Quote:
Originally Posted by rahl
Do you honestly not see the absurdity in this statement?
People repelling from helicopters with guns to kill people in international waters(which is piracy by the way) who are armed with pipes and knives.
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It's not absurd if you are aware of the facts. Simply read the article I quoted previously at the website (with pictures - that might help). The "peace activists" prepared in advance to engage with violence... and yes, they brought weapons.
The IDF boarded vessels that were given the opportunity to port in Egypt and Israel with offers to transport their humanitarian cargo to Gaza. The flotilla refused and demonstrated explicit intent to break the embargo and proceed to Gaza. The commandos boarded the vessels to verify contents and were armed with paintball guns as their primary deterrent. The commandos carried side-arms with orders not to use unless their lives were threatened. The passengers physically engaged the commandos first as they approached by sea and also swarmed the soldiers repelling to the decks. They beat the soldiers mercilessly with pipes and threw at least one off of the ship. The flotilla's intent was to provoke, and they were successful. The actions of the IDF are not unlike our coast guard boarding vessels with suspicious intent. The ship is contacted and informed that they will be boarded. If met with violence, they are obliged to defend themselves.
For many here, I know it comes to great shock and disappointment to imagine otherwise, but the IDF did not board the ship with the intent to commit a gun-blazing massacre.
The question of engaging the flotilla in international waters may be a problem for Israel. However, in researching the background of the primary flotilla organizers (IHH and Free-Gaza) you will find that they are in no way innocent humanitarian movements. IHH has a solidly documented history of terrorist activity and connections, "Free-Gaza" is a pro-Palestine/anti-Israel political scam.