Dude got Israel to agree to open up Gaza. Israel was at the point where they needed to do something, though, because the International Committee for the Red Cross deemed their approach illegal. So, instead of only allowing a small number of things through the border, Israel will allow general goods and specifically block things they don’t want in the country. “Some of these issues, drawing up the negative list, that will take some time,” Blair said. “But we hope very much we can start getting stuff into Gaza.” He’s like a regular Bill Clinton! source
Yo, Charles, what happened? The New York Senator, who is Jewish, woefully misinformed a Orthodox Union crowd by saying that most Palestinians don’t support a two-state solution in Israel. Actually, they do. By using this train of thought, he gets to this conclusion: “Since the Palestinians in Gaza elected Hamas, while certainly there should be humanitarian aid and people not starving to death, to strangle them economically until they see that’s not the way to go, makes sense.” It’s no Helen Thomas-level gaffe, sure, but what an awful justification. source
We are rejecting an international commission. We are discussing with the Obama administration a way in which our inquiry will take place.
Israel’s US ambassador, Michael Oren • Regarding the country’s response to the UN’s proposal of an international commission to study what happened during the flotilla incident. Why reject the proposal? “Israel is a democratic nation,” Oren says. “Israel has the ability and the right to investigate itself, not to be investigated by any international board.” But we’re guessing the international board might have slightly less bias in the situation than Israel might. Just a hunch. source
We are not afraid.Everyone on the boat is very calm.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire • Aboard the Rachel Corrie, an aid ship headed to Gaza, not long before it was intercepted. Unlike the prior flotilla act a week ago, there was no violence this time. In fact, Israeli authorities boarded with the activists’ permission this time. source
This was not a love boat, this was a hate boat. These were not peace activists, there were supporters of terrorism.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu • Saying an incredibly quotable quote in the wake of the whole flotilla situation. His take? The entire world is rushing to judgment and being hypocritical towards Israel. Which, admittedly, wouldn’t be the first time. But that said, he’s perhaps being a little over the top. “Israel can not permit Iran to develop a Mediterranean port a few dozen kilometers from Tel Aviv,” he said. Er, uh, we’re talking about Gaza, right? Say what you will about Israel’s actions, but the above quote hilarious because it’s so flip. source