... not to satisfy your wishes....

[Taxim]

12:21 PM on 04/27/2011

There is a chance that if they hold off until after the June 12 election the Turkish Navy will provide an escort.

[theuniversalcollective]

12:47 PM on 04/27/2011

they send old women and broken down shariasts to do their bidding

[Enliberate]

01:50 PM on 04/27/2011

You sound just like Gaddafi. Oh, the irony.

[Ibn Rushd]

02:02 PM on 04/27/2011

Taxim,

A Turkish Naval escort through international waters would be really great. It would certainly give Israel pause before attacking the convoy. Despite the false bravado exhibited by Zionist apologists on this site, the IDF would have real trouble attacking a NATO country's navy in international waters.

While the Israelis have gotten quite good at beating up occupied civilian populations, they seem to be having a tougher time recently against more organized foes (see Hezbollah). So, IMHO, there is NO WAY they take on the Turkish navy in international waters, whether it be because of political or military concerns.

Excellent idea Taxim!

[Sam Bark]

10:10 PM on 04/27/2011

Ibn R and Taxim -- send a telegram to Gul and Edrogan..... wonder how they managed without your help so far..... LoL

[JerusalemStudent]

12:17 PM on 04/27/2011

Darwin Awards contenders.

[Taxim]

01:44 PM on 04/27/2011

Hey Zach, do you change clothes when you change profiles?

[Sam Bark]

10:11 PM on 04/27/2011

Taxim-- do you.....?

[MelissaGoldman]

12:08 PM on 04/27/2011

This seems to be the terrorist lovers' version of a middle east cruise....
complete with weapons, explosions and screams of "allah akhbar!"

[martin2]

12:11 AM on 04/28/2011

The weapons were wheel chairs and medical supplies for children burned by the IDF.
You are a insult to decent Jewish people.

[SaneUSA]

12:24 PM on 04/27/2011

First off, congrats on knowing how to cut and paste (maybe next time copy something that's not so moronic)...second, is it fun being lame?

[Fred Ricardo]

12:57 PM on 04/27/2011

ITS FUN TO WATCH THE ISRAEL NEOCON FRAT BOYS SQUIRM. We all know they are paid to post lie and distort the truth on this message board.

When they can't defend the antichrist Israel, the make hate attacks and name call.

The Frat Boys down in the AIPAC cellar try to distract the discussion about how bad Israel is for America.

I will be here EVERY day to point out the Human rights violation and land robbing you Jewish Neocon dead-enders are doing.

[Enliberate]

01:23 PM on 04/27/2011

Your avatar says it all. It is precisely the splicing of Israeli policy into American that has led us into so much trouble.

[Sam Bark]

10:16 PM on 04/27/2011

Fred R -- You are confused, silly..... or you meant to describe Gaddafi or Assad actions and words......LMAO

[Fred Ricardo]

11:23 AM on 04/27/2011

Just like Israel did the the USS Liberty?

See their site...

http://www.ussliberty.org/

[theuniversalcollective]

12:46 PM on 04/27/2011

I invoke Cannonballs Law!

[Enliberate]

02:02 PM on 04/27/2011

You don't forget an incident like that one.