ISRAEL SATAN COMES AGAINST
1 CHRONICLES 21:1
1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
ISRAELS TROUBLE
JEREMIAH 30:7
7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble;(ISRAEL) but he shall be saved out of it.
DANIEL 12:1,4
1 And at that time shall Michael(ISRAELS WAR ANGEL) stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people:(ISRAEL) and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation(May 14,48) even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro,(WORLD TRAVEL,IMMIGRATION) and knowledge shall be increased.(COMPUTERS,CHIP IMPLANTS ETC)
ISRAELS INHERITED LAND IN THE FUTURE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytWmPqY8TE0&feature=player_embedded
And here are the bounderies of the land that Israel will inherit either through war or peace or God in the future. God says its Israels land and only Israels land. They will have every inch God promised them of this land in the future.
Egypt east of the Nile River, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, The southern part of Turkey and the Western Half of Iraq west of the Euphrates. Gen 13:14-15, Psm 105:9,11, Gen 15:18, Exe 23:31, Num 34:1-12, Josh 1:4.ALL THIS LAND ISRAEL WILL DEFINATELY OWN IN THE FUTURE, ITS ISRAELS NOT ISHMAELS LAND.
THEY JUST WON'T STOP COMING AGAINST ISRAEL..THIS IS JUST REDICULAS.
THE FREE GAZA EXTREME MILITANTS
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Radio/News.aspx/2257
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Radio/News.aspx/2259
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Radio/News.aspx/2252
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/137837
VIDEO
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100602/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_us_turkey
Turkey wants US condemnation of Israeli raid By DESMOND BUTLER, Associated Press Writer – Tue Jun 1, 8:32 pm ET
WASHINGTON – Turkey demanded on Tuesday that the United States condemn the deadly Israeli raid on an aid flotilla headed to the Gaza Strip that ended with Israeli soldiers killing nine activists.Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters ahead of a meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton that Turkey, an unofficial backer of the flotilla, was disappointed with the Obama administration's response to the raid.State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said later that Davutoglu did not demand a U.S. condemnation in his meeting with Clinton.
The secretary reiterated during the meeting what she said afterwards, which is we have to have a careful, thoughtful approach to this going forward, Crowley said.
Another senior Obama administration official said Davutoglu had in fact made plain to the United States his disappointment in the response. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.A Turkish official said that in his meeting with Clinton and a separate meeting with national security adviser James Jones, Davutoglu had asked the United State to convey to Israel that Turkey was preparing measures in response unless Israel moved quickly to release the Turkish citizens held in the raid and return the bodies of those killed, most of whom were believed to have been Turks. The official also spoke on condition of anonymity for a similar reason.Later, President Barack Obama spoke by telephone with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The White House said Obama expressed his condolences and was working in close consultation with Israel to help achieve the release of the passengers, including those deceased and wounded, and the ships themselves.Obama also made clear the U.S. support for a credible investigation.The president affirmed the importance of finding better ways to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza without undermining Israel's security,the White House statement said.The White House has reacted cautiously, asking for full disclosure of the facts about the raid. The killings have put the administration in an awkward position between two allies at a time that it is trying to refocus Middle East peace talks and win new sanctions against Iran in the United Nations Security Council.Most of those killed in the raid were believed to be Turks, and Turkey has demanded return of the bodies.
In a sign of the sensitivity of the raid on U.S.-Turkish relations, the State Department closed coverage of the meeting to the press. It had previously scheduled a photo opportunity, a venue in which reporters probably would have tried to ask questions.Before they met, however, Davutoglu was perfectly open about the message he would convey to Clinton.I have to be frank: I am not very happy with this statement from Washington yesterday, Davutoglu said. We expect a clear condemnation.
He said that Turkey, a NATO member, would bring up the issue soon at the security alliance's council.Citizens of member states were attacked by a country that is not a member of NATO, he said.I think you can make some conclusions out of this statement.Davutoglu said that there was no need to wait for an investigation of the killings, because in Turkey's view the raid was illegal under international law because it happened in international waters. This is a criminal act, he said.We don't need to make an investigation to see this.Davutoglu also contrasted his criticism of the United States with praise of the statements by the European Union.
World leaders demand probe into Israel raid
Tue Jun 1, 4:41 pm ET
BRUSSELS (AFP) – Global leaders demanded an independent probe Tuesday into Israel's deadly commando raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla and the release of their seized citizens, as tens of thousands protested worldwide.A day after the pre-dawn assault in international waters which left at least nine pro-Palestinian activists dead, nations condemned Israel for what Turkey's prime minister branded a bloody massacre.
In New York, an emergency session of the UN Security Council called for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation.The world body and NATO demanded the immediate release of all six vessels and the hundreds of Palestinian supporters who were on board.Turkey said at least four of its citizens were among the dead and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Israel should be punished.The insolent, irresponsible and impudent attack by Israel, which went against law and trampled human honour underfoot, must definitely be punished, he said.Turkey, once Israel's main partner in the region, has scrapped joint war games and recalled its ambassador.
Britain, France, Russia and China -- four of the five veto-wielding Security Council members -- urged Israel to lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip.Even the United States, traditionally Israel's strongest ally, hinted that the blockade -- in place since 2007, when the Islamist Hamas movement seized control of the territory -- should at least be eased.The outrage that greeted the raid prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call off a visit to Washington and talks with US President Barack Obama.The White House voiced deep regret at the loss of life but stopped short of specifically condemning Israel. But it made it clear that it trusted Israel to carry out a full and credible investigation.Nations including France and Ireland called for the immediate release of their citizens who were seized in international waters, taken back to Israel and in some cases held incommunicado and denied consular access.Israel needs to listen to and act in accordance with the united voice of the international community on this issue, said Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said later that all detained foreign activists would be deported.All foreign nationals who were on board the fleet and were arrested will be deported from Tuesday night, the premier's office said a statement. Dozens had already deported during the course of the day.Delegates from the European Union and NATO gathered in Brussels for talks, after EU ambassadors criticised Israel's use of force and demanded an immediate and impartial inquiry.Russian President Dmitry Medvedev slammed the loss of life as absolutely unjustified, while EU president Herman Van Rompuy said the deaths were inexplicable, and the bloc's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton vowed to intensify European efforts to get Israel to lift its Gaza blockade.China said it was shocked by Israel's actions and was prepared to back a quick response from the UN Security Council. UN chief Ban Ki-moon called for Israel to urgently explain itself. Had Israelis heeded to my call and to the call of the international community by lifting the blockade of Gaza, this tragic incident would not have happened,the UN secretary general said.
Across the world, tens of thousands of people protested on the streets and several countries summoned Israel's ambassadors. Many demonstrators chanted Death to Israel!
Cuba denounced the criminal attack, Venezuela's firebrand President Hugo Chavez condemned what he said was a brutal massacre, and the World Council of Churches said Israel had brazenly flouted international law. Israel had warned that it would intercept the ships, but Monday's assault turned into a fiasco. Footage from one vessel showed black-clad commandos clashing with activists and several wounded people lying on the deck. The Red Cross on Tuesday said it had been granted access to dozens of detained activists, and was in the process of contacting their families. Our priority now is to check on the condition and whereabouts of the people wounded and of those detained by the Israeli authorities, said Pierre Wettach, head of delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in a statement. The Israeli military has blamed activists on the ship for creating the confrontation by attacking its soldiers as they boarded. The Muslim world united in condemning what Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas called a massacre and Arab League chief Amr Mussa said was a crime.
The Islamist movement Hamas which rules Gaza urged world Muslims to rise up in protest, as Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denounced the raid as inhuman Zionist regime action.Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak condemned the excessive and unjustified force while Jordan, the only other regional power to have a peace treaty with Israel, handed in a protest note.
Lebanon fires on Israeli warplanes: security official
Tue Jun 1, 3:26 pm ET
JERUSALEM (AFP) – Lebanon's military fired anti-aircraft artillery at Israeli warplanes that were flying over Lebanon, a senior Israeli security official said on Tuesday.Our aircraft have been targeted by the Lebanese anti-aircraft guns while flying over southern Lebanon, and there was no damage, the official who requested the anonymity told AFP.A military spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied the report.Lebanon issues almost daily reports of Israeli violations of its air space, but its military rarely opens fire unless the planes fly within range of its guns.
The overflights violate UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a devastating 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon's Shiite Hezbollah militia, but Israel argues they are needed to monitor arms smuggling.
Five Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in Gaza violence
Tue Jun 1, 1:09 pm ET
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories (AFP) – Five Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in Gaza on Tuesday as militants launched rockets and a rare cross-border raid after a deadly Israeli assault on an aid convoy.Three of the five were killed by an Israeli strike in the north of the Hamas-run territory, according to Muawiya Hassanein, the head of Gaza emergency services.The military said it had launched an air strike against a terrorist squad preparing to fire rockets into Israel and that there had been secondary blasts indicating the presence of explosives.The military said that, in an unrelated incident, two rockets launched from the territory landed in Israel. There were no reports of casualties or damage.Israeli troops had earlier shot dead two Palestinian gunmen who had snuck across the border in the southern part of Gaza, according to a military spokeswoman.There was an exchange of fire in which they were killed, she said, adding that no Israelis were wounded.Witnesses on the Gaza side of the border said the exchange of fire was followed by Israeli shelling, and an AFP photographer saw an Israeli helicopter firing missiles.There was no immediate report of casualties from the Palestinian side as ambulances were not able to enter the area.
The Palestinian group Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack, which came after a similar raid less than two weeks ago in which two teenagers were shot dead after breaching the border fence in the same area.Gaza's Islamist Hamas rulers have tried to preserve calm since the end of Israel's devastating assault on the strip in January 2009, but smaller militant groups still occasionally fire rockets and trade fire with Israeli troops.It was unclear if the latest attacks were linked to Monday's Israeli maritime raid on an international aid convoy bound for Gaza in which nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed.
Israel navy braced to intercept next Gaza aid ship
Tue Jun 1, 12:38 pm ET
DUBLIN/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Activists vowed on Tuesday to try to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza with another ship, and an Israeli officer pledged to halt it, setting the stage for a fresh confrontation after Monday's deadly clash.The MV Rachel Corrie, a converted merchant ship bought by pro-Palestinian activists and named after an American woman killed in the Gaza Strip in 2003, set off Monday from Malta, organizers said.We are an initiative to break Israel's blockade of 1.5 million people in Gaza. Our mission has not changed and this is not going to be the last flotilla,Free Gaza Movement activist Greta Berlin, based in Cyprus, told Reuters.Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen described the vessel as Irish-owned and said it should be allowed to finish its mission. The ship was carrying 15 activists including a northern Irish Nobel Peace laureate.The government has formally requested the Israeli government to allow the Irish-owned ship ... to be allowed to complete its journey unimpeded and discharge its humanitarian cargo in Gaza, Cowen told parliament in Dublin.An Israeli marine lieutenant, who was not identified, told Israel's Army Radio his unit was prepared to block the ship.
We as a unit are studying, and we will carry out professional investigations to reach conclusions, the lieutenant said, referring to Monday's confrontation in which his unit shot nine activists aboard a Turkish ferry.And we will also be ready for the Rachel Corrie,he added.Passengers include Northern Irish Nobel peace laureate Mairead Corrigan-Maguire and Denis Halliday, an Irish former senior UN diplomat, and several other Irish citizens.Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin told parliament he had spoken with Halliday Tuesday afternoon.We will be watching this situation very closely -- as indeed will the world -- and it is imperative that Israel avoid any action which leads to further bloodshed, Martin said.Israel's Army Radio reported that the ship would reach Gazan waters by Wednesday, but activist Berlin said it might not attempt to reach Gaza until early next week.We will probably not send her till (next) Monday or Tuesday,she said of the 1,200 ton cargo ship. The Israeli navy stormed aboard a Turkish ferry leading a six-ship convoy Monday, killing nine people in what authorities said was self-defense but sparking a world outcry, a crisis in diplomatic relations with Turkey and condemnation from the United Nations Security Council.The Rachel Corrie was carrying medical equipment, wheelchairs, school supplies and cement, a material Israel has banned in Hamas-ruled Gaza, organizers said.
Mark Daly, a member of Ireland's upper house of parliament who had been due to join the convoy but was refused permission to leave Cyprus, told Reuters in Dublin that the ship had fallen behind the rest of the convoy because it was slower.Passengers aboard it had heard about the attacks but decided not to turn back, he said.After having a discussion among themselves about what to do, they decided to keep going, Daly said.(Reporting by Dan Williams in JERUSALEM, Marie-Louise Gumuchian in DUBLIN, and Michele Kambas in NICOSIA; editing by Peter Graff)
Kuwait MPs call for withdrawal from Arab peace plan
Tue Jun 1, 12:26 pm ET
KUWAIT CITY (AFP) – Kuwaiti MPs on Tuesday blasted Israel as a criminal state over its attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla and called on the government to withdraw from an eight-year-old Arab peace initiative.Parliament approved a non-binding recommendation by 32 votes to six, urging the government to pull out of the plan that offered Israel full normalisation of ties in exchange for its complete withdrawal from occupied Arab land.MPs met in an emergency session to debate the deadly Israeli attack on the aid vessels which had on board 18 Kuwaiti activists, including MP Waleed al-Tabtabai and six women.Communications Minister Mohammed al-Baseeri told reporters after the session that the government would deal positively with the recommendations.Other recommendations included urging Arab and Muslim states with diplomatic ties with Israel to suspend them, initiating a criminal suit against Israel at the International Criminal Court and securing the release of the Kuwaiti activists.During the debate, MPs strongly condemned Israel for its criminal actions and called for lifting of the three-year-old blockade of Gaza and hailed Turkey's stance.This attack reflects Israel's criminal nature over the past 60 years, since Israel came into existence, Islamist MP Adnan Abdulsamad said during the debate.
Relatives of Kuwaitis held in Israel attended the session wearing yellow ribbons and were greeted by MPs.Liberal MP Marzouk al-Ghanem said one of the women activists, Senan al-Ahmad, raised 1.38 million dollars in donations and bought a vessel in Turkey to take part in the aid journey to Gaza.Turkey was praised by a majority of the lawmakers.We salute the position of the Turkish government, which has helped expose the criminal actions of Israel, said MP Maasuma al-Mubarak.A statement issued by parliament described the attack on the vessels as a heinous crime committed by the Zionist entity, a serious escalation, and an act of black piracy.
Israel holds 480 activists, expelling 48: report
Tue Jun 1, 1:01 am ET
JERUSALEM (AFP) – Israel has detained 480 pro-Palestinian activists captured in its deadly commando raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla and will expel 48 others, public radio reported Tuesday.Those detained were being held at the southern Israeli prison of Ashdod, while the other 48 were being taken to Ben Gurion international airport to be sent back to their home countries, said the report.
Netanyahu gives military full backing over raid
Mon May 31, 9:21 am ET
OTTAWA (AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave his full backing Monday to Israel's military forces after a raid on a flotilla carrying aid to the Gaza Strip, which left up to 19 people dead.The prime minister... reiterated his full backing for the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) and inquired about the well being of the wounded, his office told AFP in Ottawa.Netanyahu was meeting Monday with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper ahead of a high-profile visit to Washington on Tuesday, where he is due to hold talks with President Barack Obama.Up to 19 people aboard a flotilla of ships carrying aid for the Gaza Strip were killed earlier Monday when Israeli navy commandos stormed the vessels in international waters.The incident prompted a wave of international condemnation, as Israel said it was forced to board the ships to uphold its blockade of the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory.Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Obama on Tuesday in their first face-to-face talks since a frosty White House meeting in March that was viewed by many as an attempt to humiliate Netanyahu in the wake of a spat over settlements.
THIS ONE REALLY SHOT THE BIAS PROPAGANDA AGAINST ISRAEL LIKE USUAL.
Israel in eye of storm over deadly Gaza ship raid
Mon May 31, 8:57 am ET
ANKARA (AFP) – Israel's allies froze military ties and summoned its ambassadors Monday over the storming of an aid flotilla bound for Gaza, as Muslim leaders slammed the deadly raid as criminal and inhuman.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was shocked by the Israeli navy's assault on a convoy carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists, lawmakers and journalists through international waters towards besieged Gaza.Ban called on Israel to urgently explain itself over the raid, which Israel's Channel 10 TV left 19 passengers killed and 36 wounded, many of them Turks.Israel's closest ally Washington described the loss of life as a tragedy, on the eve of talks between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.The United States deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained and is currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy, a White House spokesman said.As the Vatican voiced deep sadness and concern and Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair expressed deep regret and shock at the loss of life, capitals across Europe summoned Israel's ambassadors to explain the assault.Ankara responded with fury, recalling its ambassador from Tel Aviv and warning the assault would have irreparable consequences to bilateral ties.
Police held back angry crowds shouting Damn Israel outside Israel's missions to the country, as Turkey accused Israel of a flagrant breach of international law, and disregard for human life and peaceful initiatives.Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc also said plans for three joint military exercises with Israel had been scrapped.
Greece, which had dozens of nationals in the convoy, pulled out of joint military exercises with Israel and cancelled a visit by its air force chief, as an aid group claimed that commandos in helicopters had fired on a Greek vessel.Israel said its troops were attacked after they stormed six ships loaded with thousands of tonnes of aid and with hundreds of activists aboard, and that both sides used live fire.Muslim leaders united in condemning what Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas called a massacre and Arab League chief Amr Mussa said was a crime.The Islamist movement Hamas which rules Gaza urged world Muslims to rise up in protest, as Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denounced the raid as inhuman Zionist regime action.
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, which his country currently chairs.Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the attack on a peaceful flotilla, as politicians, lawmakers and journalists staged a peaceful protest in Islamabad against Israel.Egypt condemned the acts of killing by Israel forces while Kuwait's parliament speaker said the storming of the flotilla, which was carrying 16 Kuwaitis including an MP, was a heinous Israeli crime.And Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, said there was no basis for Israel's assault.
In Europe, condemnation was equally swift. The European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton demanded Israel mount a full inquiry,as member states ordered an emergency meeting of their ambassadors to the EU. Spain -- the current European Union president -- France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Austria and Greece summoned Israel's respective ambassadors, with Madrid slamming the operation as unacceptable.
France's President Nicolas Sarkozy accused Israel of a disproportionate use of force.
Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said he was deeply concerned about the deaths, while Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini deplored the loss of civilian life. British Foreign Secretary William Hague similarly deplored the loss of life, saying Israel must act with restraint -- but also said London had warned of the risks of attempting to access Gaza in defiance of the blockade. Thousands of Palestinian refugees and activists demonstrated across Lebanon to denounce the raid, some chanting slogans like Give us weapons, give us weapons and send us on to Gaza.
Maen Bashur, a Lebanese coordinator for the mission, said activists considered those seized on board the ship as war prisoners.A Cyprus MEP Kyriacos Triantafyllides, who was involved with the mission, said activists had expected a strong reaction from Israel.But nobody believed it would come to this point, where they would face something akin to an invading army,he said.
At least 10 dead as Israel storms aid convoy: Israeli TV
Mon May 31, 2:08 am ET
JERUSALEM (AFP) – At least 10 people were killed as Israeli forces stormed a boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists bound for Gaza, Israeli television and radio stations reported on Monday, sparking a strong reaction from Turkey.According to Israel's private channel 10 television, Israeli marine commandos had opened fire after being attacked with axes and knives by a number of the passengers on board the aid ships, the television said, without giving the source of its information.The station did not say whether the dead and injured were passengers or members of the Israeli navy.Israel's army radio said between 10 and 14 people had been killed in clashes which broke out after the passengers allegedly tried to grab weapons off the naval commandos who tried to storm one of the boats.It was not clear whether the clashes were taking place on just one of the six boats making up the aid convoy, and the Israeli army had no immediate comment on the incident.Shortly afterwards, the Israeli military censor ordered a block on all information regarding those injured or killed during the storming of the ship.The Israeli ambassador was summoned to the Turkish foreign ministry Monday after the incident, a Turkish diplomat said.The ambassador (Gabby Levy) was summoned to the foreign ministry. We will convey our reaction in the strongest terms,the diplomat, who asked not to be named, told AFP.
The raid on the ships, among them Turkish vessels, may lead to irreparable consequences in bilateral ties, Turkey's foreign ministry said.By targeting civilians, Israel has once again shown its disregard for human life and peaceful initiatives. We strongly condemn these inhumane practices of Israel, a written statement said.This deplorable incident, which took place in open seas and constitutes a fragrant breach of international law, may lead to irreparable consequences in our bilateral relations, it said.Hamas on Monday urged Arabs and Muslims to rise up in front of Israeli embassies across the globe in protest against the raid.We call on all Arabs and Muslims to rise up in front of Zionist embassies across the whole world, said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, using the Arabic word intifada.Ismail Haniya, the Islamist movement's prime minister in Gaza, slammed the ugly attack in a statement in which he called for the United Nations to protect the activists on board the boats.
Future Palestinian state must be demilitarized: Netanyahu
Sun May 30, 3:17 pm ET
TORONTO (AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that a future Palestinian state must be effectively demilitarized to prevent Iran setting up a proxy state in the West Bank.
We must ensure that we achieve a peace that is anchored in security, the only peace that will endure is a peace we can defend, Netanyahu said, speaking to some 7,000 members of Toronto's Jewish community at a pro-Israel rally.A future Palestinian state must be effectively demilitarized.Netanyahu is on a visit to Canada ahead of a trip to Washington to discuss with US President Barack Obama fragile US-brokered indirect peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.Israel has pushed for the talks to focus on security.Netanyahu said that after previous Israeli withdrawals from southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, the areas were taken over by Iranian-supported Hezbollah and Hamas.We cannot afford to have that mistake repeated a third time, we cannot afford a Iranian presence on the hills over Tel Aviv. he said.
Aid ships set out to defy Gaza blockade
Sun May 30, 2:57 am ET
GAZA CITY (AFP) – A convoy of ships containing pro-Palestinian activists and aid destined for the blockaded Gaza Strip on Sunday steamed south from Cyprus towards Israeli naval vessels determined to stop them.The five ships, carrying more than 700 passengers, are on the last leg of a high-profile mission to deliver tonnes of aid to Gaza, which has been subjected to a crippling Israeli blockade since 2007.Five ships left Cypriot waters this morning at around 5:00 am (0200 GMT), Audrey Bomse told AFP, adding that the fleet expected to reach Gaza territorial waters some time after 4:00 pm (1300 GMT).In Gaza City, dozens of Palestinian fishing boats were preparing to set sail to meet the flotilla, which is carrying hundreds of civilians and a handful of European MPs as well as dozens of Muslim activists.Bomse said two vessels which had been due to join the so-called Freedom Flotilla had not been able to set sail after sustaining damage over the weekend, in a move which the convoy's organisers claimed was sabotage.Now we are thinking of sending a second wave of boats including these two and the Rachel Corrie, which is still en route from Ireland, she said, adding that the second convoy would probably set off around Tuesday.We're going to see how the others get on -- either they will reach Gaza or Israel will stop them and there will be a confrontation, Bomse said.The flotilla of cargo and passenger ships, which is carrying 10,000 tonnes of aid for Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip, had been due to reach Gaza on Saturday.
But its departure was delayed because of technical problems affecting two of the vessels.Israel has slammed as illegal the convoy's attempt to break its blockade on Gaza, and has naval forces at the ready to intercept the ships and detain the pro-Palestinian activists on board.Gaza has been subjected to a crippling Israeli blockade since 2007 after Hamas -- an Islamist movement committed to the destruction of Israel -- seized power in the impoverished and overcrowded Palestinian territory.
Pro-Palestinian activists have landed in Gaza five times, with another three unsuccessful attempts since their first such voyage in August 2008. The latest is their biggest operation.To date, the amount of aid has been largely symbolic but organisers say this convoy is laden with 10,000 tonnes, ranging from pre-fabricated homes to pencils.
Israeli air strike follows Gaza rocket attacks
Sun May 30, 2:26 am ET
GAZA CITY (AFP) – Israeli warplanes launched a double air strike overnight on targets in the Gaza Strip after militants fired two rockets at the Jewish state, Palestinian and Israeli military officials said on Sunday.
No casualties were reported in Gaza or Israel.The Israeli aircraft twice struck a target in the area of the disused and wrecked Gaza airport at Rafah in the south, bordering Egypt, a Palestinian medical source said.An Israeli military spokesman said the raid was in response to rocket fire on Saturday, and that the target was a tunnel used to infiltrate terrorists into Israel.On Saturday, Palestinian militants in the densely populated enclave had fired two rockets at southern Israel, causing neither casualties nor damage, the military said.One rocket, fired from the north of the territory, hit open ground near the southern port city of Ashkelon, the military spokesman said, adding that the second fell inside the Gaza Strip itself.It was the second night in a row that Israeli warplanes attacked Gaza. Overnight on Friday, Palestinian security officials and witnesses reported six raids, while Israel said there were just two.Again, no casualties were reported.
Israeli PM in Toronto, seeking support before US meet
Sat May 29, 1:40 am ET
TORONTO (AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Canada for a four-day visit aimed at cementing ties with one of Israel's strongest backers in the international community.Netanyahu, on the first visit to Canada by an Israeli premier in 16 years,is hoping to build support ahead of talks next week with US President Barack Obama on the fragile US-brokered indirect peace talks with the Palestinians.I welcome the opportunity to spend time with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a leader of vision and conviction and a great friend of Israel and a champion of peace, Netanyahu said ahead of his arrival.Netanyahu said he planned to discuss Israel's quest for peace with the Palestinians and efforts to boost cooperation between Israel and Canada in the fields of high-tech, renewable energy and water conservation.The friendship between Israel and Canada is exceptionally warm. We are sister democracies that seek peace with security, progress and prosperity, he told reporters on his plane.This is the first visit by an Israeli prime minister to Canada since Yitzhak Rabin toured in 1994.Relations took a downturn after forged Canadian passports were used in a botched assassination attempt by Israel's Mossad intelligence agency against Hamas Chief Khaled Meshaal.
The mission was approved by Netanyahu, then in his first term as prime minister.
However, ties have warmed substantially since, with Canada giving Israel considerable support at international institutions, particularly the United Nations.
Netanyahu is scheduled to attend a pro-Israel rally by Canada's Jewish community in Toronto on Sunday, before travelling to Ottawa for meetings with government and opposition leaders.Netanyahu arrived in Toronto from Paris, where he accepted an invitation for Israel to join the prestigious Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Israeli gunships head to sea to block flotilla By IAN DEITCH, Associated Press Writer – Fri May 28, 6:23 pm ET
HAIFA, Israel – Israeli gunships headed out to sea Friday to stop a flotilla of pro-Palestinian activists from reaching the Gaza Strip, the military said, setting the stage for what could become a dramatic showdown on the high seas.Israel's foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said the country was prepared to stop the flotilla at any cost. He called the aid mission a provocation and urged the international community to show understanding for the tough response.We really have all determination and political will to prevent this provocation against us, he said.I think that we're ready at any cost ... to prevent this provocation.Military officials said an initial group of gunships went out to sea Friday to prepare for the flotilla's arrival. But plans to dispatch additional gunships were put on hold late Friday after reports that the flotilla had encountered mechanical problems, military officials said.The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity under military guidelines, said the gunships would remain in port until the flotilla got closer.The military says it will intercept the ships, escort the vessels to shore and give the activists the choice of deportation or going to jail. Israel says that after a security check, it will transfer the cargo to Gaza through the United Nations.
Officials say they hope the situation will be resolved peacefully, but they are prepared to use force if necessary. Masked naval commandos have been trained for the mission, and Israel has built a large makeshift detention center in a southern port to process the activists.The activists, among them a Nobel peace laureate, are trying to draw attention to a 3-year-old Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip — imposed after Hamas militants violently seized control of the territory. They say they are carrying tons of desperately needed humanitarian aid.Greta Berlin, one of the organizers of the effort, said a total of seven ships were headed to Gaza, after an eighth vessel suffered a malfunction and had to turn back.The organizers' website said the flotilla remained off the southern coast of Cyprus, some 250 miles (400 kilometers) northwest of Gaza, Friday evening. Berlin said the flotilla would halt under darkness, and resume the journey early Saturday. It was unclear when they would reach Israeli waters, she said.The ships originally embarked from Turkey, Greece and other European ports.Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas, which has fired thousands of rockets into Israel, from rearming.It rejects claims that a humanitarian crisis is brewing in Gaza, saying it allows more than enough food and medicine into the strip. Critics, however, say the blockade has crushed Gaza's economy, eliminated some 100,000 jobs and prevented the territory from repairing the destruction caused by an Israeli military offensive early last year.
Israel has reached out to its Mediterranean neighbors to stop the flotilla from approaching. Turkey, whose president has harshly condemned Israel's Gaza offensive, has rejected the gesture. A Turkish charity is spearheading the aid mission, and Turkish authorities have declined to intervene.But on Friday, Cyprus said was banning any ship from sailing to Gaza from its shores because organizers of a flotilla trying to break a blockade of the Palestinian territory ignored a government appeal not to involve the island.Acting government spokesman Titos Christofides condemned the Israeli blockade and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, but said the appeal was made to protect the island's vital interests.This is the ninth time that the Free Gaza Movement, the pro-Palestinian organization behind the effort, has sent a flotilla of supplies to Gaza. Israel permitted five deliveries to reach Gaza, but has not allowed any ships through since its military offensive, which ended in January 2009.Among the passengers are Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire, former U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney, a Holocaust survivor in her 80s, a retired U.S. army colonel and lawmakers from a dozen European countries.
