This video was released by Israeli activists making fun of the flotilla and claims of suffering in Gaza. The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) has been featuring the video.
The video mocks claims that “a billion dollars” cannot buy enough to feed people in Gaza and supply their children with “missiles and cheese.” The United Nations and various Western countries have decried the blockage on Gaza and documented a health crisis among its inhabitants. Israel routinely bars supplies to Gaza including health-care equipment and other items. The blockage was created in response to Hamas winning elections in Gaza.
The video mirrors another video released by the Israeli government that also mocked suggestions of any crisis.
Putting aside the controversy about what occurred on the ship and who escalated the confrontation, the continued denial of any humanitarian problem in Gaza is astonishing. It certainly does not help the cause of Israel.
mepso,
Repression upon repression builds nothing but resentment and anger. The path you advocate leads to nothing but endless war or nuclear annihilation. Reality? Here’s some reality. Israel would never have been able to act the bully without hiding behind American and NATO skirts. The reality of them having to live beside the very population they displaced would have forced them to be better actors and better neighbors if aforementioned powers didn’t come to their defense and protect Israel when Israel themselves engage in unconscionable acts. Just like the Palestinians would be forced to a more cooperative stance if they didn’t have those shit disturbers in Saudi Arabia backing them up. The problem with Israel and Palestine is similar to war by proxy, just in an aggravated form due to the fundamentalists on all sides.
BIL:
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So because Israel could destroy them, the Palestinians should be glad they are just being repressed instead?
mespo, that’s a pantsload.”
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It is indeed, and the reality of a world with no power strong enough to police two rogue states bent on each others destruction. There is no Pax Romana anymore.
Mespo,
I cannot comment more for now and I knew you were not referencing me in your comments.
Regardless of what you say now or henceforth, mext to Mike Spindell, you are the person I most look forward to reading. That says a lot, since I have *many* top favorites at this site–a place that attracts some of the best.
Oops on the FFleo comment make that “no intent to offend.” Not a Freudian, just a typo!!
So because Israel could destroy them, the Palestinians should be glad they are just being repressed instead?
mespo, that’s a pantsload.
http://jstreet.org/ Good site for pro-peace pro Israel Americans
Mike A:
“The fact remains that unless and until Israel is willing to acknowledge the inevitability of an independent Palestinian state and adjust its policies accordingly, we will continue to see incidents like this and CBN will continue to assure its ignorant followers that Armageddon is just around the corner.”
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I think a blanket blockade is permissible if the belligerents are using humanitarian shipments as cover for arms smuggling. In fact, I think it necessary and the most attractive option in this case.
I think there are really three alternatives here. None are pleasant. The first is genocide where Israel simply wipes the Palestinians from the face of the Earth. This is neither moral nor legal and would meet with the condemnation of the rest of the world and likely garner more Arab retribution. The second approach is capitulation to Palestinian demands that any military planner would conclude would open Israel to incessant attacks by an organization that refuses to acknowledge Israel’s very right to exist. This is likewise an impossible dream since no nation would permit its declared mortal enemies unfettered access to areas critical to its security. Lastly, there exists the option to negotiate a peace which the Palestinians and the Israelis seem unwilling to do under most any circumstances. It seems to me that Israeli pre-condition that Hamas acknowledge Israel’s right to exist is a reasonable one.
All in all, I believe that alternative number three is preferable to alternative number one, since history shows that no nation will endure deadly attacks on its citizenry for very long, and we all know the only alternative to negotiation is war. I, for one, support the blockade as the least violent alternative to preserving both Israel’s security and avoiding genocide. Since Israel, at any moment, possesses the means to accomplish the total obliteration of the Palestinian people, I would think the Palestinian people would think so too in spite of their obvious suffering.
Do not mistake disapproval for anger at Israel.
And what Mike A said.
Israel under their current leadership invites a lot of the troubles they have upon themselves by thoughtless and hypocritical actions given the circumstances of the creation of their state.
I’ve said before and I’ll restate that a Jewish state is paramount to avoid the kinds of atrocities seen in WWII. This does not, however, give them carte blanche to act as an oppressive state themselves. Nationhood comes with responsibilities, among those trying to get along with your neighboring states: an area in which Israel has been failing miserably. There are more ways than one to maintain your independence without becoming too like that which you despise or that which resulted in the necessary creation of a Jewish state. Oppression is oppression whether it issues from the Knesset or Washington or Moscow or Riyadh. Oppression from any source is the true enemy.
Well S-Mom, I learned a new word from you today–“goy”.
I was just using Palin as a comparison in absurdity and not in reference to her being pro-Israel or not. In fact, I do not know what her position is on that or most other subjects because I cannot bear to see or hear her and I only read articles about her when they are relevant to a subject of which I am interested.
FFLeo:
“What a pathetic, condescending statement from a learned man…We have all seen you emote here Mespo, so please dismount your high-rockin’ hoppy horse there cowpoke and watch that them spurs don’t prick your ego on the way back down to earth.”
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There was intent to offend, merely to call what i read as fairly as my opinion of it would allow. I invite you to read through a lot of the anti-Israel commentary and I think you will see the words which show considerable anger at Israel. That shows me it is an emotion driven opinion. That said, no one singled out your opinion and I don’t know why you’ve hit the “anger” button too. I wasn’t referencing your opinion in the first place.
bdaman has been polite and fact-based in his analysis here, and has corrected himself when he found an error without any prompting. I don’t find that unethical or dishonest — just the opposite. And just because we agree on a topic makes us neither confidants not kindred spirits, just perhaps jointly right on the issue, when and if, all the facts come out. I am hoping we are not becoming reflexive in our opinion just because the progressive take on most matters involving the Israelis is contrary to the decisions that Israel chooses to make.
FFLEO Being pro Israel does not equal being pro Palin. She is the ultimate goy. It is not in fashion to be pro-Israel now. Netanyahu is a poor leader for Israel but I am wary of the other side because of their anti woman and anti gay practices.
Mespo and his new found confidant
FFLEO take you blood pressure medicine and go lay down.
Mespo wrote,
“… the opinions of some of our regular posters notwithstanding which, I must say, evince some degree of emotion affecting their analysis.”
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What a pathetic, condescending statement from a learned man…We have all seen you emote here Mespo, so please dismount your high-rockin’ hoppy horse there cowpoke and watch that them spurs don’t prick your ego on the way back down to earth.
Regardless of my comments in this instance, this site would be so much the worse without your opinions—legal and otherwise. I consider you in the top 3 of posters but I will be quick to refute nonsense that you dribble forth.
I think it all quite humorous, while confounding; Mespo and his new found confidant—the highly ethical, always honest Bdaman ‘da Birfer. Could pal-in’ with sister Palin be next in the good counselor’s future?
mespo, the seizure does not justify the policy. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Israel has the capability of modifying the blockade to prevent the shipment of weaponry. But by imposing a blanket blockade, Israel invites these problems. Groups motivated by purely humanitarian concerns will attempt to run the blockade in order to draw attention to the Palestinian plight. Groups who are enemies of Israel will take advantage of humanitarian groups to smuggle arms. Even were the Israelis to find weapons during their search of the ships involved in this incident, I am reasonably confident that their presence was unknown to those who were making the trip in protest of the policy.
The fact remains that unless and until Israel is willing to acknowledge the inevitability of an independent Palestinian state and adjust its policies accordingly, we will continue to see incidents like this and CBN will continue to assure its ignorant followers that Armageddon is just around the corner.
Bdaman:
That looked like video from the “Francop” that was seized in the eastern Med in Nov. 2009.
Update on the video I posted. The video was taken from a ship boarded in 2009 and not from the recent incident.
http://www.youtube.com/idfnadesk#p/u/64/wXDCDPPeN_Q
Bdaman:
“You as a regular here seem to hold a different view in comparison to the other regulars who seem to hold a pro Palestinian stance.”
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I try to be impartial and base my conclusions of the evidence as I find it. That’s why I posted the Danish study and did some research into similar boardings. I freely admit no expertise in mid-east affairs, but I have some expertise in evaluating evidence. I try not to let sentiment get into the way of analysis. My analysis here is that the affair looks staged by trained manipulators of world public opinion to discredit Israel. Israel is no angel in the region, but every nation deserves its due on a given set of facts, and Israel is no exception– the opinions of some of our regular posters notwithstanding which, I must say, evince some degree of emotion affecting their analysis.
Actually Mespo you surprise me with your views. You as a regular here seem to hold a different view in comparison to the other regulars who seem to hold a pro Palestinian stance.
Hey Jill! I just posted the same question about you on another thread. Ignore it, and welcome back.
Bdaman:
In the Middle East nothing is as it seems, but I prefer to accept the word of our ally over the word of mercenaries and those with ties to our mortal enemies in al-Quaida and Iran. Call me madcap!