| 7/4/2009 11:36:17 AM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | | leo_1966
Los Angeles, CA
age: 52
| Pirates of the Mediterranean
Saturday July 04, 2009 12:26 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC NEWS
Being a pirate as you know is illegal and violates the international law, but being an official Israeli Navy pirate is something Israel brags about and defines it as enforcing its control over Palestinian or even international territorial waters.
Last week, Israeli pirates pirated the Spirit of Humanity ship while heading to Gaza carrying humanitarian supplies, and kidnapped those on board, including former US Congresswoman, Cynthia McKinney, and Nobel Prize winner, Mairead Maguire.
The ship was 23 miles off the coast of Gaza, 21 human rights workers from 11 countries were kidnapped.
The ship was not in Israeli territorial waters, and was on a humanitarian mission to bring some supplies to the besieged and impoverished Gaza Strip.
Huwaida Arraf, Free Gaza Movement chairperson and delegation co-coordinator on this voyage, stated; "No one could possibly believe that our small boat constitutes any sort of threat to Israel. We carry medical and reconstruction supplies, and children's toys’.
She added that the boat was searched and received a security clearance by the Port Authorities in Cyprus.
But it seems that pirating is OK, but keep in mind that we are not talking about the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ or the ‘Somali Pirates’.
This is the latest development in pirating, an era in which a state, officially recognized by the vast majority of the world, and heavily supported by the United States, pirates a humanitarian aid ship heading to Gaza in an attempt to bring some hope to the dying residents.
It seems OK to Israel and its allies to pirate a ship carrying 21 human rights activists from eleven countries.
It does not seem odd to the supporters of the occupation that the ship, trying to bring a little bit of hope to Gaza, trying to ease the suffering to some patients, would be pirated and its activists would be treated like terrorists.
Hundreds of patients, including children and infants, have died in Gaza as the hospitals cannot find spare parts for their machines, and cannot even find medications to at least ease the suffering of the patients.
The pirates are the ones who attack Palestinian fishing boats and humanitarian boats.
Israel knows that those ships pose no security threat, knows very well they carry humanitarian aid, carry well known and widely respected peace activists.
The threat to Israel is that its crimes are being exposed to the international community, as the Israeli myth of self defense is trembling and about to fall.
That’s why a person like Professor Richard Falk is not welcomed in Israel, that’s why Israel refused to cooperate with the United Nations fact-finding committee which was assigned to investigate the latest war on Gaza, and insists that its own so-called investigation is the one and only.
The Israeli investigation reached a conclusion stating that the army did not violate the International Law, and acted in according to the conducts of war ‘by trying to avoid civilian causalities’.
Having this said, and looking at the fact that more than 1450 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, were killed in three weeks, we have to wonder why hundreds of civilians were killed, and thousands were wounded.
Why is it alright for Israel to deny the patients from their internationally guaranteed right to medical treatment, why do infants, women and men, have to die while their lives can be saved?
The good news is actually for the pirates, they should take some lessons from Israel on how to pirate without being questioned.
Welcome to the new era of pirating, welcome to the Israeli policies that criminalize sending humanitarian aid, and legalize pirating.
It is not about Hamas, has nothing to do with the ‘homemade shells’, and absolutely has nothing to do with Israel’s security.
It is collective punishment against more than 1.5 million Palestinian living in the besieged and impoverished Gaza Strip. It is a policy that tries to force the residents to kneel before Israel and beg for mercy, but the steadfastness of the residents, not only living under siege, but also living under shelling and ongoing violations, is one of the main issues that puzzled Israel.
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| 7/4/2009 12:44:39 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
poet756
The Plains, OH
age: 53
| leo
You have to be careful where you cut and paste from. You can pick up a lot of BS that way.
An illegal blockade is one that stops commerce in an enemy's port. However since Israel controls the gaza strip they are well within their rights to stop the ship. The ship was ordered several times to turn around but refused. The choice was to let the ship in or board it. International law does not recognize international water rights when you are trying to enter a port illegally.
Notice that no country including the ones who hate Israel have brought it up at the UN? The reason is it's not illegal. The Israelis were having hundreds of rockets landing on their heads before the blockade. Since the blockade that has ceased. Every country is entitled to protect it's citizens. If it was really about humanitarian aid and not trying to cause an international incident, they could have docked in Egypt and taken them the short distance overland just like every one else.
And by the way do you remember why McKinney is no longer in congress? She attacked a capital policeman then lied about it.
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| 7/4/2009 2:04:41 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
bravehart64
Gainesville, FL
age: 45
| leo ..As you know I have become more aware to the plight of the Palestinians bro and to the violations of UN sanctions by Isreal .Now I know nothing of this incident .But is it possible that this ship made a stop somewhere and picked up some arms or rocket parts ? This would not be unplausable and Isreal does have a right to protect its citizens from attack . But it would also be a violation of UN charters as to stoping ships in international waters .Unless said charters give Isreal the right to do so .And I did post a thread as to Isreals unwillingness into investigating its offensive in the gaza strip .Good luck brother...brave
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| 7/4/2009 2:10:24 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
leo_1966
Los Angeles, CA
age: 52
| leo
You have to be careful where you cut and paste from. You can pick up a lot of BS that way.
An illegal blockade is one that stops commerce in an enemy's port. However since Israel controls the gaza strip they are well within their rights to stop the ship. The ship was ordered several times to turn around but refused. The choice was to let the ship in or board it. International law does not recognize international water rights when you are trying to enter a port illegally.
Notice that no country including the ones who hate Israel have brought it up at the UN? The reason is it's not illegal. The Israelis were having hundreds of rockets landing on their heads before the blockade. Since the blockade that has ceased. Every country is entitled to protect it's citizens. If it was really about humanitarian aid and not trying to cause an international incident, they could have docked in Egypt and taken them the short distance overland just like every one else.
And by the way do you remember why McKinney is no longer in congress? She attacked a capital policeman then lied about it.
Poet
I read what I post and when I copy and paste I make sure there is no BS, rest assured...
You say Israel controls Gaza. Why the cross border checkpoints where hundreds of Palestinians died waiting for permits to enter Israel for medical treatment? why do the palestinians have to wait for Israel's permission to bring food and humanitarian needs to the 1.5 million Palestinians imprisonned inside Gaza ? you state rockets fired on Israel, when the rockets were in direct response to Israel's illegal blockade. If Israel has control over Gaza, why not treat those under its control humanly as required by U.N. laws and charters. The guardians of the Gaza prison have a duty to treat humanly those under their control.
If what Israel is doing is not collective punishment to the 1.5 million palestinians, why not allow humanitarian needs to get through. The ship was searched in Cyprus before it was given permission to sail to Gaza. Israel searched the ship after capturing it in international waters and found no weapons onboard. Why is it holding on to it and its crew ?
Egypt is also aiding in the blockade of gaza under instructions from Israel and the U.S. . There is too much at stake for Egypt if it disobeyed the set rules..
"McKinney was defeated by Denise Majette in the 2002 Democratic primary, in part due to Republican crossover voting in Georgia's open primary election, which permits anyone from any party to vote in any party primary, and in part due to her "controversial profile, which included a suggestion that president George W. Bush knew in advance of the September 11 attacks.".... and she was right
"She was defeated by Hank Johnson in the 2006 Democratic primary, after finding herself in the national spotlight again over the March 29, 2006 Capitol Hill Police Incident, where she was involved in a confrontation with a Capitol Hill Police officer who did not recognize her as a member of congress. She left the Democratic Party in September 2007."...
Was she really defeated because of this insignificant incident? or because of a systematic, and organized media frenzy to discredit and taint her image; and for her views and opinions which did not seem to go along with the hierarchy of Washington?..
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| 7/4/2009 2:14:01 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
bravehart64
Gainesville, FL
age: 45
| leo ..Brother if Isreal opens those check points and a suicide bomber blows themselves up in Isreal who will get blamed ? The Isreali government . So they are doing what they feel is in the best interest and safety of there citizens .If you where at war with someone would you invite them in for coffee ? ..brave
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| 7/4/2009 3:04:31 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
poet756
The Plains, OH
age: 53
| leo
Israel has been in control of the Gaza since 1967.
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| 7/4/2009 4:46:07 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
leo_1966
Los Angeles, CA
age: 52
| leo ..Brother if Isreal opens those check points and a suicide bomber blows themselves up in Isreal who will get blamed ? The Isreali government . So they are doing what they feel is in the best interest and safety of there citizens .If you where at war with someone would you invite them in for coffee ? ..brave
People are searched before entering, even in the most urgent situations where there is no doubt people needed urgent care, they were still denied entry.. pregnant women, severely sick children, their entry permits were delayed. Their husbands, or parents were blackmailed into turning into informants in return for they being allowed entry to Israel for treatment. It is not a matter of security, it is a matter of CONTROL, and political manipulation...
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| 7/4/2009 4:49:00 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
leo_1966
Los Angeles, CA
age: 52
| leo
Israel has been in control of the Gaza since 1967.
Israel IS in control of everything.. It has the key to war and peace... Yet, THEY CHOOSE WAR and aggression. The U.N. resolutions are clear and all Israel has to do to is comply.. or show intention of compliance, and peace can be achieved..
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| 7/4/2009 5:08:01 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
poet756
The Plains, OH
age: 53
| ah leo
Now we have it. You are an antisemite just like your president. Thought so.
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| 7/4/2009 5:12:29 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
leo_1966
Los Angeles, CA
age: 52
| ah leo
Now we have it. You are an antisemite just like your president. Thought so.
You're not the first to use this against me.. it's an old libel; find another legitimate
way to attack me..
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| 7/5/2009 5:55:46 AM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
bravehart64
Gainesville, FL
age: 45
| ah leo
Now we have it. You are an antisemite just like your president. Thought so. Yes anyone that questions Isreal is an anti semite .That would be allot of folks including many in our own government correct ? Isreal is in violation of countles charters but thats ok correct ? Braking laws is ok if its our allies correct ? Are we a nation of laws or arent we ? Isreal is still building settlements in the west bank in violation of there own agreements so they are liers but thats ok also correct ? And I am a jew hater for mentioning this correct ? I have been to Isreal and have many jewish and Isreali friends .Allot of Isrealis do not approve of there governments actions in accord with the Palestinians so I guess they hate them selves correct ? But in deffense of Isreal leo my brother .If the Palestinians would stop lobing rockets and the Arab nations really gave a shit .They would build them some hosptials wouldnt they ? Kind of ironic you lob rockets than whene you get shelled you want youre enemies to take care of youre wounded ? That is a little rediculous ..brave
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| 7/5/2009 7:31:27 AM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
wolfi
Albuquerque, NM
age: 44
| There's pirates all over the Mediterranean.
They tend to stick to the coast and are normally called 'souvenir vendors', 'hotel owners' and 'restauranteurs'.
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| 7/5/2009 8:09:10 AM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
bravehart64
Gainesville, FL
age: 45
| There's pirates all over the Mediterranean.
They tend to stick to the coast and are normally called 'souvenir vendors', 'hotel owners' and 'restauranteurs'. 
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| 7/5/2009 8:55:08 AM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
poet756
The Plains, OH
age: 53
| cowardly lionh
This quote directly from him is the standard for haters of the Jewish people.
Israel IS in control of everything.. It has the key to war and peace... Yet, THEY CHOOSE WAR and aggression. The U.N. resolutions are clear and all Israel has to do to is comply.. or show intention of compliance, and peace can be achieved
Sure and all those missiles are peace offerings.
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| 7/5/2009 12:18:12 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
leo_1966
Los Angeles, CA
age: 52
| Israel does not represent the Jewish people, and criticism of Israel is in no way
criticism of the Jewish people. Go read some history and figure how the Nazis and the
Zionists colluded to get the Jews who were persecuted in Europe to flee to PALESTINE..
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| 7/5/2009 12:33:46 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
leo_1966
Los Angeles, CA
age: 52
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| 7/5/2009 12:37:53 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
groundchuck
Lincoln, NE
age: 43
| 
You are wrong there, bud.
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| 7/5/2009 12:38:52 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
patripassion
Thomson, GA
age: 44
| Israel does not represent the Jewish people, and criticism of Israel is in no way
criticism of the Jewish people. Go read some history and figure how the Nazis and the
Zionists colluded to get the Jews who were persecuted in Europe to flee to PALESTINE..
pOET756 Hey there dude even though this guy is an antisemite. I have to agree with him, the Israels overthere calling themsleves Jews are not all Jews. Nore do they represent all Jews my freind.
Shalom
A true Jew
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| 7/5/2009 12:39:34 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
leo_1966
Los Angeles, CA
age: 52
| Not another Christian-Zionist nut !! 
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| 7/5/2009 12:44:17 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
leo_1966
Los Angeles, CA
age: 52
| pOET756 Hey there dude even though this guy is an antisemite. I have to agree with him, the Israels overthere calling themsleves Jews are not all Jews. Nore do they represent all Jews my freind.
Shalom
A true Jew
How can I be anti-semite when I am semite myself ????
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| 7/5/2009 1:27:03 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
poet756
The Plains, OH
age: 53
| America is full of self hating Jews. They are called liberals. Although Obama got a lot of support for his run at the presidency, American Jews in Israel voted against him remembering his ties to AntiIsraeli groups and his 75, 000 dollars given to terrorists (40k to Fatah and 35k to Hamas.)They are not as easily fooled. In fact I'll bet you haven't noticed but in his public proclamations on the Middle East he has called for Israel to quit building settlements, to ease border security and to aid the Palestinians on the Gaza who attack them. One thing has been missing entirely that no president since Carter has neglected to call for..........Palestinians and Arabs to accept the existence of Israel.
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| 7/5/2009 4:05:31 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
leo_1966
Los Angeles, CA
age: 52
| Even a JEW who criticizes Israel is now self-hating.. lol.. Is there such a thing that
Israel CAN do wrong as to open itself to legitimate criticism ? . and who would be in a
position to criticize Israel without being labelled anti-semite or self-hating jew ??
Israel MUST withdraw from ALL the occupied territories if it wants recognition. Israel
MUST recognize the legitimate national rights of the Palestinians who were expelled from
Palestine in 1948 in return for recognition. These are the basic ingredients for an ever
lasting peace in the region..
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| 7/5/2009 6:01:17 PM | Pirates of the Mediterranean | |
leo_1966
Los Angeles, CA
age: 52
| Leo
talk to the palestinians.....they are the ones who refused that very deal when Clinton Brokered it many years ago. Israel is acting in the interest of self preservation. They are the country in the world expected to do nothing while hundreds of rockets are raining down on them.
If you don't know what was proposed at Camp David, better not to comment.. Robert Malley who was a member of the U.S. negotiating team at Camp David, published several articles on the failed summit..Malley stated the main reason for the failure of the talks is the tactics used by Ehud Barak and the fact that he never offered anything of substance that Arafat could accept..
Clinton or should I say Ehud Barak's proposal only amounted to 61% of the occupied territories, divided into four separate areas..
"Ehud Barak refused to use maps at Camp David. The map Barak published just before the Camp David talks, however, proposed three completely separate enclaves (see dark areas) for Palestinians in the West Bank and one more in Gaza. "Strategic roads" (for
Israeli use only) dividing these areas would remain under Israeli control. This
geographic separation of Palestine into four sections would make a functional
state unlikely: trade and business; work and school; family, friends, religious
sites, and hospitals would all be separated.
? Continued Israeli control of Jordan Valley & all border areas: Israel
proposed maintaining long-term "temporary" control of the Jordan Valley and
other territory (see striped areas) comprising over 10% of the Occupied
Territories. Israel proposed maintaining complete control of all borders, so
Palestinians would always have to negotiate trade with Jordan, Egypt or other
countries through Israel. "This means, then, that if Israel annexes now 10 percent
of the land, 'leaving the Palestinian state with 90 percent of the West Bank', 40
percent of their 'state' are areas owned and fully controlled by Israel - areas in
which they are not allowed to build, settle, do agriculture, and, in the case of the
large military areas in the Jordan valley, they are not even allowed to pass
there." (Tanya Reinhart, Israeli scholar and journalist, 12/6/2000)
? Large settlement areas, including East Jerusalem, retained by
Israel: Large areas illegally settled by Israelis would also have remained under
permanent control of Israel (light areas). This would include 250 square
kilometers of land in or adjacent to East Jerusalem, illegally annexed in 1967,
Proposed by Israel, May 2000 which has been requisitioned as land for Israeli settlements. Under Barak's plan,
(Foundation for Middle East Peace) only a few small villages and neighborhoods of East Jerusalem would have been
left under Palestinian control, cutting off the Palestinian state from most of East
Jerusalem, its main commercial and religious center.
? No relief for refugees: The fate of the 4-6 million Palestinian refugees from 1948 and 1967 -- half of all Palestinians -- was discussed only in the vaguest way."
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