Flotilla II: Israel Human Rights Group Warns Satellite Giant Immarsat over Hamas Ships
Shurat HaDin — the Israel Law Center in Tel Aviv — has been in the forefront of the legal battle against terrorism for some time, instituting lawsuits in favor of the victims of terror throughout the world. Many of these suits have been successful and have broken new ground.
Recently they have turned their attention to the Gaza Flotillas in an attempt to place legal restraints on these enterprises, which are in reality anti-Israeli propaganda and Hamas terror supply operations, masquerading as relief ships for an “impoverished” and “blockaded” Gaza.
Another Flotilla has been planned for this summer. Shurat HaDin responded by sending letters to maritime insurance companies. These letters placed the companies on notice concerning the Gaza Flotilla and warned them that if they provide insurance (a necessary component in the effort to smuggle contraband to the terrorists) they themselves will be legally liable for any future terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas.
On Sunday Shurat HaDin announced that they have sent similar warning letters to Immarsat, the satellite company that provides guidance systems and communications services for these boats, including the flotilla flagship Mavi Marmara. They too would be liable for massive damages and criminal prosecution should terror result from contraband carried by these boats.
The big question is what will the Israeli Navy do if the ships refuse to stop. Well, there are several ways to stop a ship at sea, the most dangerous one for the Israelis is doing what they did last time, which was try and board them. I still think the Israelis should simply tell the ships to stop and, if they refuse, fire on one as a warning. In fact, the Israelis can give ample warnings to the world even before the ships leave port. They can say exactly what they are going to do before they do it, so that there is no question in anybody’s mind what will happen if the ships decide to break the blockade. The Israelis should not lose any more lives by trying to board the ships again. But physically stopping them with gunfire may get the message across for them to stop. Unless, of course, the people on the ship are determined to be martyrs for the Palestinian cause. In that case, the Israelis should oblige them.
libertyship46 – spot-on.
Generally, I’d agree with both of you. But there is a small detail you guys may not have noticed. Yesterday I read that an Iranian sub is in the Red Sea. Whoever is in charge of the Suez Canal now might already have let one through into the Mediterranean. Israel fires across the bow of flotilla ships, receives a torpedo in return. I’m sure the Israeli Navy has already thought of this, and perhaps they’ll have their own subs out hunting. I would if I were them.
Human rights organization in Israel is for Jews at last!
In this perverted world of professional anti-Zionists- “human rights defenders” who help the terrorists in reality like the command of R.Goldstone,the real humanitarian defenders of Israelis` rights to exist actions are welcomed!
Good idea. If nothing else getting the insurance companies nervous might make it too expensive.
I was wondering if there is some sort of jamming equipment available that would interfere with navigation and communication. Anybody know about that?
I think the lawyers would tell you very quickly that interfering with the navigation of the flotilla would be a very bad idea. That could very easily cause a very serious accident if the flotilla ships were misinformed on their position and they then made a bad decision on that basis. For example, if the navigation information erroneously told them that they were in unobstructed deep water when they were actually very close to some submerged obstacle like a rock, and they failed to steer around it, the ship could hit that obstacle and be severely damaged or even sink. Then the liability would almost certainly be on the Israeli lawyers who made that happen.
It would be far better to be brutally honest and warn exactly what will happen if the flotilla violates Israeli, American and international law and then do exactly that.
If the threat is one of security then intervening against the navigational systems cannot be considered from a civil and touristic point of view.
I don’t know…. sending them to Italy would be funny.
Just about time. Israel and Jews all around the world must go on legal offensive
against so-called human right NGO’s It’s Time to fight back and expose them for what they are anti Semite lefties.
One torpedo worth ten thousand words.
I liked your comment. Short and sweet!
One way to stop this nonsense is for supporters of ISrael to start deonstrating at Greek and Turkisj consulates in the USA. Cyprus has refused to allow any more flotillas from its shores. Right now, it’s not costing the Greeks with their failed economy anything to let the flotillas sail from Greece. Same for the Turks. If we in America let them know we will boycott their products in the US over this, maybe they will decide anti-Semitism in favor of Hamas isn’t worth it.
The second solution is for the Israelis to start impounding these boats, and selling them to cover the cost of the military operation while jailing and prosecuting all those on baord for terrorism assistane. The so-called Free gaza Movement is no lionger claiming to bring humnaitarian aid but now to be engaged in simple propaganda. It’s time for these people to pay something for being professional nuisances in support of terrorists in Hamas.
Your first won’t work. There are NO supporters of Israel in the U.S. since I left. Certainly no Jewish American supporters.
Your second option is weak compared to LibertyShip46 above. I’ll go with him.
Pelaut, as a Sephardic Jewish American, I find your views to be offensive. There are over six million Jews in the US. The fastest growing group is Orthodox and they almost all support Israel, some of them quite firmly. Even some secular Jews I know are strong Zionists. You sound like a bigot, sir. (Assume you are a sir.)
You’re kind of slander works as little as the Obamist ‘racist’ slurs. It is not worthy of you.
If there are American Jews who support Israel, then they should be heard. Loudly, clearly and stridently.
Only the strident liberal yammerers get a hearing there. The rest are silent.
(Ooops! apologies to David Horowitz if he’s still in the U.S.)
there are many of us American Jews who are strongly pro-Israel, and we DO speak up.
but I take your point that many others are more “liberal Democrat” than “pro-Israel.” but I think that’s changing. the more Obama speaks about how much he loves Israel, the more Jewish Americans figure see what he really is.
I don’t know if you are a bigot, a ‘sir’ or what…but I do know that you’re suffused with a far greater opinion of yourself than you deserve; and are either wrong or a pathological liar.
You see, I am a US Citizen, Jewish, and a supporter of Israel, in the United States.
So, which is it? Wrong? Or are you just a pathological liar?
Some of those orthodox types like Naturei Karta are pro Iran and anti Israel.
Then of course there are all those young rabbis who won’t buy a tallit (prayer shawl) if made in Israel.
Too few Jews to make a dent in Turkish and Greek exports.
Your comments are not cynical, they are ill informed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pACng5jMVvE
Neturei Karta is a subset of Satmir Chassidim. They have huge issues with the other 99.9 percent of Jews.
They are few in US, have a small hold in UK and are barely tolerated in Israel.
More important in US political landscape are large numbers of secular Jews who tend to vote democrat and social liberals. I know many conservatives are unhappy with Jewish votes swinging to Obama last time. Yet the alternative was McCain Palin. Not the best ticket the Republicans have put out over the years.
Strong US is essential to strong Israel. Obama has disappointed many Jews I know even card carrying democrats. I am American so I want my country to be what I love about it. I did not vote for Obama but cmon. The last repub ticket was nowhere near credible.
US Jews will vote for best ticket for US interest. We are loyal dedicated Americans. Jobs economy all that.
I think you’re taking him too literally. Most leftwing Jews are confused at best when it comes to Israeli security. Believe me, I’m talking about friends & family, so I get to hearr their nonsense firsthand. But if your not a reflexive leftist, then Jews (like me) are very likely to take Israeli security seriously.
Lee Kaplan, this is very good idea. Has been forwarded. Thanks.
Well, then a very justified target should be Paypal, Visa and Mastercard, each of which is facilitating the financing of these Hamas supporters (in each case in violation of their own published policies).
See http://www.freegaza.org/ and
http://calneocon.typepad.com/blog/2011/04/why-are-ebaypaypal-the-next-flotilla-assault-on-israel-by-internationally-designated-terror-organiza.html
good point about paypal et all.
This should be a non issue since Egypt has opened the crossing unfettered. Anything the paleostinians need can come through Egypt. No need for a blockade or flotillas.
Closed again.
Hamas shut it down.
GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Palestinian officials closed the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip on Sunday, the terminal’s director Ayyoub Abu Sha’ar said.
Closed out of frustration, Abu Sha’ar said the Egyptian authority’s ‘mechanism’ at the terminal was unclear, citing Egypt’s decision to close the crossing on Saturday without coordinating with Palestinian officials.
He said said operations had been halted after disagreements about capacity and coordination, and would not resume until officials on both sides came to an agreement on its operation.
“One way to stop this nonsense(!)is for supporters of ISrael to start deonstrating”
Dear Lee Kaplan! I`m for instance happy that there are no one Jewish anti-Israel`s comment,though you are not the supporter.
Is this how weapons for groups are smuggled in?
You tell everyone you are coming including what time to expect you.
Have a list of all on board.
Fly a flag to say were you are from,have a dockside send off ?
Bring yor own camera crew with you and constantley ‘tweet’ what you are doing.
Everybody knew the items on board were the ones banned by Israel during this blockade .
Food products prohibited from entering include jam, chocolate, biscuits, potato chips, fresh meat, coriander and industrial margarine,pasta according to human rights groups. Other banned goods include musical instruments, pens, notebooks, toys, cars, fridges and computers, as well as building materials like cement, iron, gravel, marble and some wood.
How on earth does trying to provide these goods make them terrorists supporters?
Can Hammas be beaten by hitting them with pasta?
You need to update your information. Except for limits on construction material none of that stuff is banned anymore.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/06/20/world/main6601653.shtml
- The Mavi had zero ‘aid’ on board. None.
- All of the ‘aid’ on the other ships was transferred to Gaza after they docked
The current flotilla leaders admit it has nothing to do with ‘aid’
“It’s not about the aid,” Huwaida Arraf of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition told reporters in Geneva.
Arraf said the aim will instead be to show that the Gaza blockade can be broken.”
So you agree,they were not and are not threatening to arm and help Hammas?
Israel only partially lifted the ban on goods after the Flotilla which showed what humanitarian aid Israel had prevented going into Gaza,so it worked.
If it had nothing to do with aid why lift a ban?
The sea blockade which is seen as illegal is also preventing exports.Their economy is non-existence,they want to be able to export so they are not reliant
on organisations for food.
I agree that you knew that your list was BS when you wrote it. You also know that Israel is allowing most exports now.
Of course they are helping Hamas. The whole point is to allow unrestricted shipping into Gaza without Israeli inspection. Whattya think is going to happen if Israel does that?
No need to speculate. Just a few months ago Israel intercepted the Victoria, a ship loaded with Iranian weapons headed to Gaza from Syria. The weapons included advanced C-704 guided anti-ship missiles and radar systems.
Pictures here.
http://idfspokesperson.com/2011/03/16/list-of-weaponry-found-on-the-victoria/
There are many ways to skin a cat, and I cheer new tactics such as cautioning Inmarsat as to repercussions for aiding and abetting the flotilla.
Or (reportedly) messing with Iran’s nuclear program on the software level.
Working smarter, knowing that “the world” is merely using the longstanding Israel/Hamas/Fatah standoff in service to a larger agenda.
(*2 detestable sponsors (among many) Bill Ayers and the completely crazy Bernardine Dohrn. But of course, people like that are too cowardly to actually put their sacrosanct ideological selves on the boat.)
If a ship does get sunk, I wouldn’t cry if Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn were on it.
Their presence would demand the ship’s sinking.
My suggestion would be to look at the organizers of the flotilla fiasco and send them personal letters as well. Since I heard about a speech in front of AIPAC, that suggested that this administration is “completely behind” Israel on the issue of security and safety…perhaps the administration could come down hard on ANY Americans found to be disrupting the peace process. I have a couple of people in mind.
http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/ayers-dohrn-helped-organize-flotilla-group
You see, because, the Rahm and Debbie show indicates that there is absolutely NO reason to suspect “tokens feeding the kitty”, we should expect that this administration…which flexes its muscles in Libya, might want to do something more than whisper sweet nothings into the ears in Damascus…and could at a minimum…do something more than mince around the issue of their closest friends are a threat to to world peace.
In the end, we must remember that “empty vessels make the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest blabbers”. Obama, Wasserman-Shultz, and the flotillas are therein described.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20110520/pl_ac/8503495_obama_backpedals_on_israel_support_could_further_compromise_reelection_1
#10 Russo the liar explaines why the “humanitarian” armed bendits have fought with the Israeli soldiers for fresh meet and chocolate! Thank you Russo!
List of household items that have been refused entry at various times
includes light bulbs, candles, matches, books, musical instruments, crayons, clothing, shoes, mattresses, sheets, blankets, pasta, tea, coffee, chocolate, nuts, shampoo and conditioner, i will be here all day.
You need to explain to me why these items were a threat to Israel and made them contraband.
Israel chose to carry out an armed commando raid in the dead of night,killing
passangers in international waters to prevent chocolate going in.
One of the aims was to show everybody the effect of the siege as collective punishment.
‘armed bendits ‘
They were not armed
If Israel is threatened, there is never any doubt what the response will be, and that is comforting, especially because we in the USA seem to be unwilling to make difficult choices even when our borders are being assaulted in one way or another.
I say keep Israel well armed and look the other way when she finds it necessary to “tend” to national political and security matters.
I disagree, we should not look the other way but applaud them and support them against the terrorist supporters.
Just sink the dam flotilla!
Look, folks, this is a Left-Hamas agitation-propaganda stunt. The last time they won the battle in the media, which is what they were looking for. A couple of months later Obama publicly demanded that Mubarak resign, the rawest imperialistic act by any American president in memory. What’s more imperialistic than to demand that the decades-long president of a client regime must resign “Now means Now?” Obama was in cahoots with Code Pink which was in cahoots with the IHH which was in cahoots with Hamas. Their agit-prop stunt worked, because Mubarak had to resign, the Egypt-Israel peace treaty is at great risk of breaking down, the Muslim Brothers are running an open political campaign in Egypt, and the selective blockade against Hamas is gone. It’s a huge, huge victory for the bad guys.
You can’t torpedo the Mavi Marmara, as much as you might want to. The reason is that doing that fits right into the Left’s victim narrative. Also the Hamas victim narrative. That’s a PR victory for them.
You either have to sabotage them in untraceable ways, or make them look ridiculous. My favorite idea is to drop stink bombs on them, but you can bet that 80-year-old Holocaust survivor who loves to protest Israel is going to be the victim of choice for the press. So — this is the biggest question for a smart PR strategy for Israel: How do you make them look like the malignant fools they are?
Maybe Andrew Klavan can think of something good.
Let the Flotilla go through. Let them land. Just don’t let them leave. Let them get a feel for the Palestine they love so much. Let them rot there.
Sinking the boat in the port wouldn’t be such a bad thing either.
Of course, once these idiots “Prove” they can break the blockade, every other blockade runner should be sunk without warning, showing they proved nothing.
Disable the flotilla and take the ships to an Israeli port. Arrest those aboard! SprAy all aboard with skunk spray.
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like this before. So good to find anyone with some original ideas on this subject. realy thank you for beginning this up. this website is something that is wanted on the web, someone with a bit of originality. useful job for bringing something new to the web!