Netanyahu Strongly Defends IDF Actions

While the Gaza flotilla event has sparked the predictable international firestorm -especially amongst those already predisposed to loathe Israel's every move- a lot of talk is now focusing on Israel's "blunder" -by the IDF inspecting the flotilla in international waters- but I for one am sure not seeing it that way. Bibi Netanyahu isn't either- as Israel defends itself.


There is certainly precedent for this throughout the world when it comes to preventing terror attacks, this time obviously by Hamas and from a flotilla with radical backing... and obviously looking for trouble.  The IDF was primarily looking for missiles... why would these nice, smiley-face humanitarians have any problem with that? Same as we all do to North Korean ships now, and for the same reason, no?

Don't forget, 5 of the 6 ships in the flotilla had already been inspected peacefully and without incident on Sunday, anyway... only the last ones chose to physically attack IDF personnel, they and only they introduced violence to the situation. The Israelis had even offered to deliver what humanitarian aid they did possess to Gaza for free... but weren't in a position to excuse any deliberate and provocative blockade runners... why should they, nor to just stand there and get shot at as some on the Left seem to think they should:

Amid the international criticism and protests, Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Ayalon all strongly reaffirmed the policy of intercepting the flotilla and firmly backed the conduct of the  IDF itself.

“I fully support the IDF action,” said Netanyahu. He explained to reporters after a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper that Israel needed to check the cargo that the flotilla was bringing to Gaza, to ensure it contained no weapons. This had been done successfully with five ships, but the sixth had not cooperated, said Netanyahu.

People on board that ship beat, clubbed and stabbed soldiers, and there was a report of gunfire, he said.

Both Lieberman and Ayalon disputed claims that Israel had broken international law when it boarded the vessel.

“Israel is a sovereign state and cannot accept any challenge to its sovereignty,” said Lieberman. “This is not the first time Israel has stopped ships in international waters. When a ship refuses to accede to warnings and obey instructions, we have the right to board it [under] international law.”

Ayalon, who said he planned to hold discussions on Tuesday with key North American Jewish leaders and organizations, said the flotilla “was an armada of hate and violence,” and added, “It was a premeditated and outrageous provocation.”

The flotilla’s organizers had ties to global jihad, al-Qaida and Hamas, said Ayalon.

“Their intent was violent, their methods were violent and their results were unfortunately violent,” he said.

Here's a clip of one of those nice "peace activists" stabbing and IDF sailor unprovoked, h/t Riehl World View:

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