Deep Politics Forum

Helen Thomas Asks White House Press Secretary Gibbs About Israeli Flotilla Massacre: "Why didn't you immediately condemn it?"

Submitted by Chip on Tue, 2010-06-01 19:16

• Israel
  
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• Obama Administration
  
• Palestine
  

The following exchange happened today between White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and veteran reporter Helen Thomas as broadcast on MSNBC.
Helen Thomas: Our initial reaction to the flotilla massacre, deliberate massacre, an international crime, was pitiful. What do you mean, “You regret…” when something should be so strongly condemned. And, if any other nation in the world had done it, we would have been up in arms. What is this sacrosanct, iron-clad relationship where a country that deliberately kills people and boycotts – and we aid and abet the boycott?
Gibbs: Look, I think the initial reaction regretted the loss of life, as we tried, and still continue to try to gather the relevant (muffled comment by Thomas)...nothing can bring them back, Helen, we know that for sure because I think if you could, that wouldn’t be up for debate. We believe that a credible and transparent investigation has to look into the facts and, as I said earlier, we are open to international participation.
Thomas: Why did you think of it so late? Why didn’t you immediately condemn it?
Gibbs: Again, I think that the statements that we released speak directly to that.

Mossad Chief: Israel Gradually Becoming Burden on U.S.
'Israel less of an asset for US'

By JPOST.COM STAFF

June 01, 2010 "JPost" -- Strategic ties between Jerusalem and Washington have been slowly changing since the conclusion of the Cold War, Mossad chief Meir Dagan told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday.

"Bit by bit, Israel is becoming less of a strategic asset for America," Dagan said in his meeting with committee.

The Mossad chief indicated as well that the US views the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a lower priority after determining that neither side is ready for an agreement.

According to Israel Radio, Dagan also surmised that the Iranian uranium fuel-swap deal brokered by Brazil and Turkey was designed to avert the sanctions proposal currently in front of the UN Security Council. Iran's effort to avert sanctions was influenced by a lack of progress in the development of its centrifuge program the intelligence chief reported.

The Iranians "pulled a rabbit out of their hat to split the international community at the last moment," Israel Radio quoted Dagan as saying.

IDF: Wasn’t possible to stop largest craft

By Ronen Medzini

June 01, 2010 "Ynet" -- Due to impossibility of stopping Marmara, other operational options rejected, senior officer says. MK Hanegbi justifies operation, praises government. MK Eldad: Peace groups forerunners of terror groups
Ronen Medzini

A senior IDF officer said Tuesday that the army carefully considered the options for stopping the flotilla to Gaza, and rejected alternatives to the operation finally chosen which led to the killing of nine activists.

The possibility of stopping "Marmara," the largest vessel in the flotilla, because of its size, strength and speed, was considered. But doing this by stopping its engines was rejected because the tow to the shore would be too long. There were also fears that those on the boats would be left without water or food.

The officer said that the two pistols were snatched from IDF troops and were found on the bodies of those killed. They were without bullets because they had been fired.

Meanwhile, following UN calls for a thorough investigation into the operation against the flotilla, questions are already being asked in the Knesset.

Chairman of Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Tzachi Hanegbi said Tuesday, "There are many intelligence and operational questions. We will insist on getting answers, on investigating and on learning lessons." Mossad chief Meir Dagan was also present at the meeting.

Hanegbi justified the government and IDF decision to act against the vessels, which were making their way to the Gaza Strip to protest Israel's blockade.

"After Operation Cast Lead, the previous government decided to impose a sea blockade on Gaza, and all goods entering the Strip via the sea would have to be checked in Ashdod first," he said. "The opposition of that time supported the decision and the current government continued this policy, and in this spirit it was decided to prevent the inciting and violent flotilla."

Hanegbi added that opposition party Kadima had also supported the operation. "We are not used to a consensus on many issues, but the feeling of injustice we all feel now, in light of the hypocrisy and cynicism of attacks against Israel on this issue strengthens the clear moral and security logic to prevent the opening of free sea routes into the Gaza Strip."

The Knesset member also explained why Israel acted. "We got out of Gaza a few years ago, and since then we have been attacked, an Israeli soldier has been in some hidden basement for four years, and thus we believe we have a right to act as we acted," he said.

He added his congratulations to decision-makers involved in the affair, including the army, the navy and the government.

MK Arieh Eldad (National Union) said to Ynet, "Maybe after this operation, with its murderous character, Israel will respond in a different manner to Bil'in and Nil'in, to all the anarchist groups for peace, and the organizations working in the name of Arab Israelis. Israel needs to understand that most of these groups are the forerunners of terror groups, promoting interests against Israel. We need to treat them as organizations who have come to kill IDF soldiers."

During a separate event, Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz said, "We cannot expect 100% success in this kind of operation."

In a Finance Ministry conference in Jerusalem, Steinitz said that Israel is an expert in exaggerated and dangerous self-flagellation. He said that the lifting of the sea blockade would cause further missiles and terror activities.

"Israel has no choice but to defend itself," he declared. "The navy did all it was told, while endangering its soldiers."

Zvi Lavi also contributed to this report


http://www.informationclearinghouse.info...e25585.htm

By Michel Chossudovsky

URL of this article: www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=19481

Global Research, June 1, 2010

Following Israel's criminal raid in international waters on May 31st, the Rachel Corrie MV continues to sail towards the Gaza coastline in defiance of Israeli threats.
In an act of tremendous courage, the Rachel Corrie MV is determined to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
At noon today, I received the following message from Christopher Chang and Ram Kardigasu, on behalf of the Malaysian and Irish peace activists, who are on board the Rachel Corrie:
In recent developments, the Netanyahu government is in crisis:
The question remains: if the Israeli cabinet did not ratify the operation, who ordered the raids and through what procedure?
What were the respective roles of Israeli intelligence and the IDF in planning these raids?
What role was played by Rahm Emmanuel, Obama's White House Chief of Staff, who had meetings with both Netanyahu and president Shimon Peres, respectively on May 26 and 27?
Did Rahm Emmanuel meet officials of Israel's military and intelligence establishment?
Did the Obama administration give the Green Light?
It is important that this news gets out, with a view to ensuring that the Rachel Corrie MV safely reaches the coast of Gaza without encroachment, with a view to breaking Israel's criminal embargo.

In this endeavor we shall prevail. Our hearts and minds are with those who continue to sail on board the Rachel Corrie MV.

It should be noted that Israel has not in any way modified its policy with regard to the Rachel Corrie MV: There are two more ships heading for Gaza including the Rachel Corrie MV. Israel has promised "to respond even more harshly":
The Rachel Corrie MV is in part supported by the Perdana Global Peace Organization under the helm of the Malaysia's former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Global Research Director Michel Chossudovsky is a member of the Perdana Global Peace Organisation and of the Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Commission.

Released Detainees Deny Being Armed, Say Israel Used Bullets, Gas, Electroshock
Readers Number : 506

I heard through Spanish media that only activists who agree to sign a statement (in what anguage, perhaps Hebrew, I don't know) saying that they have been treated well by the Israelis and that they agree not to make complaints or charges against the Israelis are being released.

Magda Hassan Wrote:I heard through Spanish media that only activists who agree to sign a statement (in what anguage, perhaps Hebrew, I don't know) saying that they have been treated well by the Israelis and that they agree not to make complaints or charges against the Israelis are being released.

Dunno if that's true.
Dunno if this is true:
[URL="http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheet/item/israel-to-free-activists/flotilla-fallout/?cid=cs:headline1"] Israel to Free Activists
[/URL]
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday that the foreign activists aboard the aid boat attacked by Israeli soldiers on Monday would be released within 48 hours. Worldwide protests and criticism aimed at Israel's raid on Gaza aid ships resulted in the delivery of relief supplies as well. Turkey's prime minister expressed outrage, saying, "We see clear murder taking place, and we see an aggressive country." The country is Israel's closest Muslim ally. President Obama expressed his regrets, but also emphasized "the importance of learning all the facts and circumstances around this morning's tragic events as soon as possible." Earlier in the day three people were killed in an Israeli airstrike in one Gaza town, and Egypt will open the crossing between it and Gaza for humanitarian purposes.
Read it at CNN

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/opinions/...risis-3823

Why wait 48 hours? Why not release them straight away? Drive them to the airport and put them on a plane out of the country. They've had them for 48 hours already. But it is all the better to keep them silent unable to tell their story while they put their own odious propaganda wheels in motion.

Terror on Aid Ship: "Plan Was to Kill Activists and Deter Future Convoys"

by Jonathan Cook


Global Research, June 2, 2010
- 2010-06-01

Nazareth --An Arab member of the Israeli parliament who was on board the international flotilla that was attacked on Monday as it tried to take humanitarian aid to Gaza accused Israel yesterday of intending to kill peace activists as a way to deter future convoys.



Haneen Zoubi said Israeli naval vessels had surrounded the flotilla’s flagship, the Mavi Marmara, and fired on it a few minutes before commandos abseiled from a helicopter directly above them.



Terrified passengers had been forced off the deck when water was sprayed at them. She said she was not aware of any provocation or resistance by the passengers, who were all unarmed.



She added that within minutes of the raid beginning, three bodies had been brought to the main room on the upper deck in which she and most other passengers were confined. Two had gunshot wounds to the head, in what she suggested had been executions.



Two other passengers slowly bled to death in the room after Israeli soldiers ignored messages in Hebrew she had held up at the window calling for medical help to save them. She said she saw seven other passengers seriously wounded.



“Israel had days to plan this military operation,” she told a press conference in Nazareth. “They wanted many deaths to terrorise us and to send a message that no future aid convoys should try to break the siege of Gaza.”



Released early yesterday by police, apparently because of her parliamentary immunity, she said she was speaking out while most of the hundreds of other peace activists were either being held by Israel for deportation or were under arrest.



Three other leaders of Israel’s large Palestinian Arab minority, including Sheikh Raed Salah, a spiritual leader, were arrested as their ships docked in the southern port of Ashdod. Lawyers said that under Israeli law they could be held and questioned for up to 30 days without being charged.



Contradicting Israeli claims, Ms Zoubi said a search by the soldiers after they took control of the Marmara discovered no arms or other weapons.



It was vital, she added, that the world demand an independent UN inquiry to find out what had happened on the ship rather than allow Israel to carry out a “whitewash” with its own military investigation.



Ms Zoubi spoke as Palestinians inside both Israel and the occupied territories observed a general strike called by their leaders. A statement from the High Follow-Up Committee, the main political body for Israel’s Palestinian citizens, described the raid on the flotilla as “state-sponsored terrorism”.



Demonstrations and marches in most of the main Palestinian towns and villages in Israel passed off quietly. Local analysts described the mood as angry but subdued, not least because of the openly hostile climate that has developed towards Palestinian citizens since crackdowns on their protests during the Israeli attack on Gaza 18 months ago.



However, police were reported to have been put on high alert, with thousands of extra officers drafted into the north, where most Palestinian citizens live.



On Monday, clashes between protesters and police broke out close to the al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City and in the northern town of Umm al Fahm after false rumours circulated that Sheikh Salah, the leader of Israel’s main Islamic Movement, had been killed in the Israeli naval operation.



Even before the attack on the flotilla, the country’s Palestinian minority, a fifth of the population, had been braced for a backlash from the government and Jewish public for its leaders’ participation in the flotilla. As the ships set sail, Ynet, Israel’s most popular news website, had asked whether Ms Zoubi was an “MP in the service of Hamas”.



But faced with the severe diplomatic fall-out from Israel’s killing of peace activists, Israel’s Palestinian leaders warned that they were likely to come under even fiercer criticism in coming days.



Yesterday right-wing parties launched their first attacks on Ms Zoubi, demanding the revocation of her immunity and her expulsion from the parliament. Danny Danon, a member of the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, called for her to be “tried for treason”.



In her statement on the attack, Ms Zoubi said that at 4am on Monday she had seen at least 14 Israeli boats surround their ship 130km out at sea, in international waters.



She said the passengers had been gripped with fear at the noise and confusion as the commandos abseiled on to the deck. “I did not believe we were going to survive more than five minutes,” she said.



Taleb al Sana, another Arab MP, supported Ms Zoubi’s contention that Israeli claims that the commandos shot only at the passengers’ legs were false. “I have visited the wounded in hospital and they all have shot wounds to the head and body,” he said.



Adalah, a legal centre for Israel’s Arab minority, said nine lawyers had been given limited access yesterday afternoon to the hundreds of activists detained in the southern city of Beersheva and were trying to take testimonies “in very difficult circumstances”.



Its lawyers and human rights groups were also trying to track down who had been injured and where they being treated.



“Our view is that Israel is intentionally trying to obstruct this work and is enforcing an information blackout,” said Gaby Rubin, a spokeswoman for Adalah.



Jonathan Cook is a writer and journalist based in Nazareth, Israel. His latest books are “Israel and the Clash of Civilisations: Iraq, Iran and the Plan to Remake the Middle East” (Pluto Press) and “Disappearing Palestine: Israel's Experiments in Human Despair” (Zed Books). His website is http://www.jkcook.net.

FWIW, the workers on the Deepwater Horizon who survived were not allowed to go home until they signed certain papers either, and I'm sure there are other similar situations of a variety of sorts. I think this would fall under the category of an "event cluster" as discussed by Witt and Kouzmin in their discussion about framing SCAD research (see the American Behavioral Scientist Volume 52, No, 6 reviewed here by me in another thread). The specific technique might be called a "negative information action" as defined by Chris Hinson in the same issue: when it is used to "hide criminal acts, conceal embarrassing information, silence critics, or manipulate popular perceptions of international incidents". There is something about habeas corpus here too, and I suspect any agreement signed under such duress would be null and void on the surface because of the duress.