And you actually know something about history?

Let the "Brothers" in, and don't let them out , enjoy Gaza

A country with such a barbaric behavior and democracy understanding is a danger for NATO and also for Europe

soon you will change your opinion about them im 100 percent sure, cause i was just like you a year ago :)

about what their stupid government is doing. Its provocation. This will not solve anything - only make matters worse. One thing can lead to another...mistakes...miscalculations made ...then BANG!....Wars have started from less than this.

Sarah 57- I hope the train hasnt left the station. If Erdogan and his party continue to rule after this election Turkey may become irrevocably Islamist, allied to Iran and a threat to the West. During Erdogan’s first term in office many Turkish officers were effectively purged from the Turkish armed forces and arrested for plotting against the State. You can forget about the Turkish armed forces preserving the legacy of Attaturk. If the Turkish electorate does not restrain the Islamists currently in power, NATO should reconsider its exposure to Turkish ill intentions.

...They won't land on your ships without real weapons.

Boarding of a vessel is perfectly permissible in international waters in order to preserve the integrity of a fully legal and internationally recognized blockade if the vessel attempting to breach the blockade deliberately ignores a warning to turn back or heave to and prepare to be boarded. For that matter, a vessel that deliberates steams ahead, ignoring a warning that it is in breach of a fully legal and internationally recognized blockade risks being stopped by a missile or a torpedo. In answer to your other question -- the United Nations has no jurisdiction over the issue of blockades. Next stupid question?

Regimes are certainly not individuals and your post is a good reminder for all of us. I am from Canada and wing-nuts are also participating from here in the provocations as well. As Canada's government takes the opposite stance to Turkey's, there are radicals in both our nations who are determined to provoke Israel for nothing more than to advance the hateful propaganda campaign. They are on their own however and I hope that Israel can minimize the losses of human life but hit the provocateurs in the courts - in the pocketbook, as well as have them cover all costs for their incarceration and deportation. Give them a dose of humility while taking the high road. Thanks for reminding us that many Turks' heads are screwed on right!

...elected to speak for "humanity"? For so-called "humanitarians," they sound pretty hostile - hardly surprising, inasmuch as these "humanitarians" drew first blood during the last incident, attacking the Israelis that boarded. Israel should do whatever is necessary to defend herself, and to hell with terrorists.

Do know that there is a myriad of views posted here, including those that understandably upset you. But you should not focus on the outrageous remarks - bomb the ships etc - as they do not represent Israel's position at all. As you may recall re last year's incident, all ships except the MM which did not resort to violence were escorted peacefully to shore. Remember too that Israel has been advising countries to stop their citizens from joining the flotilla and that their "humanitarian aid" can be transported to Gaza through proper channels. Even the UN Chief said the same thing last week. But the Turkish flotilla organiser is hell-bent on violent provocation and confrontation. Its head has even said they are ready to sacrifice shahids. So, Cagri, thank you again for sharing your thoughts and my wishes to you as well as like-minded Turks for the day when ties between the two people are back to normal again.

Seems to be leading the rhetoric against Israel. Turkey is filling the vacuum the USA left because of domestic financial constraints.

I agree with you completely. I think the train has already left the station -- Turkey appears intent on resuming its role as the "sick man of Europe." I don't understand why more moderate Turks are allowing the Turkish government to continue on its inexorable march into Third World obscurity, but it certainly does appear that the Islamists have taken over. Turkey's largest export is its intelligentsia. NATO cannot long tolerate membership of a country turning ever closer to Iran. If Turkey wishes to become another Iran, that is, I suppose, their business. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Turkey's geopolitical importance to the West has declined. They are well on the way to becoming yet another primitive backwater Islamofascist state .... just what the world needs. The more, the merrier; the better for the West.

Since Israel controls two of the largest natural gas fields ever discovered, who cares about gas from Egypt? Ongoing trade with Turkey? What trade? What world boycott? That's been tried before; it didn't work out so well for the world. Besides, boycotts are a two-way street. Israel just might get a bit particular as to which countries will be allowed to enjoy the fruits of Israel's labors in the fields of science, technology, weapons development and medicine. Any more bright ideas or suggestions? Keep them to yourself -- they do not pass the laugh test, and thus do not need to be shared. Unless you do not mind turning yourself into a laughingstock, that is.

Turkey used to be the one stable country in the area. Now they seem more and more like Iran. What has Turkey to gain from this provocation. What benefit is this to them? They are making enemies with the west FOR WHAT REASON? This will all end bad for Turkey anyway you look at it. Maybe Turkey needs a spring revolution.

it is most unlikely that the idf will use the same tactics to stop the mavi marmara as last time. commandos will not be lowered, one at a time, and they will not be armed with paintball guns. because it is idf doctrine not to use the same tactics twice. as for the ihh, if there is no confrontation with israeli forces, how will they get to paradise? will their "martyrdom videos" be in vain? surely they wouldn't want to miss out on their 72 virgins just because israel was too scared to play along with their publicity stunt. and maybe, this year, there will be some humanitarian supplies on board, not just a few tons of surplus junk and expired medications. (more supplies cross the border into gaza PER HOUR than what the mavi marmara carried, in total, in 2010.) even though the ihh "peace activists" will, predictably, refuse to transfer their load, peacefully, through an israeli or egyptian port, because that would not provide propaganda for hamas, perhaps this year hamas may actually allow it to enter gaza, rather than leaving to rot for weeks at the border. no matter what they say, only the terrorist supporters are counting on a repeat performance.

The IHH is a terror group, no matter what they say. Before the Flotilla sailed the last time they sangs songs about ancient islamic military victories

Israel never attacked a flotilla to Gaza. Rather flotilla passengers attacked boarding Israeli troops. And maybe Turkey would love to see also a flotilla bound for the Kurds! Will Turkey welcome them with the red carpet like the way it sends the flotilla with its blessings?

the USS Greeneville! ;^) ---------------------------------------------- Oh, hello, Cagri #55 Sorry, I dreamed up that quip before reading your Excellent Post. Stay safe.

well, going back in history, the coward ' turkeys '(ottoman turks) run away from palestine when the british forces assaulted them, and they cockled! their flotilla will do likewise?

Hi Sarah, Whilst I agree with your sentiments about the blockade, which incidentally as you mention isn't really a blockade anymore because they opened the crossing through Rafiah, you have repeated several times the following phrase: "fully legal and internationally recognized blockade" My point is that even if it is fully legal I wouldn't assume that it is generally internationally recognized and that perhaps is the crux of the problem we have on this issue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3L7OV414Kk

I agree the Jewish Israeli and Turkish communities are totally bemused at Erdogans take over of the mantle of Ahmadinejad A once thriving relationship reduced to nothing Is it because Erdogan feels that to develop relationships with Arab Countries he has to destroy relations with Israel? This begs the question then whos pulling the strings vis Turkeys foreign policy? Come on Turkey this sudden anti Israel agenda makes no sense, is counter productive and the majoprity of Turks and Israelis want to see normal relations As for that ridiculous Flotilla - in the words of the song.. Just call the shole thing off!

reporters on the decks of the "poor, helpless drifting ships"; interviewing the innocent civilians lacking food and water whining on every news channel every evening. Personally, I agree with you despite these supposed drawbacks (but let Egypt or Lebanon tow them into their ports). Tows ashore would be a phone call away and it would, therefore, be their own decision to remain adrift. I think we not only could win a PR war against that stupidity--from people who cut off Jewish heads on camera, rain missiles on Jewish heads daily, blow up Jews in buses, airplanes and restaurants, throw Jews in wheelchairs into the sea, etc. I think we should make that PR war happen. Make the damage to their props substantial enough they could not be repaired by divers at sea; disabling damage that requires repairs in dry dock. Why didn't the IDF do this the last time? (I did suggest it then too.)

Israel I believe about week ago stopped a Somali ship, so it's not like this blockade isn't in effect 24/7. This has been the case for years since the blockade has been put in place. Some have suggested throwing nets into the propellers to stop the ships, this technique has been used with whaling ships and the those who protest the killing of whales. But in the end the IDF must board and check the cargo, to be sure no weapons are on board. Remember Israel has stopped several well publicized ships filled with Iranian made weapons. It usually happened during a lull in the violence. Hamas would call for Hudna (a temporary ceasefire), then use the break to re-arm and replenish their weapons. Again I must point out that the IDF did NOT attack the Mavi Marmara. They simply boarded the ship and as they had the first 5 ships, but were attacked by the terrorists. The video tapes couldn't be any clearer. Any body I've talked with that has seen the video's believes the terrorists started the fight. After all the IDF came on board with paintball guns, clearly they didn't expect the violent resistance they encountered.

Turks and Jews go long way back, this isssue becoming more than what it is, we can and should not allow few make policy for the whole,please tone it down.,most Turks do not agree with this group,which are clearly trying to couse probleems,there are other way to deal with it.not by this kind of words

then the takeover will end peacefully, as it did with the other 5 ships in the last flotilla, right?