Published on June 1st, 2010 | by Eli Clifton
24Defending Israel: A How-To Guide
Today’s op-ed by the Wall Street Journal editorial board offers a fairly comprehensive list of the talking points which are de rigueur in defending Israel’s attack on civilian ships in international water.
1.) Mention the Gaza war in 2008 as an example of what happens when weapons get into Gaza.
Example from the WSJ:
Since [Hamas seized power in 2007], both Israel and Egypt have imposed a partial blockade on the Strip, mainly to prevent Hamas from arming itself with the kinds of weapons it used to spark a war with Israel in December 2008.
It’s interesting that Israel should bring up the Gaza war as an example of Hamas viciousness. This was a war where between 1,166 and 1,417 Palestinians were killed and 13 Israelis died. It’s hard to argue that Israel’s response to Hamas’s “spark” was proportional but we’ll talk about proportionality later.
2.) Emphasize that food, water and other necessary supplies enter Gaza on a daily basis through Israeli checkpoints.
Example from the WSJ:
Food, medicine and electricity continue to flow to Gaza.
World Health Organization reports have found that Israel is blocking vital medical supplies from entering Gaza and that building a well-functioning health care system is impossible without the regular delivery of supplies. Furthermore, mortality rates are 30-percent higher in Gaza than in Palestinian populations in the West Bank and chronic malnutrition is now over 10-percent. As to electricity, the UN’s Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on May 9th that:
“(A)lmost all of the 1.4 million Palestinians residing in the Gaza Strip, with the exception of those who live in the Rafah area, must cope with scheduled electricity cuts of 8-12 hours daily, compared to 6-8 hours prior to January 2010.
These power cuts exacerbate the already difficult living conditions in Gaza and disrupt almost all aspects of daily life, including household chores, health services, education and water and sanitation services.”
3.) Claim that the international community is biased against Israel, denies Israel its sovereign right to defend itself and constantly complains about Israel’s “disproportional” use of force. If possible, belittle the concept of proportionality.
Example from the WSJ:
The Gaza war also elicited international protests against Israel, which time and again is told what it can do in its own self-defense, with its critics deeming nearly every effective military action “disproportionate”.
It is true that Israel is frequently accused of using disproportionate force. From the wildly disproportionate death toll in the Gaza war to the killing of nine human rights activists this weekend, there is no shortage of Israeli disproportionality.
But none of that matters if you argue that disproportionality works and that discussions about “proportionality” are a waste of time.
Editorial writers and bloggers have been busy dusting off the argument that a disproportionate response is the only way to deal with terrorists that threaten our western values.
(I blogged earlier today about Michael Rubin’s defense of Israel’s disproportional use of force.)
4.) Insist that the IDF was just defending itself against an armed, bloodthirsty mob.
Example from the WSJ:
It was only after the humanitarians aboard the ship assaulted the commandos with clubs and knives that the Israelis used live fire. If the Internet videos of the commandos being viciously attacked as they descended from a helicopter are accurate, they were acting to defend themselves.
This characterization of events totally ignores the context in which the raid and the shooting of nine flotilla members occurred.
The IDF commandos had to fly seventy miles offshore, into international waters, before rappelling onto a Turkish- flagged passenger ship. Then, when not greeted with open arms, they shot nine people dead. An ambush would suggest that the Israelis were tricked into boarding the ships. No account of the events from either flotilla members or the IDF suggests that this was the case. Israel attacked a ship sailing in international waters. At what point did those aboard the vessel forfeit their own right of self-defense?
Craig Murray, a human rights activist and former British ambassador to Uzbekistan writes:
A word on the legal position, which is very plain. To attack a foreign flagged vessel in international waters is illegal. It is not piracy, as the Israeli vessels carried a military commission. It is rather an act of illegal warfare.
Because the incident took place on the high seas does not mean however that international law is the only applicable law. The Law of the Sea is quite plain that, when an incident takes place on a ship on the high seas (outside anybody’s territorial waters) the applicable law is that of the flag state of the ship on which the incident occurred. In legal terms, the Turkish ship was Turkish territory.
There are therefore two clear legal possibilities.
Possibility one is that the Israeli commandos were acting on behalf of the government of Israel in killing the activists on the ships. In that case Israel is in a position of war with Turkey, and the act falls under international jurisdiction as a war crime.
Possibility two is that, if the killings were not authorized Israeli military action, they were acts of murder under Turkish jurisdiction. If Israel does not consider itself in a position of war with Turkey, then it must hand over the commandos involved for trial in Turkey under Turkish law.
In brief, if Israel and Turkey are not at war, then it is Turkish law which is applicable to what happened on the ship. It is for Turkey, not Israel, to carry out any inquiry or investigation into events and to initiate any prosecutions. Israel is obliged to hand over indicted personnel for prosecution.
5.) Set the stage for future conflicts which will derail the peace process.
Example from the WSJ:
We suppose Israel could have allowed the flotilla to pass to avoid the political fallout it is now enduring. Had it done so, however, it would have merely created a channel through which Hamas could be supplied with ever-more advanced weaponry (much of it courtesy of Iran) thus setting the stage for an even bloodier war in Gaza.
Israel knows exactly what risk it runs when it commits provocative acts such as the recent raid on the flotilla. Editorial writers and sympathetic journalists dutifully repeat the message that the Palestinian response to Israel “defending itself” could lead to a “new Intifada”. What better way to derail peace talks than to provoke violence before the parties have even gotten to the table?
The pressure is on Netanyahu to cease settlement expansion and make a meaningful attempt to negotiate borders and security arrangements with Hamas. Pressure from the White House might be difficult to completely ignore, but, with a loyal group of sympathetic journalists and bloggers, Netanyahu can try to drown out the voices of his international critics. That’s as long as his friends in the media stick to their talking points.
About the Author
Eli Clifton is a reporter at the American Independent News Network. He formerly wrote on U.S. national security at ThinkProgress.org and reported on U.S. foreign policy as well as trade and finance at the Washington bureau of IPS. His articles have also appeared on Right Web and in the South China Morning Post. Eli has a B.A. in Political Science from Bates College and an MSc in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics.
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Bravo! I would have omitted Murray’s statement, however, because the issues are not as clear-cut as he claims.
Clifton contra the WSJ. Clearly a battle of David and Goliath. May the result be the same!
Another ship is heading toward Gaza, the “Rachel Corrie.” This American woman, murdered by the Israelis, is as unlamented by the WSJ crowd as the 35 American sailors murdered on the “Liberty” in 1967. Outrageous.
In today’s UK newspaper the Guardian, there is a photo of the display of weapons found by the Israelis – a monkey wrench and some rods and sticks, spanners, hammers, chains, a screwdriver, a collection of kitchen knives, a pile of CDs (yes, compact discs!) and a keffiyah. Who needs F-35s, or Virginia-class submarines whe you got this kinda hardware!
I don’t understand why there isn’t more opposition to this claim that Hamas “seized power” when they won a free and fair election. It was Fatah, backed by Israel and the US, who seized power in the West Bank after the election. Why do journalists let Israel get away with this kind of statement?
And it wasn’t Hamas that sparked the 2008 Gaza Slaughter (it wasn’t a war in any real sense). It was Israel that broke the ceasefire, quite deliberately.
There is a simple and obvious reason for America and the West to support Israel. It is the same reason that explains the cavalier behavior of Israel. But it is one that is never mentioned although it is widely known among world leaders.
Israel holds the Ace of Trumps, given to it many years ago by certain European nations (particularly France and Britain). It can, at a moment of its choice, render the world into a nuclear desert.
That is the terrible truth that all nations have to face.
That is the truth that limited the help to Arab nations from the Soviet Union.
That is the truth that limits action by the United States.
Europe bears a terrible responsibility for Israel. That is why it says nothing against Israel.
That is what binds the United States so closely to Israel, because it knows full well the power wielded by that despicable land.
Perhaps that is why the United States is so keen to develop an effective missile defense – not against potential enemies such as China or Russia, but against friends who have their fingers on the nuclear button.
No one dares speak of this. The conspiracy of nuclear ambiguity is feverishly adhered to by all major nations, most of which know the truth.
Never again will Israel suffer at the hands of other nations. Instead, it holds them in thrall, with the power of life and death on this small planet of ours.
This explains the arrogance of Israel and the servile way that the United States and its European allies fall into line. They dare not risk offending Israel because of this terrible power and, more importantly, the evil madness to use it.
The Turkish PrimeMinister has translated world opinion when he said.
“Even despots, gangsters and pirates have specific sensitiveness, (and) follow some specific morals.”
“But those who do not follow any morality or ethics, those who do not act with any sensitivity, to call them such names would even be a compliment to them,” he said.
“This brazen, irresponsible, reckless (Israeli) government that recognizes no law and tramples on any kind of humanitarian virtue, this attack by the Israeli government must by all means be punished,” he added.
Referring to the Israeli version of the attack, Erdogan said the government in Tel Aviv, “has made lying its state policy and does not blush about the crime it commits.”
Instead of expecting the Israelis to open an investigation, “the international community must investigate this incident in all its dimensions and must give the legal response,” he added.
6) Accuse anyone who dares dispute the Israeli version of events of being ‘Hitler’
7) Flood the Internet with paid poster who cheer on Israel and lie about what happened.
8) Call in favours from lap-dogs like Joe Biden who after the attack claimed that Israel was only ‘defending itself.’
Concerning Craig Murray’s possibility one, Israel would not only be at war with Turkey it would also be at war with the United States and the entire NATO alliance. Under Article V of the NATO alliance an attack against one member of the alliance will considered an attack against all members of the alliance. Turkey is a legal ally of the United States whose nationals were killed on an unarmed civilian ship in international waters by the armed forces of a nonNATO nation.
The best way to defend Israel is just to shine
a light on the the record of Israel’s enemies
Works every time.
If U have any doubts watch this:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/09/1070732211173.html
YOU CAN DO THE SAME THING FOR KHOMENIS’ IRAN ,
ASSAD SYRIA.
just google the bad stuff on them and it is game
over
THANKS FOR PLAYING DICKHEADS
Joorip is your typical Hebrew internet troll using the worn-out tactic of blaming the victim. I.E., like a rapist who excuses his crime by saying the victim brought it on herself by wearing a low-cut blouse and short skirt. Then, he kills her in “self defense” when she resists his assault.
I have photos this troll would enjoy. One is from an Israeli website selling T-shirts with the picture of a pregnant Palestinian woman in the crosshairs of an Israeli sniper rifle. The caption is: “One shot, two kills.” Another photo is of little Israeli girls autographing 155mm artillery shells on their way to kill little Lebanese girls. Another photo shows thousands of cluster bomblets left behind by Israeli soliders, which are killing Lebanese civilians to this day. The worst, however, isn’t a photo but a video of a squad of Israeli soldiers emptying their assault rifles into a helpless, 12-year-old Palestinian boy.
So, Mr. Joorip, let’s shine that light you talked about, maybe use the Goldstone report as background commentary.
Yes let us re mind Israel, that the USA Forgien Aid is for food water and not weapon or this kind of BS, a lot of tax payer our having a difference opiton of the people of Israel, Like Cut the Money and let them fen for themselfs. this is not God Plan, they our starting to act like the people that tryed to elimate them..? think about it
Another argument I was going to suggest to those who struggle to defend Israel’s action is the “clash of civilizations.” That always works in the US for almost any occasion.
You know the drill: we/Israel = enlightened values; they/”islamofascists” = terror, etc.
But maybe it’s a dangerous one to use because the Israelis like to claim they actually belong in the ME, being…. ahem… semites, not Khazars acculturated in Europe.
So… no. Why not defend Israel the way it defines itself: “we are the chosen so we do whatever we want. The Goyim, muslims and christians alike, are inferior creatures that don’t count.”
Tony Swindell yup if anyone disagrees with you
they are a “HEBREW internet troll”
I wonder why you care about/ use the word “HEBREW”
I wonder why you engage in selective criticism.
I wonder why only Israel’s wrongs interest you?
I wonder why you don’t like any discussion about
Israel’s enemies.
Actually it is real easy to guess you motives.
No , No Ariadna
All one needs to do is compare the records of Israel
versus that of its enemies.
Israel will win that game everytime
Thanks for playing , but you need more practice
Ariadna how do Israel’s enemies treat their
minority groups?
Answer that one would you??
If your facts are wrong I will let you know about
it
joorip….i believe that during the muslim reign between 700-1200ad….jews were very much tolerated and not persecuted….so….wtf are you talking about……israel has become that which they have fought against for centuries….it’s sad….the nazis treated jews as less than human and now the israelis treat palestinians as less than human……..similar to the US having been born out of a disgust for empire and now becoming exactly that which it fought against to exist….it would be comical if not for the eternal suffering of those we deem as “enemies”……
You disappoint me, JooRip. I was struggling to come up with arguments not yet used by Israel.
You come up with tired, old, chewed, spewed and chewed again Hasbara rancid cud like the whining victim spiel: “Oy, vey, why are you picking on us, you anti-semites, you. We are tiny and surrounded by enemies. Look at our enemies. Don’t look at us. Ever. We are special.”
If you keep it up like this you won’t be able to make a name for yourself among the hasbara workers. You’ll never amount to anything. The Hasbara bosses will never send you to cover that comments in the Independent or the Guardian. What you do here could be done by robot randomly pasting zioslogans.
A little imagination, my little zionist.
Oh Ariadna anyone who doesn’t agree with you is a Hasbara.
Anyway don’t run from the question how do Israel’s enemies treat their minority groups? What are you afraid to answer??
What is up with the selective criticism??
Oh I get it you are another one who has no problem with racism just as long as it is done against the right group. You are a fake and your business is selective criticism masqarding as objective criticism.
Anyway I just wanted to know why you are into selective criticism??
By the way define zionist why you are at it.
Yep easy to guess your motives. Just remember you failed at life and wasn’t the Jews that caused it to happen to you.
But you don’t deserve to have a happy life anyway so I am not sad at all to tell you all of this.
Remember you failed at life. You can’t change it. It is over for you. Ha Ha
Sam how have Jews had in it other mideast lands since 1945??
You say: “Anyone Who Doesn’t Agree With You Is A Hasbara.”
No, only anyone who has less than 2 neurons to rub together and no conscience because he is brainwashed by Hasbara and worships the Tribe–your new “g-d.”
You say: “Anyway Don’t Run From The Question How Do Israel’s Enemies Treat Their Minority Groups? What Are You Afraid To Answer??”
This question–in keeping with your intellectual and moral caliber–has exactly the same value as saying during WWII: “How dare the Americans oppose the Nazis? Look at how they treat their blacks.”
As I said before, my little zionist, you have to work a hell of a lot harder at your little web of lies; right now it is in tatters and you seem intellectually puny and morally bancrupt so my money is not on you to advance among the ranks of zioprop retailers. The only ray of hope for you is that even your superiors are idiotic (look at how they covered themselves in feces having to admit to doctoring that radio tape) so you could, just could raise to the surface there and float there among yours.
Oh!!!….now we’ve reduced the conversation to post-1945…..after the illegal occupation of arab land….so let’s get this straight…..you want to discuss how jews are treated in arab countries but you want to ignore how arabs are treated in israel….you’re ignorance would be funny if it weren’t so very sad
JooRip, I heartily recommned Khazaria to you and yours. Go home. Birobidjan also awaits you
I am all for Israel, I will stand beside this little country until the day I die. It is the God of Israel that I serve and I serve Him with all my might. I will always defend this small country to the best of my ability, ALWAYS, to the end!
I agree with Robert. I also stand with Israel. I live in South Africa and here many, many people love Israel!
We will also fight alongside her soldiers to help protect her because we don’t believe the LIES spread about her.
God bless Israel and He will protect her until the last trumpet blows!!
Shalom people of Israel!