The only person Barak can hope to convince is himself and maybe a few israelis. For the rest of the world, the damage is already done and largely irreversible. Even if the commandos encountered some resistance and even if - although the details are not clear- one or two handguns were indeed used by the activists (where they even used before the IDF opened fire...), nothing, absolutely nothing can justify such a bloodbath. For the rest of the world, Israel today acted in a ridiculously irresponsible - if not criminal - manner to enforce an illegal blocus on Gaza. As far as the blocus itself if concerned, it remains unclear why a supposedly ''free'' area like Gaza cannot trade with the rest of the world and import or export goods via its large maritime border. Israel is justifiably concerned about arm smuggling, but there are numerous ways in which the content of boats could be screened before entering Gaza. But Israel refuses to even consider this, visibly prefering to maintain the Gaza population under siege and in conditions of abject poverty. That they would go as far as today's actions to maintain this blockade is truly disgusting.

Hopefully the IDF defensive action will make people think twice about sending another "free gaza" floatilla. Either there won't be a next time, which would justify the condemnation now, or the ships will be attacked in the dark much sooner because the IDF is damned if they do, damned if they don't so blow the ships out of the water anyway. Nothing garners more respect than force.

Umm, how would you characterize the deaths of over 15,000 Afghani and Iraqi civilians in NATO bombings? (We won't even talk about the Balkans here -- although the death toll among civilians was far, far higher.) The UK military spokesman referred to it as "regrettable casualties of war." Don't you think Israel has the same right? Do you think that ships bearing arms were really there for "peaceful purposes?" Are you naive, or just plain stupid?

We have seen in the past in Gaza how these people are able to lynch Israelis. Even though their were some European activists on the ship, most of the people were islamic fanatics filled with hate for Israel and the Jews. These people would have lynched the soldiers if the IDF did not retaliate. IDF had no choice. Well done. Next time Hamas supporters want to take some action they will think twice! Canada supports you Israel!

we saw that "courage" alright while your troops were facing hezballah! you attack defenseless civilians and kill 15 of them, then call that "courage"?! the whole civilized world hates you... take my word for it.

flag... im not sure, but i think it is then considered the territory. so it wasnt a "turkish" ship, not turkish territory...

Not anymore

What did all these countries now condemning Israel do to prevent this provocation? ZERO.

NOwhere was the word "kitchen" knives mentioned. There is a great difference between kitchen knives & knives....if you have a brain in your head.

You're such an educated Idiot! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Actually, bright spark, its the fathers who are responsible for giving life to children.

A big, agressive sea monster whose only intent is to cause harm and destruction.

It would have been justified if this has occurred in Israeli territorial waters. Unfortunaely, it wasn't and the the IDF operation was an act of piracy. Blocking the boats without boarding is one thing, boarding is another and the loss of life is unacceptable.

Piracy? I think not. Have you seen the accounts of how many WEAPONS were carried on board those vessels? Tsk, tsk. Intercepting contraband is not piracy. Duh.

Unable to defeat Israel themselves the Palestinians and other Arabs count on the sympathy of Western idiots to do it for them. The Palestinians count on manufactured situations to arouse Western sympathy and pressure for Israeli retreat. The Western idiots scream at Israel to make peace with the Palestinians. It's just lately that the Western media is beginning to understand that a 2 state solution means 2 Palestinian states to the Palestinians. The Western media needs to continue to remind the Palestinians that a 2 state solution includes a Jewish-majority Israel. Otherwise, the Palestinians will continue to create violent scenarios to garner Western sympathy.

Wait until night falls and surprise and kill them at sea in international waters. Then blame them for their own death. It worked with Palestinians so why not try it here. it is not easy to explain PIRACY IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS. THE HAGUES IS WAITING, DON'T DISAPPOINT.

We are not intrested in your ramblings... the world can get pissed off as much as they want, they can scream till the sun dont shine. we in Israel are safer with these people dead, and for us that is a fact, the safety of our kids in kindergarden is more important to me then a few european & arab tree hugers looking for a fight. I dont agree that its good that they are dead, but if it will discourage others then for me its worth the price. Israel wants peace, but we are not willing to be stabbed in the back every time we seem to look weak. IF YOU WANT WAR. LETS GO TO WAR. IM SICK OF THIS SITUATION. I VOTE FOR WAR< A FINAL WAR. this includes civil war in Israel proper. its time to end this situation once and for all. i will be very happy for the arab world to escalate this, this time round. lets dance

And they lost... their life.

who these "activists" are - both those who died and those captured. Should be a mix of Iranian and Turkish spec-ops, Hamas terrorists and Al-Qaida agents. Thanks IDF this public is shorter now by some 15 mugs. Good day.

so typically, for barak, to brush of any responsibiltiy of the government. Lying makes it worse, what already proofed a catastrophalic desicion of the natanyahu-liberman goverment. Go home, we dont want all of you ! I call all the opposition parties to organize giant demonstrations against this government . Instead of committing diplomatic and moral suicide, we will shout : Resign

Oh Abu Ali, they absolutely love you. Funnily enough, while not all Muslims are terrorists, all terrorists are Muslims. The Jewish people and the Israeli state contributed to the world more than the entire Arab global-makeup ever will. The reason Israel ever 'loses' against the terrorist organisations boils down to the fact it holds one of, if not the most, humane army in the world. While you hide behind civilians, we shield them (be them of any nationality, race or religion). Try and utilise the one brain cell which might still be floating around in your skull to comprehend this (please do concentrate hard): several Israeli Navy combat soldiers are critically wounded, fighters in one of the most elite combat units in the world. I guess it was just the flags and flowers the "defenceless civilians" were waving around that injured them. One "suicidal" trait we cannot rid ourselves of is that we repeatedly give our lives to protect those of our enemies. I am proud to be Jewish and to have been born in Israel, and comments like the one you posted insult the average person's level of intelligence; unfortunately we have to bear with most of you being below average. I am having an excellent day, how about you? ;)

I am sorry for the young IDF soldiers who had to deal with the consequences of yet another irresponsible decisions by an unqualified Israeli government. I gut feel they defended themselves, but why the hell was that operation taking place so many miles from Israeli territory. I am ashamed and concerned for my people. It is going to be a tough one to forget.

Evil is what Israel has become. It has turned its back on G_d. But like in Biblical times G_d will make an example of this falling away. He will bring about a fall of the unrighteous. And when the fall comes it will be swift and unmerciful. Like Lot it is time to flee from the Sodom that Israel has become.

so typically for barak to brush of any responsibiltiy of the government. Lying makes it worse, what already proofed a catastrophalic desicion of the natanyahu-liberman goverment. Go home, we dont want all of you ! I call all the opposition parties to organize giant demonstrations against this government . Instead of committing diplomatic and moral suicide, we will shout : Resign

Now wait for the lies and disinformation from these lunatics.

some racist pro-idf cannot comprehend. They welcome israeli attack to a civilian ship in international waters as if a vicotry. The consequence of this attack is israel lost its one of the biggest supporter in middle east. You will pay this. You will pay. You will see how your lies won't be believed you lost all your legitimacy.

Bummer!

now Turkey will want to go nuclear

without any sense of responsibility. Why to hold the Palestinians in Gaza in camps? deprived of freedom? why not to let the flotilla of boats reach Gaza and supply aid to the Palestinians. Just think , no Palestinian should have been kept in a camp deprived of freedom and well being. you are repeating history but this time the ones who are suffering are Palestinians. What about the 10 commandments?