INFORMATION QUEST: Freedom Flotilla Attack Videos

We have often heard that a picture is worth thousand words which is very true. What about a video then, million words.

A fleet of six naval ships Flotilla Freedom carrying aid to Gaza strip came under attack when Israeli troops raided it leaving 19 activists dead and several injured. Three Pakistani journalists including Talat Hussain(Director Aaj News) were taken captive along with many other journalists and human activists from all around the world.

There are two versions of this story, one from Israel Foreign Affairs and the other from The Free Gaza movement and people on board Flotilla Freedom.

The fleet was carrying aid to the area, which is under a naval blockade. Israeli troops were attacked with guns, knives and clubs when they boarded the ships after having given repeated warnings, the Israeli ministry of foreign affairs said. During the interception of the ships, the demonstrators onboard attacked the IDF naval personnel with live fire and light weaponry including knives and clubs," the Israeli ministry of foreign affairs. Guardian, UK

Both sides were well armed when Israeli commandoes attacked the “so-called Freedom Flotilla”. Both sides have released a blizzard of video clips as evidence that the other side was the aggressor in the conflict on Monday which left nine activists dead. New York Times

“Without an Israeli response, which came out later in the day and seemingly proved that the soldiers acted in self-defense, the media were full of one-sided reports based on Al Jazeera,” the newspaper stated. “What Israel needs to realize is that in today’s media world, every minute counts.” Jerusalem Post

Video Evidence By Israel against Activists

Now some excerpts from the sources who are blaming it all on Israel

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. The attack has happened in international waters, 75 miles off the coast of Israel, in direct violation of international law. The Free Gaza Movement reported on Guardian, UK

The attack must be condemned by the international community. If the attack on South Korean ship is risking economic sanction on North Korea by some of the most powerful nations, I hope they will react the same towards Israel and its cowardice attack.

This is a black day when a humanitarian initiative is being attacked and suppressed.

Khoo Kay Peng from Malayasia on Global Voices Online

Videos of Israel Soldiers Attacking Flotilla