Was Israel Raid On Flotilla Self Defense?; Were Activists not Really Peaceful Activists?

From YNetNews: Israel to UN: Flotilla participants not peace activists

Deputy Ambassador Carmon tells Security Council emergency meeting, 'What kind of peace activists use knives, clubs and other weapons to attack soldiers?' Turkish FM: Israel's hands are covered with blood
Yitzhak Benhorin


This Turkish flotilla would not have rejected the offer made weeks ago, by the Israeli authorities to transfer the aid, through to the port of Ashdod, to Gaza through the existing overland crossing if it was truly a humanitarian projecct.

"The Flotilla organizers not only rejected this offer, but stated clearly that (and I quote) 'this mission is not about delivering Humanitarian supply, but rather about breaking the Israeli siege,' as Greta Berlin, a flotilla spokesperson told the media last week."


Carmon continued to say, "What kind of Humanitarian activists demand to bypass the United Nations, the Red Cross, and other internationally recognized agencies? What kind of peace activists use knives, clubs and other weapons to attack soldiers who board a ship in accordance with international law? What kind of Humanitarian activists, some with known terrorist history, embrace Hamas, a terrorist organization that openly shuns a two state solution and calls for Israel destruction, defying conditions set by the international community and the Quartet? The answer is clear: they are not peace activists; they are not messengers of good will. They cynically use a humanitarian platform to send a message of hate and to implement violence."



"Let me remind the Council that a state of armed conflict exists between Israel and the Hamas terrorist regime controlling Gaza. Let me remind the Council that rockets and mortars are still being launched by Hamas and others toward southern Israel. Let me remind the council that Gaza is occupied by terrorists that ousted the PA in a violent coup, and that arms are continuously being smuggled, including by sea. Let me stress that a maritime blockade is a legitimate and recognized measure under international law that may be implemented as part of an armed conflict at sea," he added.

I do not have all of the facts, but it seems to me that the U.N. and others' are not justified to make a declaratory statement right off the bat, saying that Israel was in the wrong in this instance, without knowing the facts, and before listening to both sides of the story.   It looks like Israel was justified in this event, but I am going to wait and see as the facts come to light.


H/T YNetNews