Kurt Sansone
Israeli attack difficult to justify - former AFM commander
Tunisians demonstrating in the Mohamed V Avenue in Tunis, yesterday, protesting against Israel after the Israeli navy stormed a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters, killing several pro-Palestinian activists in a pre-dawn raid that sparked global outrage. Photo: Fethi Belaid/AFP
It will be very difficult for Israel to justify its deadly raid on a flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, according to former army commander Carmel Vassallo.
"The attack is very difficult to justify because the ships were on the high seas and even if they intended to challenge the Israeli blockade of Gaza they did not pose a threat," Brig. Vassallo said.
The deadly attack yesterday prompted the UN Security Council to call for an international probe into the raid and for the immediate release of all civilians.
The ships carrying hundreds of international pro-Palestinian activists were in international waters when Israeli commandos boarded the vessels, killing nine people after they opened fire. Israel has insisted the commandos acted in self-defence after they were assaulted with clubs, knives and metal rods, a claim the activists heavily deny.
"One would have expected the activists to make some form of reaction since they were provoked into defending their ship," Brig. Vassallo said, insisting the military action was harder to justify because the ships carried humanitarian aid for besieged Gazans.
Israel's actions sparked international outrage with the EU calling for an independent inquiry to establish what really happened.
Speaking from Madrid at a meeting of European national parliamentarians and MEPs, Francis Zammit Dimech, chairman of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, condemned the violence and reiterated the EU's call for a "thorough and independent" inquiry.
Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg on Monday deplored the "disproportionate use of violence" and described the situation in Gaza as a source of "grave concern".
Israel has imposed an information blackout on the incident and civilian activists on board the ships have been taken to the southern port city of Ashdod for questioning.
The Israeli navy intercepted the flotilla of six ships in international waters at about 5 a.m. on Monday. The ships were on a mission to defy the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip and deliver supplies to the Palestinians.
Israel has blockaded Gaza since 2007 when Hamas Islamists took power in the enclave, home to 1.6 million Palestinians that borders the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt and Israel.
Egypt yesterday temporarily lifted border restrictions at the Rafah crossing into Gaza following the attack, while Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the Israeli raid a "bloody massacre" and warned Israel of irreparable consequences to their bilateral ties.
Four of the activists killed were Turkish nationals.
The French Prime Minister yesterday called on Israel to release French civilian nationals still held in detention.
Condemnation for Israel's actions also poured in from civil society with Moviment Graffitti accusing Israel of "illegal and senseless" actions. "Israel's attack on the aid convoy heading for Gaza continues to show its arrogance against anyone who disapproves of its unacceptable treatment of the people of Gaza," Graffitti said.
The Muslim community in Malta said the attack was evidence of Israel's disrespect for international law. "Through such atrocities, it is obvious Israel does not believe in peace. The massacre against a civilian convoy carrying medicine, food, construction materials, children's toys and wheelchairs for the disabled in Gaza shows how the Israeli army is using its might to kill the Palestinian people by depriving them from basic human needs," it said.
The Nationalist Party, the Labour Party and Alternattiva Demokratika also condemned the attack.
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Carmel Attard
Jun 6th 2010, 02:26
Margaret Spiteri and L.Attard Bezzina are completely alone in their world of Fantasy . What if the Palestinians built Bunkers like Israel has?? Should not they be allowed to protect themselves from the inhumane Phosphor Bombs showered on them by the Zionist Criminals??? And as for AttBezzina where did he get this Fable of "Activists threw Stun Grenades"?? What a Pack of lies!!!! I was a Staunch Supporter of Izrael ..Now I am completely against this BULLY of the Middle East , allowed to commit crime after crime against humanity with impunity Thanks to the U.S. the Beacon of Democracy and Freedom , the Europeans in General and the English, and of course the other puppets the Australian Governments!!
Martin Cassar
Jun 3rd 2010, 14:26
@Tarek Cheniti
Sir /Madam
You have got it slightly ‘wrong’ I am afraid. This conflict in delicate mixture of both political and religious nature. However the saddest part of it is what the Zionists believe G-D-Jews Promised Land.
The point is this, no notary witnessed what this contract god, a copy from this contract is unavailable in MEPA neither, so one has to check about the contract in question in the Bible. In the Bible I came across: 1 Samuel 15:3
‘Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'’
This is exactly what Israel has been doing for six decades. In my opinion, both Israel and their god should be arrested and go for international court and face trial for war crimes and holding seeds of terrorism.
Along with the Good Jews I disassociate my self completely from such god anyway, what about you?
Tarek Cheniti
Jun 3rd 2010, 23:06
That is besides the point. The fact that sionism is founded on a specific extremist reinterpation of religious texts that serve the political pursuits of a certain group of people does not mean that the kind of horrors we see today are the product of 'judaism' as a religion (or 'islam' for that matter). Judaism and Islam are religions. Sionism and Islamism are political ideologies.
Religion is not the problem in the middle east. After all jews have always coexisted with muslims throughout history rather peacefully, and certainly without any of the genocides other parts of the world have witnessed. No, the problem is colonialism, oppression,racism, apartheid and desire for expansion at the expense of others. Some (white) people tried to achieve that sort of thing in South Africa too and blacks such as Nelson Mandela were called 'terrorists' for standing against them. it's funny how we humans never learn from our history.
PS. I prefer to be addressed as 'sir' ;-)
Martin Cassar
Jun 4th 2010, 08:06
I too, with the opinion that all religions are identical as far as major human principles are concerned. However, the troubles begins and disasters occurs when we have fiendish in forms of politicians that try to mislead the world and bring the world at the edge of bankruptcy and fuel hatred among nations just to have some barrels of fuel (and now they are losing it in the water)...what the ex USA president stole from Iraq is now gone with the wind...divine comeuppance I presume.!
Mr. Tarek Cheniti
Point taken for suture ref sir! Thank you and good day
Daniel Attard
Jun 2nd 2010, 19:32
Maritime blockades are imposed regularly during times of armed conflict, or even perceived threat. For instance, the US maritime blockade of Cuba during the Cuban missile crisis. The US could not be certain that Soviet missiles in Cuba would actually be used against the US, but was justified nevertheless in stopping all maritime traffic to and from Cuba.
The maritime blockade of Gaza is even more legitimate, as the terrorists based there have fired thousands of rockets into southern Israel over the past several years, and did receive a large portion of those weapons via maritime transport.
Tarek Cheniti
Jun 2nd 2010, 19:30
"The Muslim community in Malta"? what about the rest? fejnhom?? The middle east issue is not about religion and should not be turned into one. It is about occupation and violation of fundamental human rights, period. Everyone needs to stand against the injustice going on in that part of the world, not just people of a particular faith. Gaza in particular has been under siege for a very long time and people there are starving because they receive a third of the food and medication they are entitled to (this is UN statistics not mine). The international community, including Malta, needs to make it very clear that this situation is unacceptable and call for the immediate lift of the siege on the people of Gaza. It also needs to make it very clear than nothing whatsoever can 'justify' the killing of humanitarian activists by army soldiers. Violence breeds more violence, so if nothing is done to stop things from escalating and get the peace process underway we're bound to read more of this type of disturbing news in the next months.
martin chetcuti
Jun 2nd 2010, 15:54
Perhaps the Israelis boarding on the ships in International waters was not at all correct but the Provocation from Hamas was either.
L. Attard Bezzina
Jun 2nd 2010, 15:29
Israel says - Activists threw stun grenades'
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=177261
New IDF footage shows attacks before soldiers boarded 'Mavi Marmara.'
afternoon released more new footage of Gaza flotilla activists attacking soldiers with a stun grenade, a box of plates, and water hoses.
The video was taken before the soldiers boarded the Mavi Marmara in Monday's raid.
JJ Creg
Jun 4th 2010, 09:17
This news is all over the globe on 3 June
Israel's army has been using confiscated videos to justify its deadly raid against a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, and the Foreign Press Association (FPA) wants it to stop.
Martin Cassar
Jun 2nd 2010, 15:28
The state (to be) of Israel that accommodates the victims of the holocausts should also enter Guinness Book of World Records for: The longest illegal occupation (of the pillaged Palestinians land) in modern history and also for being evasive and disobedient to all UN resolutions! My point, the creation of Israel (a border less country for so many decades) per se makes Israel a no country.
Many wars Israel had (and now is the sea too) proved more failure than success, both Hamas and Hezbollah are still there living and kicking.
Despite USA unlimited financial, military and political support (permanent VETO in the in-security counsel) both Palestinians and Israelis failed to finish one another. So, the two states solution is the only option left. Would a far-right, fragile and extremist government in Israel let the re-birth of a Palestinian state see the light or they would opt for abortion?
The Zionists have spent billions of dollars to portray good image for the victims of the holocausts and all went in vain in the last abattoir against Gazans and this cold-blooded murder of civilian activists represent over forty countries.
Margaret Spiteri
Jun 2nd 2010, 13:56
Turkey is protesting vigorously. But, question: Turkey is a NATO ally, an applicant to the European Union. What is it doing allowing its nationals to smuggle cement that could build bunkers? Especially when those nationals belong to a group, the Turkish IHH (Insani Yardim Vakfi) that Israel has designated a terrorist organization?
The flotilla departed from Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus. Turkey's occupation of half of Cyprus is deemed illegal by the European Union and the United Nations. If the government of Turkey feels so strongly about ending disputed occupations, why does it not start with the disputed occupation it is operating itself?
Charles Vassallo
Jun 2nd 2010, 15:00
Margaret Spiteri What you say is simply NOT true Margaret. They were transporting humanitarian aid against the imposition of the inhuman blockade by Israel. Israel has earned the condemnation of the whole world including the UN Security Council. One must also distinguish between the normal Jews and the fundamentalists who cause trouble even to the Israeli Government with their fundamentalism. As an example, the Orthodox Jews simply do not work or do anything except live on government funds and have children.
albert leone ganado
Jun 2nd 2010, 12:36
The piratical attack on the high seas by Israel , flouting every maritime law has to be condemned by all those who believe that international rules cannot be flouted by anyone.
Imagine what would have happened if Iran had carried out a similar attack on western vessels.
Unfortunately rather than achieve a solution based on UN resolutions Israel persists in its arrogant denial of Palestinian rights.
This attitude will only increase potential acts of terrorism which will affect us innocent citizens in the west. It is incidents like this which draws new recruits to suicide bombing missions.
L. Attard Bezzina
Jun 2nd 2010, 18:24
A blockade is a legitimate and recognized measure under international law that may be implemented as part of an armed conflict at sea. A blockade may be imposed at sea, including in international waters. Let me also stress that Israel provided, in due time, not only information about the existence of the blockade, but also appropriate notification to the relevant governments and to the organizers of the Gaza Flotilla. The organizers turned down the repeated offers by Israel to transfer the aid to Gaza, because they had other plans. Can you quote which InternationalLaws you say were broken?
JJ Creg
Jun 4th 2010, 15:29
@ L.Attard Bezzina - Blockade is not a valid reason as it is a concept only applicable to war situations.
Israel's action is a breach of the UN International Maritime Org Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA) which was signed by Israel in April 2009.
L.Attard Bezzina
Jun 2nd 2010, 11:12
This was taken from Wikipedia - IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation (The Foundation for Human Rights and Freedom and Humanitarian Relief), is a Turkish Islamist NGO acting in more than hundred countries all over the world. Officially established in 1995, IHH provides humanitarian relief into areas of war and conflict. However, several newspapers and terrorism research institutions have the organization with Al-Qaeda and global jihad networks. Should Israel have allowed volunteers from this organisation into Gaza?
JJ Creg
Jun 2nd 2010, 12:34
How accurate is the info on wikipedia? The website below may help to clear the misconception about IHH
This IHH on UNCR website
http://www.unhcr.org/48fdec2c20.html
wally vella-zarb
Jun 2nd 2010, 14:42
"Should Israel have allowed volunteers from this organisation into Gaza?"
Excuse me? Do I have a right to decide who goes into your house? Much as it would like to assimilate the whole of Gaza and its shoreline, Israel has to accept the fact that Gaza is a different country with its own legally and democratically elected leaders. The fact that the people of Gaza chose Hamas as their leaders in an internationally certified free election does not need Israel's approval. How arrogant!
Charles Grixti
Jun 3rd 2010, 03:52
@JJ Creg
AP INTERVIEW: Turkish aid group had terror ties," June 2:
PARIS - The Turkish Islamic charity behind a flotilla of aid ships that was raided by Israeli forces on its way to Gaza had ties to terrorism networks, including a 1999 al-Qaida plot to bomb Los Angeles International Airport, France's former top anti-terrorism judge said Wednesday.
The Istanbul-based Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief, known by its Turkish acronym IHH, had "clear, long-standing ties to terrorism and Jihad," former investigating judge Jean-Louis Bruguiere told The Associated Press.
Bruguiere, who led the French judiciary's counterterrorism unit before retiring in 2007, indicated IHH had terror ties when he investigated it in the late 1990s.
"They were basically helping al-Qaida to target U.S. soil," he said.
Some members of an international terrorism cell known as the Fateh Kamel network worked at the IHH, Bruguiere said.
Among Kamel's followers was Ahmed Ressam, an Algerian who was arrested in the U.S. state of Washington in December 1999 on his way to bomb Los Angeles International Airport.
"IHH had a role in the organization that led to the plot," Bruguiere said, reiterating sworn testimony he made in a U.S. Federal Court.
JJ Creg
Jun 3rd 2010, 21:49
@ Charles Grixti - Over 37 nations supported the aid ships with over 600 participants aboard.
Among them aboard were the Notable people such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan, former UN Assistant Secretary-General Denis Halliday, Swedish novelist Henning Mankell, and a number of parliamentarians from European and Arab national legislatures and the European Parliament.
L.Attard Bezzina
Jun 2nd 2010, 11:08
The ongoing interrogation of passengers who were aboard the Turkish vessel the mv Mavi Marmara – the Gaza aid flotilla's flagship – revealed that the majority of those who attacked the Israeli Naval Commandos boarding the ship have direct and indirect Global Jihad ties.
Israel's investigation so far has revealed some 100 people infiltrated the peace and humanitarian aid activists making their way to Gaza, with the explicit design to attack Israeli soldiers using cold arms.
Some among that group are believed to have ties with World Jihad groups, mainly al-Qaeda.
The majority of suspects are Turks, but some are Yemenites and Indonesian. One Yemenite Islamist was photographed with a dagger in his belt prior to the raid.
The suspects are not cooperating with investigators. Most of them have no identification papers, and Israeli authorities are still trying to ascertain their identity.
Nevertheless, it is clear that the majority were recruited by the same IHH handler who organized the flotilla.
wally vella-zarb
Jun 2nd 2010, 14:36
You conveniently omit to mention that among the civilians on board there was even a survivor of the holocaust and also one member of the Knesset. As these also members of a terrorist group?
International opinion is favouring the opinion that the only 'terrorist' in this incident was the terrorist state of Israel who bungled what could have been a simple operation and turned it into an act of Piracy on the High Seas, aggravated by murder. Their action goes against the International Law of the Sea which requires free and safe passage through international waters. The incident took place more than 80 miles off the coast of Gaza - roughly the distance between Malta and Siracusa - and cannot be justified in an international law court. Legally, it could even be construed as an Act of War because the vessel is registered under the Turkish Flag and, as far as I know, Israel is not in a state of war with Turkey.
p Agius
Jun 3rd 2010, 06:49
Do you really rely on wikedpedia to get your information????????
The IDF's reesponse was disproportionate and cannot be justified....The numbers speak for themselves - 19 death (or 10)vs 0 deaths.......I am pro Israel and beleive in the existense of its state but last Monday i was disgusted to learn that Israelis were made to beleive that the Flottilla is Hamas managed......In terms of the IHH's reaction to to landing commandoes , i think it is justifiable....the IDF attacked at dawn, fully armed with weapons and to addinsult to injury they attacked in international waters....What would you do in these circumstances? I would have done the same...It comes naturally......Thet IDF's response is not LEGITIMATE.....I mean should Maltashoot at illegal immigrants when crossing over to Malta....?
Israel made a huge mistake in increasing to the number of its enemies in the region....It's already bad for the Israelis and loosing Turkey would complicate matters not only for them but also for Israel's no 1, the United states.....Since Turkeyis a US ally too, the turks have now more power in political deals since the US has now to please both Turkey and Israel in different, possibly opposing ways....AND THIS IS NOT ALWAYS POOIBLE
Peadar Farrell
Jun 2nd 2010, 10:57
There is no sane defence of Israel. Where is the country of Palestine in all of this? Well is now called the Gaza strip with 1.5 Million people driven into a tiny strip 20 miles long. They have built a wall all around them and decide what and who goes in and out at the pleasure of Israel. The elected Government of the people is called Hamas, even if Israel does not like them they will have to deal with them. Remember the hunger strikers in Ireland, the British would not talk to them and now they are Government Ministers. There is a God and some day soon I hope they will get their "cumuppance” you cannot fight with all of your neighbours all the time and indeed the rest of the world and last very long. Unfortunately as they have almost no friends left when they do collapse it will be a dreadful event
J Farrugia
Jun 2nd 2010, 13:36
israel will never collapse. Israel is the only democratic nation in the whole region. That is why it will never collapse. We will never allow it. Not even Ahmadeenajad will succeed in removing Israel from the map of the world. Those who take up the cudgels against this free nation will themselves collapse.
Joe Gauci
Jun 2nd 2010, 15:06
Mr J Farrugia, Israel democratic? By stealing land from the Palestinians, destroying their homes, denying them enough food and medicines, denying them building materials to repair their homes destroyed by the Israeli forces, denying them access to their fields, Israeli settlers building on their land and destroying their crops, keeping them waiting for hours at check-points including pregnant women who many times give birth at the check-points? If this is what you understand by democracy then what would be an undemocratic country for you?
Emma Xerri
Jun 3rd 2010, 04:03
Israel's embargo exists so that Israel can maintain its existence, in light of the fact that the Islamic thugs who control Gaza, Hamas, have as their chief raison d'etre the elimination of the Jewish state.
Exactly how is the embargo punishing those in the Gaza Strip? Most people throughout the history of man have not lived with such plenty as do the people of Gaza today. Tons of needed supplies make their way into Gaza via Egypt and Israel everyday. Indeed, would love to see a study of how many Gazans are overweight.
H Wolf
Jun 2nd 2010, 10:15
While I agree that Israel made a huge error in judgement in trying to stop the ships in international waters, if you view the videos on youtube regarding the landing, you will see the actions of the soldiers are completely justified.
As the soldiers rapel on board the ship, they are immediately attacked by the personel on board and you can clearly see rods and chairs being used to beat on the soldiers. After about 45 seconds of this, the soldiers manage to get to their feet again, guns out and back into a defensive posture. I assume at this time the guns were fired.
I'm sorry, but if I was in the soldiers' position I would have done no differently myself.
BUT....we cannot fail to hold israel accountable for boarding this ship in international waters.
Ramon Casha
Jun 2nd 2010, 10:43
The incident took place in international waters. Therefore, the Israeli ships were engaging in piracy. The sailors were under no obligation to allow themselves to be boarded in international waters, and were fully justified in defending their ships against the pirates.
The appropriate response to this incident is to for further aid ships to be accompanied by a military convoy - and for this convoy to use all the weapons at their disposal to discourage any future acts of piracy.
Jason Scerri
Jun 2nd 2010, 10:49
That's the whole point. The ships were in international waters and Israel had no right to board the ships. That's state piracy!
I was once a supporter of Israel's cause but the recent events and the unjustified blockade of Gaza has changed my mind. By isolating Hamas Israel was trying to weaken the group while trying to strengthen president Abbas but the real facts show otherwise. Hamas has been strengthened , Abbas losing more credibility and the poor people of Gaza suffering more and more each day.
Israel should remember one important thing. ie Hatred breeds more hatred. Till then there will never be a solution to the conflict.
Demis Paul Scerri
Jun 2nd 2010, 11:02
The people on the ship had every right to defend themselves against the soldiers. The soldiers were on the ship ILLEGALLY.
JJ Creg
Jun 2nd 2010, 12:23
In stark contrast to the IDF version, the Free Gaza Movement described the incident as an unprovoked assault: “Under darkness of night, Israeli commandoes dropped from a helicopter onto the Turkish passenger ship, Mavi Marmara, and began to shoot the moment their feet hit the deck,” it said in a statement. “ They fired directly into the crowd of civilians asleep.”
CNSNews : http://cnsnews.com/news/article/66849
Jason Spiteri
Jun 2nd 2010, 16:55
These comments are wrong; for an act to constitute piracy it must be committed for private ends, whereas Israel's intention was to prevent the ship from entering its 68-mile exclusion zone, which the vessel was clearly about to do (illegally).