StG, it doesn't matter what you link to mate.

There is a real issue, Steven Meyer call's it IOD, I call it AIPD, in either event, the majority of posters will just continue to state that it is illegal despite all the evidence to the contrary.

They say that anyone who says otherwise is a Zionist, a tool of Mossad, whatever...

Personally, I don't like to see soldiers/sailors put in the predicament these poor buggers were, they were obliged to continue the blockade (it is there for a reason), but instead of being equipped to deal with what they could no doubt see where violent, armed thugs and thus being beaten half to death (with non-violent iron bars - whoever thinks they are non-violent has never been hit with one).

To see that, then be told they are murderers for following their Rules of Engagement, ie. when their comrades are in mortal peril, they are entitled to use deadly force, makes me wonder what will happen one day if such a mess befalls the ADF...

Trouble is, not a lot on here can think for themselves, they merely regurgitate the blatant falsehoods (like piracy & peace activists) and outright lies (that the whole thing was about getting aid to Gaza - last I read, it was still at the border checkpoint, HAMAS won't let it in).

Despite the footage, much of which was shot by the protesters, showing what started the fight, despite the pictures of badly injured and captured IDF members (from the IHH itself) and despite the evidence fitting the facts, they refuse to even contemplate it, or they skip your post.

TROLLS - for your own sanity, just ignore them. These are the sort of people who would not stand up for anybody or anything in a physical confrontation on the whole. They have no idea what a fight/brawl is like and don't want to know. It is COOL to support HAMAS, so that is what they do.

David G “By extinguishing I meant Israel should be disbanded and its citizens returned to where they came from. “

I would note, the land on which the Palestinians sit, in Gaza, was forfeit as the spoils of war following the failed 1967 combined Arab military attempt to push Israel into the sea

But it is an Interesting idea….. similar suggestions, usually from those with only a very limited grasp of reality or existing in a state of practical denial, are made for non-aborigines to vacate Australia

But when such things happen we have only to look at Zimbabwe for the outcome

and if anything, Palestinians are even worse civil administrators than Mugabe

“That way they couldn't again amass a huge military, the fifth most powerful in the world, then use it to tyrannize their neighbours.”

It seems to me that despite “a huge military, the fifth most powerful in the world”, Palestinians are hardly tyrannised by it or they would have stopped hurling rockets and suicide bombers at their “tyrannising” neighbour.

“Israel is a rogue state and its leader makes Saddam look like a choir boy!”

Somehow such rhetoric conveys more about the writer, far more than the status of Israel, a country which maintains democratic elections in a manner completely alien to say Palestinians .

I might consider the blood, death and destruction which can be fairly seen dripping from the hands of Palestinians and the governments of many Middle eastern, Asian and African countries illuminates Israel in an entirely different light.

Mr Ariel,

Your article is no different to a seemingly endless procession of Israeli apologists trying to excuse the inexcusable.

In truth both you and I know or should know that there are many possible alternatives to the two extremes.

Untill primarily Israel is prepared to compromise or defuse the issues by genuinely involving a third party the problem is insoluble.

The clear evidence is that military solutions are not credible for asymmetrical ideological conflicts. Nthn Ireland are Afghanistan are clear proof of this.
The only plausible *suite of solutions* are political i.e. negotiated ones.

This tragically the intransigence of both sides to acknowledge and act on this only increases the window of opportunity for the proxy war to continue.

How is it that Israel can secretly amass 200-300 nukes illegally and no weapons inspectors are present in their country? Why just recently do we have 444 USA Congressmen signing a letter of allegiance to Israel and promising not to critise them?Iran has yet to develop one nuke ,yet the USA under pressure from AIPAC have now instigated sanctions against them.Iraq was invaded under false pretenses.There were no weapons of mass destruction.It was all about the oil and contacts Israel has with Wall St and the Global Reserve Banks.The Next big prize is Iran.That is the reality.

Iran now have made the mistake of wanting to escort future aid to Gaza via their revolutionary national guard.Iran should stay out of this conflict and let those in the West who have real integrity and good judgement,deal with country that has gone insane.Iran has done no wrong and we in the West now know who needs to be brought into line.

The truth of the matter is! Bouth sides of the fence could't live in
pease if their lives depended on it! There is so much inground hatred on bouth sides, I say give them all more wepons, and let the morrons
wipe each other out! Shorly we all have had a gut full of these war-mongering Looses!

JJ Ariel's post of 8 June is devoid of evidence, but ripe with opinion. He doesn't even offer any reference to evidence for what he calls facts, so how can anyone reasonably judge his eight assertions?

Does evidence matter to Mr Ariel? I do not know. Does he know the difference between fact and opinion? His article does not inspire my confidence in his judgement.

He ends by saying
"The barrage of unconstructive criticism directed against Israeli self-defence actions will only encourage more jihadist acts against Israel. But then, that may be the intention of some posters."

And there is no dearth of unconstructive criticism, from all quarters.

The words of renown Swedish novelist Henning Mankell, on the Flotilla ship Sophia, offer some perspective:

"I think the Israeli military went out to commit murder," Mankell said. "If they had wanted to stop us they could have attacked our rudder and propeller, instead they preferred to send masked commando soldiers to attack us. This was Israel's choice to do this.

"And it was the most stupid thing they could have done, because look around, Israel has never been so criticised in the world as of today, and if you ask me, this blockade will be over within the next six months."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/03/gaza-flotilla-attack-henning-mankell