http://www.investigativeproject.org/blog/2010/06/hamas-and-the-gaza-blockade
For The Record - The IPT Blog
“Hamas and the Gaza Blockade”
by IPT News • Jun 14, 2010 at 3:11 pm
SNIPPET: “Following Israel’s interception of the “Freedom Flotilla” on the Mediterranean Sea, news outlets reported on condemnations of Israel for the ensuing violence. Some have said that the passengers on the flotilla’s IHH Mavi Marmara ship are to blame for the deaths of nine passengers after attacking Israeli commandos with clubs and knives.
No one was hurt on five other ships on which passengers peacefully surrendered.
Yet, there’s a relevant question which rarely is addressed in the news coverage of the incident: Would an end to the blockade soften the position of Hamas leaders toward peace?
In the San Francisco Chronicle on Sunday, Stanford University Professor Joel Brinkley called such a notion “utterly naïve.” He noted:
“Hamas leaders are single-minded, heedless of anything but their generational crusade. Could there be better evidence than Hamas’ refusal to accept the aid unloaded from the flotilla ships, tons of it - denying their people all of that food and medicine, preferring instead to make a political statement?”
Brinkley also called out the selective outrage that comes with any incident involving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the flotilla issue dominates headlines and diplomatic circles, gunmen in Pakistan killed 12 people in their hospital beds on the same day. The shooting victims had survived attacks on two mosques that killed 93 other people. The slaughter barely drew a peep in international condemnation. That prompted Brinkley to wonder:”
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3905357,00.html
“Israel to EU: Stop your citizens from joining flotillas”
SNIPPET: “At least 10 vessels expected to try to break Gaza blockade by October. Security forces prepare for first vessel expected from Lebanon soon”
Roni Sofer
Published: 06.15.10, 08:32 / Israel News
SNIPPET: “Israel asked EU countries to prevent flotilla vessels from leaving from their ports and to prevent their citizens from taking part, turning its attention to the diplomatic front as the wave of boats aiming for Gaza’s shores continues to grow.
The Naji el Ali is expected to arrive from Lebanon soon, and two vessels from Iran organized by the local Red Crescent with support from the regime in Tehran.
According to information obtained by the security establishment, Hamas is talking about no less than 10 flotillas by October 2010, the end of Ramadan. All the flotillas aim to take advantage of Israel’s diplomatic straits following the lethal raid on the last flotilla on May 31 in which nine activists were killed on the lead vessel. The new initiatives are based in Lebanon, Sudan and Iran as well as Britain, Norway, Turkey and other European countries.”