For those that do not know.
Israel to deport activists detained after flotilla raids
Israel has tonight decided to free hundreds of foreign activists detained aboard a Turkish-backed aid flotilla to Gaza, including some it had threatened to put on trial.
Sources in Israel told Reuters that cabinet ministers had made the decision amid rising world protests against Israel’s raid of the flotilla yesterday. The raid resulted in the deaths of at least nine people. Tonight it emerged that some 680 activists seized on the boats would be released.
“It was agreed that the detainees would be deported immediately,” Nir Hefez, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said in a written statement
Israel’s security cabinet said it regretted the killings in the interception of the Gaza bound flotilla but called the incident an act of defence against violent provocation.
Ministers said in a statement they regretted the loss of life in the raid, but blamed activists who they said assaulted soldiers who boarded the ship for any fatalities.
Israel said it would continue a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip it has imposed as part of a general embargo on the territory’s border crossings.
Earlier today, Taoiseach Brian Cowen warned there would be “most serious consequences” should any harm come to Irish citizens involved with an aid flotilla destined for Gaza.Both Mr Cowen and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin called on Israel to allow Irish humanitarian ship, the MV Rachel Corrie , pass through its military blockade of Gaza.
The cargo vessel is ploughing ahead with its attempt to deliver aid to Gaza despite yesterday’s deadly attack by the Israeli navy on a Gaza-bound flotilla.
Mr Cowen called today called for the immediate establishment of “a full, independent international inquiry into yesterday’s events, preferably under UN auspices”.
He called on Israel to release “unconditionally” Irish citizens who he said had been taken to Gaza by the Israeli authorities and asked to sign papers allowing for their deportation.
Speaking in the Dáil during Leaders’ Questions, the Taoiseach said said the presence of Irish diplomatic personnel in Israel provided “better prospects” that the citizens would be released “sooner rather than later”
“But I will make this point. If any harm comes to any of our citizens, it will have the most serious consequences.”Mr Cowen said Ireland’s longstanding position was that the Israeli blockade of Gaza was “immoral and counterproductive” and should be ended.
“Israel must listen and respond to the clear concerns of the international community on this issue. To do otherwise will only serve to reinforce the position of the extremists on both sides and jeopardise the hope of achieving some urgently needed political progress in the region, which the current proximity talks represent,” he said.
The Israeli army has warned that it will be stopped if it attempts to enter Israeli waters.
The Rachel Corrie, which has five Irish nationals and five Malaysians aboard, is due to arrive in Gazan waters over the coming days, a spokeswoman for the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign said. It became separated from the main aid flotilla after being delayed for 48 hours in Malta due to logistical reasons, and is currently off the coast of Libya.
Mr Martin, who called Israeli Ambassador Dr Zion Evrony to a meeting yesterday, said the boat should be allowed through peacefully.
Mr Martin said Israel was also obliged to respect its international obligations under the Vienna Convention and ensure Irish citizens have access to full consular support. He also expressed his condolences to the Turkish government and the families of the people killed when Israeli commandos raided the Turkish registered Mavi Marmara aid ship in international waters as it travelled from Cyprus, killing nine people.
Five Irish campaigners – including leading activists Dr Fintan Lane and Fiachra Ó Luain – are being held in the Be’er Sheva detention camp, from where they face deportation. Dr Lane and Mr Ó Luain were on board Free Gaza boat Challenger 1 which was boarded by Israeli forces.
Two Irish people, including activist Shane Dillon, have been deported and are expected at Dublin airport late tonight. The Irish ambassador in Tel Aviv was given permission to meet Mr Dillon at Ben Gurion Airport before his departure. It is understood Mr Dillon said he was treated well. Officials have been waiting to see the other detained Irish citizens during the day.
Nobel laureate Maireád Corrigan-Maguire, former UN assistant secretary general Denis Halliday, film maker Fiona Thompson and husband and wife Derek and Jenny Graham are the Irish nationals on board the Rachel Corrie.
Speaking from the ship today, Mr Graham said the vessel was carrying educational materials, construction materials, medical equipment and some toys. “Everything aboard has been inspected in Ireland,” he said. “We would hope to have safe passage through.”
However, an Israeli marine lieutenant, who was not identified, told Israel’s army radio his unit was prepared to block the Rachel Corrie. “We as a unit are studying, and we will carry out professional investigations to reach conclusions,” the lieutenant said, referring to yesterday’s confrontation. “And we will also be ready for the Rachel Corrie ,” he added.
Meanwhile …- Armed conflict, violence against civilians, rape, forced recruitment of children into armed forces and major population movement continues to affect large areas of eastern [Congo], while the situation remains fragile in the rest of the country.
– Almost 1.9 million people are still displaced in the DRC, of which about 50 per cent are children.
Yeah. I srael big bad persons.
so if one person murders three people and i murder 1 person, am i not a bad person?
No, only one third as bad. 🙂
without a doubt, yes! the Congo’s premeditated plot to kill and displace people from their homes is worse than an Israel blockade to prevent bombs and missiles from coming into Gaza to be used against Israel for massive killings and terrorism. When Israel attempted to enforce the blockade, they believed there were ‘humanitarians’ on board, and thus did not go in with massive military efforts. After the Israel soldiers were badly beaten and thrown overboard by Gaza-bound ‘humanitarians’ armed and with gas-masks, then Israel soldiers fought back to protect their lives and the lives of Israelis (and Palestinians). Palestinians in the past have used bombs and missiles that misfired and killed their own children and people.
Judaism is the great divider. That has been the case for years, where israel has tried hard to make war on terror an equivalent of the war they have with Palestinians. If you cant understand that you are a moron.
Islam is the great divider and the world would be a much better place without it.
The war Israel is fighting IS the same as the war against the islamic jihadis we are fighting. If you don't understand that, YOU are a moron.
Gee, you are just too smart, you threw me off with your "name".
Jews are not on a worldwide jihad, and here is what the Islamic scriptures say about Jews.
Book 041, Number 6985:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The last hour would not come unless the Muslims will fight against the Jews and the Muslims would kill them until the Jews would hide themselves behind a stone or a tree and a stone or a tree would say: Muslim, or the servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me; come and kill him; but the tree Gharqad would not say, for it is the tree of the Jews.
When you have more than childish insults, get back to me.
Have you ever read the Hamas Charter? Here I will lend you a hand.
Hamas Principles
The principles of the Hamas are stated in their Covenant or Charter, given in full below. Following are highlights.
"Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it." (The Martyr, Imam Hassan al-Banna, of blessed memory).
"The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf consecrated for future Muslim generations until Judgement Day. It, or any part of it, should not be squandered: it, or any part of it, should not be given up. "
"There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors."
http://www.mideastweb.org/hamas.htm
You are on the wrong site, to play the con game.
In fact the world is united in venomous Jew-hatred.
Much of the world thinks that if the Palestine-Israel conflict ends, all will be OK. It would only get worse, as Muslims across the world, would be emboldened.
"Israel has tonight decided to free hundreds of foreign activists detained aboard a Turkish-backed aid flotilla to Gaza, including some it had threatened to put on trial".
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This is the wrong move. This is caving in. These parasites committed an act of war against Israel.
I believe they are deporting them. Which is OK.
Just ask the 34 murdered and 170 wounded American sailors on the USS Liberty in 1967. Israeli planes and warships bombed this American ship. A full investigation was never conducted. It's not he Jews who are the murderers and propagandist, but the Zionists
Your comment has what to do with the Islamic treat of today?
Israel should have prosecuted and executed them.
I fear that Israel will restrain itself even more than it already has. This will be suicidal.
Hi Laura,
I see it as Israel going in the opposite direction. Their backs are against the wall, and they will go all out to surive. Go Israel!
"I am not blaming Israel for fighting back on the ship, and I support that they did, but there is a serious consequence though. The action is dividing the world, and that was the intent of the "activists". As I have been saying, Islam is the great divider".
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I hope I'm reading this wrong Chris, but it sounds like you are going wobbly here in your support for Israel.
I am not blaming Israel for fighting back on the ship, and I support that they did, but there is a serious consequence though. The action is dividing the world, and that was the intent of the "activists". As I have been saying, Islam is the great divider.
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I hope this statement isn't a sign that you are going wobbly in support for Israel Chris.
Ireland can relate to the Arabs who live in Israel especially with the whole Ira terrorizing civilians in th U.K. I guess birds of a flock stick together
what would your response be if the solution was to put UN troops on the ground. Would Isreal hold it's fire ?
The Irish backed the Nazis in WWII by giving them a place for their subs to attack England. Their hatred of Brits (which I get), though, stunted their thought capacity. Apparently they have not yet recovered.
Don't forget the Jews invented Communism.
The Irish Americans also kick the Brits out of America two times that is how we became the United States of America. American Irish lead the way to never bow again. America is not a communist country we fight against that thinking. The Jews greatest invention was communism remember. If you would like to pick on the Irish bring it on.
The head of Ireland needs to mind his business, as we have a common enemy in Islam. Here is what the Jews have invented.
http://islaminaction08.blogspot.com/2009/03/evil-…
Utter nonsense.
The wealthy Zionist Jews might own the US politicians and others, and think they own the world but they don't.
Just as the Muslims don't.
Jews are not trying to shove a set of barbaric religious laws down our throats, Muslims are. Lets stick to the problem.
Remember that it was the American Irish who won against the Brit.
I am against commuism the Jews invented remember.
Americans do not bow. If you wish to bow than please consider moving.
The Irish Americans also kick the Brits out of America two times that is how we became the United States of America. American Irish lead the way to never bow again. America is not a communist country we fight against that thinking. The Jews greatest invention was communism remember. If you would like to pick on the Irish bring it on.
You said this earlier under a different name, can we please stop dividing, and stick to the immediate threat of Islam?
Thanks.
Dear Logan,
unfortunately your research will not change the world.Christians have abandoned their religin.If you go to any Church in Toronto, you will only see Africans and Asians, most of whom are recent converts for financial gains or employment.As far as writings about Mohammed are concerned no muslim is going to reply you back by writing about Jesus or Moses as they are their Prophets too.Well about the pedophile issue I can only tell that it was the tribal culture at that time but Catholic priests are still following it.
Atif,
Muslims have written me back about Jesus, so stop acting like you are the spokesperson for the Islamic world. You are not. The Koran state the actions of Mohammad are to be followed for all times. That is pedophilia. I condemn it NO MATTER who does it. Do you?
Take the excuses for your religion to another site. It does not fly here.
Hey AQ Khan…..I mean Atif Khan.
Push back from your computer a little, take a walk outside, and get a breath of fresh air. Go back to your computer and look up these links:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSISL1848920071119?pageNumber=3&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true
http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2010/142760.htm
Find this statement:
Many Islamic countries warrant a Tier 3 status. Ask yourself what this statement means and how it applies. Now just how are the Christians in Canada and Catholic Priests responsible for this again?