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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Aussies onboard Flotilla during Israeli raid |
| 2010-05-31 |
| The public relations disaster continues. I am sure these headlines will be front page news around the world as every country will have an islamonut supporter or a journalist onboard that flotilla. Note: Israeli commandoes wounded apparently by GUNFIRE (from the "unarmed civilians" who seized a weapon in the hand-to-hand combat and turned it against them) An Australian journalist and photographer onboard aid boats headed for the Gaza Strip have not been heard from since at least 10 people were reportedly killed during a clash with Israeli commandos. A Fairfax spokesman says journalist Paul McGeough and photographer Kate Geraghty last made contact around noon (AEST) today while onboard the MV Samoud. Israel's defence force says at least 10 people were killed when commandos stormed a convoy of six ships carrying aid to Gaza. It was led by a Turkish vessel with 600 people on board and set sail for Gaza from international waters off Cyprus on Sunday in defiance of an Israeli-led blockade of the territory. Commandos boarded the ships in international waters overnight, backed up by warships and helicopters. Mr McGeough and Ms Geraghty joined the flotilla in Crete about a week ago, the Fairfax spokesman said. He says the pair are on assignment covering the flotilla and have been moving from boat to boat - but were last known to be on the MV Samoud. Both have satellite phones but Mr McGeough reported his GPS was not working, blaming the malfunction on Israeli attempts to jam communications. Mr McGeough's last audio transmission revealed Israeli forces were using the cloak of darkness to approach the aid vessels. "At 4.20[am, local time] we realised all communications on the boat were jammed," he reported. "4.22[am] - we see two zodiacs moving in, pressing through. Two more zodiacs. Now there are five of them astern of us. "There's white wakes on black water. Search lights on one of the cargo ships and from the Turkish ferry are picking up the zodiacs now." It is understood Israeli forces boarded the Mavi Marmara and opened fire after passengers attacked them with axes and knives. Israeli army radio reported 10 to 14 people were killed in the clash but it is not known if any Israeli commandos were among the dead. Four Israeli commandos have been wounded, apparently by gunfire. The Israel Defence Force says one of its weapons was stolen and used against its soldiers. An Israeli religious medical service, ZAKA, said seven people had been admitted to hospital in Haifa, Israel's main naval base, one of them in a serious condition. Turkey says it has "strongly protested" against Israel's military action. Most of the 1.5 million Palestinians living in Gaza rely on aid, blaming Israel for imposing restrictions on the amount and type of goods it allows into the territory. The United Nations and Western powers have urged Israel to ease its restrictions to prevent a humanitarian crisis. They have been urging Israel to let in concrete and steel to allow for post-war reconstruction. Israel denies there is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying food, medicine and medical equipment are allowed in regularly. It says the restrictions are necessary to prevent weapons and materials that could be used to make them from reaching Hamas. The European Union has called for an inquiry into the deaths aboard the Gaza aid ships. In a statement, the EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton expressed her regret for the loss of life and the violence. She also called for the immediate and unconditional opening of the crossing into Gaza to allow in humanitarian aid. Hamas has urged Arabs and Muslims to "rise up" in front of Israeli embassies around the world in protest against the raids. |
| Posted by:anon1 |
| #7 Piss on public relations; at this point Israel needs to start thinking about more than appearance. Hell, half the papers who run anything probably had the story written before the weekend. Get the story out on the internet, just like they are doing. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2010-05-31 21:42 |
| #6 I'm sure if the passenger manifest was available, there were casualties from the United Colors of Beneton as well. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2010-05-31 21:37 |
| #5 i don't see the problem besdies woumded commandoes. |
| Posted by: chris 2010-05-31 21:21 |
| #4 If Paul McGeough has surfaced alive, push him under again. Can't stand the POS. |
| Posted by: Grunter 2010-05-31 17:50 |
| #3 Good point Gorb! |
| Posted by: 3dc 2010-05-31 14:49 |
| #2 aussies have surfaced alive now |
| Posted by: anon1 2010-05-31 13:27 |
| #1 Turkey says it has "strongly protested" against Israel's military action. Would Erdogan mind if Israel delivered an unspecified "humanitarian aid" package to the Kurds through Turkey? |
| Posted by: gorb 2010-05-31 11:47 |