IDF Spokesperson 02 June 2010 , 22:17
The Mavi Marmara’s security camera recorded a video displaying the “peace activists” getting prepared to welcome IDF soldiers.
While the soldiers of the Shayetet Naval Special Forces are approaching the
Mavi Marmara ship, the “peace activists” are getting prepared to welcome
them. In this special video recorded by the ship’s security camera, we can
see the way they equip themselves: clubs, pipes, glass and metal bottles.
This was recorded a few minutes before they started attacking the IDF
soldiers in a violent and uncontrolled way.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered this evening (June 2) his first
speech regarding the outcome of the flotilla interception by the IDF. “It is
our duty to examine any ship going to Gaza - If we don't do this, the result
would be an Iranian port in Gaza; this represents a great threat for Israel’s
security and for some other European countries. Therefore we are obliged to
check every ship heading to Gaza, like in this case. We offered to take the
cargo to Ashdod and examine it before transferring it into the Gaza Strip.
The flotilla leaders rejected this”, said the Prime Minister.
“The takeover of five of the ships passed relatively quietly, without any
injuries or outstanding event. In the sixth ship, we met something
completely different: our soldiers encountered an extreme and violent group
that supports international terrorist groups and supports the Hamas terror
organization. This wasn't the "love boat" this was a flotilla of terror
supporters. Our soldiers who were on the boat were attacked with knives and
clubs, they were thrown from the top deck; their guns were taken from them
and shot at. I talked to our soldiers, they told me that the protesters were
about to kill them. There was an attempt to lynch them”, he added.
The Prime Minister also said that “the soldiers defended their lives with
incomparable restraint and courage – and I am proud of them”. He also
regretted the loss of human lives but stressed that “our soldiers were
facing a situation of life or death and defended themselves against an
attempt of lynch”.
===========
Weaponry Overview and Footage of Mavi Marmara Passengers Preparing Weaponry
IDF Spokesperson 03 June 2010
The opening footage of the video shows knives, rods, wrenches, gas masks,
bulletproof vests, and binoculars found on the ship and gathered at the Port
of Ashdod. IDF soldiers then reenact how rioters prepared weaponry by using
electric saws to remove metal poles from the stairs and other parts of the
ship in order to attack the soldiers. The closing seconds of the film come
from actual footage found on the Marmara showing the demonstrators preparing
the weaponry.
In the early hours of the 31st of May 2010, IDF soldiers boarded the ships
of the "Free Gaza" Flotilla, after the ships refused to redirect their
course. Aboard the Mavi Marmara the soldiers encountered serious violence
when, in a preplanned attack, the activists on board lynched the soldiers
with knives, metal rods and stole two of their guns. As a result 7 soldiers
were injured and 9 activists were killed.
Video of Flotilla passenger: “I want to be a shahid (martyr)”
IDF Spokesperson 03 June 2010 , 12:21 Elana Kieffer
A Press TV interview shows a flotilla passenger expressing his wish to
become a shahid
A passenger on board one of the vessels participating in the Gaza flotilla
is interviewed by PressTV before IDF soldiers intercepted. He speaks in
English, explaining how he has tried twice in the past to be a shahid
(martyr). He refers to a previous convoy that he joined in hopes of being
killed for a cause, but to no avail, and expresses his wish that on board
this flotilla, he will succeed. The Arabic term “shahid” literally means
“witness”, but is a religious term in Islam used to honor Muslims who lay
down their lives to wage war for Islam.
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