Flotilla Fiasco, a differing view

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NASSER SHIRAKBARI
by NASSER SHIRAKBARI
07-Jun-2010
 

So far what we know about the flotilla fiasco is as follows: A group of humanitarian activist put together a package of much needed goods for relief to inhabitants of Gaza. They were to be delivered by a Turkish Islamic Charity (IHH) using a flotilla of few ships under Turkish flag. They had made sure they carried no weapons and all boarded together in Turkish port of Antalya. On early hours of May 31, 2010 they were attacked by Israeli commandos, and it’s written that nine were killed and dozens wounded. Netanyahu says these people were “dozens of thugs” from an “Extremist-terrorism” supporting organizations. United Nations Secretary General Ban Kimoon has proposed for an International Commission to investigate the raid, but is rejected by Netanyahu. Israel says they are capable of investigating themselves, just like all the others before. US and others nations are calling for a partial lift of the blockade. The European Union is willing to check cargo to Gaza, if Israel ends the blockade. It is apparent that the incident has caused quite an embarrassment for all concerned. Now all media sources must be used for damage control until it all fades away from memory. (The Associated Press, Aron Heller, June 7, 2010).

The above report is what the conventional media has put forth. Here is a sample of what has been described by Global Research Ca, June 5, 2010 under the title “Israel Killed More Than 9, Throw Wounded into Sea, Witnesses Say”. The head of the Turkish Charity IHH said the commandos shot an Indonesian doctor in stomach and a photographer named Cevdet on the forehead from 1 meter away. This was confirmed by Kevin Ovenden of Britain, an activist on the ship, that when camera was pointed at the soldier, he shot the man on the forehead and back of his skull was blown away. You see he wasn’t carrying Knives, sling shot and metal objects as Netanyahu has said. There is also a discrepancy on the numbers killed and numbers boarded the ship and those accounted for so far. It is believed a number of those killed were thrown overboard. IHH president Bulent Yildrim said “until now they have returned nine dead bodies, but our list is bigger. There are people missing”. He continued “we saw 38 injured who were brought back to US by doctors after the attack. Now they are saying there are 21 people who have been injured”. Yildirim was aboard Mavi Marmara. Another witness Yucel Kose, who was on ship Gazze, said: “the Mavi Marmara was bombed right in front of our eyes. They throw the wounded into the water”. It is believed Israel had intended to sink the ship but it didn’t happen. Activist Idris Simsek, who arrived Thursday, said that four wounded were thrown into the sea. They did not have a Swiss knife as was claimed by some foreign press, and that the person who was waving a white flag to surrender was shot. Erol Demir, another activist from Marmara said “they even shot those who surrendered. Many of our friends saw this. They told me that they were handcuffed people who were shot.” Also, the ship was sprayed by cold seawater for three hours. This does not sound to me like a punishment dousing; it looks more like another attempt to sink. Activist Ozlem Sahin Ermis said during their initial interrogation on the ship, they were beaten and harassed by attack dogs and not give any food or water.

The blockade of Gaza was not only to prevent entry of weapons, but to enforce a politico-military apparatus to break down an enemy. Make the living conditions hell for the general population, let through just enough material needs and food, not to starve but to suffer. Those providing humanitarian aid are seen as arbitrate and intruders trying to circumvent their objectives. Now those who aided and supported the blockade, are scrambling to minimize the damage, cover up all they can, and reshape opinions through media blitz.

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