Israel sees no need to apologize for raid (LA Times)

[IndianaGreen]

Israel sees no need to apologize for raid

After Israel's deadly military takeover of an aid flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip, much of the world calls for an end to its three-year blockade of the coastal Palestinian enclave.

By Edmund Sanders, Los Angeles Times

June 2, 2010

Reporting from Jerusalem — -

Israel struck a defiant tone Tuesday over its lethal takeover of a humanitarian flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip, saying it had nothing to apologize for even as much of the world called for an end to its three-year blockade of the coastal Palestinian enclave.

Israel's hard-line response came as organizers of the flotilla said they were sending another ship to attempt to break the longstanding siege, which began after the militant group Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.

The border restrictions were partly lanced Tuesday, when Egypt, facing diplomatic pressure from fellow Muslim nations, announced that it would open its own crossing into Gaza at Rafah to allow shipments of humanitarian supplies.

Meanwhile, activists released by Israel began issuing their eyewitness accounts of the confrontation at sea. The initial firsthand versions had come almost exclusively from the Israeli government, which jammed communication with the flotilla and incarcerated most of the activists once ashore. Israel's military released video it said showed its commandos being attacked onboard the Mavi Marmara, a Turkish ship leading a Turkish-sponsored convoy, by activists armed with sticks and other weapons. It said its commandos fired live rounds only in self-defense.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-israel-aftermath-20100602,0,2728499.story

[grassfed]

1. self delete

[LakeSamish706]

2. I want to see Turkey send in several war ships with the next flotilla and see what Israel will do.

Lets have at it, cause this Israeli Administration needs to be brought down.

It will take something like this to get the US Administration to decide whether they are with NATO or against them. This is absolute bullshit that Israel things it can get away with this.

[ladjf]

4. Bad idea IMO. That would be playing right into Israel's plan.

Militarily, they would have little problem with the Turkish warships. However, Israel "lost" in today's battle even though they appeared to have won.

[LakeSamish706]

5. Yes, except that Turkey is a member of NATO and are standing for a purpose.

I know this isn't going to happen, but it certainly would make the US decide whether they want to remain a member of NATO or not. You either support NATO or Israel and that is the bottom line.

In my world we don't allow bullies and thugs to tell the rest of the world that they are the ones that are wrong.

[ladjf]

6. My basic feelings about this raid today are similar to yours. nt

[azurnoir]

8. That is IMO is what Israel is after here

to humiliate Turkey via NATO, an organization to which Israel would like to belong

[MadMaddie]

3. Turkey was one of the only allies that Israel had

9 Turkish citizens are dead..

This is a disaster for Israel and they are not backing down. This is bad.

[Crunchy Frog]

7. When is the last time that Israel felt the need to apologize for anything?

[LakeSamish706]

10. Now I already love those two in your Avatar.. lol As a grandfather of two

little boys (3 year old and 1 1/2 year old) those two are beautiful.

[hulka38]

9. They'd do it again just to emphasize the point.

Does anyone else think this exercise was "botched" as if Israel used deadly force by accident?

[LakeSamish706]

11. No, I think it was preplanned just as other similar occurrences.

Once again, I think this is something that most Israeli's do not agree with, but have found themselves between a rock and a hard place. I am certain that most Israeli's do not agree with killing of innocent people.

[hulka38]

12. I agree that most Israelis don't want to kill innocent people.

I think that would be true for any nationality. But I have to wonder if many Israeli's deep down feel like if this is what's necessary to keep me and my family safe, then I'll make that choice.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

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[Arrowhead2k1]

14. Did the Israelis even apologize for their illegal use of willie petes on civilians yet?

Israel apologizes to no one. Color me not surprised.