Israel to deport activists (MV Rachel Corrie heads for Gaza with the full support of the Irish govt)

[grassfed]

(snip)

The cargo vessel MV Rachel Corrie 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 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.

more

[grassfed]

1. the location of the Freedom Flotilla in relation to Israel’s territorial waters (map)

[ProgressiveProfessor]

12. You forgot the MEZ, which is recognized as well.

[aquart]

2. Ah, the myth of Saint Rachel.

Seriously, any chance of getting her canonized? She's as real as the other saints and it would be good for young people to have a modern image of self-sacrifice, no matter what really happened.

[jonnyblitz]

4. I am surprised you didn't call her "St Pancake" like the

bottomfeeders on PSU.

[LakeSamish706]

5. Just give it/her time they will! n/t

[jonnyblitz]

6. it. nt

[LakeSamish706]

7. Should have been he.. Typo.. Forgive me. n/t

[jonnyblitz]

9. no you were correct. nt

[IndianaGreen]

14. Who can forget Gabbyspoppy, the only DU mod to ever been banned?

He is still spilling his bile against DU at that psychotic website.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MUAD_DIB]

10. Israel just created a few more saints with their Keystone Cop maneuver.

Keep up the good work. Israel is on the losing side, and it will only get worse from them from here on out. :D

[LakeSamish706]

3. I wish/hope that they would take along a countries military vessel, instead of going

it alone. I don't trust these thugs, and only hope that your vessel will be ok.

[docxray]

11. I guess you are from

good ole WA state too by your handle.

How about an escort from the (loyal) United States Navy? There's little
doubt that it would have the overwhelming support of
the officers and men, who would like to redeem the honor
of old America in the face of this bloody travesty .

In this age of the internet, the news of all this and the reaction
of folks like McCain and Obama will get to the troops quite
soon. And they will know who they're being made to fight for.

[howaboutme]

17. I agree

take a destroyer escort and then make the Israelis think twice about declaring war on innocent civilians or on Ireland.

There is a huge Irish ethnic base in the USA that should make them think big time twice about attacking Ireland. Ireland is not one of those Muslim nations that Israelis are typically able to marginalize using US media and talk radio.

[shira]

13. Now that Egypt opened its border, what's the point of this boat going through the Israel blockade?

:shrug:

[howaboutme]

15. It is to make a point

that Israel's blockade is in violation of international law as is their land grab from the Palestinians.

[shira]

16. But Israel's blockade is not in violation of international law

[IndianaGreen]

18. The existence of Israel's settlements is a violation of international law

and they are the crux of the matter.

[kayecy]

19. CNN had a prominent US International law expert's advice on the subject......

Neither you not I are lawyers so it doesn't matter what we state with regard to International law....However, a US legal expert on CNN yesterday said that the legal aspect falls under two international laws....

A) A non-war scenario where it is illegal to have military interception in international waters unless under a UN mandate.

B) A declared war situation where it would be legal to enforce a blockade.

So the question resolves itself down to one whether the Israeli blockade of Gaza and its collective punishment of Palestinian civilians is legal or not.

No doubt in the next few months that question will be resolved.....What is clear, however, is that with this degree of uncertainty, the passengers had every right to resist Israeli armed aggression on a Turkish ship in international waters.

Do you have a similar neutral legal commentary supporting your claim?