Nearly two weeks ago, the world watched the first grainy video clips of Israeli Navy commandos rappelling down from a helicopter and being attacked by men with what appeared to be sticks on board the ship the Mavi Marmara. [1] The Mavi Marmara was the lead vessel in a six ship flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the Palestinian area of Gaza. The assault on the flotilla left nine human rights activists dead, including one American.
Over subsequent days, a steady trickle of information about what happened was released to the media. Beginning with statements from the Israeli Defense Forces (I.D.F.,) diplomats and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, just days after the raid on the flotilla Netanyahu justified the assault by saying, “Gaza is a terror state funded by the Iranians, and therefore we must try to prevent any weapons from being brought into Gaza by air, sea and land." [2] Of course the flotilla came from Turkey and there were no weapons found on board. Additionally, investigative journal Max Blumenthal reported the I.D.F. website declared Israeli had detained 40 al Qaida mercenaries. However, when Blumenthal requested a list of the names of so called terrorists, the I.D.F. removed the mention of al Qaida terrorists and replaced it with the line “40 people were found without papers.” The facts didn’t matter to Israel, the story of al Qaida terrorist was now out in the media. Photos were also circulated in the media that showed piles of automatic weapons and missiles. The photos were later proved not to have any connection to the flotilla. But that didn’t matter, the Israeli propaganda machine was in full swing. Then there was the edited audio tapes Israel released to the international media. Blumenthal’s website does a bang up job (no pun intended) in proving the I.D.F. audios were edited. Once again Israel later had to admit it circulated edited audio. [3]
We can list example after example where Israel has actively tried to manipulate the facts of the raid on the humanitarian aid flotilla. However, the most important fact is that not only did Israel know in advance what was on board those ships, they also knew who was on board those ships. And the first people they sought out were the journalists. We know before Israel assaulted the flotilla they jammed the airwaves to prevent journalists from sending out live satellite, radio, or phone transmissions. Once the commandos were on board the ships, they went straight for the reporters and confiscated all their equipment. Well, almost all their equipment. This past week, photos and some truly disturbing video has been released which reveals another key lie Israel has been circulating, that being the activist shot at the Israelis first. On Thursday, June 10, 2010, Amy Goodman of DemocracyNow! aired exclusive video footage smuggled out which reveals Israel had shot and killed at least two of the activists before boarding the ship. [4] Remember, it has been determined the activists had no weapons on board the ship until the Israeli commandos attacked.
Human Rights Watch Middle East director Sarah Leah Whitson put it best, “Given Israel’s poor track record of investigating unlawful killings by its armed forces, the international community should closely monitor any inquiry to ensure it meets basic international standards and that any wrongdoers are brought to justice.” [5] Last week the 15-member United Nations Security Council called for an investigation into the events that led to the killing of the nine human rights activists. However, anyone that honestly believes that Israel can investigate itself is simply being naive. Why would anyone let the prime suspect investigate their own crime? The international community is calling for an outside, independent investigation into the killings. Israel has already proven they are willing and able to manipulate the story. Today, June 13, 2010, Israel announced it will set up its own “independent” commission to look into the circumstance of the events. According to a statement released by Nentanyuhu’s office, “The panel will be headed by former Israeli supreme court judge Jacob Turkel. The two foreign observers are Nobel Peace Prize winner and Northern Ireland politician David Trimble, and Ken Watkin, former Judge Advocate General of Canada’s armed forces.” [6] Personally, although I wish them the best, I don’t trust this Israeli commission, even with Trimble and Watkin sitting on it. We all know governments can always set the perimeters of such an investigation so tight that it blocks out the light of truth. This is why I still call for a truly independent U.N. established investigation into the killings. The Israeli government has proven they can’t be trusted. Everyone say, "Cover Up.”
[1] http://www.youtube.com/user/idfnadesk#p/a/D367B77C57326D3E/2/0LulDJh4fWI
[3] http://maxblumenthal.com/page/3/
[4] http://www.democracynow.org/2010/6/10/exclusive_journalist_smuggles_out_video_of