Obama Admin Warns of Fines and Incarceration for Gaza Aid Flotilla - Democracy NOW!

[The Northerner]

Run time: 04:58 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbDHokilEgg   Posted on YouTube: June 27, 2011 By YouTube Member: ThisBoyTV Views on YouTube: 54   Posted on DU: June 27, 2011 By DU Member: The Northerner Views on DU: 824

 
Democracy NOW! DN! - A group of U.S. citizens is rejecting the Obama administration's attempt to thwart their aid mission to the Gaza Strip, which threatens to leave them stranded in Greece. They are set to sail from a Greek port on a U.S.-flagged ship called "The Audacity of Hope," part of an international humanitarian flotilla carrying aid for Gaza's 1.5 million Palestinian residents. Flotilla members are taking part despite Israeli threats to intercept their ships. Nine people were killed in an Israeli attack on the first aid flotilla just over a year ago. The Audacity of Hope passengers have called for the U.S. government's help in ensuring their safe passage. But instead, the Obama administration has told them not to set sail and even warned them they could face punishment back home. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton suggested Israel would have the right to use force to prevent the ships' passage. The State Department called the flotilla "irresponsible and provocative" and warned that U.S. delegates could face "fines and incarceration." We play an excerpt from a press conference when State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland is repeatedly questioned about the Obama administration's threat, but refuses to answer whether the U.S. considers the Israeli blockade of Gaza to be legal. Published, with permission from democracynow.org. http://www.democracynow.org Provided to you under Democracy NOW! creative commons license. Copyright democracynow.org, an independent non-profit user funded news media, recognized and broadcast world wide.

[Arctic Dave]

1. The hypocrisy is overwhelming.

Maybe they should ask NATO for close air support for their operation.

[Scottybeamer70]

2. How dare Americans wanting to help those in need!

Such outlandish comments by this administration are so infuriating, it is difficult to even respond.
I guess if Americans were going to Gaza to shoot Palestinians, it would be all right. These are
some very brave people to put their lives on the line for humanitarian purposes! Good on all of them.

[classysassy]

3. Are our congress critters and our president

so fearful of the bullies in Israel that they will place their careers in jeopardy defending thugs?

[PATRICK]

4. The WH reaction

to what is certain. That Israel will stop the flotilla by force and crap will happen. That no US escort can be provided completely reversing or contraverting current US policy. That there will be a reaction if the US ignores the issue at this time to take sides LATER(with Israel) after some more idealists and US citizens have been killed trying to deliver aid. So they come up front with the position they will have a harder time taking later at greater cost with little self-justification.

Barring a change of policy this seems consistent and prudent(I don't say just) and maybe even save lives besides US face in the region. I doubt anyone in the ME expects the flotilla to arrive. The outrage and injustice is all set in stone like an altar awaiting new victims. That does not always stop the just. Confrontations- martyrdom, defeats, hardening...more confrontations, more defeat, more sacrifice. One day the Berlin Wall falls completely, maybe not because of the martyrs but with their "weak" adamant presence outlasting the vanishing powers.