So the Hamas-loving peaceniks got the fight they wanted – along with it, comes the massive negative public relations campaign against the Israelis that they’ve long been supporting. The details are still emerging, but it seems pretty clear that the Israelis asked the activists, who were ostensibly there to support the terrorist group, to pull into the Ashdod port or allow the Israelis to board. The activists refused. And so the Israelis boarded the boat bound for its land.
The Israelis boarded carrying paint ball guns, to ensure that minimum damage could be done, but with pistols for back up. Upon boarding, the Israelis were immediately met by an unruly gang that prepared to lynch or kidnap soldiers, swinging metal poles, utilizing stun guns and fire throwers, and literally throwing the Israels. The so called peaceniks stole the soldiers’ pistols, and began shooting. In self defense, the Israelis fired back, unfortunately killing at least ten.
Here’s a video, taken from the helicopters above the unruly scene, which offers compelling evidence:
Obviously, the peaceniks, with the help of sympathetic nations and press, are telling a different story. There’s no question they will use their story to rally their cause.
Already, the White House has issued an all too sympathetic statement, strongly in favor of the Hamas supporters:
White House spokesman Bill Burton, speaking a day before President Barack Obama had been scheduled to host Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks at the White House, said the United States "deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained" in the incident…Burton said U.S. officials are "currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy." The United States, among others, has been trying to restart direct peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians, but progress toward this achievement has lagged severely in recent months.
Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has canceled his scheduled trip to Washington, in order to return to Israel. And this incident will continue to capture his and his nation's attention for the next long while. But it's too bad -- most of the press accounts are based in fiction.