A TV documentary on the Gaza Flotilla was recently shown on BBC Panorama Series.  The documentary which was made by Jane Corbin and entitled “Death in the Med” is shown here Part 1 and Part 2

The anti-Israel crowd, who are used to being stroked by the BBC, are agitated by the even-handedness displayed - as reported by the Jerusalem Post. and commented on here by Ray Cook.  Maybe, just maybe, the BBC is getting a clearer sense of what is happening - or else this is just an aberration.

Earlier this week came the news that yet another flotilla was preparing to set to sail seeking to break Israel’s “blockade” of Gaza. This flotilla is set to sail from Lebanon with a unique passenger manifest of doctors, lawyers, journalists, Christians and Muslims The all-women flotilla would also carry a group of nuns and a pregnant woman (see more). There is no mention as to whether the passenger list will include any jihadist cutthroat terrorists from Turkey or whether it will carry out-of-date stock as did the ill-fated Mavi Marmara in May of this year.

The obvious hypocrisy of this venture is nevertheless omnipresent. Here we have a group of women who claim to be concerned with human rights protesting against Israel while ignoring the numerous human rights’ violations by ruling Hamas in Gaza and other despots throughout the Middle East. Women protesting against Israel when studies have shown that since the brutal Hamas takeover of Gaza in 2007, 77% of women in Gaza face “at least one of several forms of violence at the hands of men” (see more).

And what of violations against women in other parts of the world? In this very week when I have read about 18 year old Bibi, an Afghani woman who had her ears and nose cut off by the Taliban because she attempted to run away from an abusive husband, and of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, an Iranian woman sentence to death by stoning for adultery, I find a group of women protesting against the only true democracy in the Middle East. This is truly bizarre.

But beyond the blatant duplicity is something even more sinister. The spotlight has been on Lebanon for a few weeks now in between the UN tribunal that is investigating the murder of Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri (which Hezbollah is trying to now pin on Israel) and the border clash with Israeli soldiers last week. Despite this, there has been a constant question in regard to Lebanon which nobody except for Israeli commentators seem to be asking, what about Lebanon’s Palestinian refugees?

For over thirty years now, more than 300,000 Palestinians in Lebanon have been living under filthy conditions in unsanitary refugee camps. They are restricted from professions such as medicine, law and engineering. They are denied access to health-care, are unable to own property and need a special permit to leave their towns. In a 2007 report Amnesty International stated that various restrictions placed Palestinians in Lebanon puts them “in a situation akin to that of second class citizens and denies them access to their full range of human rights” (see more). To read more analysis of Lebanon’s Palestinian refugees see here and here.

It makes one wonder why the Palestinians in Lebanon are not cared for in the same way as the Palestinians in Gaza. Why is there no movement such as the Free Gaza movement supporting Palestinians in Lebanon? Why is it that the world media, student bodies, academics and others are so obsessed with the Israelis that they continue to ignore what is happening to Palestinians in the rest of the Arab world? (see more).

And how can the world simply accept a flotilla full of women travelling from Lebanon without asking any questions?

The Fairfax organisation whose flagship newspapers are the Melbourne Age and the Sydney Morning Herald are so mired in the flawed narrative of their employee activist/analyst/commentators that they have lost the capacity to objectively deal with the Gaza Flotilla incident of late May in which their own reporter played an integral part.

This is clear from today’s two-pronged attack on Israel per medium of the Age editorial entitled ‘Flotilla inquiry doesn’t hold water’ and an extraordinarily poorly constructed propaganda piece by Paul McGeough entitled ‘Flotilla inquiries fail to consider culpability of Israeli government’.

McGeough sailed with some of the activists on the flotilla but not on the same ship as the problematic types who, the evidence clearly shows, set out to confront by violent resistance any attempt to prevent the flotilla from breaching Israel’s blockade. His writing more and more resembles active advocacy on their behalf.   

Both pieces seek to whitewash the findings of Israel’s military inquiry into the incident of 31 May 2010 and both display an incredible lack of understanding of the purpose of the enquiry. Additionally, they display a complete refusal to accept that there is a narrative of the events which differs to that which the Age and its reporters have been pushing. The Age’s version happens to coincide with the version of the gang of cutthroat militants who embedded themselves in the flotilla with mischief and mayhem in mind.

 

It’s a narrative that’s short on verifiable facts and one that flies in the face of a large body of real evidence which Israel’s detractors would like to sweep under the carpet (and in the case of Fairfax and its resident flotilla spin doctor are working hard to keep under cover). For their benefit, here is a sample of the body of evidence ignored or dismissed:-

 I have put the information into sub-categories, for your convenience.

 Israeli Humanitarian Aid into Gaza before the Flotilla Incident:

• A report of the Humanitarian Aid being delivered to Gaza from Israel
• A report putting this aid into perspective
• Video: Israel unloads aid from the flotillas and transfers it to Gaza
• Why the “aid” delivered by the flotilla in question was not considered humanitarian aid
• Israel’s new policy on Gaza – completely outlined with reasons why certain items are banned

The organisation behind the Mavi Marmara was the IHH. Age reports have routinely ignored who the IHH are and what they stand for, instead continually referring to them as “activists” and “protestors”.  

• The IHH is a militant Islamist movement with a record of supporting terrorism
• Analysis – IHH Preparations for a violent confrontation with IDF soldiers aboard the Turkish Ship Mavi Marmara: Initial conclusions from questioning passengers and examining equipment on board the ships
• Additional evidence of the preparations of the Hard Core of IHH operatives for the confrontation with the IDF
• Several Flotilla Passengers are active terror operatives linked to Al-Qaeda, Hamas and other organisations
• IHH is being banned elsewhere in the world – Germany bans IHH for Hamas links

Video evidence of the violence that the IDF was met with:

• Video of the cache of weapons including knives, slingshots, rocks, smoke bombs, metal rods, improvised sharp metal objects, sticks and clubs, 5kg hammers and firebombs
• Close up video of “peace activists” attacking the metal batons
• Video taken by the IDF showing passengers of the Mavi Marmara violently attacking IDF officers trying to board the ship
• Video of the radio exchange between the soldiers on their way to the bridge and the IDF ship. The soldiers are reporting their encounter with live fire and serious violence.
• Video of Israeli Navy officer describing the violent mob aboard the Mavi Marmara
• Video of the Mavi Marmara passengers attacking the IDF before the soldiers boarded the ship
• Video of the flotilla rioters as they prepared rods, slingshots, broken bottles and metal objects to attack IDF soldiers
• Video of Israeli naval officers addressing the ship  
• Photographs published in the Turkish media taken by IHH operatives in order to embarrass Israel of injured Israeli soldiers.

 And I haven’t started on Hamas and its evil racist covenant which is routinely ignored in Fairfax publications. Let there be no doubt that it is Hamas (and not the Palestinian or the Gazan people) which is the beneficiary of these attacks on Israel.

This brings me to Paul McGeough’s piece in the Sydney Morning Herald entitled ‘Flotilla inquiries fail to consider culpability of Israeli government’.  It is a reminder to all that if he becomes the new Middle East Correspondent for the Age, as the rumours are suggesting, the Age will enter a new universe of reporting, lacking in balance, objectivity and credibility. 

McGeough opens by informing us that the ‘Israeli spin machine… has painted the Turkish non-government organisation IHH in the darkest possible terms.’ He declares that any evidence that the Israelis have on the IHH is the result of the ‘a lot of ominous dots to join’. But it is McGeough who is attempting to join a lot of ominous lines himself by continually ignoring the evidence put forward above and repeatedly attempted to paint the operatives on board as nothing more than “troublemakers”. This is nothing more than a poor attempt to wriggle out of the awkward situation he created in his early reports which totally ignored the IHH and its violence even as Turkish newspapers were publishing photographs which contradicted the very same version he had been pushing.

It seems that it would be easier for McGeough to keep trotting out the same rubbery narrative except for the fact that there is so much evidence of these “troublemakers” waiting for the Israelis with clubs, chains and metal slingshots. As much as I try to stretch the memory, I simply cannot recall the last time an innocent boy scout threw an unconscious soldier over the bows of a ship.

And that is exactly where the truth had gone as far as Fairfax and this sordid flotilla incident – dumped over the bows of the ship.

 

Today’s print edition of the Australian carries a story entitled ‘Israel eases its Gaza blockade’ about Israel’s decision to:

• Liberalise the system by which civilian goods enter Gaza
• Expand the inflow of materials for civilian projects that are under international supervision.
• Continue existing security procedures to prevent the inflow of weapons and war materials. (see more)

Hamas senior leader Ismail Radwan stated, “We in Hamas reject the Zionist decision, which is an attempt to obscure the international decision to completely lift the siege”. The article also notes that the Palestinian Authority called it a “public relations ploy”, which is an interesting choice of words considering the events of the last two weeks in regards to the flotilla.

 The United States hailed the decision with State Department spokesman Mark Toner stating, ‘we welcome the general principles announced earlier today…They reflect the type of changes we’ve been discussing with our Israeli friends… As these principles get further developed and implemented we hope the situation in Gaza will improve… We want to see an expansion of the scope and types of goods allowed into Gaza to address the Palestinians’ legitimate needs for sustained humanitarian assistance and regular access for reconstruction material’ (see more). 

 French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said, ‘It is the first major progress since the crisis began. But it is not enough.’ This sentiment was echoed throughout the European Union.

 I am seeing a lot of statements calling on Israel to do more, but I am yet to see these same people offering an alternative in terms of weapons being smuggled in to Gaza to be used against Israeli civilians. Surely if Israel is to ease restrictions it should be done with a genuine pledge by Hamas to put an end to terror and incitement. Or has everyone forgotten Hamas’ deadly covenant calling for the annihilation of Jews, or the 10,000 rocket that have been fired at Israel in recent years, which should show us they are not joking around.

Meanwhile, Australian Greens leader Senator Bob Brown tried to bring the issue into the Australian Senate yesterday when he attempted to move that the Senate:

1. Notes that basic food products including pasta, coriander, fruit jams, instant coffee and fresh meat, none of which have any link to national security, have been banned under Israel’s blockade on Gaza; and
2. Expresses its concern for the social humanitarian and economic impact of Israel’s blockade on Gaza.

Senator Ludwig responded, “The government will not support this motion in its current form. As has been stated on previous occasions, the government objects to using formal motions to deal with complex international matters, particularly those involving other governments. This motion in its current form is unbalanced and fails to recognise Israel’s genuine security concerns”. To read more follow this link and go to page 15-16.

The Israel Security Cabinet decision also stated ‘Israel expects the international community to work towards the immediate release of Gilad Shalit’ though less media sources are willing to write about Gilad, who has been held by Hamas for almost four years in contravention to international humanitarian laws. Toner also reiterated calls for his release.

 In regards to the flotilla incident, earlier in the week, the Israeli Government released details of the ‘special, independent public commission’ which ‘will make it clear to the entire world that the State of Israel acts according to law, transparently, and with full responsibility’. The group would consist of two foreign observers (see more). The UN Special Envoy to the Middle East stated, ‘The Secretary-General has taken note of Israel’s announcement and recognises that a thorough Israeli investigation is important, and could be consistent with the Secretary-General’s own proposals for an international panel – the two combined would fully meet the international community’s expectation for a credible and impartial investigation’ (see more). He also noted that the two inquiries would be complimentary with each other.

Excuse me for appearing cynical but the UN’s Goldstone Report released as a result of Operation Cast Lead was hardly impartial and showed us just how flawed a supposedly objective inquiry could be. At the time even Goldstone himself acknowledged that ‘we had to do the best we could with the material we had. If this was a court of law, there would have been nothing proven’ (read more). So just whose evidence would the UN rely on in relation to the flotilla? The Turkish terrorist organisation the IHH? Hamas? Supposed peace activists who knew these terrorists boarded the ship in Turkey?

 Next Friday, 25 June 2010, will mark four years since Gilad Shalit was abducted. He has been held for four years by Hamas terrorists in contravention with international humanitarian law. The Melbourne Jewish community has always been behind the campaign to raise awareness of Gilad’s plight and we ask that as we approach yet another painful anniversary that you continue to keep Gilad in your thoughts and continue to get the message out that Gilad still lives. In a time when the world is focused on the supposed humanitarian crisis in Gaza the real crisis is that Gilad Shalit has been held for so long with no access to the outside world.

 In the next few days the Zionist Council of Victoria will be sending out more information on the “Blue Ribbon Campaign”, which we have continued consistently since Gilad’s abduction in 2006.

A successful rally held today in Sydney’s Bondi provided an important opportunity for a large crowd to get together to express their solidarity with Israel.  On this Monday afternoon of a long weekend, the crowd of about 1400 people, listened to short speeches of support, and sang songs in Hebrew for peace.   Ron Weiser, the main speaker, had been also honoured earlier in the day in the Queens Birthday list of Australian awards.  Mazaltov, Ron.

Much has been said about the hypocrisy and double standards meted out to Israel in the aftermath of the Gaza flotilla.  After all, what would we want and expect Australia to do in a similar situation! 

Yet, we also know many people whose eyes are now opened to Israel’s predicament, and are strongly supportive.  It has also been gratifying that the Security Council anti-Iran resolution was not derailed by the Gaza protests.

The rally, which was organised by the NSW State Zionist Council, was reported quite well in the Sydney Morning Herald

Israel continues to face many major challenges,  and the rally provided Sydney with an opportunity to send an unmistakable message of solidarity and support.

Yesterday’s Age carried an Editorial entitled ‘Inquiry sails into troubled waters’ (this flotilla incident has certainly been a dream for sub-editors in terms of how many play-on-words one can write about the sea) shows exactly where the Age officially sits on the issue but this was fairly obvious from their placement of Paul McGeough’s not-so-eyewitness rant on the front page of last Friday’s paper anyway. This week on the topic of an internal inquiry about what happened, they declare, “this may be convenient for Israel, but the inconvenient truth, as the rest of the world knows, is that it is a matter of global concern, an incident on international waters, involving the deaths and woundings of many foreigners”.

 I find it interesting that the Age talks about inconvenient truths considering they routinely ignore so many themselves. Here are just a few “inconvenient truths” I have not read too extensively about in the Age over the last week and a half, in no particular order:

 That Hamas, which controls Gaza, has a deadly covenant that calls for the annihilation of Jews by Jihad (see more).  

• That over 10,000 rockets have been fired at Israel in recent years from Gaza, giving Israel reason enough to want to check what goes into the area.
• That Gilad Shalit has been held for almost 4 years against his will by Hamas, being denied even the most basic human rights.
• That the IHH, the group responsible for the violence aboard the Mavi Marmara, is a terrorist organisation who specifically boarded the ship with the intention of a confrontation with Israeli soldiers
• That members of the IHH declared their intentions for martyrdom before boarding the ship.
•  That 15,000 tons of aid is transferred weekly into Gaza and even during the week of the flotilla incident 484 truckloads of aid were transferred from Israel the Gaza Strip.

 And there is plenty more, though I do not have the time or the space to mention them all now.

 The National Times section of the Age online also featured an opinion piece by Paul McGeough entitled ‘A shift in Arab streets dynamics as Turkey and Israel fall out’ which shows us that McGeough can hardly even bear to write about the reasons why Israel might be wary of Hamas. In writing about Operation Cast Lead he states, “Israel says almost 3000 rockets had been fired at southern Israel in the year before the war”. What does he mean “Israel says”? By putting it in that way, and I do not think I am nitpicking here, he is suggesting that there is the possibility that these 3000 rockets were just a figment of the Israelis collective imagination. Just before this he mentions that 1300 Palestinians were “killed” while 13 Israelis “died”.

McGeough also states, “an international chorus is clamouring to ease or lift the blockade – under which Israel trickles what it deems to be appropriate quantities of supplies into the impoverished Palestinian enclave”. My concern here is that writing an opinion piece, McGeough is entitled to write what he really thinks. But with his track record in reporting about Israel, and documented evidence of his opinion, is he really the most appropriate person to be reporting from the region?

Today’s Age and Australian have both reported on US President Obama’s pledge to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to deliver more aid to the Palestinians. Please read ‘Obama sends aid and urges easing of blockade’ from the Australian and ‘Gaza blockade is unsustainable, Obama tells Israel’. It is definitely important that the Palestinians receive aid and the world must do what it can to ensure that the aid is actually delivered to those who need it, and that the cause is not hijacked by Hamas.

What has not been reported in our press is Abbas’ pledge to Obama where he declared, “I say in front of you, Mr President, that we have nothing to do with incitement against Israel, and we’re not doing that.” Please click here to read a report by Palestinian Media Watch which shows many instances of PA incitement.

 Today’s Australian also carries a story entitled ‘Israel points finger at Turkish PM’ about a report by the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Centre, which asserts that the Turkish government supported the militants recruited by the IHH. Another inconvenient truth for the Age, which did not pick up on this story. We have been referring to material provided by the Intelligence and Terrorism for a long time and it is great to see their findings being reported in at least one of our local media sources. Please click here and here to read about the IHH’s preparations for violence, based on evidence from interviews with the Mavi Marmara crew.

By now most of you would have read about the latest Reuter’s photo scandal, where Reuters came under fire for “cropping” weapons and blood out of pictures taken by the IHH. Please read all about it and see the photos here.

Finally on the issue of the humanitarian aid, as mentioned before, 484 truckloads (12,413 tons) of aid was transferred to the Gaza Strip between 30 May and 5 June.  Of the seven flotilla ships, only four were freight ships. The Mavi Marmara did not carry any humanitarian aid. No wonder they had no interest in docking in Ashdod.

 The equipment from the flotilla was loaded on 26 trucks for transfer into Gaza.

 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which published all of this information makes a few interesting points:

 The equipment does not constitute humanitarian aid in the accepted sense (basic foodstuffs, new and functional equipment, fresh medicines)

• The humanitarian aid on all the ships was scattered in the ships’ holds and thrown onto piles and not packed properly for transport.
• The medicines and sensitive equipment (operating theatre equipment, new clothing etc) are being kept in cool storage at the Defence Ministry base. Some of the medicines have already expired, and some will expire soon. The operating theatre equipment, which should be kept sterile, care carelessly wrapped.

 To read more, please click here.

According to an article in the Wall St Journal,   “Imam Fethullah Gülen, a controversial and reclusive U.S. resident who is considered Turkey’s most influential religious leader, criticized a Turkish-led flotilla for trying to deliver aid without Israel’s consent.” …   “Mr. Gülen said organizers’ failure to seek accord with Israel before attempting to deliver aid “is a sign of defying authority, and will not lead to fruitful matters.”

The article, which is here, is a reminder of some of the complexities of Turkey.

.. and I thought “Terk in America” was just a great Klezmer tune ,.. as performed in a medley here. ..  by Julien Petit, soprano saxophone, and Rémy Yulzari, double bass, members of the French “Trio Klezele”.  The “Terk In America” was originally recorded by Naftule Brandwein in 1924 and it is based on a popular Greek-Turkish melody named Uskudar. On the piano Mula Sajevich, Israeli composer and arranger. Recorded by Arik Nitsan during the seminar “Clarinet and Klezmer in Galilee” 2009, in Israel. .. and another fun version, by Baba Ganush

.. Meanwhile back to the Flotilla, evidence points to mercenaries being aboard the Turkish ship that turned violent,  David Horowitz provides an overall assessment. and a US Congressman provides a strong message of support for Israel.

Look at a new Australian site here to keep track of what’s happening with the Flotilla and its aftermath.  Another boat, the Rachel Corrie,  was boarded earlier today without violence and is making its way to Ashdod.

The site is available on the right as Flotilla Facts and is regularly updated.  Useful questions and answers are also listed.

Someone much more famous than Bart Simpson once said, “you’re damned if you do, you’re damned if you don’t”.

 This is how I felt as I watched the confrontation between Israeli naval officers and the supposed peace activists on Monday.

 Either Israel did nothing, in which case potentially dangerous items would be allowed free passage into Gaza, thus contributing to Hamas’ continued campaign of terror against the State of Israel.

 Or Israel stopped the ship, thus giving the activists the headlines they were so desperately searching for, showing the world that Israel will not allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.

 Israel attempted to take a middle option. They called out to the ship, offered for it to dock at the port in Ashdod, check the boats and deliver the items deemed safe directly to Gaza. This would not be difficult seeing Israel transfers aid to Gaza on a daily basis.

 Unfortunately, as footage has shown, one of the ships refused. And as other footage has shown, there was a more sinister reason why; the boat contained violent activists wielding weapons ranging from metal clubs, knives and firebombs. There was no chance this boat was ever going to dock at the port in Ashdod.

 We have all now seen just how it played out (see more here, here and here), and how the world, including our own government here in Australia, has been so quick to condemn Israel despite the obvious proof that Israel was provoked. The US has declined to condemn Israel at this stage, preferring to wait to see what information an investigation will bring (see more).

 Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd declared that the Government “condemns any use of violence under the sorts of circumstances we have seen”. Foreign Minister Stephen Smith declared, “there are of course concerns, not just expressed in Australia but throughout the international community, of the use of force and the possible use of disproportionate force” (see more). (I have been waiting for someone to use the word “disproportionate”, so thanks Australia!) Rudd then perpetuated the myth about humanitarian aid by saying “such a blockade should be removed. We believe that the people of Gaza, leaving aside the whole question of the long standing dispute and a long standing war, the people of Gaza should be provided with humanitarian assistance” (see more). Prime Minister Rudd, like so many others in the world, is routinely ignoring the fact that 10,000 tons of aid is delivered weekly to Gaza, despite constant attacks by Hamas. Please also click here, to see the latest video of Israel delivering the aid from the flotilla to Gaza.

 The Herald Sun online is now carrying a story which started filtering out yesterday entitled ‘Witnesses dispute Israeli claims that activists had knives, clubs’. People that were on the ship are now trying to assert that there was nothing more on board than a few wooden sticks. A former member of the German parliament, who was on the ship stated, “Personally I saw two and a half wooden batons that were used… There was really nothing else. We never saw any knives”. He continued, “we had not prepared in any way to fight. We didn’t even consider it… No violence, no resistance – because we knew very well that we would have absolutely no chance against soldiers like this.”

 Hang on a minute. Even before the ships departed for Gaza video footage came out with participants chanting “Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews the army of Muhammad will return”. One participant declared, “We are now waiting for one of two good things – either to achieve martyrdom, or to reach Gaza” (see more).

 The facts to me seem as clear as day. There were terrorists on board whose intention it was to create a violent confrontation and who were in possession of and used weapons such as slingshots, metal clubs and knives in order to initiate the violence. This is clear and unequivocal from the vision available and no amount of rationalising from other participants (many of who have become dupes of the violent activists on the ship) will change the reality that this was a deliberate and intentional attempt to create the violence and bloodshed that took place. The violent activists are members of a group which is associated with al Qaeda and other terror organisations throughout the world including Hamas (see more).

 That being said, I will not be surprised if more stories like this come out about this being a fabrication by the Israeli army once all of the participants are released. All 680 will be released today (see more).  

 Today’s local papers were full of articles on the issue. I will list them all in this mail for those that do not subscribe to our local papers. There is too much in the international press to even start referencing them here. Please visit our “Gaza Flotilla” page as it is being constantly updated and has links to some articles of interest.

(Please note, some articles could not be found online)

 The Age:

Front page

Pressure mounts on Israel – By Simon Mann and Kirsty Needham

We want them to have a very good experience – Jason Koutsoukis  

The front page also contains still images from the Israeli footage of soldiers being beaten with metal rods and a soldier being thrown overboard

Page 12-13

Showdown likely with more Gaza boats – Jason Koutsoukis

Israeli sergeant gives his version – Jason Koutsoukis

Activists got ball rolling – Andra Jackson (online version is a lot longer)

‘This is an illegal aggressive move’ – Richard Edwards

Q& A – Facts about the flotilla and Gaza

Comment & Debate

Flotilla sailed for confrontation, not for aid – Bren Carlill 

Israel all at sea on Gaza – Bradley Burston (taken from Haaretz)

Letters to the Editor

Israel cannot shift blame for flotilla deaths – The Age editorial

Cartoon – By Michael Leunig

Cartoon – By John Spooner

 The Australian

Front page

New high-seas clash looms as two vessels get set to sail – John Lyons and Paul Maley

Blame enough for all to share as Israel gamble turns deadly – Cameron Stewart and Abraham Rabinovich

The front page also contains still images from the Israeli footage of soldiers being beaten with metal rods and a soldier being thrown overboard

World Commentary – Page 8

Israel justified, but result was a fiasco – Max Boot (originally from the Wall Street Journal)

Only a judicial commission will suffice – Ze’ev Segal

Gaza Convoy Crisis – World News Page 9 – 11

How the drama unfolded

Rudd calls for end to Israeli blockade – Paul Maley

Flotilla months in planning – Jodie Minus

Pressure builds to lift blockade – The Times, Agencies

Bibi faces his biggest diplomatic headache – Wall Street Journal

Turkish PM curses Israeli ‘killers’ – The Times, AFP

Commando attack not a success: ambassador – AFP

Two shot dead after incursion – Abraham Rabinovich

Grotesque theatre succeeded brilliantly – Greg Sheridan

Media split in blame game – Agencies

Front Page of A Plus section

Israel all at sea on Gaza tactics – Abraham Rabinovich

Commentary

The world must take a stand against Israel’s killing of civilians – Bassam Dally

Military might is not all Israel needs to survive – Editorial

Letters

 Herald Sun

Op-Ed – Page 24

Don’t fall for Islamist PR – Andrew Bolt

Peace is the first casualty – Editorial

The Herald Sun also had a two page spread on the issue but none of it appears online.

 Additionally, The Sydney Morning Herald, the sister paper of The Age published two other opinion pieces:

A cynical and politically motivated political stunt – Yuval Rotem, Israel’s Ambassador to Australia

A deadly act of state-sponsored terrorism – Moammar Mashni, Australians for Palestine.

 Keep checking our “Gaza Flotilla” page on the website as it is being constantly updated.