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According to the Israeli military, Israeli commandos said they were prepared to encounter political activists seeking to hold a protest, and were armed with paintball guns and handguns as sidearms.<ref>{{cite news |
According to the Israeli military, Israeli commandos said they were prepared to encounter political activists seeking to hold a protest, and were armed with paintball guns and handguns as sidearms.<ref>{{cite news |
Revision as of 17:17, 1 June 2010
Gaza flotilla clash | |
---|---|
File:Gaza-flotilla-boarded.jpg | |
Location | The Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Israel and Gaza in international waters. |
Date | 31 May 2010 04:30[1] (UTC+3) |
Deaths | 9–19 passengers[2] |
Injured | up to 60 passengers and 10 Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers wounded.[3] |
Template:Campaignbox Arab-Israeli conflict
The Gaza flotilla clash occurred on 31 May 2010 in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea, when Israeli naval forces seized a flotilla of six ships carrying international activists, known as the "Gaza Freedom Flotilla".[4] The activists were planning to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian supplies. According to Israeli sources, their forces boarded the flotilla after it had refused to change its course to the port of Ashdod, where the Israeli government had said it would inspect the aid and deliver non-banned items to Gaza.[5]
Between nine and sixteen passengers of the Comoros-flagged [6] MV Mavi Marmara were reported killed by Israeli soldiers who landed on the ship.[7][8][9] Up to 60 passengers and 10 Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers were wounded in the clash.[3][10] International reaction has varied from strong criticism of Israel to deep regret for the loss of life and requests for inquiries, with the United Nations Security Council condemning "those acts which resulted in the loss of at least 10 civilians and many wounded" and calling for "a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards".[11] In response, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called the incident "a clear case of self-defense".[12]
Israel said it would release 50 of the passengers and crew and imprison the remaining 629 who refused to identify themselves.[13] The equipment found on the ships seized by the Israelis has been unloaded at the Ashdod Port to be inspected before the Israeli government will allow some of it into Gaza through land.[14] The UN Security Council called for "the immediate release of the ships as well as the civilians held by Israel".[11]
Background
The "Gaza Freedom Flotilla", which consisted of eight ships sailing under the maritime flags of Comoros, Greece, Ireland, Kiribati, Turkey and the United States,[15][16] was organized to ship humanitarian aid, including food, medicine and building materials such as cement to the Gaza Strip. Israel currently has a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip and classifies cement as a "banned material".
The passengers included intellectuals and journalists from all around the world, especially Sweden, Germany and United Kingdom. The ships were owned or chartered by a number of non-governmental organizations, including the Free Gaza Movement (FGM), the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedom and Humanitarian Relief (İHH) and the Greek Boat for Gaza.[17]
It was the ninth time that the FGM had tried to ship aid to Gaza. Five aid shipments had been allowed through prior to the Gaza war of 2008–09 but all shipments following the war were blocked by Israeli forces.[18] The latest flotilla was the largest to date, carrying 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid and supplies with a value of $20 million.[19] It also carried journalists, European parliamentarians and 700 pro-Palestinian activists, including the Northern Irish Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire,[3] and the head of the Israeli Islamic Movement in Israel Raed Salah.[20] Many of those aboard were Turkish citizens,[21] though the flotilla also included activists from Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Kuwait, Malaysia, Norway, Netherlands, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Israeli spokesmen stated that the flotilla would not be permitted to reach Gaza but would be redirected to the port of Ashdod, where a special detention facility had been set up for the activists. Israeli officials also claimed that all non-banned cargo would be transferred to Gaza after undergoing a security inspection.[22] Foreigners would be deported or, if they did not willingly agree to be deported, detained.[3] Activists aboard the ships repeatedly claimed they would not respond with violence to the navy's interception of their flotilla prior to the boarding,[23] but Turkey's NTV showed activists beating one Israeli soldier with sticks as he rappelled from a helicopter onto one of the boats.[22] An Egyptian offer was also made to transfer humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, but the organizers rejected it.[24]
Ships in the flotilla
Ships involved in the clash
Challenger 1
The US-flagged Challenger 1 is operated by the Free Gaza Movement.[25]
Eleftheri Mesogeios and Sfendoni
The Eleftheri Mesogeios (Eλεύθερη Mεσόγειος, Free Mediterranean)[26] is a Greek-flagged cargo vessel and the Sfendoni (Σφενδόνη, Slingshot)[26] is a Greek-flagged passenger vessel operated by the Greek Boat for Gaza and the European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza. Both vessels left Piraeus on 25 May to rendezvous with the rest of the flotilla off Cyprus.[27][28]
MV Mavi Marmara
The Mavi Marmara ("Blue Marmara") is a Comoros-flagged passenger ship[29][30], which was formerly owned and operated by Istanbul Fast Ferries Co. Inc. in the Sea of Marmara.[31] It was purchased especially for the trip to Gaza by the Foundation for Human Rights and Freedom and Humanitarian Relief (İHH), a Turkish Islamic charity, as no shipowner was willing to risk their vessel on the journey.[21][32] It left the Anatolian port of Antalya on 22 May 2010 to rendezvous with the flotilla heading to Gaza, along with the Gazze and Defne Y.[33] It carried 581 passengers, around 400 of whom were Turkish.[34]
According to the New York Times, "The fatalities all occurred aboard the Mavi Marmara, a Turkish passenger vessel that was carrying about 600 activists under the auspices of Insani Yardim Vakfi, an organization also known as I.H.H.[35]
Gazze
The Gazze ("Gaza") is a Turkish-flagged cargo vessel owned and operated by the Turkish Islamic charity IHH.[36] Its cargo consisted of 2,104 tons of cement, 600 tons of construction steel and 50 tons of tiles.[19] It also carried thirteen Turkish crew members and five passengers.[36] It left Antalya on 22 May to rendezvous with the flotilla heading to Gaza, along with the Mavi Marmara and Defne Y.[33]
Defne Y
The Kiribati-flagged Defne Y ("Laurel Y") is a cargo ship owned and operated by the Turkish Islamic charity IHH.[37] It carried a mixed cargo of goods including 150 tons of iron, 98 power units, 50 precast homes, 16 units of children's playground equipment and various items of specialist medical equipment.[37] There were 23 crew and seven passengers on board.[36] It left Antalya on 22 May to rendezvous with the flotilla heading to Gaza, along with the Mavi Marmara and Gazze.[33]
Other ships
MV Rachel Corrie
The Irish-flagged Rachel Corrie, named after the peace activist Rachel Corrie who was killed by an IDF bulldozer in the Gaza Strip while protesting against Israeli demolitions, was unable to join the rest of the flotilla because of mechanical problems that forced it to undergo repairs in Malta. The vessel got underway on 31 May 2010 after the interception of the flotilla, with its crew insisting that they would go to Gaza.[38] The vessel is a former merchant ship owned and operated by the Free Gaza Movement.[39]
Challenger II
The US-flagged Challenger II, a Free Gaza Movement ship, was also unable to join the rest of the flotilla due to mechanical problems.[25] It is currently undergoing repairs in Nicosia, Cyprus.[40]
Events leading up to the clash
Six of the eight ships in the flotilla began their journey on Sunday 30 May 2010 from international waters off the coast of Cyprus;[3] the remaining two were delayed by mechanical problems and did not join the rest of the flotilla.[40] The government of Cyprus refused to cooperate with the Free Gaza Movement, or allow activists to sail from its harbors, with the Cyprus Police stating that "anything related to the trip to Gaza is not permitted".[41] The flotilla sailed after two days of delays, aiming to reach Gaza on Monday afternoon.[3] The Israeli Navy made initial contact with the flotilla at 11 p.m. (23:00) on 30 May, 200 kilometres (120 mi) northwest of Gaza, 64 kilometres (40 mi) off the coast of Israel in international waters, ordering the ships to follow them to port or otherwise be boarded.[42][21]
The Israeli navy contacted the captain of the Mavi Marmara, asking him to identify himself and say where the ship was headed. Shortly after, two Israeli naval vessels flanked the flotilla on either side, but at a distance, and an Israeli aircraft flew overhead.[43]
Israel Navy: "Mavi Marmara, you are approaching an area of hostilities which is under a naval blockade. The Gaza area coastal region and Gaza harbor are closed to all maritime traffic. The Israeli government supports delivery of humanitarian supplies to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and invites you to enter the Ashdod port. Delivery of the supplies in accordance with the authorities' regulations will be through the formal land crossings and under your observation, after which you can return to your home ports aboard the vessels on which you arrived."
Response: "Negative, negative. Our destination is Gaza, our destination is Gaza." [44]
Boarding
The flotilla had planned to break through the Gaza blockade, ignoring Israel's proposal for the activists to dock in Ashdod port and transfer the cargo through there.[3] After the flotilla activists ignored repeated calls to turn back, Israeli soldiers from the Shayetet 13 unit boarded the ships at around 04:00 IST[45] with paintball guns and handguns[3][43] while in international waters 64 kilometres (40 mi) out to sea.[21] Five of the six ships were seized without major incidents.[46]
Mavi Marmara boarding
The boarding of the Mavi Marmara resulted in violent clashes between activists and Israeli soldiers, although the details of events are disputed. According to the Israeli Defense Force, activists responded to the boarding with violence and soldiers were forced to fire in self-defense.[47] The Israeli military released video footage of the incident, which they claim shows the first soldier being attacked while boarding and thrown to the lower deck; at least one incident in which a stun grenade and fire bomb was thrown at the soldiers; and activists beating one of the soldiers and trying to kidnap him while others are beating the soldiers with a pole.[48] According to Major Avital Leibovich of the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, the activists attacked the soldiers with knives, slingshots, spikes and clubs, and with pistols that were seized from Israeli commandos.[49][50][51] A spokesperson for the Free Gaza Movement said in response that the activists were committed not to pose any violent resistance. "The only resistance that there might be would be passive resistance such as physically blocking the steering room, or blocking the engine room downstairs, so that they couldn't get taken over. But that was just symbolic resistance."[21] According to Al Jazeera's journalist Jamal Elshayyal, on board the ship, a white surrender flag was raised from the ship and there was no live fire coming from the activists.[43]
- Israeli military's account
According to the Israeli military, Israeli commandos said they were prepared to encounter political activists seeking to hold a protest, and were armed with paintball guns and handguns as sidearms.[52][53] The soldiers orders were to verbally convince activists to give up, and if not successful, use non-lethal force to commandeer the ship. The commandos were instructed not to use the sidearms except in an emergency, when their lives were at risk.[54][55]
The Israeli military reported that the commandos were immediately attacked after descending from helicopters onto the deck of the ship. Soldiers were reportedly beaten badly, one was stabbed, and one was thrown to a lower deck 30 feet below. [56] Two Israeli commandos had their guns wrested away. An Israeli commando said "There was live fire at some point against us ... They were shooting at us from below deck."[57] Stun grenades and tear gas were used in an attempt to disperse activists. However, this proved ineffective in ending the resistance. The Israeli commander claimed that he saw an activist approaching him with a knife, and that he cocked his pistol and fired once, after which other activists came at him, and threw him off the deck, onto a lower deck 30 feet below, where he sustained a severe head injury. Commandos then requested and received permission to use live ammunition against resisting activists. The commandos then pulled out their handguns and shot at activists' legs, which successfully dispersed them. The commandos then advanced towards the bridge, and fired at attacking activists. The commandos reached the bridge and took over the ship after 30 minutes.[58][59][60] Some fighting can be seen in videos released by the Israeli military and Free Gaza activists.
Israel defended its actions, saying its soldiers were ambushed with knives and metal bars — as well as handguns wrested from the commandos [7][8]
- Flotilla organizers' and activists' account
Organizers of the convoy have denied the account of Israeli military. Arafat Shoukri, of the Free Gaza Movement (FGM), one the co-organizers of the flotilla convey, said those on board one ship had called them by telephone to say that Israeli helicopters had arrived.[61] "Then we started to hear screams, shouting, shooting everywhere," he said. "We heard some of them shouting 'We are raising the white flag, stop shooting at us'".[61] He dismissed Israel's claims of activists having weapons on board as "cheap propaganda".[61]
According to Mavi Marmara activists and personnel, Israel initially opened fire with warning shots but when the ship didn't stop the attack began. Passengers said that sound and smoke bombs were used and then IDF commandos surrounded the ship and boarded from helicopters and from the sea. They claimed that after boarding the IDF jammed communications and started shooting with live ammunition and tear gas even though they raised a white flag. They claim that those on board defended themselves with wooden sticks and other items they could find on ship, while no one on board carried any weapons. [62][63][64] According to the eyewitness account provided by some of the activists who had returned home, the Israeli commandos used electronic shocks on those who tried to form a human ring on the bridge.[65] Wife of the Mavi Marmara captain Nilüfer Ören stated that, IDF began tracking them after 90 miles, there were 40 ships surrounding the convoy and the announcement was made while the commandos were boarding from helicopters at 04:45 am. She also claimed sound bomb and smoke bombs were used. Therefore activists and crewmembers used gasmasks.[66]
Due to a communications blackout after the attack, it has thus far been difficult to get accounts from activists on board however newly released passengers are beginning to make statements to the press.[61][67][65]
- Accounts of other passengers
Norman Paech, a former member of Germany's Left Party who was aboard the Marmara, said the ship was surrounded by small Israeli assault boats about 4:30 a.m. Monday morning. "Moments later, we heard detonations and then soldiers from helicopters above us dropped down on board. The soldiers were all masked, carrying big guns and were extremely brutal," Paech said.[68]
Kutlu Tiryaki was a captain of another vessel in the flotilla. "We continuously told them we did not have weapons, we came here to bring humanitarian help and not to fight," he said. "The attack on the Mavi Marmara came in an instant: they attacked it with 12 or 13 attack boats and also with commandos from helicopters. We heard the gunshots over our portable radio handsets, which we used to communicate with the Mavi Marmara, because our ship communication system was disrupted. There were three or four helicopters also used in the attack. We were told by Mavi Marmara their crew and civilians were being shot at and windows and doors were being broken by Israelis," he continued.[69]
- Other boardings
Although the Israeli army has stated that the only incidents took place in Mavi Marmara, Spanish newspaper El País has reported that several people from the other ships were also wounded.[70]
Investigation for on-board weapons
A statement released by the Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel claimed that violence against the soldiers was pre-planned, and that several pistols and "light weaponry" were found on the ships. Explicitly Israel stated that the naval forces "found weapons prepared in advance and used against our forces"[71][72]
In response, activists denied this saying that would be impossible because "all the boats were carefully inspected by the government before they left the port of departure."[73] Video footage was reported to show slingshots and pipes found on the ship used against boarding Israeli soldiers.[74] Turkish officials denied that weapons were on board, stating that every passenger had been searched with X-ray machines and metal detectors before boarding. Senior officials in the Customs Undersecretariat called the Israeli allegations tantamount to "complete nonsense".[75]
Fate of participants and cargo
Following the boardings, Israeli naval forces began towing the flotilla's vessels to Ashdod, from where the activists are to be deported.[21] Israel said humanitarian aid confiscated from the ships would be transferred to Gaza, but Israel would not transfer banned items such as cement.[3]
At least 32 activists who had been onboard the ships were arrested and incarcerated by the Israel Prisons Service after refusing to sign deportation orders, including two who were wounded but refused hospital treatment.[76] According to two activists who had returned home, Israel confiscated all their belongings such as mobile phones, laptops, cameras, personal effects and their personal belongings including clothes. They were only allowed to keep papers. [65] Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin described the arrests as "kidnapping" and questioned the logic of bringing the detainees to Israel only to deport them there, instead of giving them "unconditional release". [77]
Israel is detaining 480 activists captured in the raid at a prison in Ashdod. Forty-eight others will be expelled and sent back to their home countries via Ben Gurion International Airport. [78]
On 1 June, survivors of the Israeli assault on the aid flotilla returned to Greece and Turkey, where they provided the first eyewitness accounts.[65] One of them, a Turkish mother whose one-year-old child was on board with her, was sent away because the prison was described as "too harsh" for her baby. In the prison - another activist described - they were not allowed to contact lawyers, nor were they allowed to "go to the toilet, eat or drink water" and were being videotaped throughout.[65]
Casualties
Full details as to the exact number of injuries and deaths were not immediately available because Israel military censors blocked that information from the press.[79][80][81] There are 4 confirmed deaths:
Activists
Reports indicated that at least nine activists have been killed and dozens more injured. Members of the Turkish Red Crescent, the largest humanitarian organization in Turkey, will travel to Tel Aviv to assist in the return of the dead and wounded. The Israeli military has said most of the dead were Turks.[83][84]
Israeli
Israeli reports say that while rappelling onto the ship, 10 soldiers were injured in the clash.[3][10] The Israeli military claimed that two soldiers had sustained gunshot wounds, and one soldier sustained a serious head wound and lost consciousness after being tossed from an upper deck by the activists.[85]
International reactions
There have been strong international reactions to the Gaza flotilla clash of 31 May 2010. Official responses have varied from deep concern over the killings to strong condemnations. The UN Security Council formally condemned "those acts which resulted in the loss of lives".[86][87][88][89] Many countries called for an international investigation. Unofficial responses included civilian protests of the Israeli action following reports of the deaths aboard the Marmara.[90][91][92]
Following the clash, the government of Egypt announced that it was opening the border with Gaza until further notice.[93]
Notable people onboard the flotilla
Notable people onboard the flotilla included Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan, Israeli-Arab member of Knesset Haneen Zoubi, leader of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel Raed Salah, and a number of parliamentarians from European and Arab national legislatures and the European Parliament.[94]
Legal reactions
Legal arguments justifying the action
- San Remo Memorandum
Mark Regev, spokesman for the Prime Minister of Israel, said:
"The San Remo memorandum states, specifically 67A, that if you have a boat that is charging a blockaded area you are allowed to intercept even prior to it reaching the blockaded area if you've warned them in advance, and that we did a number of times and they had a stated goal which they openly expressed, of breaking the blockade. That blockade is in place to protect our people."[95][96]
The non-binding[97] San Remo memorandum (paragraph 60, chapter e) states that refusing an order to stop or actively resisting visit, search or capture may render merchant vessels military objectives. It also states (Paragraph 47, chapter c) that vessels engaged in humanitarian missions and carrying supplies indispensable to the survival of civilian population are exempt from attack, on condition they were operating based on "agreement between the belligerent parties".[96][98][improper synthesis?]
Legal arguments questioning the action
From the first review conference of the International Criminal Court, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an investigation, and the U.N. Security Council registered its agreement with the Secretary General "on the need to have a full investigation into the matter and it calls for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards".[11] Richard Falk, U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory said that “Israel is guilty of shocking behavior by using deadly weapons against unarmed civilians on ships that were situated in the high seas where freedom of navigation exists, according to the law of the seas” and called for those responsible to "be held criminally accountable for their wrongful acts". UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay emphasized the “almost unanimous international view that the continued blockade of Gaza is both inhumane and illegal” and condemned the "disproportionate use of force, resulting in the killing and wounding of so many people attempting to bring much-needed aid to the people of Gaza".[99] The Assistant Secretary-General stressed "the importance of all parties strictly adhering to the framework of international law, including international humanitarian law and the law of the sea."[11]
Robin Churchill, a professor of international law at the University of Dundee in Scotland, said the Israeli commandos boarded the ship outside of Israel's territorial waters. "As far as I can see, there is no legal basis for boarding these ships," Churchill said.[100] Ove Bring, Swedish expert on public international law, said that Israel had no right to take military action.[101] That is also supported by Mark Klamberg at Stockholm University.[102] Hugo Tiberg, professor in maritime law, states that Israel had no right to attack the ships.[103] Canadian scholar Michael Byers notes that the event would only be legal if the Israeli boarding were necessary and proportionate for the country's self defence. Byers believes that "the action does not appear to have been necessary in that the threat was not imminent."[104]
A group of Israeli lawyers, including Avigdor Feldman, petitioned the Israeli High Court charging that Israel had violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea by capturing the boats in international waters. Robbie Sabel, the former legal adviser to the Israeli foreign ministry, told The Jerusalem Post that the state would almost certainly argue that the seizure of the vessels was an executive act with which the court was not authorized to intervene.[105]
The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared that "this attack is state terrorism, violating international law."[106][107] Turkey's foreign minister called the raid "a grave breach of international law and constituted banditry and piracy — it was “murder” conducted by a State, without justification".[11] "High-seas freedom, he said, freedom of navigation, was one of the oldest forms of international law; no vessel could be stopped or boarded without the consent of the captain or flag State. Any suspected violation of the law did not absolve the intervening State under international law. To treat humanitarian delivery as a hostile act and to treat aid workers as combatants could not be deemed legal or legitimate", he continued.[11] Prominent Turkish jurists have characterized Israel's actions as a violation of international law and a "war crime." Dr. Turgut Tarhanlı of the University of Istanbul cited the concept of innocent passage, under which vessels are granted safe passage through territorial waters in a manner which is not "prejudicial to the peace, good order or the security" of the state.[108] Russia has described the incident as "a gross violation of the norms of international law."[11] The Organisation of the Islamic Conference has also called the raid a "blatant violation of international law and human norms and standards".[109]
Jason Alderwick, a maritime analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies of London, is quoted as saying that the Israeli raid did not appear to have been conducted lawfully under the convention.
References
- ^ Harvey, Benjamin (1 June 2010). "Turkey Alliance With Israel May Rupture on Gaza Raid (Update2)". Business Week.
- ^ Amy Teibel and Tia Goldenberg. "Israeli commandos storm aid flotilla; 9 killed". Associated Press. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "At least 10 activists killed in Israel Navy clashes onboard Gaza aid flotilla". Haaretz. 31 May 2010.
- ^ Ian Black and Haroon Siddique. "Q&A: The Gaza Freedom flotilla | World news". The Guardian. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
- ^ Ravid, Barak (25 May 2010). "Israel: Gaza aid convoy can unload cargo in Ashdod for inspection – Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News". Haaretz.com. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
- ^ http://marinetraffic.com/ais/shipdetails.aspx?MMSI=616952000
- ^ a b Edmund Sanders (31 May 2010). "At least 10 die as Israel halts aid flotilla". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ a b Israel attacks Gaza aid fleet "Israel attacks Gaza aid fleet". Al-Jazeera. 31 May 2010.
{{cite news}}
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value (help) - ^ "9 dead as Israeli forces storm Gaza aid convoy". CNN. 31 May 2010.
- ^ a b "More Than 10 Dead After Israel Intercepts Gaza Aid Convoy". Wall Street Journal. 31 May 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g Security Council Condemns Acts Resulting in Civilian Deaths during Israeli Operation against Gaza-Bound Aid Convoy, Calls for Investigation, in Presidential Statement
- ^ Israeli Prime Minister's Office: PM Netanyahu Responds to the Security Events
- ^ Teibel, Amy (2010-06-01). "Palestine Militants Fight Israel, Two Reported Dead". Associated Press.
- ^ Meranda, Amnon (2010-06-01). "After IDF raid, aid makes its way to Gaza". ynetnews.
- ^ Charalambous, Charlie (29 May 2010). "Aid flotilla set for Gaza blockade-busting bid". AFP.
- ^ Steve Bryant, Benjamin Harvey (31 May 2010). "Turkey, Germany, France Lead Condemnation of Israeli Ship Raid". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ "US-Israel links at risk over deadly aid convoy attack". The Times. 31 May 2010.
- ^ Demirjian, Karoun (28 May 2010). "Israeli commandos to block Gaza activists". The Associated Press.
- ^ a b "GergIn bekleyis". Vatan. 31 May 2010.
- ^ Islamic Movement leader Salaach injured in flotilla clashes, Jerusalem Post
- ^ a b c d e f "Deaths as Israeli forces storm Gaza aid ship". BBC News. 31 May 2010.
- ^ a b "Israel Prime Minister Gives 'Full Support' to Military in Gaza Flotilla Raid". Fox News. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
- ^ "Up to 16 killed as Israeli forces storm aid convoy". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 31 May 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ "Flotilla Heads for Gaza Blockade". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 28 May 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
- ^ a b As American as Apple Pie, by Greta Berlin, freegaza.org, 30-05-2010
- ^ a b "Έτοιμο να εμποδίσει τον «Στόλο της Ελευθερίας» το Ισραήλ". tvxs.gr. Retrieved 31 May 2010. (Greek)
- ^ "News digest". Athens News. 31 May 2010.
- ^ Ghraeib, Omar (27 May 2010). "International Aid Fleet Sets Sail to Gaza defying Israel's threats". The Palestine Telegraph.
- ^ "İsrail 'uluslararası suları' kabul etti". 01 June 2010.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/dunya/14896132.asp?gid=200
- ^ "Mavi Marmara Yolcu Gemisi" (in Turkish). IDO. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
- ^ "Turkish rights group's cargo ship to set sail with Gaza aid". Hürriyet. 13 May 2010.
- ^ a b c "Turkish aid ships steam toward Israeli blockade on Gaza". Hürriyet. 24 May 2010.
- ^ "Turkey: Israel will pay the price for 'pirate' violence". Zaman. 1 June 2010.
- ^ "Deadly Israeli Raid Draws Condemnation", Isabel Kershner, May 31, 2010, New York Times.
- ^ a b c "Deputy PM says Turkey using all resources over Israeli attack". World Bulletin. 31 May 2010.
- ^ a b "Turkey-led aid flotilla to Gaza anchored at Mediterranean coast". World Bulletin. 25 May 2010.
- ^ "Ship escapes Israeli raid after being delayed in Malta". The Times of Malta. 1 June 2010.
- ^ "Israel army says ready to attack another Gaza ship". World Bulletin. 1 June 2010.
- ^ a b Business Day. 1 June 2010 processes Gaza activists, UN urges inquiry http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=110502title=Israel processes Gaza activists, UN urges inquiry.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ Michele Kambas (28 May 2010). "Cyprus bans activists from joining flotilla". Reuters. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ Yaakov Katz (31 May 2010). "Gaza flotilla changes course". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ a b c "Israel attacks Gaza aid fleet". Al Jazeera English. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ "Israeli Navy Addresses a Ship in the Flotilla and Offers it to Dock in the Ashdod Port". YouTube. 2010-05-30. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
- ^ "Israel tows Gaza aid ships to Ashdod after 10 activists killed in clashes with navy". Haaretz. 31 May 2010.
- ^ Tonda MacCharles Ottawa Bureau (2009-05-19). "Canada awaits answers on raid; Israel says soldiers were 'defending themselves'". thestar.com. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
- ^ "Barak: Flotilla organizers to blame for 15 dead activists".
- ^ "IDF forces met with pre-planned violence when attempting to board flotilla". Israel ministry of foreign affairs. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
- ^ "Claim and counterclaim after deadly flotilla raid – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
- ^ For video footage see the "External links" section
- ^ Israel: Activists on Gaza sail had weapons "Israel: Activists on Gaza sail had weapons". Ynetnews. 31 May 2010.
{{cite news}}
: Check|url=
value (help) - ^ "Israel says troops acted in self defense". O2 News. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ "Israeli commandos describe Gaza raid". Reuters. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ Katz, Yaakov. "Navy commandos:'They came for war'". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ Katz, Yaakov. "Navy commandos:'They came for war'". Jpost.com. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
- ^ "Casualties reported during IDF raid on Gaza sail". Ynetnews. 20 June 1995. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ "Israeli military gives version of flotilla incident". CNN.
- ^ "A brutal ambush at sea – Israel News, Ynetnews". Ynetnews.com. 20 June 1995. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3897486,00.html
- ^ The Daily Telegraph – Israel reconstruction: how the Gaza aid flotilla attack unfolded (31 May 2010)
- ^ a b c d "Israeli PM 'regrets' deaths as troops storm aid ships". BBC.
- ^ Israeli troops storm Gaza flotilla by AlJazeeraEnglish
- ^ DHA News Footage and Commentary by DHA (Doğan Haber Agency) of Dogan Group Companies
- ^ http://www.timeturk.com/israil-yaralilara-mudaheleye-izin-vermedi_127607-haberi.html
- ^ a b c d e Jones, Dorian and Smith, Helena (1 June 2010). "Israelis opened fire before boarding Gaza flotilla, say released activists". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Transcript of Nilüfer Oren Needs Turkish-English Translation
- ^ Last communication with captain transcript
- ^ Jerusalem Post: Red Cross visits wounded activists
- ^ The Guardian: Israelis opened fire before boarding Gaza flotilla, say released activists
- ^ "Israel asalta la legalidad internacional". El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 June 2010.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link):"Al menos una parte de la versión del Ministerio de Defensa israelí resulta poco creíble: en las otras naves, donde supuestamente nadie opuso resistencia, también hubo heridos, como pudo comprobar este periódico hablando brevemente con algunos de ellos mientras eran ingresados en camilla en un hospital de Ashkelon." (At least one piece of the account from the Ministry of Defence of Israel is scarcely believable: in the other ships, where nobody apparently offer any resistance, there were also some wounded people, as this newspaper verified by briefly talking to some of the passengers when they were being admitted on couch to a hospital in Ashkelon) - ^ IDF forces met with pre-planned violence when attempting to board flotilla, Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel statement, 31 May 2010
- ^ Report and videos, Ynet (Hebrew), 31 May 2010
- ^ "LIVE: Israeli raid on Gaza flotilla". BBC. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ "Weapons Found on the Flotilla Ship Mavi Marmara Used by Activists Against IDF Soldiers". Youtube. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
- ^ Emre Soncan, Muzaffer Salcioğlu, Cihan Yenilmez (31 May 2010). "Customs officials deny Israeli claims weapons were onboard". Today's Zaman.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Kyzer, Liel (31 May 2010). "Israel detains dozens of Gaza flotilla activists upon arrival in Ashdod". Haaretz Daily. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|coauthors=
ignored (|author=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Martin: Irish citizens 'kidnapped' in international waters". Irish Examiner. Thomas Crosbie Holdings. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ Tue Jun 1, 1:01 am ET. "AFP – Israel holds 480 activists, expelling 48: report". News.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ AFP staff reporter (31 May 2010). "Israeli commandos storm Gaza aid boat". Australia: HaroldSun.com. AFP. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ Hider, James (31 May 2010). "Deadly clashes at sea as Israel intercepts Gaza-bound aid ships". Times On Line. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ Reporters Without Borders staff (31 May 2010). "Israeli military prevents media from covering assault on humanitarian flotilla". Reporters Without Borders. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
- ^ "İşte ölen ve yaralananlarin tam listesi". Retrieved 1 June 2010.
- ^ CNN Wire Staff. "Israeli assault on Gaza-bound flotilla leaves at least 9 dead". Cable News Network. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
{{cite news}}
:|author=
has generic name (help) - ^ Harriet Sherwood in Ashdod (31 May 2010). "Israeli commandos kill activists on flotilla bound for Gaza | World news | guardian.co.uk". Guardian. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ Ron Ben-Yishai, A brutal ambush at sea, Ynet, 31 May 2010.
- ^ "U.N. Security Council Condemns 'Acts' in Israeli Raid". nytimes.com. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
- ^ "U.N. condemns Israeli flotilla raid; calls for investigation". usatoday.com. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
- ^ "UN formally condemns Israel's deadly assault on Gaza aid flotilla". worldbbnews.com. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
- ^ "UN calls for inquiry into Israel flotilla attack". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
- ^ "Channel NewsAsia – Malaysians protest Israeli raid on Gaza flotilla". channelnewsasia.com. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
- ^ "Politics – Thousands protest across Lebanon against flotilla killings". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
- ^ "Supporters protest against Israeli attack on Gaza aid flotilla in Turkey – People's Daily Online". English.peopledaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
- ^ "Egypt opens Gaza border after Israel ship clash". Reuters. 1 June 2010.
- ^ "Tension builds as flotilla approaches Gaza". Sydney Morning Herald. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ "Israeli government defends raid". 31 May 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ a b The 1994 San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea, by Louise Doswald-Beck, can be found here [1] and also in the International Review of the Red Cross, no. 309, pp.583–594
- ^ International Review of the Red Cross no 309, p.583-594 by Louise Doswald-Beck. San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflict at Sea. "The Manual is not a binding document."
- ^ "San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea". International Committee of the Red Cross. 31 December 1995. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ United Nations: Secretary-General 'shocked' by deadly raid on Gaza aid flotilla
- ^ Teibel, Amy (2010-05-31). "Israeli police say 16 Gaza activists sent to jail". Associated Press.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|coauthor=
ignored (|author=
suggested) (help) - ^ Blogg. "SvD: "Israel har inte rätt ingripa militärt"" (in Template:Sv icon). Svd.se. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
{{cite web}}
: Text "Resebloggen" ignored (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ "Dagens Juridik: Experter överens om Israel". Dagensjuridik.se. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
- ^ Björn Hansson 031-62 46 33 bjorn.hansson@gp.se (2010-05-28). "GP: Professor i sjörätt: Israel gör fel" (in Template:Sv icon). Gp.se. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ Martin, Patrick (2010-06-01). "Was seizing the flotilla legal?". Globe and Mail.
- ^ Izenberg, Dan (31 May 2010). "Israeli lawyers: Raid violates int'l law, Prosecution charges that Israel engaged in acts of piracy". Jerusalem Post.
- ^ Goldenberg, Tia; Selcan Hacaoglu (31 May 2010). "Israelis told to avoid Turkey after flotilla raid". Real Clear World. Associated Press. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ "Israel Boat Raid Sparks International Outcry". 31 May 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ "Jurists: Israeli flotilla assault violation of international law". Zaman. 1 June 2010.
- ^ Organisation of the Islamic Conference: OIC Secretary General: Israeli Aggression on the Relief Convoy Heading for Gaza is a Crime and Blatant Violation of All International Laws Norms and Standards
External links
- "Gaza Freedom flotilla carried world-renowned names and veteran activists" – The Guardian (lists passengers)
- "Q&A: The Gaza Freedom flotilla" – The Guardian
- Israel attacks Gaza flotilla – live coverage – The Guardian
Official material
- The Gaza flotilla and the maritime blockade of Gaza – Legal background (by Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- UN Security Council Condemns Acts Resulting in Civilian Deaths during Israeli Operation, UN Security Council declaration after the first meeting, 31 May 2010.
Israel Defence Force video footage on Youtube
- Close-Up Footage of Israeli soldiers boarding the Mavi Marmara
- Helicopter Footage of Israeli soldiers boarding the Mavi Marmara
- Weapons Found on the Flotilla Ship Mavi Marmara Used by Activists Against IDF Soldiers
- Navy Warns Flotilla
- Soldier off board