On Saturday Israeli commandos stormed the international humanitarian aid convoy heading to Gaza causing the deaths of 9 activists and injuring countless others.
Israel has faced international outrage over the incident as the convoy was in international waters and the use of "excessive force" by the IDF. Israel has said the following:
The convoy was a threat to Israeli security-
No, although Israel say weapons were found, the activists on board deny this. Why would they risk it? And how are electic wheelchairs, crayons and potatos a threat to security.
The IDF acted in self defence-
No, activists stated the IDF opened fire whilst still rapelling down from helicopters. Also one of the dead was shot 4 times in the head, hardly self defence.
Hamas terrorists were on board-
Members of Hamas joined the convoy the previous day to escort the ship into port. No doubt Israeli security has a full passenger list, including the 90 year old jewish holocaust survivor.
Israel sends aid to Gaza, there is no need for this convoy-
Yes, but as a UN report stated only a few weeks ago, it is only a quarter of the needs of Gazan citizens.
Some other questions remain unanswered:
Why so much force?
Tear gas, rubber bullets even tazers could have been used without bloodshed.
Why International waters?
This is against international law, not that Israel bothers about that.
Why was no first aid given to casualties for several hours?
3 people died needlessly of wounds on the ship who could have been saved.
Why take all the memory cards and film from the activists after they were arrested?
Clearly so that Israel can edit what the world can see rather than the truth.
So the Israeli spin machine goes into overdrive amid international condemnation, although condemnation is not nearly enough. Israel has broke international law and if this was Iran then Americas sabres would be rattling and there would be immediate sanctions. But this is Israel. Turkey has taken the lead amongst Arab countries with an agressive stance, and Egypt has finally opened the Rafah crossing "indefinately" although the rest of the Arab world is strangely quiet. America however has refused to condemn the attack, and made sure the UN's statement was diluted to a "we need an inquiry" statement, even Joe Biden the US Vice-President said in an iterview; "what's the problem?"
Untill America wakes up to the fact that its support to Israel is counter-productive and will cause even more young soldiers in Afghanistan, trying to win a hearts and minds campaign, to come home in body-bags, then there is little hope that Israel will be labelled a "rogue state". And the only hope for the people of Gaza are those who join the convoys and protest in the streets.
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