One of the biggerst stories during my absence has been the latest flotilla to Gaza, dubbed by Prime Minister Netanyahu the “provocation flotilla.”

I have a lot of catching up to do regarding this story, but for now, here’s some relevant news and information regarding it. 

Flotillards claim Israel sabotaged their boats.

Irish anti-Israel activists, meanwhile, have accused “agents of Israel” of “sabotage” after a ship that was set to join the flotilla was allegedly damaged on purpose while docked in Turkey on Thursday.

“Terrible news has reached us in the early hours of Thursday – the Irish ship to Gaza, MV Saoirse, has been sabotaged, presumably by agents of Israel,” the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign said on its website.

“The damage is extensive, and indeed, if it had gone undetected, apparently may have been life-threatening if the ship had been at sea,” the group claimed.

“This wasn’t designed to stop the ship from leaving its berth. Instead it was intended that the fatal damage to the ship would occur while she was at sea and would have resulted in the deaths of several of those on board. This was a potentially murderous act,” the NGO maintained.

Calling it “an unacceptable act of aggression” against an Irish vessel in sovereign Irish territory, and “against the people of Palestine which this flotilla was intending to reach in an act of humanitarian solidarity,” the group called for an all-night demonstration outside the Israeli Embassy in Dublin on Thursday evening.

The activists urged people to bring sleeping bags to stage the overnight sit-in, hoping that they would shut down the embassy.

“We are calling on people to assemble at 6 p.m. at the Spire in O’Connell Street. From there we will march to the Israeli Embassy and stage an overnight sit-in outside (so bring sleeping bags etc).

We intend to shut down the Israeli Embassy! We need this demo to be as loud as possible, so if you have drums, bodrans, whistles, whatever, please bring them along.

“This act of sabotage against a peaceful humanitarian civil society mission (which has been paid for by 1000s of ordinary Irish people) must be protested in the strongest terms possible,” the group stated.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor, meanwhile, dismissed the charges, saying “they think they live in a James Bond movie. They should come out of the film world and start getting real.

“This is not Hollywood, and Israel is not the bad guy,” he said. “We are not surprised that the rule they live by is that if anything goes wrong, accuse Israel. This was an Israeli-bash fest since day one, and that it continues that way does not surprise anyone.”

I personally think it was Zionist Death Sharks.^TM

Gazans have confirmed that the whole flotilla enterprise is a sham, since they don’t need humanitarian aid.

Israel has been claiming for quite some time that the desire to break through the blockade on the Gaza Strip is devoid of any basis since it is possible to transfer essential goods to Gaza through the monitored crossings. This claim received unexpected reinforcement on Thursday from none other than the Gazans themselves.

In a conversation with Ynet Palestinian businessmen expressed veiled criticism saying that the flotilla organizers were missing their target since the main problem wasn’t getting goods into Gaza – but exporting them outside of the strip.

“The flotilla isn’t bringing things that reach the man on the street,” says Salah Ayash a textile manufactory owner in the strip who, until the beginning of the month worked with Israeli fashion labels who would produce their goods at his factory.

“I think they might be bringing medication, but I’m not sure what they are bringing if anything. The only important thing from our perspective is not importing equipment but exporting goods,” said Ayash adding that there is no shortage of stock – but they can’t get it out.

—-

The Gisha movement has criticized both the flotilla organizers and Israel over their remarks and claim that they are misleading. “Gaza doesn’t need anymore humanitarian aid. There is only one way to allow Gaza residents long term economic development while maintaining Israel’s legitimate security needs and that is a removal of the sweeping limitations on transfer of goods subject to individual security checks,” said Sari Bashi the Director of Gisha. 

An ISM activist has admitted the flotilla’s priority is not humanitarian aid.

The Freedom Flotilla is indeed “a political provocation.” Why shouldn’t it be? And when has it pretended to be anything else?

Mark Regev, International Media Adviser to the Prime Minister of Israel, raises some good points.

 Yet more proof that the flotilla is more a floterror.

Now it suddenly becomes clear that the infamous Dutch Hamas chief Amin Abou Rashed has also been attending the crew’s training sessions over the past few days in Greece. El Maroudi: “Amin was attending the day on which the Dutch delegation studied a part of the non-violence course. Wilfred van de Poll, journalist for Trouw, talked a bit with Amin about his presence and his role within the organization. “The master-mind behind the fleet” took care of the acquisition of the boat. He also took care of the lion’s share of the financing.”

This has prompted a “human rights activist” to leave it.

Why I am not sailing aboard the Dutch ship after all

I have been to the Greek island of Corfu over the past few days. I got to know the activists and journalists intending to sail to Gaza and received training on non-violent resistance from Anne de Jong, a passenger in the previous flotilla.

Although I had intended to report on the sail for Uitgesproken Vara and Joop, I was going first and foremost as an activist. I want Israel to lift the illegal blockade on Gaza and give the people that which they are entitled to have: Self-rule.

And that is also the issue for me: The population there. The Palestinian youths who published a document last year in which they expressed their longing for leading a normal life. I didn’t go for any political movement or for those in power.

When I decided to subject myself to the sail and the long list of preparatory engagements and training sessions it entailed, I presented the organizers with one single crucial demand: I wanted to know exactly who would sail with me on the Italian-Dutch ship and requested to have the opportunity to meet them all in advance before embarking on the trip.

I did not want to be surprised by the presence of figures or organizations with which I did not want to become involved. I was told that my demand was self-evident: There would be team-building and “we are going to have it in Greece.”

Despite assurances to the contrary, the Italian activists who were supposed to sail with us were nowhere to be seen upon our arrival in Corfu. More crucially, the Dutch delegation was isolated on the island. The rest of the flotilla was in Athens.

I repeatedly I asked to receive a tentative list of all the passengers. Realizing that many difficulties had been put in the organizers’ path, I did not expect to receive a complete list of participants. I would have been satisfied with the available information. None such information was given. Despite my insistence on receiving the list in advance, it was given to me when I decided to return to Holland. Too late.

But there was more going on. The ship’s funding remained unclear. Also regarding this point I repeatedly asked for information but as answers I was told of a loose web of associations under different umbrella and daughter organizations. The Nederland Gaza Association [the organizers of the Dutch boat ride] claims to be fully transparent. To me, this means publication of subsidies.

If this complicates fundraising and scares off donors, so be it. It’s the only way to show an already-suspicious Netherlands that you have nothing to hide.

The presence of Amin Abou Rashed suggests there is something to hide. He, too, sailed last year to Gaza with the flotilla, and he was arrested by Israel. According to various media, he is Hamas’ top figure in the Netherlands. He is also affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. How much of this is true, I do not know. How much of this is not true, I know even less. That is the problem, and it creates an atmosphere of suspicion.

Over dinner Anne de Jong insisted that it was all lies and that Amin is a terribly nice man with an unbelievable amount of love for the Palestinians. However much I wished I could believe her and those blue eyes of hers, I could not do it. Simply because his involvement with the flotilla was kept secret until the arrival to Greece. And not only vis-à-vis the rest of the world, but also when it came to the flotilla participants. I find this to be detrimental.

—-

Amin was there the day the Dutch delegation received a non-violence training but hung in the background. Wilfred van de Poll, a journalist for Trouw, spoke briefly with Amin about his presence and role within the organization. “The brain behind the flotilla” as the man elected to be described, arranged the purchase of the boat. He also provided for the lion’s share of funding, according to Anne de Jong. If he played such a vital role, then why was it kept secret and why couldn’t I know who or what he was?

Our activists were told that the goods [aboard the ship] will be distributed by UNHCR, but it later turned out that this was not 100 percent sure. Few organizations beside UNCHR are capable of performing this task in Gaza. In fact, only one other such entity remains. Hamas. And I wanted to have nothing do with them.

—-

The moment I expressed reservations about the information which was given out,  Anne de Jong’s reacted accusatory and snappy. “Would you rather we told you nothing at all?” she demanded, as though I should applaud her right away for getting to hear anything at all. And as though I had failed to understand the magnitude of the task of setting out against a great power such as Israel.

Good sites on the flotilla

Flotilla Facts

Gaza Flotilla 101

Flotilla Cruise Line

AFP

The forum of seven senior ministers will convene Wednesday to discuss the security situation on Israel’s northern front amid concerns that a report linking Hezbollah to the murder of a Lebanese prime minister could spark conflict. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the visiting Italian foreign minister Tuesday that Israel is concerned Hezbollah will “take over” Lebanon after the release of a report implicating Hezbollah in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in Beirut. 

—- 

A high-ranking Israeli official said Wednesday’s forum of seven meeting was originally scheduled to be held with the full security cabinet. Given the sensitivity of the matter, however, a decision was later made to hold the meeting on a smaller scale. 

Over the past few weeks Israeli defense and diplomatic officials have been closely watching developments in Lebanon. Sources in the Foreign Ministry and Military Intelligence believe that despite the growing tension in the country, neither Hezbollah nor any other player in Lebanon – Syria and Iran included – has any interest in the security status quo spinning out of control. 

Netanyahu told Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini Tuesday that in order to extricate itself from the international pressure that would likely follow UN indictments, Hezbollah may try to undermine stability within Lebanon and could even try to assert control over the country. 

Defense Minister Ehud Barak told a meeting of local officials in the Negev on Tuesday that Israel must ensure that tension within Lebanon does not spill across the border. “There are deep tensions within Lebanon surrounding the investigation of the Hariri murder,” Barak said. “We – both in our intelligence and operational networks – need to be alert so conditions don’t deteriorate, and to monitor the possibility that someone will try to divert that tension toward us.” 

Fred Hoff, a deputy to U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell responsible for Syria and Lebanon, visited Israel this week for meetings with high-level officials on developments in Lebanon. Among other things, Hoff asked that Israel’s withdrawal from the divided border village of Ghajar be accelerated in a bid to strengthen the government of Prime Minister Saad Hariri in the face of Hezbollah. 

Hariri denounced the CBC report on Tuesday, and said he remains supportive of Wissam Hassan, the Lebanese intelligence chief and his father’s chief of protocol who was also implicated in the assassination. 

“I personally think that the media leaks do not serve the course of justice,” Hariri said, adding that he has “complete faith” in the intelligence chief. 

Hariri will leave Saturday for an official visit to Iran, following the controversial visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to southern Lebanon last month. 

Updates (Israel time; most recent at top) 

6:35PM: Received via my contact form:

Peter Goy wrote:
Hello israellycool,

I wonder how I can react or ask questions about blogs or on blogs? I am 1000% ANTI-isreal and I am trying to get the adresses of the 5 star luxury hotels everybody here is “talkin” about but I cannot find ANY hotels in the Gaza strip with searching by Google Earth/Maps. I cannot find ANYTHING that looks remotely like “luxurious” while scanning Gaza with Google maps/earth. Is Google controlled by Palestinians ?

SO , if possible , I need your help to find out YOUR truth! Please provide me adresses of places ,land area’s, hotels or anything that indicate spoiled luxury, health and wealth in the Gaza strip (NOT PICS ONLY cos they prove NOTHING).

Many thanks in advance. It is time to get the truth out and to get rid of MYTHS!!!

Sincerly

Peter

Well, Peter, you couldn’t have looked too hard, because there are many palestinian websites that show just that.

I suggest you try these for starters:

Roots Club

Aldeira Hotel

If you don’t think these look luxurious, then I suggest you become an intern for Saeb Erekat.

P.S I see from your IP address you are from Norway. Figures.

5:15PM: A senior Hizbully has hinted that his terrorist organization killed former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri after all.

“Even if the organization did murder Hariri, that’s no reason to destroy Lebanon,” the London-based daily A-Sharq al-Awsat quoted Lebanese MP Walid Sakaria as saying.

5:10PM: Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon is spot on here:

Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon on Wednesday condemned a petition against Israel which was signed by one hundred famous Norwegians.

“Those who call for a boycott against Israel are in effect boycotting the peace process by automatically and unequivocally endorsing the Palestinian position and pushing them further away from the negotiating table,” Ayalon said in a statement. “We expect the Norwegian government to condemn this boycott.”

Well, except for the fact that there really isn’t a peace process.

5:02PM: Introducing the top 10 BDS fails!

1:48PM: You remember the 80s song “99 Red Balloons”?

Try 100 Norwegian Buffoons (hat tip: Shy Guy).

One hundred famous Norwegians, led by the country’s national football coach, have signed a petition demanding a cultural and academic boycott of Israel, accusing its educational institutions of “playing a key role in the occupation” and equating it with apartheid.

A Norwegian ex-premier denounced their boycott call.

Egil Drillo Olsen, coach for the national Norwegian football team, recently wrote in Aftenposten, the country’s second largest paper, that the call to boycott Israel was “in line with what 90 percent of the world’s population believes. There cannot be many other opinions.”

The petition is the last item in a string of similar and high-profile initiatives to have taken place in Norway over the past two years. It was signed by coach Olsen and 99 other public figures from the arts and culture, who stated that a boycott is “necessary” not only to help Palestinians, but also to “support Israelis opposing the occupation.”

Norwegian former Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik called the boycott call “unhelpful” and “not representative” of the current government’s policy.

Bondevik, who presided over the Norwegian government for seven years over the period 1997 until 2005 on behalf of the Christian Democratic Party, added he wished to “reassure” Israelis that “boycott is not an issue in Norway.”

But Dr. Manfred Gerstenfeld, a senior researcher of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionist trends in Scandinavia, alleges Norway is a “pioneer” in the Western world promoting boycotts and hatred against Israel.

Gerstenfeld, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, notes some “uniquely Norwegian developments unparalleled elsewhere in the West.”

Among them, he lists praise that Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere wrote last year for a book accusing the Israeli army of deliberately killing Gazan women and children, and the promotion of a Norwegian diplomat who had compared Operation Cast Lead in Gaza with the action of the Nazis.

That same year the major Norwegian State pension fund divested from Elbit Systems because of the company’s involvement in building the security fence.

Since then, Norwegian shares in several other Israeli companies have been divested. In November 2009, a Norwegian university, NTNU in Trondheim, became the first in the West whose Board openly discussed boycotting Israel. The plan was ultimately unanimously rejected.

“Norway’s case is unique because it is a country dominated by a political, media and cultural elite with deep-rooted anti-Israeli attitudes stemming from their political world view,” Gerstenfeld said. “It poses a threat to Israel because it may be the place where precedents are set in the campaign to delegitimize Israel.”

11:48AM: Israel has asked the PA to dissocate themselves from a PA study denying our claim to the Western Wall.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s spokesman Mark Regev called on the Palestinian leadership Tuesday to publicly disassociate itself from the Palestinian Authority “study” denying Jewish claims to the Western Wall, saying “this is not the sort of statement to be expected from a partner in peace.”

“Denying the Jewish connection to the Western Wall is to deny reality. If you deny the Jewish connection to the Western Wall you are in fact denying the Jewish connection to Jerusalem and the land of Israel itself,” Regev said. “When they deny the Jewish connection, they are unfortunately raising very serious questions as to their true commitment to reconciliation.”

Regev said this type of statement was to be expected from “Ahmadinejad’s Iran, Hizbullah or Hamas, but to deny the Jewish connection to the Western Wall is something that we wouldn’t expect from a partner in peace, and I call upon the Palestinian leadership – President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad – to publicly disassociate themselves from it.”

—-

Meanwhile, the PA officially endorsed the “study.”

The PA’s Ministry of Information posted the results on its official website, and these findings were first published in The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.

The project was prepared by al-Mutawakel Taha, a senior official with the PA Ministry of Information. He is also a prominent Palestinian poet and writer.

Taha’s “study” concluded that the Western Wall was never a Jewish site, but had always belonged to Muslims. He wrote that the Western Wall, known to Muslims as Al-Buraq Wall, is actually the western wall of the Al-Aksa Mosque.

Gershon Baskin, the joint CEO of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information, sent a letter to the Palestinian leadership in the wake of the Post article, calling the findings “a serious mistake” and “a stain on the Palestinian Authority.”

“If the content of the article is correct, you should take immediate action against the author of the report in question (if he is in fact employed by the PA or by the PLO) because his baseless claims are a serious blow to the legitimacy of Palestinian claims and make a mockery of the idea of peace between the Palestinians and the Jews,” Baskin wrote. “This is a most serious mistake, similar to the one of the late President Arafat when he denied any Jewish connection to the Holy Temple Mount (Haram Al-Sharif) in Jerusalem.

“Any observer, even a non-professional archeologist, can discern that the stones used to construct the Western Wall (the Kotel) are from the era of Solomon’s Temple and the Temple rebuilt by King Herod which was hundreds of years before Islam appeared on the world stage.

“The falsification of history, as done in the report by the Palestinian poet Al- Mutawakel Taha, a senior official with the Ministry of Information, is a serious stain on the Palestinian Authority.”

I think we need to do more than make this demand. We need to go on the offensive as follows:

• Argue that this kind of thing is the true obstacle to peace.
• Question the PA’s true motives given these beliefs
• Use this opportunity to demonstrate the rich Jewish history in, and connection to, the land.

10:35AM: Arutz Sheva reports: 

On Sunday some guests visited Gush Etzion. Six anarchists and Palestinians came to land belonging to Bat Ayin and set afire trees in the settlement’s natural grove. This wasn’t the first such incident. Gush Etzion settlements have witnessed dozens of occurrences in which Palestinians, supported by the extreme left, have encroached on Jewish-owned or state land and set fires, uprooted trees and stolen property. 

This time they were caught red-handed, photographed and detained. I doubt they will be punished, but at least the public can see their faces and get a taste of the libel that goes under the name “violence during the olive-picking season.” 

A gas tank, explosives, the remains of burned tires and footprints led to the neighboring village. These were found by trackers from the Israel Defense Forces who on August 14 reached land belonging to the settlement of Aish Kodesh. The next day there was another act of arson, at exactly the same place. This time the fire destroyed 70 dunams of grazing land and harmed vineyards. Firefighters worked for three hours to put the blaze out. Soldiers at an IDF lookout post saw a tractor fleeing the scene and heading to the same village. 

A week later fires were lit on land adjoining Aish Kodesh. This time 80 dunams were ruined. A water pipe leading to the settlement was damaged and parts of an olive grove belonging to one resident were ruined. Some settlers evacuated their homes, fearing for their lives. A black car was spotted, rushing away to the village of Jalud. 

Yehuda Cohen from Bat Ayin lodged a complaint, saying that 900 dunams of his land, including grazing areas, a stable and 30 pomegranate trees burned down. In a vineyard belonging to a resident of Ofra young saplings were cut down, tons of crops were damaged before the harvest, and irrigation pipes were burned. At the settlement of Pnei Kedem, 500 olive trees belonging to Moshe Cohen were uprooted. At Sde Kalev, more than 100 cherry trees along with buildings and storage sheds belonging to Menahem Livni were set afire; Arab marauders also uprooted more than 400 vines. 

Has anyone heard about these events? Does the Israeli public know about repeated attacks by Palestinians against settlers, with the support of the extreme left? Every year the media reports about thousands of Palestinian olive trees that are allegedly damaged by Jews. Is there any documentation of that? Has anyone ever photographed a Jew burning or uprooting a Palestinian’s tree? The number of cameras distributed to Palestinians is virtually identical to the number of trees on the ground. So where’s the evidence? 

In most of the cases above, policemen reached the damaged lands owned by Jews long after the lawbreakers had fled. Even if the policemen are present at the events themselves, virtually no arrests are made. For instance, police and soldiers were present during the leftist and Arab spree at the vineyard owned by Shlomi Cohen at the settlement of Neria. They watched Arabs uproot thousands of saplings but didn’t do a thing about it. 

Meanwhile, the police team that arrives at areas where Jewish land has been damaged is unlike the one summoned when there is suspicion of damage to Arab agricultural land. It doesn’t include policemen who are specially trained to carry out arrests using force, nor are there vehicles to transport detainees or photographers to document the sabotage. 

Neither the police nor the army are doing much to fight this phenomenon. It turns out that such work is not part of their job descriptions. On the other hand, they receive assignments designed to serve the other side: the “until-the-last-olive operation,” in which large forces are deployed to protect Arab olive pickers. 

In what I have written here, I don’t mean to imply that I demand pro-Jewish law enforcement of the kind that could be expected of the State of Israel. I am only asking for equal law enforcement. Simply equal. 

Just kidding. This was published in Ha’aretz. 

9:38AM: Two Jordanian embassy employees are claiming that Israeli police officers attacked them yesterday. 

Police officials confirmed that Tel Aviv region detectives pulled over a suspicious vehicle, with two people inside who refused to identify themselves. Only later did police discover the two were embassy employees and released them. 

Around 3:30 pm Tuesday, the detectives spotted a suspicious car with two men inside. When police asked the two to identify themselves, they refused. Only after an exchange lasting a few minutes, the suspects presented their diplomat IDs, which according to police did not match other ID. 

Following a second check with the Foreign Ministry, it became clear that the two men are in fact Jordanian embassy employees. 

According to Jordanian reports, the two men say they were assaulted by the detectives. Israel police officials are looking into their claims. 

One of the men spoke to Jordanian media from hospital and said that the plain-clothed detectives attacked him and his friend while they were on their way home. The man said they were asked to show their passports, even though they carry Israeli IDs. 

The man said that an Arabic translator accompanied the detectives and tried to act as a mediator in the incident. The embassy employee added that he and his friend are doing well, and that they both suffer mainly from bruising. 

I’d be interested to hear what really happened. But it’s never a good idea to refuse to show your ID, especially in a security-conscious place like Israel. 

9:20AM: Here’s an Israeli-created video spoof of Angry Birds, an immensely popular puzzle video game, making fun of the conflict. 

You may find it hilarious if you first watch this to understand the game. 

6:22AM: The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee has honored anti-Israel antisemitic old bag Helen Thomas. 

[click image to enlarge] 

Washington, DC | www.adc.org | November 15, 2010 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Research Institute (ADCRI) is delighted to announce that world-renowned Composer and Pianist, Mr. Malek Jandali, will be making a special appearance at the Thursday, November 18, 2010, Gala in honor of Helen Thomas. Mr. Jandali will perform a piano composition exclusively dedicated to Ms. Thomas. Yesterday, at the Kennedy Center, Mr. Jandali premiered his musical project Echoes from Ugarit. The beautiful composition was based on the oldest music notation in the world (discovered in Ugarit, Syria). For more information, please see here. 

The Gala evening will also feature testimonial remarks by friends and admirers of Ms. Thomas, and long-time public servants — including former presidential candidate and consumer advocate, the Honorable Ralph Nader; ADC’s founder and former U.S. Senator James Abourezk; and former Congressman, the Honorable Paul Findley. In addition, attendees will have the unique opportunity to view the recently unveiled sculpture of Helen Thomas, which will soon be transferred to its permanent location at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. 

You can read Abourezk’s speech here to get a taste of the evening. 

Anti-discrimination indeed. 

6:00AM: Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reportedly apologized to Republican congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen two weeks ago for having praised Fidel Castro after he made positive remarks about Israel. 

The website Politico reported Tuesday that Ros-Lehtinen said she had told Netanyahu, “I just said look, this guy has been an enemy of Israel, just because he said something that a normal person would say – after 50 years of anti-Israel incitement, it’s one phrase from an old guy who doesn’t even know where he’s standing.” 

While the US was “mindful” of Palestinian demands for a construction freeze in the West Bank, State Department Spokesman Philip Crowley said Monday the issue would be discussed on September 2 in Washington, ruling it out as a precondition for direct talks.

“The issue of settlements, the issue of the moratorium… has been a topic of discussion and will be a topic of discussion when the leaders meet with Secretary Clinton on September 2,” Crowley said.

For a second straight day, Palestinian leaders have threatened to walk away from upcoming talks if Israel does not extend the settlement construction moratorium on September 26. This has led a government official on Monday to question if the Palestinians “were not looking for excuses to pull out of the talks even before they began.”

A little more than a week before Israel and the Palestinian Authority are scheduled to relaunch direct talks in Washington, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said that “if Israel resumes settlement activities in the Palestinian territories, including east Jerusalem, we cannot continue negotiations.”

He was speaking at a press conference in Ramallah, and quoting from a letter PA President Mahmoud Abbas sent to US President Barack Obama.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu must choose “between settlements and peace,” Erekat said. “We hope that Mr. Netanyahu will choose reconciliation and not further confrontation. If Mr.

Netanyahu decides to produce new settlement tenders come September 26, he will have decided to stop the negotiations.”

Netanyahu’s spokesman Mark Regev said in response to Erekat that the issue of the settlements “is one of the issues on the agenda of the talks, and has to be discussed. The fate of the settlements will be determined in a peace agreement, and that is the correct way to approach the matter.”

Following Erekat’s statement, the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement saying that “Israel does not place any precondition to starting the direct talks.”

Meanwhile, I think it appropriate that the parties will be discussing a freeze with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of all people.

Getty Images

Updates (Israel time; most recent at top)

10:50PM: Egypt fail: How do you say “D’oh” in Arabic?

The Egyptian government was looking to buy back 1.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas sold to Israel as part of the deal signed in 2005, according to a Tuesday report by Egyptian daily al-Shaab.

Anonymous sources told al-Shaab that internal discussions at Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources decided that over half of the natural gas sold to Israel under the deal would have to be repurchased at $14 billion, even though it was sold for $2 billion.

Cairo officials had previously blamed the gas deal with Israel as the main reason for the increase in power outages experienced by Egyptians since 2004, as less natural gas is provided for use by domestic power suppliers, AFP reported last Sunday.

Egypt’s ruling party has been embarrassed by the increased power cuts to the population and ensuing fights between government officials over who bears responsibility for the problem,  according to the independent daily al-Shorouk report cited by AFP.

10:40PM: Hizbullah fail: The prosecutor in the assassination case of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri says that a packet of evidence handed over by Hizbullah last week was “incomplete,” and failed to add anything to what Sheik Hassan Nasrallah disclosed at a news conference earlier this month.

"I'm screwed"

8:52PM: Chairman of the Finnish Amnesty International Frank Johansson has this to say about Israel on his blog (hat tip: Tundra Tabloids via Solomonia).

“A friend of mine who works in Israel, was visiting while piling wood in the shed, we got into his favourite topic. Several years of  residence in the holy country, he has come to the conclusion that “Israel is a scum state”. On the basis of my own visit, which occurred during the 1970s and 1990s for the final time, I agree.”

Welcome to the world of English-language blogs, scumball.

Here’s hoping you’re career is finnish-ed.

8:40PM: Interesting blog from a pro-Israel Muslim.

From his profile:

I am a college student of Political Science, and Jewish Studies in Baltimore, Maryland. An avid supporter of interfaith relations, I was the first Muslim president of the only international Jewish Fraternity, and am always working to use my unique experiences between two worlds to be a bridge between Muslims and Jews wherever I go.

5:36PM: Quote of the day:

“We have called repeatedly for his release, [but] the regime that holds him is not one that is terribly given to respond to international pressure or respect international law in any way, shape or form.”

“We have great sympathy for him, his family and all those who know him. He stands as a symbol and remembrance that terrorism is a very real fact in Israel’s day-to-day existence. He is a symbol of that reality and of the complete lawlessness of those in that region who threaten Israel’s existence.”

- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper commenting on the plight of Gilad Shalit

5:26PM: If you think that the Dead Sea’s high salt and mineral content makes it a very safe place to swim, think again.

5:16PM: NBA star Dwight Howard is to visit Israel “to demonstrate their solidarity with the people and State of Israel.”

5:10PM: According to Maariv columnist Ben Caspit, Rahm Emanuel used some expletives against Ron Dermer, Netanyahu Diplomatic Adviser.

In any case, the real US attitude towards the Netanyahu government hasn’t changed. Inside the room, nothing has changed about how the two parties regard each other. Both parties. This is exemplified by the following story: A little while back, Rahm Emanuel paid us a visit. A family visit, on the occasion of his son’s Bar Mitzvah. Still, Emanuel conducted some [working] meetings in Jerusalem. In the Prime Minister’s Office, among others. With Netanyahu’s Diplomatic Adviser, Ron Dermer, among others. The meeting was held at one of the offices in “the aquarium” [the Prime Minister's suite]. The tone was not amicable. At some point, it turned into shouting and cursing. Emanuel, as he regularly does, used obscene language. Don’t f*ck with me [spelled out in English and transliterated into Hebrew in the original], for example.

That word, f*ck [transliterated into Hebrew in the original], which is off-limits in the American media, appears in every second sentence Emanuel utters. Whoever translates it, does it at his own risk. Dermer, by the way, gave back as good as he got. Emanuel was angry, he claimed, because Dermer briefed certain Americans, Jewish and non-Jewish, against the President and Emanuel himself. The ruckus at the meeting was bad and hasn’t leaked until now. Afterwards, Bibi went to Washington and everything calmed down.

Wow, Emanuel really does think he is Jesus.

3:12PM: Remember the controversial video of IDF soldiers dancing in Hebron to Ke$ha’s “Tik Tok”?

Well, a Lebanese blogger from Now Lebanon has reacted to it – by complimenting the choice of song and recognizing that the soldiers have a sense of humor.

2:32PM: This is Norway to treat a friend.

Norway’s Finance Ministry said the country’s oil fund has divested from two Israeli  companies involved in building settlements in the West Bank.

The ministry said Monday that the 2.8 trillion kroner ($440 billion) sovereign wealth fund has excluded from its portfolio construction company Danya Cebus Ltd. and its majority owner, Africa Israel Investments Ltd.

Danya Cebus has built Israeli homes in the West Bank.

The ethical council that monitors the fund’s investments warned that the fund risked “contributing to serious violations of individual rights in situations of war and conflict” by investing in the Israeli companies.

And here I was hoping for a Thor in relations.

2:24PM: Israeli Foreign Ministry officials have revealed that one of the men on the Mavi Marmara spent three years in a Turkish prison for hijacking a ferry in the Black Sea in 1996.

The Turkish newspaper Hurrieyt reported over the weekend that Erdinc Tekir, who was hurt during the IDF raid on the boat, was among the ninemember team that hijacked the Black Sea ferry to bring the 1996 war in Chechneya to the world’s attention. Tekir spent some three and a half years in prison for the incident.

“This shows what kind of people were on the ship,” one Foreign Ministry official said.

“There were people with a history of violence, and willingness to use it.” The official said Israel hoped the UN panel that was established to probe the Gaza flotilla incident would look into who was on the boat. The panel needs to “shed light on what really happened for the whole world to see.”

11:32AM: Thousands of Jewish children in more than 200 schools (including 42 religious ones) from the fifth grade and up will begin mandatory studies in Arabic this school year.

“The aim is to turn the language into a cultural bridge – a means of communication. It is extremely important that every child come to know the language and the culture and thus communicate, hold conversations, and be tolerant in this country.

It would be nice if this approach was reciprocated.

8:52AM: With Iran’s leaders threatening to wipe Israel off the map, and otherwise referring to us as things like “a cancer” and “filthy bacteria,” this is how Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon has addressed the Iranian people.

Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon has joined the struggle against closing down Kol Yisrael (Israel radio) in Persian: “This is an extremely important public diplomacy tool that directly links Israel to the Iranian people, out of the regime’s reach. Today, the Kol Yisrael program in Persian is Israel’s only means of transmitting direct messages to the Iranian people. In the program’s 55 years of existence, it has built up a reputation among the Iranians for having objective and trustworthy broadcasts. Kol Yisrael in Persian must not be shut down; in fact its scope should be increased,” said Ayalon.

The deputy minister sent the following message to the Iranian people, as part of an interview he granted to the station:

“Israel bears no animosity towards the Iranian people. We have deep respect for them, and aspire to cooperate with them to bring about a better reality in the region. The problem is intrinsic to the Iranian regime and its conduct, particularly regarding the nuclear issue. This is a regime that threatens to annihilate western countries such as the United States, Great Britain and Israel. The Iranian regime spreads instability, supports terror, and oppresses its own people. It is impossible to accept atomic weapons in the hands of such a regime.

The Iranian reactor constitutes a tremendous danger to the stability of the entire region and to world peace in general because, besides nuclear armaments, Iran is also developing a missile system that threatens countries beyond the Middle East, such as Europe. Nuclear weapons in Iran’s hands will enable it to threaten all the Arab governments with its present means (subversive elements in various countries, agents, and so forth). Even now it controls bodies that function as a state within a state, in Lebanon, Palestinian areas, Yemen and other places.

Another point that does not always come up in the Iranian context, due to the nuclear threat, is the glaring violation of civil rights inside Iran. This is an aggressive dictatorial regime, and all progressive elements throughout the world should take action against it, if only for that reason. Israel congratulates the Iranian people for their efforts to liberate themselves from the burden of the oppressive regime. At every international forum, Israel has raised the issue of the suffering of the Iranian people and the cruelty of the regime ruling them. That is the main thing we can do for such an illustrious nation suffering from oppression. But in the end, it is the Iranian people themselves who must take their fate in their own hands and act to achieve their rights. The more the citizens of Iran increase their protest activities, the higher the international support will be, including Israel’s support.

In response to a question regarding the likelihood of regional war, the deputy minister replied that there is always the possibility of sudden, unplanned deterioration due to one action or another. Israel is committed to defending its citizens and if attacked will act accordingly. A fear exists that Iran – as it becomes more pressured by sanctions – will goad those under its patronage in Hizbullah and Hamas to initiate military action against Israel. There’s also a possibility that Iran will make a military move against the Arab Gulf states and harm the flow of oil to the world, in which case the entire situation will degrade into widespread confrontations. Remember that the sanctions are aimed against Iran’s efforts to arm itself with nuclear weapons, and if they don’t elicit results, the United States and other nations might consider more forceful measures.”

6:06AM: This next photo is dedicated to those who do not think the PA – especially chief PA negotiator Saeb Erekat – are acting like little children.

AFP

Either that, or he’s trying to perfect Blue Steel.

************************************************************************************

September specials at the Okeanus Hotels in Israel.  Suites, Sea, and Style.

Rooms start at only $170. Click here for more details.

************************************************************************************

Three Israeli naval craft left a Haifa naval base just after 9 pm and approached the “Freedom Flotilla” after dark on Sunday, according to the Twitter page of Free Gaza, one organization participating in the flotilla.

Two hours later, Israel Radio broadcast a recording of one of the missile boats warning the flotilla, which is carrying humanitarian aid and pro-Palestinian activists, not to approach Gaza.

“If you ignore this order and enter the blockaded area, the Israeli navy will be forced to take all the necessary measures in order to enforce this blockade,” the radio message continued.

One tweet at about 11 pm said, “We didn’t expect them now,” adding that the participants thought Israeli forces would arrive Monday morning.<

This is a help message,” said one post from the flotilla on the Free Gaza website. “We have been contacted by the Israelis but are still fine, don’t worry.”

“The signals are going up and down,” the website said. “Israel is doing its best to block the satellite.”

An Al Jazeera reporter aboard one of the vessels said the flotilla’s organizers have decided to take a different route – far from the Israeli vessels – in order to avoid a confrontation during the night.

Looks like our brave “activists” are afraid of the dark.

OOOOGA BOOOOOGA!

Meanwhile, the flotilla passengers are revealing their true colors..and agendas.

Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon responded to what he called “anti-Semitic chants” that came from the ship’s passengers and were broadcast on Israel Radio.

Some of the passengers on the ships were recorded shouting chants to remember Haifa since the army of Muhammad will soon return.

Updates (Israel time; most recent at top)

11:26PM: Some of the soldiers’ wounds, as well as the weapons found on board.

11:22PM: Scenes from a Leftie protest in Tel Aviv today.

11:08PM: Israeli spokesperson Mark Regev on the BBC this morning.

11:00PM: White House statement on today’s events:

“This morning between 10:00 and 10:15 AM CDT, the President spoke by phone with Prime Minister Netanyahu.  He said he understood the Prime Minister’s decision to return immediately to Israel to deal with today’s events.  They agreed to reschedule their meeting at the first opportunity. The President expressed deep regret at the loss of life in today’s incident, and concern for the wounded, many of whom are being treated in Israeli hospitals. The President also expressed the importance of learning all the facts and circumstances around this morning’s tragic events as soon as possible.”

9:36PM: For those wondering about the legality of the IDF’s actions in boarding the vessel , see rule 67(a) of the San Remo manual.

9:28PM: Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Alfredo Mantica has called the international flotilla to the Gaza Strip a “provocation”.

“The manner of the response is debatable, but to think that it would all pass without Israeli action is naiveté on the part of the organizers. I believe someone wanted to see how harsh Israel’s response would be,” he said.

8:54PM: A Qassam rocket was fired into Israel earlier this hour.

8:42PM: Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni has criticized Israel’s PR effort in the wake of today’s crisis.

“I have been running around manically today between foreign studios in Jerusalem,” she said, “But I did not see a single official Israeli representative embark on a PR campaign.”

8:25PM: Top 3 things the “peace activists” were doing with knives, axes and clubs.

3. Performing a theatrical rendition of Pulp Fiction.

2. Cutting up tofu for their burgers.

1. Sleepwalking.

8:12PM: Father-in-law scheduled to appear on BBC World Service.

8:02PM: The flotilla terrorists and enablers’ version of events.

Under darkness of night, Israeli commandoes dropped from a helicopter onto the Turkish passenger ship, Mavi Marmara, and began to shoot the moment their feet hit the deck. They fired directly into the crowd of civilians asleep. According to the live video from the ship, two have been killed, and 31 injured. Al Jazeera has just confirmed the numbers.

Streaming video shows the Israeli soldiers shooting at civilians, and our last SPOT beacon said, “HELP, we are being contacted by the Israelis.”

You’ve all seen the footage. These people have no compunctions about lying.

7:48PM: Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has called off a planned visit to the White House to deal with the flotilla crisis.

He also said he regretted the loss of life but Israeli troops who opened fire were justified in defending themselves.

7:30PM: And now for another view of the “peaceful resistance.”

7:24PM: A bird’s eye view of the violence, which includes a kidnap attempt!

7:15PM: One of the flotilla “peace activists.”

I kid you not.

4:10PM: More on the “peace activists’” ambush, including these interesting facts:

• The ” peace activists” tried to bring down an IDF helicopter
• The “peace activists” pulled out bats, clubs, and slingshots with glass marbles, assaulting each soldier as he disembarked
• IDF soldiers were equipped with paintball rifles used to disperse minor protests, as well as handguns but were told they should only use them in the face of life-threatening situations.
• The soldiers were told they were to verbally convince activists who offer resistance to give up, and only then use paintballs. They were permitted to use their handguns only under extreme circumstances.
• At one point, the attackers nabbed one commando, wrested away his handgun, and threw him down from the top deck to the lower deck, 30 feet below. The soldier sustained a serious head wound and lost his consciousness.
• Only after this injury did troops ask for permission to use live fire.

Read the whole thing.

3:56PM: Free Gaza flotillarists on Twitter:

Israel has just announced that it will prosecute the #Freedom Flotilla members who “attacked” its soldiers.

I love the quotation marks around “attacked”, as if there is no footage showing the members attacking soldiers.

3:30PM: Video of an IDF soldier being stabbed with a knife on board one of the vessels this morning.

1:30PM: Major Avital Leibovitz of the army’s Foreign Press Branch:

“It was a planned lynch against IDF soldiers. They did not plan to enter a violent clash with the passengers, and unfortunately the passengers chose violence and used knives, spikes and even opened fire at the soldiers and snatched weapons.

“This is not a human rights organization. I know no human rights organization which uses such means.”

1:25PM: Some recent scenes from Turkey (first 5 photos).

Meanwhile, Turkish protesters tried to storm the Israeli consulate in Istanbul.

1:18PM: More on the flotilla’s Hamas connection.

1:02PM: Via IMRA:

Monday, May 31, 2010
Law Expert Dr Robbie Sabel IDF action in international waters legal

Int’l Law Expert Dr. Robbie Sabel: IDF action in international waters legal

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 31 May 2010

IMRA asked Hebrew University international law expert Dr. Robbie Sabel about the legality of the IDF action in international waters.

Dr. Sabel explained that a state, in a time of conflict, can impose an embargo, and while it cannot carry out embargo activities in the territorial waters of a third party, it can carry out embargo activities in international waters.

Within this framework it is legal to detain a civilian vessel trying to break an embargo and if in the course of detaining the vessel, force is used against the forces carrying out the detention then that force has every right to act in self defense.

Dr. Sabel noted that there is a long history of embargo activities in international waters.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)

1:00PM: Some footage from Israeli television showing the “non-violent, peace activists” in action

The uploader of this video also notes:

Later in the video you see footage of them departing Turkey. They’re chanting “Khaybar Khayber ya Yahud, Jaysh Muhammad sa ya’ud,” which translates to “Khaybar Khaybar O Jews, the army of Muhammad will return.” The reference is to the seventh century massacre and enslavement of Jews in the city of Khaybar by Mohammed.

More information on that here.

11:34AM: IDF’s statement on this morning’s events:

Early this morning, IDF Naval Forces boarded six ships attempting to break the maritime closure of the Gaza Strip. This happened after numerous warnings from Israel and the Israeli Navy that were issued prior to the action. The Israel Navy requested the ships to redirect toward Ashdod where they would be able to unload their aid supplies which would then be transferred over land after undergoing security inspections.

During the boarding of the ships, the demonstrators onboard attacked the IDF Naval personnel with live fire and light weaponry including knives and clubs. Additionally one of the weapons used was grabbed from an IDF soldier. The demonstrators had clearly prepared their weapons in advance for this specific purpose.

As a result of this life-threatening and violent activity, naval forces employed riot dispersal means, including live fire.

According to initial reports, these events resulted in over ten deaths among the demonstrators and numerous injured, in addition, more than four naval personnel were injured, some from gunfire and some from various other weapons. Two of the soldiers are moderately wounded and the remainder sustained light injuries. All of the injured, Israelis and foreigners are currently being evacuated by helicopter to hospitals in Israel.

Reports from IDF forces on the scene are that it seems as if part of the participants onboard the ships were planning to lynch the forces.

The events are ongoing, and information will be updated as soon as possible. Israeli Naval commander, Vice Admiral Eliezer Marom is overseeing the events.

In the coming hours, the ships will be directed to the Ashdod port, while IDF naval forces will perform security checks in order to identify the people on board the ships and their equipment. The IDF Spokesman conveys that this event is currently unfolding and further details will be provided as soon as possible.

This IDF naval operation was carried out under orders from the political leadership to halt the flotilla from reaching the Gaza Strip and breaching the maritime closure.

The interception of the flotilla followed numerous warnings given to the organizers of the flotilla before leaving their ports as well as while sailing towards the Gaza Strip. In these warnings, it was made clear to the organizers that they could dock in the Ashdod sea port and unload the equipment they are carrying in order to deliver it to the Gaza Strip in an orderly manner, following the appropriate security checks. Upon expressing their unwillingness to cooperate and arrive at the port, it was decided to board the ships and lead them to Ashdod.

IDF naval personnel encountered severe violence, including use of weaponry prepared in advance in order to attack and to harm them. The forces operated in adherence with operational commands and took all necessary actions in order to avoid violence, but to no avail.

8:58AM: I need to step away from the computer for a while. Please post any updates in the comments.

8:55AM: According to Channel 10, IDF commandos were attacked with “axes and knives”

8:45AM: From commenter Michael:

As someone who watched the turkish footage, it was clearly shown members of the boat attacking the soldiers that descended from the helicopter with crude implements including pieces of metal and what appeared to be a folding char, in addition to another person trying to grab a soldier’s weapon. This portion has since been cut out of what is being shown currently on al jazeera, but it was shown repeatedly on turkish television.

8:32AM: From yesterday:

8:30AM: An IDF soldier was reportedly stabbed in the stomach after boarding one of the vessels. So much for “non-violent resistance”, huh?

8:00AM: Turkish TV is reporting at least 10 flotilla fools have been killed by the Israeli navy, with over 60 wounded. Other reports put the number of dead at two.

While this has the makings of a PR disaster for Israel (which I posit was the whole point of the flotilla in the first place), bear in mind that they were heading to Gaza with unknown contents on board, and are known to support Hamas. Furthermore, army radio reported that passengers tried to grab weapons away from soldiers boarding , starting the violence.

6:22AM: The flotilla of fools has tweeted that the IDF has killed 2 and wounded 31 on one of their boats.

Report from IHH boat..two killed, 31 wounded. No verification but medical emergency can be seen from ship

Of course, no verification.

6:00AM: Jewish-French writer and philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy on Israel:

Referring to the IDF, Jewish-French writer and philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy said, “Much can and should be learned from Israel.”

Addressing the French-Israeli conference on democracy in Tel Aviv Sunday, Levy said, “I’ve covered many wars, and I’ve never seen an army that asks itself so many questions related to morals.”

As for Israel’s status in the international community, the French philosopher said, “There is a demonization campaign against Israel all over the world.

“In a region where dictatorships and truly fascist regimes rule, Israel represents an island of democracy. Zionism is the only movement that has not failed and turned into a caricature. It is the only movement that has preserved its spirit,” he told the conference.

“Israel is a miracle because since its inception it has been in a constant state of war, yet it never gave up on the democratic values at its core,” according to Levy.

He added, “Democracy was created (in Israel) out of nothing. People had no experience in democracy, but through willpower and a miracle, they invented a functioning democracy. Israel is proof that democracy does not require time. In France a newspaper was shut down every two weeks during the war in Algeria.”

Levy also praised the Israeli government’s treatment of the Arab minority during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, adding that Arab-Israel villages he had visited during the war “were on the brink of explosion.”

“I am not certain that (governments in other countries) would have acted the same. I remember a terrible atmosphere and my admiration of the Israeli authorities’ level-headed conduct. Israel represents a secular miracle,” he said.

The renowned philosopher also said democracy was a Jewish idea. “The Talmud is democracy in practice. The Jewish nation invented the notion that the truth lies in the most heated argument,” he said.

******************************************************************************************

Want to learn how to shoot with top Israeli anti-terror experts? Click here for more details.

******************************************************************************************

Credit where it is due: The Egyptians know how to deal with Hamas and especially with the useful idiots who have turned Gaza into a cause celebre. When George Galloway and his traveling roadshow of activists showed up in Egypt to make trouble, the Egyptians simply threw all of them out of the country.

“George Galloway is considered persona non grata and will not be allowed to enter into Egypt again,” a Foreign Ministry statement said. The activist left Egypt Friday morning from Cairo airport. … “He was told that he is a trouble maker and his behavior is undermining Egyptian security.”

This is no exaggeration. The arrival of Galloway’s “relief convoy” was accompanied by Hamas-staged riots along the Gaza border in which a Hamas sniper killed an Egyptian border guard. As a result, “Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Ali Aboul Gheit said his country would ban aid convoys from entering its territory.”

Where are the outraged Human Rights Watch press releases? When are the UN Human Rights Council hearings? Where is the collective outrage of the British media? We have banned aid convoys to Gaza — this statement would cause global apoplexy if uttered by the Israeli foreign minister.

But Egypt isn’t done:

Mosques throughout Egypt took advantage of Friday prayers to criticize Hamas…London-based Arabic-language newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi reported Saturday that most of the 140,000 mosques operating under the auspices of Egypt’s Ministry of Awqaf took part in the verbal onslaught on the Palestinian Islamist group. …

According to another imam, Hamas is to blame for the blockade imposed on the Palestinians in Gaza. “Its leaders want to stay in power, even at the cost of their own people’s expulsion and starvation,” the imam said during a sermon at Cairo’s Al-Rahma Mosque.

Egyptian officials speak the terse and confident language of sovereignty. Israelis too frequently employ the defensive language of ethics, unaware that such noble rhetoric, when applied to foreign policy, invites little but skepticism and complaint.

Here’s a good example of this.

Instead of confidently declaring how the so-called “settlement” issue is really a non-issue, explaining how the territories in which these “settlements” were established is historically part of the Jewish homeland and disputed – not occupied – territory, and pointing out that the palestinian insistence on having building in these communities is a recent phenomenon, Regev states emphatically “I understand the palestinian position on settlements.” (2:35) From then on, it really does not matter what he says. Israel has lost the argument.

At a recent bloggers conference, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s policy director Ron Dermer said something along the following lines to support his assertion that we need to talk about our rights to our homeland:

The palestinians are saying “You stole my home”, and we reply “but we offered to give you back 95% of it.” Who wins that argument?

Mark Regev and many other Israeli officials and spokespeople could learn a thing or two from Ron Dermer.

And from the Egyptians.

And in another flying pig moment, it looks like soon-not-to-be Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made a correct decision.

A boat carrying 27 far-left protesters docked in Gaza Wednesday morning, after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert reversed course and decided against barring the vessel’s entrance.

This was the third small boat chartered by the US-based Free Gaza movement that has sailed from Cyprus to Gaza to draw attention to the Israeli blockade of the Strip.

Two other boats that set sail together in August were also let in by the Israeli authorities, who wanted to deny the protesters publicity.

Government officials said that a decision was taken “at the highest governmental levels” a number of days ago to stop this new boat and arrest the protesters.

But Olmert – after consultations with Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi – changed the decision at the last moment, apparently concerned about the negative publicity.

Representatives of the National Information Directorate, as well as the media specialists at the Foreign Ministry, who were preparing for the boat to be intercepted at sea, were not involved in the consultations.

One senior government official said Israel’s decision to let the boat pass was made after it became clear exactly who and what were on the boat.

He also said Israel “wants to keep these agitators guessing, and not play into their hands.”

The official said that the decision to let the boat in Wednesday was made on a one-time basis, and did not represent a blanket policy. He added that no decision has been made whether Israel would allow the boat to sail back, as it did in August.

Now if the government would only take my advice. Which they don’t seem to be doing at this stage.

Olmert’s spokesman Mark Regev, meanwhile, said that the protesters and organizers of the boat were not the only ones who wanted a “free Gaza.”

“We are also interested in freeing Gaza,” Regev said. “We want to free the civilian population of the Gaza Strip from the authoritative, totalitarian, Taliban-type regime that is oppressing it.”

Acknowledging that the protesters and organizers of the boat want a “free Gaza” makes it sound like this is really all they want. We should be mentioning that really what they want is a”free palestine”, meaning the end of the state of Israel.