UN security council stops short of full condemnation
The Guardian: UN security council stops short of full condemnation
The UN security council has called for an impartial investigation into Israel’s botched assault on a flotilla carrying aid supplies to the Gaza Strip, but it stopped short of an outright condemnation of the attack.
In a carefully worded compromise statement drafted after ten hours of debate, the security council also called for the immediate release of hundreds of civilians held after the raid.
After a 10-hour emergency meeting that stretched into the earlier hours of today, the 15 council members agreed on a presidential statement that was weaker than that initially demanded by the Palestinians, Arabs and Turkey.
They had called for condemnation of the attack by Israeli forces “in the strongest terms” and “an independent international investigation”.
But the statement said: “The security council deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries resulting from the use of force during the Israeli military operation in international waters against the convoy sailing to Gaza. The council, in this context, condemns those acts which resulted in the loss of at least 10 civilians and many wounded, and expresses its condolences to their families.”
The deaths and injuries were condemned by the UN, EU and other countries. The US, in contrast, was restrained in its response, expressing regret and saying it was “currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy”.
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acts denotes that aid convey was guilty too. Once again USA saves Israel.
Unfortunately the Turks were too quick to give in and probably thought something was better then nothing. Had I been negotiating from the Turk side I would have dared US to use veto and bear the full consequences.
and they would have vetoed it with britain and france behind them. Better to go in NATO.
Dun forget the complicity of Egypt in this fiasco, now they lifting the blockade, hai os zood pasheemaan ka pasheemaan hona
ARY: Egypt lifts its side of Gaza blockade for aid
Actually the Egyptians have been behaving like snakes yet again. Nothing new in Bedouin history!
ARY: Comments from activists on Gaza aid convoy
ISTANBUL: Israel detained some 700 activists, ensuring no immediate contradiction of its version of events. Israeli officials said the nine activists were killed when commandos storming the cruise ship opened fire in self-defence.
But some of the activists who were on board the ships are now returning home. Below are comments describing their experience when Israeli troops descended on the flotilla.
MIHALIS GRIGOROPOULOS (to reporters at Athens airport)
“They (Israelis) came down from helicopters and threw ropes from inflatable boats, climbing aboard. There was teargas and live ammunition.
“I was steering the ship, we saw them capture another ship in front of us, which was the Turkish passenger vessel with more than 500 people on board and heard shots fired.
“We did not resist at all, we couldn’t even if we had wanted to. What could we have done against the commandos who climbed aboard? The only thing some people tried was to delay them from getting to the bridge, forming a human shield. They were fired upon with plastic bullets and were stunned with electric devices.
“There was great mistreatment after our arrest. We were essentially hostages, like animals on the ground.
“They wouldn’t let us use the bathroom, wouldn’t give us food or water and they took video of us despite international conventions banning this.”
ARIS PAPADOKOSTOPOULOS (to reporters at Athens airport)
“We took part in the mission ‘one ship for Gaza’, carrying humanitarian aid … wheel chairs, pharmaceutical supplies, building materials and nothing else.
“When the assault took place we were 70 nautical miles from the Gaza shores.
“The Turkish passenger ship ahead of us suffered a terrible attack from everywhere, from sea and air, with gunshots.
“Ours was the last ship to be attacked.
“The action of Israeli commandos was pure piracy in international waters. The international community must condemn this and react. We cannot allow Israel to play the role of the policeman in the area.”
NILUFER CETIN (to reporters at Istanbul airport)
“We stayed in our cabin and played games amid the sound of gunfire. My son has been nervous since yesterday afternoon … I did not need to protect my son. They knew there was a baby on board. I protected him by staying in my cabin, then went to the bathroom. I put a gas mask and life jacket on my son. We did not experience any other problems on board, only a water shortage.
“We took walks on the deck, played games with my son. The curtains were drawn, so I did not see not the raid as it was happening. I only heard the voices. There are lightly and heavily wounded people.
“There are thousands, millions of babies in Gaza. My son and I wanted to play with those babies. We planned to deliver them aid. We wanted to say ‘Look, it’s a safe place, I came here with my baby-son’. I saw my husband from a distance, he looked OK. The ship personnel was not wounded, because they (the soldiers) needed them to take the ship to port. I will go again if another ship goes.”
BAYRAM KALYON (to reporters at Istanbul airport)
“The captain of the vessel Mavi Marmara told us ‘They are firing randomly, they are breaking the windows and entering inside. So you should get out of here as soon as possible.’ That was our last conversation with him.”
NORMAN PAECH, German former Left party lawmaker
“That was not an act of self defence. That was a war crime … To talk about self defence is a mockery.” He personally saw “two and a half” wooden blocks which activists used. He did not see any knives. He did not rule out that activisits used metal rods, but he did not see them.
YOUCEF BENDERBAL, a French member of pro-Palestinian charity
“We knew we were taking risks. But we did not expect an assault in international waters. It was purely and simply an act of piracy… It happened quickly.”
He was not on board the Turkish ship, but on another with about 50 people which had sailed from Greece.
“Masked commandos took possession of the ship. They went straight for the captain’s cabin.” When the captain tried to stay in the commands of the ship, the Israeli soldiers dragged him away. Some of the crew were injured, he said without giving more details.
“From the start, we had instructions to not provoke anything, even if Israelis boarded the ship. We did not go looking for a fight, we were attacked. There were only pacifists on board.”
AAJ Tv: Talat says will show real face of Israel
AMMAN : Executive Director News and current affairs of Aaj News Talat Hussain has said that he will show the real face of Israel by releasing the footage of Israeli commandos assault, Aaj News reported.
Talking to Aaj News after his arrival in Jordan, Talat said that they were remained in Israeli custody for three days.
While expressing gratitude to the nation, Talat Hussain said that the prayers of the nation make him possible to sustain in tough days.
Answering the question about the assault, he said at least 60 Israeli commandos attacked the flotilla vessel, adding that he witnessed the deaths of four mates.
About his return to Pakistan, Talat said that he will arrived back home on Thursday’s evening.
Isey kehtey hain billi ko doodh ki rakhwali daina lol
Guardian: Israel should lead investigation into attack on Gaza flotilla, says US
IDF Released Several Faked Photos – How Can They Be Trusted in ANY Investigation?
I think the Israelis have finally scored an own goal!!! The world public opinion has lost any sympathy with the fascist state. The official support in the west is really wearing thin.
They might have done what the Palestinians could not achieve in the past 40 if not more years.
Press TV showing the London Protest Live. Large crowd.
Tariq Ali now speaking. Calling on Turkey to demonstrate its resolve in deeds. He is condeming the Dead Farooh Husni Mubarik.
Text “LIFT” to 70066 for Oxfam’s call to Lift the Siege of Gaza
New American Century Project
ESTABLISH FOUR CORE MISSIONS for U.S. military forces:
• defend the American homeland;
• fight and decisively win multiple, simultaneous major theater wars;
• perform the “constabulary” duties associated with shaping the security environment in
critical regions;
• transform U.S. forces to exploit the “revolution in military affairs;”
http://www.newamericancentury.org/RebuildingAmericasDefenses.pdf
Gaza flotilla attack: Autopsies reveal intensity of Israeli military force
The link gives the details of Land distribution between Jews and Palestinians in 1947. What an equitable distribution the “UN” Declaration for Jewish homeland was based on.
http://www.palestineremembered.com/Acre/Maps/Story571.html
Thanks 4 update tauqeer was bz at gazaflotilla website
A downed Terrorist
A US war veteran said he was among the activists who overpowered three Israeli soldiers.
”They [the soldiers] looked at us … They thought we would kill them, but we let them go,” said Kenneth Nichols O’Keefe.
Talk abt bias media, I mean BBC should be ashamed.
BBC: Israel ‘foils scuba dive attack’
Israel’s navy has shot and killed four Palestinians wearing diving gear off the Gaza coast, officials say.
The Israeli military says it believes those on board were planning a “terrorist attack”.
Hamas officials in Gaza say four bodies have been recovered and two people are missing.
Israel controls and occupies the sea off the coast of Gaza despite having withdrawn its forces from the territory in 2005.
The country’s Haaretz newspaper quoted an Israeli army source as saying the incident took place at about 0430 local time (0130 GMT) and that the boat was heading north to Israel from waters off the Nusseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said there were no Israeli casualties.
The BBC’s Jon Donnison, in the West Bank town of Ramallah, says it is not yet clear exactly what has happened.
But it is not uncommon for the Israeli navy to open fire on fishing boats it feels are too far out at sea, he adds.
The latest incident comes in a week where the Israeli Navy’s actions have been under close scrutiny after nine people were killed in a raid on a flotilla of ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists trying to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
There has also been sporadic rocket fire out of Gaza into Israel since that raid a week ago.
GEORGE GALLOWAY at it yet again! God I wish I had the eloquence of this great man!
I wish to be on the convoy. Land route. Can’t swim!!!!!
VIVA VIVA PALESTINA, VIVA VIVA PALESTINA, VIVA VIVA PALESTINA
Land route is through egypt wont help, only way is by sea.
I know the land route is via Egypt and it would seem they will keep it open. But there will be a sea flotila and probably Tauuap Ordugan will be on it along with Turkish Navy. Anyway I wish he will be on it.
NATO convoy attacked on the motorway near Islamabad. Retaliation begins!
Retaliation for wat? marey to humarey 7 gaey yeh harami to bhag gaey FUCK TTP and FUCK AL_QAEDA
Guess what happens if you park 80 Military vehicles together on their way to the battlefield! Surely u cant blame Al-Qaeda for planning such an own goal!
dun mean i have to cheer them up. Wat pisses me off is Int, Minister claim
a) not our reposnibiity to guard them. i.e pvt contractors.
b) we didnt even know this station existed and theey using this routee.