IDF attack on Gaza aid flotilla: justified or not?

[peaceloverugby]

If you watched the news last week, you saw images of Israeli commandos repelling from a helicopter onto the MV Mavi Marmara, which was en route to Palestine with humanitarian aid. The Israeli Defense Force did this to maintain the blockade it has instituted against the Gaza Strip because of the election of a Hamas government.

What are your views on this? Are the Israelis justified in blockading Gaza? Are the activists being unnecessarily inflammatory by trying to break the blockade? Were they justified in attacking the commandos who boarded their vessel in international waters?

[Sith Lord 13]

Yes and yes.

Hamas is a terrorist organization. Nothing should go in or out of the country until they have been removed from office.

[The Dark Lord]

Yes and yes.

Hamas is a terrorist organization. Nothing should go in or out of the country until they have been removed from office.

I don't think the aid ship was going to supply terriorists. Israel had no right to interfere and they were in the wrong

[Sith Lord 13]

I don't think the aid ship was going to supply terriorists. Israel had no right to interfere and they were in the wrong

It was going to supply the Gaza strip, no? Then it was supplying terrorists. Since the election of the Hamas government, the entire Gaza strip has become a terrorist entity. "He who does not punish evil, commands it to be done." -Leonardo da Vinci.

[peaceloverugby]

Hamas is the democratically elected government of Palestine. And even if Hamas are terrorists, how does that make it right to keep aid from starving children? Why should homeless people not get cement to build a house? Why should the IDF intercept wheelchairs? These weren't gun runners with Zodiacs full of automatic rifles; these were humanitarian aid ships. And nine activists are dead because the Israeli government will do anything to maintain apartheid.

[Sith Lord 13]

Hamas is the democratically elected government of Palestine. And even if Hamas are terrorists, how does that make it right to keep aid from starving children? Why should homeless people not get cement to build a house? Why should the IDF intercept wheelchairs? These weren't gun runners with Zodiacs full of automatic rifles; these were humanitarian aid ships. And nine activists are dead because the Israeli government will do anything to maintain apartheid.

Democracy does not justify terrorism. Israel is doing what it has too to get Hamas taken out of office. No more, no less. If Israel let this aid through, the people of Gaza would continue to support this terroristic government. Also, with their people's needs being met from the outside, Hamas would be able to use its resources for terrorism. Now, Hamas must make a choice, tend to its people, or continue its terroristic actions.

[peaceloverugby]

Democracy does not justify terrorism.

I'm not sure you understand just how dangerous that statement really is. "We cannot defend freedom abroad while deserting it at home." -Edward R. Murrow If it is the will of the Palestinian people that Hamas is in power, so be it. We cannot interfere with democracy.

[Sith Lord 13]

I'm not sure you understand just how dangerous that statement really is. "We cannot defend freedom abroad while deserting it at home." -Edward R. Murrow If it is the will of the Palestinian people that Hamas is in power, so be it. We cannot interfere with democracy.

We can also not condone terrorism. And I'm not saying we should go in there and forcefully overthrow them. Just put enough pressure that change will come from within.

[[[chickaroo92]]]

For the love of goodness gracious.
The ships were use in a way to get to the I.D.F. They weren't humanitarians, they were stupid, good for nothing, blood thirsty terrorists. The only "humanitarian" thing about them was they didn't use their hands, but instead used weapons. Gosh >.< The I.D.F. had EVERY right to defend themselves.

[junkie]

of course it's not justified.they attacked innocent people who were trying to help the helpless people of Gaza.

Yes and yes.

Hamas is a terrorist organization. Nothing should go in or out of the country until they have been removed from office.

if Hamas is a terrorist organization what do you call Israel?and why do you think that they are terrorists ?

[Sith Lord 13]

of course it's not justified.they attacked innocent people who were trying to help the helpless people of Gaza.

if Hamas is a terrorist organization what do you call Israel?and why do you think that they are terrorists ?

First, please don't double post. That's what the edit button is for.

Second, Israel is a country. It has sought to preserve it's existence. No more, no less.

Third, Hamas is an internationally recognized terrorist organization. For the official US documents, see here. (http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/65462.pdf)