State of alert throughout Israel. "Brink of war or new Intifada"

Asia News ^ | 5/31/2010

[markomalley]

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - Israeli police and security forces have raised a state of alert across the country after the attack on a group of ships off the coast of Gaza, leading to at least 19 dead and dozens injured (see Israel attacks ships carrying aid to Gaza. At least 10 dead). An Israeli policeman tells AsiaNews that "We are on the brink of war or a new Intifada."

Here and there in Israel, particularly in Nazareth, there are demonstrations against the attack on the ships carrying humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, forcing the Israeli blockade on the Strip. Arab organizations have declared a general strike.  Security forces have decided to close the Gaza crossings, some roads that communicate with the West Bank and the Temple Mount mosques.

The seized vessels (all six) were conducted in the port of Ashdod. There are fears about the fate of a Palestinian leaders from northern Israel, Raed Salah, who was on the attacked ships. At first the news spread that he had been killed in the raid. Palestinian sources now say that he is seriously hurt.

Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority has declared three days of mourning throughout the West Bank and called the Israeli operation a "massacre".

Israel is also battling the media. MPs and ministers continue to assert that the activists were not at all "peaceful" but waited for the arrival of soldiers carrying weapons (long knives, bats, other instruments of offense). At least six soldiers were wounded, one of whom seriously.

For Israel, ships and humanitarian aid were "a provocation". The deputy foreign minister, Daniel Ayalon said that before attacking, the Israeli military command ordered the ships to stop several times and agree to land the aid under Israeli control. He also said that the activists on the ship are linked to Hamas and other terrorist organizations.

According to some Israeli analysts, the incident of the Gaza flotilla is likely to further exacerbate the relationship between Palestinians and Israelis, on the brink of a new, third intifada. An Israeli policeman, speaking to AsiaNews, confirmed the risk of a third intifada, but also added: "We are on the brink of war. There is a fear that Hezbollah front in Lebanon could be sparked again and that anti-Israel demonstrations spread throughout the world. "

Currently there are demonstrations in Turkey, especially Istanbul. The Foreign Ministry urged all Israelis leaving for Turkey to cancel their departure and said he will hold the Ankara government responsible for anything that could happen to Israelis on soil Turkish.

Today Ankara has recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv.  

[onedoug]

Ruth 1:16...And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God....

[SJackson]

The IDF should have fabricated a ship-disabling mini-homing torpedo for these contingencies. It would go for the propellers, and instead of expolosives it would unspool clouds of thin kevlar and wire lines to foul the props and stop the ships.

Disabling them, then towing them to Ashdod would have been a good alternative, but at some point you're going to have to board. And if the Hamas supporters wanted this to happen, it would have happened.

[SJackson]

Ships drifting far out at sea become a farcical spectacle, instead of the tragedy and outrage the PLO was hoping for, and the IDF served them, on a platter.

BTW, I'm assuming this happened in Israeli waters. Letting them drift would likely have resulted in a "resuce" mission, perhaps by Turkish warships. In Israeli waters.

[SJackson]

How about they first do a blockade, then send a representative to the ship to meet with the captain and discuss boarding to do a general search.

It's my understanding that's what was done, the search to be done in Ashdod, humanitarian goods then to be shipped to Gaza. The blockade has been ongoing for several years now, as has Egypt's closing of the border.

[Thumper1960]

Is that confirmed?

[BobS]

How about Admiltary Law? The Captain of a ship is the top guy responsible for the crew and anybody else on board and the ship itself. Two Captains in the US Navy were discharged under Article 15 recently for racing their destroyers in the Pacific ocean. You just can’t do that. Those are fully loaded warships.

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

How about Admiltary Law?

Not sure what you mean. Israel's actions were lawful. Do you mean applying Admiltary Law against the Captain of the blockade runner? Might be applicable, he'd probably contend he was repelling borders, presuming he took responsibility for giving such an order. That might clear him if this took place in international waters, but I doubt that's the case though I haven't seen the location specifically identified as being in Israeli waters.

[Salem]

Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem (5/31/10)

---

If you'd like to be on or off this
Christian Supporters of Israel ping list,
please FR mail me ~
    

There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had
spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:45)
Letter To The President In Support Of Israel ~
'Final Solution,' Phase 2 ~
Warnings ~
The Nature Of Bruce ~

The Joshua Fund
The Jerusalem Connection
Christians United For Israel
Christian Friends of Israel
Jerusalem Watchman

"The West has given more significance to the myth of the genocide of the Jews, even more significant than God, religion, and the prophets...."—Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Holocaust Chronicle ~
" ... It's time we recognized the nature of the conflict. It's total war and we are all involved. Nobody on our side is exempted because of age, gender, or handicap. The Islamofacists have stolen childhood from the world."—FReeper Retief
"Palestine is the wrong name for their State. It should be called Anarchy."—FReeper sgtbono2002
"Then let's wait and see what the Arabs do after they take Gaza. There's nothing like Arab reality to break up a Jewish fantasy."—FReeper Noachian
A student told his professor he was going to "Palestine" to "fight for freedom, peace and justice,"—Orwellian leftist code words that mean "murder Jews."

[combat_boots]

God bless and protect Israel and all who defend her.

Get ‘em Judah.

I call upon God’s angelic armies to deflect all harm from Israel.

In Christ’s name. Amen

[combat_boots]

We know this?

Expected it yes, but it’s known now?

[nolongerademocrat]

I agree, but since they wanted to start a war - I’d make very sure that at least a hundred of them die for each IDF soldier. This is a “distraction” Obama has been working towards for awhile. Pray for Israel!!

And just for viewing pleasure and to help boost courage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9nCzESQl9g

Gun Can Shoot 1 Million Rounds A Minute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Y5-Zw5TW0

[lonevoice]

I sure wouldn’t be wanting anyone to make the trip at this time. But our friends arrived in Egypt this past Tuesday and began their hike to Israel. They will be there for about another week and a half. Keep them in your prayers.

[left that other site]

There is a Daily Thread that prays for Israel.

It is called “Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem”.

Please let me know if you would like to be on the Daily Ping List.

[magritte]

Hey, put me on the Pray For Peace for Jerusalem ping list...thanks great idea...magritte

[left that other site]

Done! And welcome!

[xzins]

Lord God,

Fervently we pray for the peace of Jerusalem. In so doing, we pray for You to overcome her enemies. Render them blind in their planning, chaotic in their offense, and helpless in their defense.

For the people of Israel, we pray for the Peace of the One True Messiah, so that Israel sings of Jesus, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

[ncfool]

Thanks I pray for Israel, America and Jews , Christians every day.

[left that other site]

Well, then you will love our little corner of FR! I will ping you in the morning!

[Salem]

Amen, FRiend!

[Travis McGee]

All the more reason to use a quiet, covert disabling attack.