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Israel's Ambassador Says the Deadly Ship Raid was "Humane"
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by TheCameraObscura | June 2, 2010 at 06:58 pm
313 views | 3 Recommendations | 24 comments
The botched floatilla raid by Israel earlier this week has been condemned by over 200 countries, but the Israeli government continues to try to defend its aggressive actions in international waters which claimed nine lives. Israel's Ambassador now claims the killings were humane, didn't violate international law and compared Israel to the US fighting the Nazis in World War II.
Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, called Israel’s deadly raid on an aid flotilla en route to Gaza “perfectly legal, perfectly humane and very responsible” in an interview Tuesday with Fox News.
Oren likened the attack to that of the US in World War II.
“The US acted under similar international law when it fought the Germans and the Japanese in World War Two,” the ambassador said.
Oren also defended Israel’s right to attack the ship even though it was in international waters.
“Israel acted in accord with international law,” he remarked. “Any state has the right to protect itself, certainly from a terrorist threat such as Hamas, including on the open seas.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed not to let the public relations challenge and international condemnation surrounding the flotilla raid to force his country to end a blockade on Gaza, a Palestinian-controlled area adjacent to Israel proper.
The aid flotilla was funded by a Turkish group.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (24)
at 20:16 on June 2nd, 2010
Oren, just sickens me.
He is an American, who left his country to help the Israeli government spread propaganda.
It is especially sickening to hear him refer to IDF soldiers as "our soldiers" in his American accent.
I hold no ill will towards Jews or Israeli citizens, but the government of Israel is just as corrupt and evil as our own.
at 04:19 on June 3rd, 2010
You certainly do hold ill will toward him and Jews by your racist comment. He is an Israeli citizen and no longer an American Citizen when he became Ambassador. Your problem is yuor undisguised hate.
at 06:54 on June 3rd, 2010
You really need to open your mind a little.You can be anti-US foreign policy, and not anti-AmericaThe anti-Semite accusation is a canard for Israeli hasbara artists to hide behind.Israel has a dysfunctional.Knesset, has for years, and the Netanyahu-Lirberman alliance is a partnership made in hell.Pull down the walls, Mr Netanyahu, to paraphrase a famous quote, the real and figurative walls and the world will applaud you.
at 08:01 on June 3rd, 2010
That is not a racist statement, I stated that I hold no ill will towards Jews or Israeli citizens, but I do not like the Israeli government.
And I despise Oren as an individual.
How is that racist?
at 20:13 on June 2nd, 2010
The real problems are not the Jews but their Nazi version,the Zionists.Theodore Hertz and Goebbles were products and graduates of the same institute of evil,managed and run by the demons.
The community of eunuchs,what US imperialists call international community,a figment of their aggressive imagination,does its duty by condemning Israel.No embargo,no sanctions,no boycott because Zionists are Chosen people of the US imperialists,who fought Nazis to give world poisonous Nazis-the Zionists.
at 04:20 on June 3rd, 2010
T. K. The Nazi line is tired and weak. Your hatred and racist language tells the entire story.
at 06:50 on June 3rd, 2010
@ Tikun.Qoute a single word from any of my posts which smells of hatred and racist language against the Jews.I know the distinction between a Jew(human being) and a Zionist(beast),a German and a Nazi.
at 07:52 on June 3rd, 2010
He can't prove it TK, he just believes by labeling us racists when we are clearly not, that he can discredit us.
at 08:05 on June 3rd, 2010
@ JA,you are absolutely right.Zinoists generally don't argue and resort to slander.Tikun has proved it time and again.
at 08:30 on June 3rd, 2010
There is no difference between Zionists and JEWS.
at 09:02 on June 3rd, 2010
This may be your personal and generalised opinion, but being a jew doesn't necessarily mean being a Zionist.There is a clear cut distinction and what Rabbi Ahron Cohen said I'll quote it verbatim to prove my point."Let me firstly state quite categorically that Judaism and Zionism are incompatiable.They are diametrically opposed".These are the words of a Rabbi,an orthodox Jew.You can,if you wish,accuse him of harbouring hatred against Jews .
If all Zionists are Jews,it doesn't mean that all Jews are Zionists.I guess you think or rather beleive that since all Jews are Zionists and therefore criticism of Zionists is tantamount to criticism of Judaism.
at 10:17 on June 3rd, 2010
You do not need to be a Jewish to be a Zionist. Ask George Bush.
Nor are you a Zionist simply because you are a Jew. Ask Adolf Hitler.
at 09:29 on June 3rd, 2010
Tikun, Judaism is a religion and Zionism is a political ideology.
Huge Difference
at 09:49 on June 3rd, 2010
I wish it gets into Tikun's head.
at 10:14 on June 3rd, 2010
Sadly, I don't think it will.
He doesn't use logic.
Humanity doesn't use their reasoning ability anymore, this is a dangerous thing.
Reason is the foundation of everything, without reason their is no knowledge.
It is what holds everything together and is the only real way to gain knowledge and make decisions.
I wish people would start using their brains again.
at 10:54 on June 3rd, 2010
Judaism is a religion, theology, political system, social system, etc etc. That includes Zionism. read it in the Jewish writings. You can not be Jewish and not be a Zionist. Just because you say it or there are some people who may be Jewish by birth and do not relate, accept, nor fear it does not make it any less true.
But you guys seem to know the political babble that separates the two entities for ideological purposes. In fact they are truly transparent. In spite of your belief that my eyes are closed and blinded by "being an agent" I understand that it is in fact your lack of knowledge of Judaism and its total complexity that includes the above and the myriad of spiritual practices and opportunities it affords to the people that identify.
Yes there are non Jews that call themselves Zionists in order for them to identify with Israel: the land of Israel, the State of the Jews, the Jewish State, etc. But that does not make them Zionists. The use is a misnomer. If it makes others feel good about themselves so be it. But to suggest my being naive and blind about the differences is silly.
You can call me names until hell freezes over but that does not take away from the truth. Dont be so sure of yourselves. Quoting a Rabbi from an extreme sect of Jews that is a very small minority and pretty much outside the Jewish pale in order to prove your point is a bit disingenuous. Unless you genuinely do not realize who these folks are. A possibility. There are also the Chomsky's, Finklesteins's of this world that do not want to identify with a Jewish State and have made it just a political entity for there need to be free of their fears and concerns to be labeled by the non-Jewish world of left wing politics that makes them darlings of their worldview. The house Jews.. Not a new concept. This has been around since the Jews have been plagued by mankind living at the mercy of others in countries that have never allowed them any semblance of peace and security. America may be the exception currently.
Israel affords them the ability to live as Jews in freedom and democracy with a minority that has equal rights under the law. It is only 62 years young and there is plenty of work to be done in order for our ethical and moral codes to be fulfilled in reality. It will take time and effort in spite of all the obstacles and hostility that surrounds us. We make plenty of mistakes as any other country does but we are not the Nazis that you so want to ascribe to us. It is just a cheap and offensive shot of racism and bigotry.
at 11:06 on June 3rd, 2010
Judaism is not a political system!
That's just as absurd as saying that all Christians believe in the same interpretation of the Bible and have the same political beliefs and that all Muslims share the same political beliefs and interpretation of the Quran.
Judaism is a religion. Many people of different political beliefs, races, and interpretations practice this religion. There is no political consensus, or consensus in beliefs.
It is a religion and a religion only.
at 23:23 on June 2nd, 2010
I have always condemned the Nazis, but how on earth can you compare humanitarians with Nazis? And yes the Israeli government is of the same kind as the Nazis, if not worse. It is very justified to compare the Nazis to the Israeli government, it is not justified to say that killing 9 humanitarians is like fighting the Nazis. Israel is always saying black is white and we believed them for a long time. They have had the people of Gaza in a sort of concentration camp for over 50 years and want the world to believe that they are terroritst. They continuously attack kill innocent women and children in Gaza and deny them humanatarian aid. Unfortunately, Americans do not know the truth, pro Israel propagandan has been brainwashing Americans for decades. Israel always twist the truth, but this time they have not killed 9 Palestinians, they have killed 9 humanitarians from around the world. I hope that the world wakes up to the atrocities committed by Israel and start to condemn them and put sactions against that country.
at 23:38 on June 2nd, 2010
Which world you are talking of waking up to Israel's brutality?The world whose finance and media is controlled by Zionists,the chosen beasts of US imperialists and Western thugs.Middle-Eastern kings and monarchs and dictators all are boot lickers.I see no light,but only tunnel.
at 04:22 on June 3rd, 2010
This Jewish/Zionist conspiracy comes right out of the RIGHT Wing fascist playbook that Hamas, Iran and Hezbollah use. Do I deduce from this that you are a partner to their crimes against humanity. LOL
at 09:53 on June 3rd, 2010
@ tikun.You are free to deduce whatever you like or want to,I am least bothered about that.I am not anti-jew,Jews are as good or as bad as any other people.Your inference that whosoever condemns Zinoism/Nazism is a racist,is preposterous.You are a partner with major stakes to Zinoists whose record of crimes against humanity comes very close to those committed by Hitler and Bush Jr.,and Sr.,.
at 04:24 on June 3rd, 2010
Three of the four Turks killed on ship
sought Martyr's death
http://palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=157&doc_id=2367
by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik
The following is from the official Palestinian Authority daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida:
Headline: "Three of the four Turkish victims of the Israeli attack wished to die as "Shahids" (Martyrs)"
"Three of the four Turks killed in the Israeli attack on the "Freedom Flotilla" bound for the Gaza Strip wanted to die as Martyrs, said their relatives and friends. The wife of one of them, Ali Haydar Bengi, told the Vatan daily: "He used to help the poor and the oppressed. For years, he wanted to go to Palestine. And he constantly prayed to Allah to grant him Shahada (Martyrdom).
The names of the Turkish nationals killed in Monday's attack have not been officially released, but the Turkish media identified them yesterday as four men who were involved in Islamic movements or Islamic NGO's...
Ali worked at telephone repair shop in Diyarbakir, the largest city in south-eastern Turkey. Sabir Ceylan, a friend of Ali, told the Milliyet newspaper: 'Before embarking on this journey [to Gaza], he said he desired to become a Martyr. He had a strong desire to die as a Martyr.'
Another Turkish victim was Ali Ekber Yaratilmis, a 55-year old pensioner. He was a father of five who lived in Ankara. Ali volunteered for the Turkish Aid and Human Rights Organization [IHH], which transfers aid to Gaza. A friend, Mehmet Faruk Cevher, told the Sabah daily that [Ali] 'devoted his life to charity work, that's why he went to Gaza. He always wanted to become a Martyr.'
The third victim was Ibrahim Bilgen, a 61-year old pensioner and father of six sons. He was a supporter of the Felicity Party, an Islamic movement in the south-eastern city of Siirt, Anatolia news agency reported. His brother-in-law, Nuri Mergen, told the Agency: 'He was an exemplary man and a truly good man. That's why he was truly worthy of Shahada (Martyrdom). Allah granted him the death that he wished for.'"
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, June 3, 2010]
Palestinian Media Watch reported in the last two days that participants on board were chanting Islamic battle cries and talking about their coming Martyrdom on the days before the confrontation.
at 07:32 on June 3rd, 2010
IDF attacked at prayer time. Read the story from a westerner who was there www.smh.com.au/world/prayers-tear-gas-and-terror-20100603-x7ew.html?autostart=1
at 10:39 on June 3rd, 2010
Oren's comparison of the flotilla raid and US naval activity in WWII is completely ridiculous.
There is a huge difference between sinking an enemy nation's military ships during a war and attacking civilian ships carrying humanitarian supplies in time of peace.
There is no legitimate comparison, this man disgusts me with his outright lies and his shameless spreading of propaganda.
The fact that he is an American citizen who left his country to work for a foreign nation, and comes back on our news to tell blatant lies to us for that nation, is absolutely disgusting.