and specifically articles 33 and 97. the alleged act is illegal in israeli law and amongst those states who ratify. israel did not ratify the first, it has a "guerilla" section, and second protocols, etc.. this does not give enough wriggle room though as the main convention is ratified. lets face facts, it goes on all the time. whether it should, or not, notwithstanding what happens anywhere else which is spurious and irrelevant, is another matter. i have knowledge that this and other arrogant attitudes, extends into senior officer echelons. israel has made a very good case in international law for the interception of the flotilla, and had won the legal battle. israel also appears to ask for legal redress of nazi war loot, like art works. this example, unless rigorously dealt with, will snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. i only visit israel occasionally, but the way people drive there, perhaps one or two might agree with me, is so inconsiderate, discourteous, selfish, compared to my driving experience all around the world, that this shame will not actually impact behaviour.

I remember how a gold neck chain belonging to my mother, which she kept below the pillow in my parents' bedroom, was stolen as soldiers came1987 around 2 a.m. to take me as I was attending high school in Nablus at that time; they spread in entire house including my parents' bedroom as they came in, and took advantage of my parents leaving their bedroom and stole it. Even though we reported the crime to Israeli authorities in Nablus then, the alleged investigation brought us nothing. The chain was around $2K worth.

For what these "peace activists" did to the soldiers, plus all their murderous hate, so what - a few items were taken... big deal. The whole ship and everything on board should have been confiscated and NEVER returned. As for those "stolen" laptops, they should've been given as gifts to the soldiers who were stabbed, their bones broken, and almost died. It's alright to shoot to kill those murderous-mob members in self defense, but not alright to take their laptops for attempted murder of IDF soldiers? The savages that were not killed in the melee were only deported and won't have to face a fine or any jail. Where are the priorities here? Yeah it does damage when al-Jazeera broadcasts this sort of thing to the wild masses of the Middle East, but it's not even a drop in the bucket in terms of doing diplomatic damage in the Muslim world - so what's a few laptops? They should've taken ALL the laptops and equipment, and sold it, and used the proceeds for construction in the areas that were put on this stupid 10-month building freeze in Judea and Samaria that got Israel NOTHING and the UN and US and fake "palestinians" will demand to renew. I bet the genteel and civilized Sweden and the rest of Europe are really upset at this whole affair...

IDF soldiers also steal from Palestinians whenever they get the chance. They steal their money when they are arrested and steal from their homes when they conduct raids. It is a very common thing.

It is getting from bad to worse! These soldiers should be put in jail until the end of their military career and then some! Is there anyone with integrity left in the IDF!!!!!!

AND TO THE VICTORS GO THE SPOILS. THIS IS A PROVEN HISTORICAL FACT, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY. LOSERS LOSE THE BATTLE AND LOSE THEIR GOODS. NOTHING NEW ABOUT THIS " PHENOMENON " NO BIG DEAL !!

AND THE FLOTILLA ACTIVISTS , WANT THEIR PROPERTY BACK ? WHAT A JOKE, THEY COMMIT HOSTILE ACTS AGAINST ISRAEL, THEN CRY FOR THEIR CREDIT CARDS OR LAP TOPS. SOMETHING IS VERY STRANGE HERE, THE LOSERS ARE DEMANDING THEIR STUFF BACK. IF THE FLOTILLA DID NOT COME IN THE FIRST PLACE , NOTHING WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST.

Who was the biggest thief of them all? A few computers pale in comparison to the billions of dollars in humanitarian aid stolen by Arafat, the Palestinian president. Then there's the humanitarian aid stolen from UN warehouses by Hamas. And the cars stolen from Israel by Palestinians almost daily. And the kassam rockets that keep flying into Israel to remind Israelis the blockade is necessary.

Facebook AWAITS to put "heroic" looting pictures ,on your OWN pages :) OH GOD , Can't Wait TO ADD YOU !

You weren't an eyewitness to any of the baloney you post. And as usual, you post no link to your reference because you're too embarrassed to identify your seedy, unreliable sources.

The idiocy and embarassment will only escalate. "You shall love the convert" This is just a sign of things to come, isn;t it? Stop the cultic abuse. This is not Sodom but if you continue, the world will watch a repeat of devine intervention. Chet = clellot Let my people go. All sense of self preservation will escape those touched in the head by God like Pharaoh?

Good morning world. I woke up to find the Hate Brigade in full swing, here and on other sites. What would they do if there was no Israel, no Jews? Probably Nothing since what is happening in the rest of the world is of no interest to them. As they are waiting, salivating for the next morsel they can chew and regurgitate, let's see what next they will pounce on. Have a good and safe day everyone.

Those who villify the IDF because of some black sheep within it are bein unfair. Do some statistics first, and tell us if the proportion of thieves is less or more in your armed forces. Also note the disapproval of the IDF for such behavior.

I'm not Israeli, but I do defend Israel whenever someone speaks against her. These youngsters need to be punished and made to realise the damage they are doing to the land that their forefathers fought so hard to get back. Although this makes me embarrassed, I will still support the IDF's youngsters.

gee wonder how the IDF propoganda machine will cover this one up - ooops

Claims by spokes persons for the Israeli forces that personal items such as lap tops were returned to activists aboard the May flotilla to Gaza, on their exit from Israel is a blatant untruth. As a reporter covering the story, I met a number of activists at UK airports on their return, wearing only the clothes they stood up in and carrying other such items that had been donated to them by well wishers in Turkey. None of the activists had any luggage, they had lost everything. For were taken from the ships they were forbidden to take any money, or personal items with them, all was confiscated and has not yet been returned. So yes compensation is required for stolen items and for the distress and terror caused by the this bungled action of Israeli forces. The state of Israel needs to start acting with honour, not like a rogue state that thinks that it is above international law.

These are suspicions not facts. Let the courts decide and then report.