Israel Hits UN Refugee Compound ; Threatens to Shoot Unarmed Civilians aboard Mercy Ship

[DogPoundPup]

(Mediterranean Sea, 15 January 2009) - The Israeli navy today threatened to kill unarmed civilians aboard a mercy ship on its way to deliver medical supplies and doctors to besieged Gaza.

The Free Gaza Movement ship, SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, left Cyprus Wednesday morning carrying doctors, journalists, human rights workers, and parliamentarians. The ship also carried over a ton of desperately needed medicines donated by the European Campaign to Break the Siege, and intended for overwhelmed hospitals in the Gaza Strip. At the request of the ship's organizers the passenger list and manifest were publicly released, and Cypriot authorities searched the boat prior to its departure in order to certify that it only carried humanitarian items. The organizers also sent an official notification to the Israeli government of their intent to break through the blockade of Gaza.

At roughly 3am UST (1am GMT), in international waters 100 miles off the coast of Gaza, at least five Israeli gunboats surrounded the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY and began recklessly cutting in front of the slow-moving civilian craft. The Israeli warships radioed the SPIRIT, demanding that the ship turn around or they would open fire and "shoot." When asked if the Israeli navy was acknowledging that they intended to commit a war crime by deliberately firing on unarmed civilians, the warships replied that they were prepared to use "any means" to stop the ship.

http://www.payvand.com/news/09/jan/1148.html

[peacetalksforall]

1. If the U.S. war supporting politicians and military in conjunction with the

barons they report to have set up our country to be the world police. THIS MEANS the U.S. should be sending in ships and aircraft to make Israel turnaround.

If not, it can only be interpreted that we are at one with Israel in the masscare, starvation, denial of human help and International law and policy regarding the United Nations.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

2. Called my NJ senator's office to complain about support for SR10, and was told he was reconsidering

his position in light of Israel's attack on the UN building.

Interesting!

[Barack_America]

4. Very interesting!

[peacetalksforall]

3. Is there a Paul Thompson like chronology of the daily agressions and

cease quotes from about four months prior to the invasion - to today? Anyone know of one?

Important for understanding. Important for referral.

[EFerrari]

5. Have you checked at the History Commons? nt

[peacetalksforall]

6. Thanks. I fell upon that site a few days ago for 30 year old material. Assumed it was older

history! :o)

[EFerrari]

7. Paul Thompson is a genius (and a DUer!). He's exactly right.

You usually can find the information you want by sorting through even bad press reports.