Another forwarded email I received on the flotilla. I like this statement: “I deplore the loss of innocent lives on flotilla, but will reserve further judgement until an independent investigation takes place”

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We all awoke this morning to the news that Israeli naval commandos had boarded the Free Gaza Flotilla, and that more than 10 of those on board had been killed. That number now seems to have settled at 19. There has been an inordinate amount of chatter about the event and I think that it might be useful to step back and analyse what has occurred before being called into any more snap judgements.(Update: number being reported is 9 killed, 7 IDF commandos wounded 15.00 31/5)

The flotilla is made up of a coalition of 6 ships from the Free Gaza Movement (FG), European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza (ECESG), Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH), the Perdana Global Peace Organisation , Ship to Gaza Greece, Ship to Gaza Sweden, and the International Committee to Lift the Siege on Gaza. The convoy contained around 10,000 tonnes of aid for Gaza, including building materials for housing and some medical aid. The flotilla had 2 aims: to deliver the aid to Gaza and to break the blockade there. The largest ship was the Mavi Marmara, registered to Turkey, and 600-800 people were involved in the operation.

The blockade is the Israeli government’s response to the state of war it is in with the Hamas regime in de facto control in Gaza. Under Hamas, ~10,000 rockets were fired from Gaza into Southern Israel – roughly one every 2hr 30mins for 3 years. This eventually led to Operation Cast Lead in December 2008-January 2009, which devastated Gaza. The blockade exacerbated this, as no materials are allowed in that could assist the militant groups that attack Israel. However, as a result of this ban, reconstruction of housing and infrastrcuture in Gaza is severely stunted. 15,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid is allowed in every week through border crossings into Gaza, in an NGO-mediated fashion. The list of allowed and proscribed items has been criticised for being arbitrary, and is constantly evaluated.

Offers were made to the flotilla for all the aid on board to be allowed into Gaza through land-crossings under the supervision of NGOs and the flotilla organisers. This offer was rejected by the flotilla leadership, with the claim that “this mission is not about delivering humanitarian supplies, it’s about breaking Israel’s siege.” This is crucial to highlight because it shows the true purpose of the flotilla. This was not about getting aid to Gaza – aid which is being delivered anyway, and was offered to be delivered before the flotilla left Cyprus. This entire stunt was designed to be belligerent to the Israeli blockade. Conflict was the aim of the flotilla, and inevitable from the start.

Repeated warnings were given by the Israeli navy that the ships would be boarded and towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod to prevent them from entering Gaza. The warnings were clear and unambiguous and can be heard on the internet. The offer to allow the aid through was repeated but the flotilla continued.

At approximately 4am, Israeli naval commandos boarded the Mavi Marmara from their launch boats and from helicopters. Shortly after, the organisers of the flotilla surrendered, with around 30 injured and 19 dead. The activists state that the commandos boarded and immediately opened fire on a boat full of sleeping civilians. Nothing suggests this is anything but fictitious. Message were sent off the boat asking for help before the boarding occurred, and the filming from Press TV and Al-Jazeera clearly show lots of chaos, but no-one asleep. The Israeli version of events states that as the commandos boarded, they were hailed with a barrage of objects and were attacked with makeshift weapons, including knives and iron bars. The film mentioned above corroborate this. The commandos say that they opened fire at this point. 6 commandos were injured, 2 seriously, 2 moderately and 2 mildly. The boat is now being escorted to Ashdod for processing.

It’s impossible to know exactly what happened. An inquiry has already been ordered. However, the usual lines of piracy, war-crimes and Imperialist belligerance are already being spurted out. I want to analyse a few issues and give my interpretation.

The first, the aims of the flotilla, I covered above. If anyone thinks that this was not designed to cause conflict, they are dreaming and naïve. If aid was the primary concern, then the offers would have been accepted. As they were not, it must be assumed that the driving force behind the flotilla was provocation.

The second is the issue of the events occurring in international waters. I am no expert on international maritime law, but my understanding of this is that to enforce a blockade, measures can be taken in international waters, and not just in sovereign territorial waters. I believe the ship was boarded 6 miles outside of Israeli waters, in a manner according to boarding protocol by most navies. Comparisons with Somali pirates are as spurious as the “Zionazi” line thrown out – a soundbite that stands up to no scrutiny.

The 3rd is the issue of escalation. As I wrote, it is impossible to know, 10 hours on from these events, what exactly happened. However, logic suggests that the commandos would not just have started shooting randomly. The IDF are very conscious of how this would play out in the media and would have taken whatever steps necessary to avoid a PR disaster. Therefore, it seems logical that any initial provocation occurred from the activists. This is hardly out of character for anyone familiar with the usual protests and demonstrations that these groups are involved in. This was clearly not a sit-in or a lock-in to block off the engine room. An operational error seems to have been made by the navy in not using more commandos to prevent such escalation, but I am also no military strategist.

According to IDF spokespeople, the firing started when activists tried to remove commandos weapons from them, and 2 pistols were found in the possession of activists, with the magazines emptied. These are not the actions of a peaceful protest. Someone pointed out to me on Twitter that the activists “only” had knives. Finally an area I do claim knowledge in – stab wounds are worse than bullet wounds and are more likely to result in fatal injuries. Not really a defence that!

I deplore the unnecessary loss of life, and this could easily have been avoided. It’s too easy to say that this is all Israel’s fault – they have no right to blockade, they have no right to board ships in international water and they started shooting. My retort is that’s ridiculous. The rights and wrongs of the blockade are for another day. However, it is in place, and it is Israel’s sovereign right to have whatever border policy is desires. Let’s not forget that Egypt are pretty willing partners in the blockade too. The international water point then becomes moot, as under international law, Israeli ships can enforce the blockade, which by defintion has to be outside the blockaded zone – ie in international waters. Finally, the events on the ships are unclear, and it is highly likely that deaths could have been prevented with better management. However, there was no desire to avoid conflict from the flotilla, and when attacked, the natural instinct is to fight back – when weapons are involved as opposed to fists, the consequences are deadly.

I don’t always agree with Wes Streeting, outgoing NUS president, but on this occasion I whole-heartedly agree with him and want to repeat his words:

“I deplore the loss of innocent lives on flotilla, but will reserve further judgement until an independent investigation takes place”

I advise you all to do the same. Place these events in context and think what’s the most logical conclusion. Occam’s razor would suggest that would be the most likely one to have happened.

Usual rules for comments apply. Abusive ones will be deleted. Please feel free to repost/share

Resources:
http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/3110 – international maritime law on blockades
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYjkLUcbJWo&feature=player_embedded & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU12KW-XyZE – Footage of attacks on commandos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvS9PXZ3RWM&feature=player_embedded – weapons found on board. Knives, slingshots, gas masks, clubs and iron bars – peaceful?

Received this forwarded email below. I think everyone should have an opportunity to know the truth.
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Amidst the front-page flag (Star of David) burning ceremony and the ignorant calls (even by LGE) condemning Israel, it’s refreshing to read and to know what actually happened. Still believe everything you read on mainstream news media? Think again. (Pls remember the email etiquette of deleting the sender’s name and email address if you decide to forward this email – which I think everyone should – to enlighten more ignorant minds)

Gaza flotilla participants created war atmosphere before confronting Israel
Participants chanted Islamic battle cry invoking killing of Jews and called for Martyrdom

by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik

On the day before the Gaza flotilla confronted the Israeli navy, Al-Jazeera TV documented the pre-battle atmosphere created by men on board the flotilla, who chanted a well-known Islamic battle cry invoking the killing and defeat of Jews in battle:

“[Remember] Khaibar, Khaibar, oh Jews! The army of Muhammad will return!”
 
Khaibar is the name of the last Jewish village defeated by Muhammad’s army in 628. Many Jews were killed in that battle, which marked the end of Jewish presence in Arabia. There are Muslims who see that as a precursor to future wars against Jews. At gatherings and rallies of extremists, this chant is often heard as a threat to Jews to expect to be defeated and killed again by Muslims.

Al-Jazeera also interviewed a woman who said that the flotilla participants’ goal was “one of two happy endings: either Martyrdom or reaching Gaza.”

Click here to view Islamic battle cry on Gaza flotilla.

The following is the transcript from Al-Jazeera TV:
Reporter: “Despite the Israeli threats and several unexpected delays, the arrival of the ships at the meeting point before sailing to the Gaza Strip inflamed the emotions and the enthusiasm of the participants.”
Visuals from Gaza flotilla ship of young Muslims shouting Islamic battle chant invoking the killing and defeat of Jews in battle:
“[Remember] Khaibar, Khaibar, oh Jews! The army of Muhammad will return!”
[Khaibar is the name of last Jewish village defeated by Muhammad’s army and it marked the end of Jewish presence in Arabia in 628.]
Reporter: “While singing songs reminiscent of the Palestinian Intifada (Palestinian terror war against Israel, 2000 – 2005), participants expressed their longing to reach Gaza.”
A participant: “Right now we face one of two happy endings: either Martyrdom or reaching Gaza.” [Based on Islamic call before battle: “Either victory or Martyrdom”.]
[Al-Jazeera TV, May 29, 2010]

Hamas’s Al-Aqsa TV chose to glorify flotilla participants who shouted the Islamic battle cry by broadcasting an interview with a university lecturer who referred to them as “those with faith and will.”

Dr. Abd Al-Fatah Shayyeq Naaman, lecturer in Shari’ah law at a university in Sanaa (Yemen):
“Yesterday I followed the news agencies and they conveyed Zionist threats to stop the convoy and prevent it from entering Gaza; on the other side, those with faith and will once again call out upon hearing the reports of the threats: ‘[Remember] Khaibar, Khaibar, oh Jews! The army of Muhammad will return!'”
Hamas TV Host: “Strong motivation.”
Shayyeq Naaman: “One woman standing on the ship said that now we are awaiting one of two happy endings: either Martyrdom or the beaches of Gaza.”
[Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas), May 30, 2010]

Al-Jazeera also reports that before the confrontation, flotilla participants announced that they would use “resistance” against Israel. Mukawama (resistance) is the Arabic term used by Palestinians to refer to all violence against Israel, including suicide terror.

“The flotilla includes hundreds of Arab and foreign solidarity activists from more than 40 countries … They have announced their determination to use resistance to any attempt at piracy by the Israeli occupation.”
[Al-Jazeera website, May 29, 2010]
 
 

I received this forwarded email twice in a week and after checking out the website, it appears to be a genuine case to me. Check it out below: –

Loke Kai Xin was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia when she was three months old and a Kasai procedure (hepatoportoenterostomy) was done way back in February 2009. Unfortunately, the procedure did not cure her condition and she was advised to go for a liver transplant as her last and only option.

Due to under weight, she was advised by UM Specialist Centre (UMSC), Malaysia to seek medical help from Singapore. After the first pre-assessment at National University Hospital of Singapore (NUH), both parents were found to be suitable candidate donors for Kai Xin. Both parents were in NUH on 1st of June 2009 for the second pre-assessment to confirm and determine their suitability to be the donors.

The total cost including post-operations and follow up is expected to be around RM500K which is equivalent to 200K Singapore Dollars (pre-assessment, liver transplant, post operations, follow ups & etc) or more due to her age.
This amount is just too expensive for them to bear in full; therefore they are appealing for your help.

For latest updates, log on to http://kaixin.sosblog.com

To donate, details as follows: –
Name: Loke Kai Xin
Bank: Maybank Berhad
A/C No.: 1-14013-213313
Email: hueyjing@hotmail.com
(email address of the mother)

I don’t really understand all the hoo-hahs about teaching science and mathematics in English in our schools, actually. It was amusing to read an article in the newspaper not too long ago which actually said that some of the teachers in the rural areas were having a tough time having to teach the said subjects in English.

Let me relate an incident which actually happened in our Malaysian workplace. This is an unedited email from a senior engineer of a factory: –

“…I am affair to tell you that it is a long list. Hope it not trouble you so must…”

Can you figure out what the short email is all about?

Like it or not, English is an important language to master. Having a good command in the language doesn’t make me any less Malaysian – for goodness’ sake!

Many of us who are not from Bukit Selambau, Bukit Gantang nor Batang Ai must have been very nervous about this round of tri-by-elections, right? Many wondered quietly whether the “wind of change” is still blowing strong more than a year after 8th March 2008. Well, there’s still no victory in the East Malaysia but the Rakyat has triumphed (again!) in the two Bukits!

The usual response from the party which lost in the two Bukits is that they will study the results, do a post-mortem, blah-blah-blah and conclude by saying this race or that race has stopped supporting their party, putting the blame here and there. I have a better idea, actually, perhaps we, the Rakyat can help out a little.. Perhaps, we could help out with the post-mortem? I will start with a few and hopefully Malaysians out there can add to the list as we do our bit by assessing the tri-by-election results in the post-mortem process:

1. Tun Dr M’s presence has no (positive) impact.

2. The Rakyat doesn’t think that Datuk Nizar was a traitor against the Sultan.

3. The Rakyat doesn’t have much confidence in the new PM.

4. The Rakyat is not easily swayed by biased reporting in mainstream media.

5. DSAI (Anwar Ibrahim) has not been able to tap on the undercurrent of discontent in the East Malaysia yet.

6. Datuk Nizar Jamaluddin did not garner sympathy votes but RAKYAT’s votes.

7. The Rakyat is not swayed by the acts of releasing 13 ISA detainees and uplifting the ban on Harakah and Suara Keadilan.

This series is really interestingly, funny.

1. Conversations in a helicopter
Pak Lah, Najib and Samy V were patrolling in a helicopter…

Samy: “if I drop a piece of RM1000 note from here, the person that picks it up must be very happy”

Najib:”if I throw two pieces of RM500notes down, it will make 2 person happy”

Pak Lah:”if I drop TEN pieces of RM100notes, there will be 10 happy people”

The pilot murmuring to himself:”why don’t all of you just jump down from here, that makes 25 million people happy”

2. Stamps with the portraits of Samy V
Samy V wishes to enhance his reputation by publishing a series of stamps with his portraits.

1 month after the launch, Samy surveys its sales.  

Post Office Chief::”not bad… but quite number of complaints that the glue is not strong enough”

Samy::”really…? ”

He spits at the back of the stamp and sticks the stamp on an envelope “the glue is ok”

Post Office Chief:: “but… every one spits on the face of the stamp ….”

3. An encounter between a robber and Najib
One midnight, Najib went for supper and bumped into a robber…

Robber: “give me all your money!!”

Najib was very angry:”I am the honorable Deputy Prime Minister! Better behave yourself”

Robber: ” well, then … return all my money”

4. Doctor’s report on the state of Malaysia
One fine day, PM and parliament members were on the way to a meeting where they all crashed into an accident and being rushed to the hospital.

The reporters were at the hospital, the doctor shook his head “we have done our best to rescue the PM but …”

Reporters:”How about Najib?”

Doctor:”we were unable to rescue him either …”

Reporters:”who have you saved?”

The doctor was excited:” Malaysia is saved now”

5. A visit to a psychiatric hospital
Samy V visited the psychiatric hospital. All the patients hurray for him but there is one patient who ignored Samy…

Samy:”Why does he not welcome me?”
Doc: “He is normal today (not insane)

6. At the accident scene during an election campaign

A farmer saw and rushed to the scene but all the passengers were dead. He buried all the passengers (politicians) .

Few days later, the police in charge found the farmer and asked where all the politicians were, “Have they all died?”

Farmer: “hmmm, Samy was screaming that he is still alive when I buried him”

Police: “why you buried him anyway?”

Farmer: “because Samy never tells the truth”

Hmm.. Which one do you like best?

This post marks a new chapter in the practice of “freedom of expression” in Malaysia.

This article from Malaysian Insider has reported that apparently that police had imposed several conditions for the application for ceramah permits by PKR. Among the conditions include forbidding the mentioning of the name of the deceased Mongolian model (she must have received too many posthumous recognitions) as well as forbidding the mention of a certain Ruler’s decision.

Well, the battle had begun, folks! Could it be the start of a new era or the beginning of the end?