On Wednesday, November 2, two international ships left the Turkish harbor to carry humanitarian aid through the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

The event, called ‘Freedom Waves for Gaza’,  unites 27 activists from 9 countries, including America, Canada, Denmark, Belgium, Germany and Australia, alongside a Palestinian Haifa, in a broad-based international movement to break Israel’s illegal and immoral suffocation of the 1.6 million inhabitants of the Gaza Strip. The Irish yacht Saoirse (Freedom), which carries 15 activists, and the Canadian boat Tahrir (Liberation), which holds 12, will attempt to carry $30,000 in medical supplies beyond the Israeli blockade later this week. ‘Freedom Waves for Gaza’ is the 11th attempt by international activists to deliver humanitarian aid through the Israeli blockade of Gaza since 2008.

As the boats navigate international waters, Palestinian youth activists will parade a large wooden effigy of the aid boats through the streets of Ramallah, while distributing white armbands and ribbons emblazoned ‘Freedom Waves for Gaza’. In addition, they will hold a demonstration outside of the UN office in Ramallah on Thursday, demanding that the UN end its compliance with the Israeli blockade and protect the humanitarian mission.

Indeed, in a letter given to the UN on Wednesday, Palestinian youth insisted that “it is incumbent upon the UN to take urgent steps to protect the boats en route to Gaza and all of the humanitarian volunteers aboard, as well as to declare its support for nonviolent, humanitarian action, designed to do what the UN and its members states have thus far failed to do.”

Organizers of the flotilla mission withheld the news from the world until the boats reached international waters, to prevent Israeli or international sabotage that plagued previous aid attempts. Though the humanitarian vessels departed from Fethiye, Turkey, organizers insist that the Turkish government is not involved with Freedom Waves for Gaza. Says Huwaida Arraf, “because Freedom Flotilla 1 was mostly an international effort, and because with the Mavi Marmara Turkish people were killed, it became mainly a Turkish thing…which detracted from the fact that it really was an international effort. So this time we want to show that it’s not just Turkey, its an international effort.” In fact, no Turkish citizens are aboard either of the two ships.

Freedom Waves for Gaza comes at a time when minor improvements to the situation- such as the opening of the Rafah land crossing from Egypt to Gaza in May- or minor concessions by Israel- such as its allowance of minor consumer goods into Gaza in the wake of the Mavi Marmara massacre in 2010, touted internationally as an ‘easing of the blockade’ (though it led led 10-year-old Gaza schoolchild Abed Rahmen Jadee to lament ‘I don’t want any more snacks or coke. I want a new school’)- have done little to meaningfully alleviate the humanitarian crisis that plagues the 1.6 million inhabitants of Gaza, half of whom are under the age of 16.

Organizer Huwaida Arraf, chair of the Free Gaza movement, stresses that “by reaching Palestinians through their own port, the flotilla defies the dehumanization of a whole population and supports the continuing efforts of the people of Gaza to assert their dignity. The Palestinians will accept nothing less than a total end to the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza and all forms of violence and discrimination against them.”

The most recent figures published by the UN and international humanitarian and human rights organizations confirm that roughly 75 – 80% of the population rely on international aid in order to survive; 65% live below the poverty line; 52% are food insecure; approximately 40% are unemployed; there are no building materials for much-needed schools and hospitals; 90 – 95% of the drinking water is contaminated and unfit for consumption; seriously ill patients cannot get access to the specialist treatment that would potentially save their lives; and children are suffering untreated post-traumatic stress as a result of the white phosphorous shells used illegally in Israel’s invasion in January 2009.

In its declaration to the UN, the Palestinian youth stated that “in our schools, universities and through our organizations, we are taught about human rights and international law, and yet it seems like Palestinians fall into a class of people upon whom these rights don’t apply. Like the blacks in America a half a century ago, or in South Africa two decades ago, we are victims of an exclusivist ideology and those who tolerate and enable it.”

The declaration continues- “Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit has been returned to his family, removing one of Israel’s main pretexts, albeit not a justification, for its Draconian closure policy.  And while 1027 Palestinian prisoners have been exchanged for Shalit (although 550 have yet to be released), over 1.5 million Palestinians remain caged in the prison that is Gaza.”

During the campaign, Witness Gaza (witnessgaza.com) will be a central information hub, in contact with representative organizations from activists’ home countries. Palestinian youth representatives will be updating the world via Twitter at #PALWaves, as will international activists aboard the ships- unless Israel jams the communications signal, as has occurred in previous flotilla aid attempts.

In Wednesday’s press release, Majd Kayyal, a Palestinian activist from Haifa aboard the Tahrir, insisted that “Israel has caged Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, prohibiting physical contact between us. We want to break the siege Israel has imposed on our people. The fact that we’re in international waters is already a victory for the movement.”

As new Israeli airstrikes are claiming lives in Gaza, and as Benjamin Netanyahu threatens to intensify the bombardments, it is due time to once again bring to the world’s attention what the UN in 2009 called the ‘protracted human dignity crisis’ caused by Israel’s closure of Gaza. Says Huwaida Arraf, “the people of Gaza have called on the peoples and governments of the world to challenge an illegal, immoral, and irrational Israeli naval blockade that has caused, and continues to cause, incalculable human suffering. We are responding to that call. Our primary aim is to overcome the continuing blockade of Gaza through civil resistance and non-violent direct action, and to establish a permanent sea lane between Gaza and the rest of the world.”

Here’s a Press TV Report on the boats. “Highlights” include:

0:27 – “Activist” claiming the closure of Gaza began 20 years ago. Compare to the above press release which connects the closure to Gilad Shalit’s capture – which occurred a little over 5 years ago. These people are full of bovine excrement.

1:35 – Reporter referring to the Mavi Marmara terrorists killed by IDF naval commandos in self defence as “aid workers”

2:48 – Reporter insinuating that the flotilla participants could be killed

The IDF has released the following statement:

The Israel Navy is prepared to contact two vessels, that according to reports on the internet and in the media, are currently headed toward the Gaza Strip with the intention of breaking the legal maritime security blockade, in the coming days.

The Israel Navy has completed the necessary preparations in order to prevent them from reaching the Gaza Strip.

The purpose of this attempt is to create a provocation against the State of Israel, to break the maritime security blockade on Gaza, and to undermine Israel’s security.

The blockade is legal and in accordance with international law. Furthermore, the Palmer committee appointed by the UN to examine the matter has concluded that the blockade is in fact legal.

It should be stated that any organization or state who wishes to transfer humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip can do so via the existing land crossings and in coordination with the Israeli authorities.

The IDF is fully prepared to guard the safety of Israel and its maritime border and to take any necessary action and prevent vessels from breaking the maritime security blockade.

In the meantime, I will be referring to this as FLOP – FLotilla Of Provocation.

I will try to provide updates if I get the chance.

Just kidding. They’ve cynically exploited his death by protesting against Israel!

Bilin Protester Shot with Live Ammunition by Sniper

The protester, a 35 year old resident of the village was hit in his shoulder and foot by 0.22 mm live bullets shot at him by a sniper during a protest in memory of Vittorio Arrigoni, murdered last night in Gaza.

Around 300 people participated in the weekly demonstration against the Wall in the village of Bilin today. This week’s march was dedicated to the memory of Italian activist Vittorio Arrigoni, and protested his murder in Gaza City last night. As the peaceful procession approached the gate in the Wall, soldiers immediately began shooting tear gas projectiles at the protesters.

While most protesters were forced to retreat due to the gas, smaller groups of protesters remained in the area of the Wall, where clashes ensued. At some point, Samir Bournat, a 35 year-old resident of the village and regular demonstrator, noted that a sniper was aiming his rifle at a group of protesters standing near the iron gate in the Wall. He approached in order to warn them, and was shot by the sniper twice. One bullet hit his right shoulder, while a second bullet penetrated his left foot.

A Red Crescent ambulance which rushed to the sport to evacuate Burnat was also attacked with tear-gas projectiles shot directly at him by the soldiers. Burnat was eventually taken to the hospital in Ramallah, where an x-ray was taken and proved beyond a shadow of doubt that he was indeed hit by 0.22″ caliber live bullets.

A short while after Burnat’s injury, a few Border Police officers crossed the Wall in the direction of the village and proceeded to clash with the youth using tear-gas and rubber-coated steel bullets. Moreover, one of the soldiers, even threw rocks at protesters. (irony alert: they are complaining we throw rocks at them, yet they are constantly doing this at these protests – ed)

Following a number of deaths and subsequent ballistic tests held at the Adam military shooting range in 2001, the Judge Advocate General ordered the classification of 0.22″ bullet changed from “less-lethal” to “live ammunition”, forbidden for use as crowd control means. Despite the classification change, the Israeli Army resumed using these bullets against demonstrators, causing at least two deaths – 14 year-old Az ad-Din al-Jamal from Hebron on February 13th, 2009, and Aqel Srour from Ni’ilin on June 5th, 2009.

Two other protesters who were lightly injured were treated by a medical team on the ground and did not require being evacuated to the hospital.

You have to ask: If Arrigoni was murdered by palestinians, why are these people protesting against Israel?

In my opinion, they were trying to create an incident, in order to once again divert attention towards Israel, and paint us as the real villains of the piece. They’ve been using these diversionary tactics on the internet since Arrigoni’s murder.

Another example: Here’s ISM co-founder Huwaida Arraf speaking about her murdered friend and being extra careful not to blame palestinians for the murder (hat tip: Walt).

In fact, if you look at the ISM website, there have released press releases mourning Arrigoni, but none condemning his murderers. Why is that?

Clearly, what we have here is another insight into the ISM, whose real agenda is the destruction of Israel.

Update: Photo of the day

Palestinians carry a placard and a simbolic coffin during a ceremony to mourn and denounce the kidnapping and killing of Italian activist Vittorio Arrigoni, 36 (portrait L), by a Salafist group of radical Islamist, in Gaza City, on April 15, 2011. International Solidarity Movement member Vittorio Arrigoni, 36, was kidnapped in Gaza City on April 14 by a previously-unknown Salafist group who posted video outlining their demands online. But hours before the 30-hour deadline expired, he was found hanged in an abandoned house in northern Gaza. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)

A pro-Palestinian group says one of its activists has apparently been kidnapped by Islamic militants in Gaza.

A video claiming to show the kidnapping emerged from Gaza along with a demand by an extremist group to the Hamas government to release two of its leaders arrested last month. The group set a deadline of Friday afternoon, threatening to execute the hostage.

Huwaida Arraf, co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement, said the abducted man in the video appeared to be one of its activists. She asked that his name be withheld.

Meanwhile, props to AP for including this sentence:

ISM operates in the West Bank and Gaza and is known for trying to prevent the Israeli military from carrying out its missions. Arraf said this activist has been going in and out of Gaza for more than two years.

Update: The Jerusalem Post has more details on the kidnapped tool.

An Italian human rights activist was kidnapped in the Gaza Strip by the al-Qaida-linked radical terrorist group Tawhid wal-Jihad, the group announced on Thursday.

The radical Islamist terror organization Tawhid wal-Jihad announced on Thursday that it has kidnapped an Italian human rights activist in the Gaza Strip, Israel Radio reported.

According to sources in the Strip, Victorio Larginoni arrived on one of the first flotillas to Gaza several years ago and has been living there since, according to the report.

In a video released by the group, the captive can be seen blindfolded with his hands tied. Tawhid made an ultimatum to Hamas that if it doesn’t release one of its senior members by 5 p.m. Friday, that it will execute the Italian national, Israel Radio reported

Update: Sky News has more (including a different name for the hostage):

Gaza Militants ‘Will Kill Kidnapped Journalist’

Islamist extremists in Gaza say they have kidnapped a European journalist and will kill him within 30 hours if Hamas do not release a number of Palestinian prisoners.

A Salafist organisation, inspired by al Qaeda, has posted a video of what they claim is an Italian journalist on YouTube tied up and blindfolded.

He is held by the hair and his face looks beaten.

If the claims are true it is the first time in four years that a foreigner has been abducted in Gaza.

When Hamas seized control of the strip, it imposed a zero tolerance policy on the kidnapping of foreigners after securing the release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston who had been held for three months.

The kidnapping is a direct challenge to Hamas by a group espousing a more extreme Islamist ideology.

The video demands the release of what it calls “mujahideen”, or holy warriors who have been arrested by Hamas and are being held in jails in Gaza.

In particular it is calling for the release of a leader or sheikh who was arrested a week ago by Hamas.

Salafist organisations are a constant thorn in the side of Hamas, firing rockets out of Gaza in contravention of a ceasefire imposed by Hamas and calling on Hamas to launch a more aggressive form of resistance against Israel.

The video names the captive as Italian called Vittorio Arriogoni.

He is thought to have arrived in Gaza as part of an aid convoy in 2008 and has since become famous in Italy for his passionate defence of Palestinians under Israeli occupation.

He was one of the few western journalists to have reported from Gaza during Israel’s Operation Cast Lead in 2009 when Israel imposed a draconian ban on foreign reporters entering the narrow coastal enclave.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has been given little more than a day to comply with the group’s demands.

Update: I’ve managed to locate the following videos of Arriogoni.

More videos here.

I somehow don’t think the terrorists are going to be so enamored with those tattoos and eyebrow ring.

Update: Arriogoni seems to have last posted on Facebook yesterday evening. Meanwhile, you can get more of an insight into his hatred of Israel here.

Update: Here’s the video of him released by the terrorists.

Update: The Palestinian Press Agency is suggesting Israel is behind his kidnapping!

Update: An example of Arriogoni’s brand of journalism.

Update: In this blog post, Arriogoni minimized the capture of Gilad Shalit by palestinian “commandos” (at least according to the auto-translation). Oh, the irony.

Update: Moronic “peace activists” have launched a petition demanding his release. Because everyone knows, terrorists are influenced by petitions.

Update: Comment left on an anti-Israel blog regarding the kidnapping.

Horrible it is indeed. But perspective, perspective.

The Salafists (first I’ve heard of them, but who am I?) are retail kidnappers. Israel kidnaps wholesale. Keep a comparative eye open, always. In a way, the siege of Gaza is a kidnapping (or cruel detention) of 1.5M people.

Update: Judging by how Arriogoni reacted to being detained by the IDF a few years ago, I’d say he’s not faring too well right about now (hat tip: Alana)

Manifestly violating every human and civil right and against every international law, I spent the last six hours with Andrew locked in a piggish toilette full of fleas and parasites and without drinking water. This was the treatment we received because we announced a hunger strike in order to ask for the restitution of the fishing boats stolen to Palestinian fishermen offshore Gazan coasts when we were kidnapped by Israeli soldiers.

They took away the telephones we were given yesterday by our lawyer but, even more shameful and clearly violating international laws, they prevented us from getting in touch with our lawyers and with our consulates even though Andrew and I asked for it tenaciously many times.

In order to report these regrettable events I had to stop my hunger strike so that I could have back my telephone and pass on this reporting. Based on what I could hear before they separated us, Andrew will keep staying in that cell (absolutely non compliant with every standard of every convention about detention and human rights) as long as he will continue his hunger strike.

The detention I lived today and Andrew is still living can be considered a real torture more than a punishment.

It’s more than probable that Darlene, who is continuing her hunger strike, is suffering the same inhuman treatment.

I’m about to report this seriously severe event to the Italian, the Scottish and the American consulates.

It’s important being constantly informed about mental and physical conditions of our friends.

Tomorrow I will have to turn to urgent medical treatments to cure dozens of bites from insects and parasites which attack me every night leaving my body full of sores.

Vittorio Arrigoni, kidnapped in an Israeli prison in Ramle.

Update: I signed the petition (see signature 333)

Update: See my latest post for updates in the wake of his death.

#10 (0 votes) Tie between:

Some palestinian security officer and Hollywood actor Willem Dafoe (first posted Oct 21st)

Some child from an advertisement on the new and improved Jerusalem Post site, and a troll (first posted Jan 26th)

#8 (1 vote): US Vice President Joe Biden and Israeli Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni (first posted March 9th)

#7 (2 votes): Tie between:

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the robot from Lost in Space (first posted June 14th).

Some anonymous UN dude and actor Jeff Garlin (first posted Sept 24th).

Businessman and President of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald Lauder, and Seinfeld actor Richard Fancy (first posted Aug 31st).

Gaza flotillards Dror Feiler & Mattias Gardell and Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman & Hollywood actor William H Macy (first posted June 4th)

#3 (7 votes): Wide-eyed terror enabler Huwaida Arraf and a Picasso painting (first posted June 17th)

#2 (9 votes): Some palestinian man and a watermelon (first posted June 24th)

Drum roll, please..

#1 ( 29 votes): Yasser Arafat and Helen Thomas (first posted June 8th)

Related Posts:

Best of 2009: Top 10 Separated at Births

Best of 2008: Top 10 Separated at Births

Best of 2007: Top 10 Separated at Births

Best of 2006: Top 10 Separated at Births

What is the best Israellycool Separated at Birth for 2010?

Like I did last year, I’ll let you all decide on the final composition and order of the Top 10. All you have to do is vote in the poll underneath the following entries. The poll closes December 31st.

I’ll publish the final list based on your votes the first thing next year.

Some palestinian security officer and Hollywood actor Willem Dafoe (first posted Oct 21st)

Some anonymous UN dude and actor Jeff Garlin (first posted Sept 24th).

Businessman and President of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald Lauder, and Seinfeld actor Richard Fancy (first posted Aug 31st).

Some palestinian man and a watermelon (first posted June 24th)

Wide-eyed terror enabler Huwaida Arraf and a Picasso painting (first posted June 17th)

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the robot from Lost in Space (first posted June 14th).

Yasser Arafat and Helen Thomas (first posted June 8th)

Gaza flotillards Dror Feiler & Mattias Gardell and Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman & Hollywood actor William H Macy (first posted June 4th)

US Vice President Joe Biden and Israeli Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni (first posted March 9th)

Some child from an advertisement on the new and improved Jerusalem Post site, and a troll (first posted Jan 26th)

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Related Posts:

Best of 2009: Top 10 Separated at Births

Best of 2008: Top 10 Separated at Births

Best of 2007: Top 10 Separated at Births

Best of 2006: Top 10 Separated at Births

"Like my angel wings?" (AP photo)

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon convened a panel investigating the IDF raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla Tuesday for the first time since the members were appointed.

UN spokesman Martin Nesirky did not rule out that the panel might seek to talk to IDF soldiers or officials from either side to seek information or clarification, though Israel has said it would not cooperate with any probe against its soldiers.

Ban met former prime minister of New Zealand, Geoffrey Palmer, outgoing Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, Israeli representative Joseph Ciechanover, and Turkish delegate Özdem Sanberk at the UN Headquarters in New York.

In a statement to the press, Ban said the panel was “not designed to determine individual criminal responsibility, but to examine and identify the facts, circumstances and the context of the incident, as well as to recommend ways of avoiding future incidents”.

On Tuesday evening the four panel members are set to hold their first work meeting. Ban stressed that as part of their task, they should “seek the fullest cooperation of the national authorities”.

On Monday Ban denied having made any agreement with Israel stipulating that the panel would refrain from questioning military commanders.

Israel responded firmly to the secretary-general’s denial, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterating that “Israel would not participate in any panel which wants to question IDF soldiers.”

As for me, I am not sure why you need a panel to recommend ways of avoiding future incidents. I would have thought it obvious that refraining from sending a boat full of terrorists past Israel’s navy would be a good place to start.

Updates (Israel time; most recent at top)

6:14PM: Headline of the day: Courtesy of Ynet.

Here’s the accompanying report:

Lebanon’s defense minister on Wednesday lashed out at a US decision to halt aid to his country’s army in the wake of a deadly border clash with Israel, protesting that aid was being made conditional.

“Whoever sets as a condition that the aid should not be used to protect Lebanon’s land, people and borders from the (Israeli) enemy can keep their money,” Defense Minister Elias Murr told a news conference. “Let them keep their money or give it to Israel. We will confront (Israel) with the capabilities we own.”

“We welcome any unconditional offer of aid to the Lebanese army, and if anyone announces they have decided to halt that aid, they are free to make that choice,” he said.

Murr’s bitter comments were in reaction to a US decision to freeze military aid to Lebanon following last week’s clash between Israeli and Lebanese troops that left four dead.

It also came after Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Ghazanfar Roknabadi, said Tehran was ready to help the Lebanese army in a meeting with army chief Jean Kahwaji, according to Iran’s official IRNA agency.

‘We’re counting on our friends’

An advisor to Lebanese President Michel Sleiman has also criticized the US decision but said that support for the army was central to upholding Lebanon’s sovereignty.

“It is time the Lebanese army be adequately armed, and we are counting on the friends of Lebanon to help the army,” Nazem Khoury told AFP.

US Congressman Howard Berman, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on Monday he had placed on hold $100 million in aid to Lebanon’s military.

Berman, in a statement, said he could not be sure the Lebanese armed forces were not working with Hezbollah, which Washington lists as a terrorist organization.

5:55PM: Israeli Arab Knesset member Haneen Zoabi – who was on board the infamous Mavi Marmara flotilla ship – claimed that she was not aware that the “activists” were armed.

Israeli Arab Knesset member Haneen Zoabi is a big fat liar.

Video footage proving that MK Haneen Zoabi (Balad) knew that IHH activsts aboard the Mavi Marmara were armed with metal pipes was released by Army Radio on Wednesday.

Zoabi, who was aboard the Gaza-bound ship which was part of a flotilla that aimed to break Israel’s blockade of the coastal territory, had previously claimed that she was not aware that the activists were armed. The members of the Turkish organization subsequently clashed violently with IDF naval commandos.

Zoabi can be seen in one of the video clips standing side by side with IHH members armed with metal pipes while IDF soldiers attempt to take command of the ship’s lower deck. She can later be heard arguing with IDF commanders in an attempt to prevent them from evacuating a seriously injured man. She had previously stated that she helped IDF forces evacuate injured from the ship.

Despite the footage, Zoabi insisted in an interview with Army Radio on Wednesday that she was unaware that the IHH activists were armed. She claimed that she believed the metal pipes the men possessed were standard ship equipment and not weapons to be used against soldiers.

After the release of the new video footage, MK Orit Zuaretz (Kadima) called on Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein on Wednesday to open an in-depth investigation into MK Zoabi’s involvement in the violence perpetrated against IDF naval commandos aboard the Mavi Marmara.

Last month the Knesset  plenum voted 34 to 16 to strip Zoabi of some of her parliamentary privileges, following her participation in the Gaza flotilla.

Zoabi reacted to the ruling by stating that the Knesset was acting undemocratically.

“[The Knesset] has no idea of what democracy is. I represent my views, my party’s views, and the views of all the Arab members of the Knesset.”

The Knesset, she complained, “was supposed to defend my right to express my opinions,” and “protect me from racism which targeted me for my views.” Her views, she said, represent a “global consensus” regarding Israel.

2:15PM: The Israel Prison Service is reportedly buying a new “Dazer Laser” system aimed at controlling disturbances with non-violent weapons.

The supplier, Laser Energetics, hopes the pilot program will be a prelude to widespread use of the lasers in the Israeli police and military.

The non-lethal laser gun can temporarily blind people from a distance as far as a mile and a half. The company’s lasers can also be mounted on revolvers or shotguns and be shot continuously, without reloading, until the target is hit.

The international media’s focus on Israel has exposed the Jewish State to criticism for using stun grenades, rubber bullets, tear gas and sometimes live fire to quell riots and subdue terrorists and criminals. The lethal weapons often wound bystanders, who would be immobilized only temporarily if lasers are used. One side effect of the laser gun is that the targets may feel sick for several hours.
“We are very confident that when they complete their pilot program, the results will speak for themselves, and we’ll be able to roll out the Dazer Laser throughout the entire Israeli military, law enforcement, and corrections establishment,” said Robert D. Battis, founder and chief executive officer of Laser Energetics.

The laser weapons already are in use in several police departments in the United States. One police official in suburban Seattle, Washington said that an advantage of the laser gun is that it requires minimal training and is easy to aim.

Terrorists and criminals will not be able to obtain the laser gun very easily. It is sold only to certified customers, and cannot be used without activating a security code. As an extra precaution, the laser system can be programmed to turn itself off if it ends up in the wrong hands.

Here is the Dazer Laser in action.

[Warning: Contains amateur sales pitch from guy who talks too slow, and graphic scenes of overacting]

12:55PM: IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi has appeared before the Turkel Committee, taking responsibility for the raid but defending the IDF’s actions.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi on Wednesday morning testified before an internal probe into Israel’s deadly raid on Gaza-bound aid convoy, defending the military from politicians’ accusations it botched the operation.

“The commandos exhibited calm, bravery and morality,” Ashkenazi told the inquiry panel, headed by former chief justice Jacob Turkel. Their actions were “proportionate and correct”, he said.

IDF Chief Gabi Ashkenazi testifies before the Turkel Committee probing Israel’s Gaza flotilla raid, August

Ashkenazi said the outcome of the May 31 raid, which left nine pro-Palestinian activists dead, was impossible to predict.

“From the moment the operation began, it was clear that the circumstances were unprecedented,” he said, adding that as commander he took full responsibility for the troops’ actions.

The IDF chief, who is set to step down in February at the end of a four-year term that has seen him increasingly at odds with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, repeated the army’s version of the raid, saying commandos used live ammunition only after they were attacked.

In testimony on Tuesday, Barak heaped blame on the IDF, telling the inquiry that the failure of the operation did not stem from the decision to carry it out but from its planning and implementation by the military.

On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also implied that the IDF, and not politicians, had been responsible for the controversial interception, which drew international condemnation and prompted the United Nations to set up its own inquiry.

In cross-examining Ashkenazi, Turkel asked how it was possible that Israeli intelligence organizations had failed to gain advanced warning of the presence of violent activists from the Turkish Islamist group IHH aboard the ships.

“It seems a little strange, given previous successes in preventing boats reaching Gaza,” Turkel said. “In these situations there were apparently intelligences sources and means of attaining extremely accurate information.”

Askenazi responded: “It’s true, I have already said that we didn’t know enough about the [IHH] organization, and we didn’t investigate it. It was not on our list of priorities like other groups.”

He added: “Turkey is not an enemy state and I hope it never will be. We have military contacts, even despite the current crisis,” referring to the near-collapse of Israel’s diplomatic ties with Ankara following the raid.

10:54AM: Insight into the mind of a “Free Palestine” nut:

But he’s not antisemitic, just anti-Israel.

Meanwhile, here’s our friend’s ruminations on antisemitism and “bankers” ruling the world.

9:52AM: Could anyone please enlighten me as to why this photo is appearing on the wires?

BETHLEHEM - APRIL 18: A peace activist protesting the Israeli army's military operations in the West Bank marches past Israeli soldiers in the West Bank town of Bethlehem 18 April 2002. Two Palestinians were shot and wounded by Israeli soldiers inside the Church of the Nativity compound witnesses said, as talks were set to begin to try to end the two-week siege. Witnesses near the church said a man was shot as he moved from one courtyard to another inside the compound. The man, who has not been identified, was believed to be seriously wounded. (Photo by Musa AL-SHAER/AFP/Getty Images)

I mean, don’t get me wrong. It definitely will appeal to the AFP’s target audience of Israel haters, those more than willing to believe in any demonization of the Jewish state and those who don’t know any better. I’d just have thought that it was slightly – you know – out of date. I guess in the relative absence of current opportunities for demonization, bring up old news.

Also interesting about this photo is the identify of the woman identified as a “peace activist.” It is none other than ISM founder and Free Gaza chair Huwaida Arraf who is a terrorist supporter, not a peace activist.

Regarding the content of her protest sign, read this.

6:56AM: As has been the case in previous years, IDF soldiers have been asked to respect Ramadan.

IDF soldiers in the West Bank have been asked to refrain from eating, drinking and smoking in public, particularly at the security crossings, during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins Wednesday.

Soldiers have been asked to “demonstrate a high level of respect and understanding,” the IDF said, in a statement it released Tuesday.

In advance of the holy month, “Civil Administration representatives met with Palestinian religious authorities and discussed prayer times and upcoming religious events, in addition to informing the population of the accommodations being made,” the IDF said.

West Bank security forces were also updated on Ramadan timetables and traditions.

For Ramadan and the holiday of Id el-Fitr that follows, the IDF extended until midnight the operating hours of both the Jalama and Rehan crossings to Jenin, the Beit Mishpat crossing to Ramallah and the Rachel crossing to Bethlehem.

Palestinian families can visit relatives in Israel during the month and Israeli Arabs can enter Area A.

Some 200 permits were given to visitors from Arab countries to enter Judea and Samaria for humanitarian reasons.

In Jerusalem, Palestinian men over the age of 50 and women over the age of 45 will be able to freely enter the Temple Mount for prayer. Married men between the ages of 45-50 and married women between the ages of 30-45 may also enter the compound.

The Samaria Citizens’ Committee criticized the IDF preparations for Ramadan, saying it regretted that Israel’s army was paying more consideration to Islam than to Judaism.

These measures come as the IDF and the Border Police are arresting rabbis, destroying synagogues and issuing demolition orders against West Bank yeshivot, the committee said in a statement.

“Is the defense minister’s name, Ehud Barak or Ahmed Barak?” it asked.

6:52AM: I likely posted this advertisement for Israeli satellite TV provider Yes earlier in the year, but since I don’t remember, it’s a good excuse to post it now.

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I am posting this as an example of what Israel is doing wrong with its hasbara. While Dr Gissin raised some good points, this was undermined by his aggressive demeanor.

(I suspect this is the reason Al Jazeera chose Dr. Gissin to represent the Israeli side).

Note: I have had the pleasure of meeting Dr Gissin, and he is absolutely charming in real life. I just think his obvious passion is more of a liability than an asset when it comes to televised debates.

Yvonne Ridley – convert to Islam and former wife of a PLO colonel, who wrote an infamous eulogy to Shamil Basayev, architect of the Moscow theater hostage crisis and the Beslan school massacre (who proudly claimed responsibilty for the massacre of hundreds of innocent children at Beslan).

Huwaida Arraf - Co-founder of the ISM, who is on record as supporting palestinian terrorism, and has herself acted as a human shield for terrorists.

Paul Larudee – Infamous ISM tool who is on record as supporting palestinian terrorism and is proud of the fact that he once slept in the bed of a suicide bomber.