Infact, what they were doing was challenging Israel's sovereignty and supporting a racist regime leading the "Palestinians". None of these "activists" were stopping in Israel to speak to anyone, and that never was their intention. These people have noted they do not consider violent activities against Israel to be illegal (though they were non-violent) and question the legitimacy of Israel's existence. Many in the group are tied to the ISM which has been noted as actively helping Arab terrorists avoid arrest by the IDF by covering for them. Entering into the West Bank and Gaza is illegal and thus, claiming to travel to "Palestine" is a double illegal act - one by entering a closed military zone, and two by lying on their tourist visa.

It's a sad time when such uninformed people choose to post a talkback. They are not coming to communicate with Israelis. They are making the statement that they are "Coming to Palestine". What part of this extreme deligitimazation of Israel do you not understand, Michael? You think they are "willing to stick their necks out to make a statement"? They are trying to cut our heads off. Either you are naive and ill-willed.

Interesting question, Marco, don't you think?

Apparently not... democracies allow peaceful protests - they don't stifle opposing views. I guess Israel and Iran have something in common after all.

It all went off like a damp squib here. Phttt and it was gone! The only message that people got was they discovered, compared to other parts of the world, the Palestinians have plenty of food and goods, and the organisers and participants of the floptilla were lying all along. Sorry for your delusions.

Michael, I hate to wake you from your dreamworld, but allow me to voice my statement: 1)These people are NO Peace Activists but 'Agitators who don't care for 'the Palestinians (who by the way are in no need of their help), but only for 'their own 15 minutes of fame. 2) They don't stick their neck out for they KNOW that coming to Israel bears no danger (if they don't use violence). 3) They don't have ANY argument which serves 'the Palestinians that the Israelies havn't thought of before. 4) If they REALY want to help, there are places enough in the Middle East (Syria, Lybia,Libanon, Saudia and all the rest), where they can come, stick their necks out and the leaders over there will 'loooove to hear their arguments. I'm certain of it! Sure, it's a bit tricky over there with all this Human rights abusers, killings and suicide bombs and NATO dropping bombs on wrong places, but hey, these heroes are willing to stick their sorry necks out???? Michael, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but this whole theatre is NOT about any Palestinian, it's about smearing Israel, nothing else!

Many posters here reported no coverage in any major read news outlet. So what exactly are you referring to by "we got our message out, Israel is on alert"? Israel is always on alert - not because of you brain-dead lemmings but because of the real terrorists next door which you tacitly support. Consequently, the taxes associated with your tickets help pay for the "extra cost and time" of our security, so we're good. It's always nice to have a chance to practice.

Marco just feels bad because he has never had a girlfriend. He is very frustrated.

Where? In Al Jazeera? In some crummy Pakistani newspaper? Neither the floptilla nor the destined-to-fail "fly-in" received coverage in the major American or major European dailies. What you did see is the fact that Europe went out of its way to stop the floptilla and all the major air carriers have lined up in solid support of Israel. The world is getting wise to you. And Israel does not "waste money and man hours." Security is a paramount concern, and worth every penny spent. Besides, Israel's economy is thriving; the economy of the ersatz "Palestine" Authority is circling the bowl. So much corruption, theft and graft -- that's a "humanitarian crisis" for which they are solely responsible. The world is pretty much fed up with the ersatz "Palestinians," and their supporters. You're all old news.

And all the Germans who were deported out of the Sudetenland and the East Prussians who were kicked out of their homes when Poland was awarded the territory. Also the Italians who were forced to leave when Istria was ceded to then-Yugoslavia. Neither should we forget the nearly one million Jews who were expelled from their homes in Arab and Moslem lands with little more than the clothes on their backs.

Israel is the brunt of a fanatical and irrational propaganda campaign against it. It's a tiny sliver of a country which is demonized and obsessed over at all times. This makes Israel a special case since it is such a world target. Israel has every right to respond to such vicious and false campaigns of demonization. Just because you CAN demonstrate, doesn't mean anything goes. Don't be fundamentalist about allowing egalitarian rights to become twisted to extremes. That is what the 'humanitarian' flotillas attempt to do, and by doing so, has made the medicine to be the disease. Use your head here - the Big Lies actually cost lives almost every day in Israel. It's not Canada. Get some experience and visit Israel, open your eyes please.

Of course Israel allows peaceful protests. That is not what this was about. These "peaceful" protestors were doing this only to provoke Israel and get into the media headlines. If they were truly interested in peace, they would be condemning Hamas for their policy of killing Jews as stated in Article 7 of their Charter.

I dont know if these people have brains but 444 infiltrators made it in through the Egyptian border in Eilat. I love israel but i think these activist are trying to enter through the wrong border. Just go to Sudan follow a bunch of refugees and you will get into Israel in no time.

I thought the State of Israel was the only democracy in the Middle East. There is no hate speech from these activists, no calls for violence against the State of Israel. If the country had nothing to hide then these people would be allowed into the country and be permitted to speak freely. That is how democracies operate.

No country permits - not even Canada - the invasion of foreign, hostile troublemakers. Democracy doesn't bestow any right upon subversive, enemy radicals and Canadian police used to put them down very quick.when they start their raucous antics. There is a overflowing of sour grape whining on the web for the spectacular failure of the Leftist-Islamofascist alliance's failure.

# 11 You are absolutely right..

to allow in those self-described as “humanists” and “peace activists,” but who are really agents of provocation, soldiers of asymmetrical warfare.

If you were to look at free speech in Israel, you would see just as much freedom of speech as any democracy. In fact, no other democracy would allow members of its parliament to consistently work against the state in the way that Arab MKs do in the Knesset. These "peace activists" are not interested in peace. The only want to get media headlines so you need to stop being so gullible.

No democracy on the planet is required to roll out the welcome mat for swarms of hostile foreigners. Their own citizens can speak freely.

to allow in those self-described as “humanists” and “peace activists,” but who are really agents of provocation, soldiers of asymmetrical warfare.

The right to protest is a civil right, not a human right. Therefore, in this case it is granted to Israeli citizens only. Foreign "activists" whose only aim is to stir trouble can protest in their home countries as much as they like.

That's right folks, this organization that caught our attentions just a few decades ago by blowing up airplanes. Murdering 100's of innocents, Please keep the supporters out of our airport. Thank-you.

Michael, It is a sad time for the world to be swept up by the Palestinian propaganda. Few years back, when Israel withdrew from Gaza, we wondered what the next steps were for the Gazans and the cross roads they faced. I maintained that if their leaders really cared for their people, they would denounce all violence, stick to developing their institutions, and by doing so they will certainly gain the monetary, moral, political and all kind of support and assistance from the entire world community. But judging from their behavior in Jordan, then in Lebanon, and their history in general, I was assured that the course they selected was the typical Palestinian track. Small time thinking has dogged them throughout their existence. They keep falling victim to their Islamism and Arabism rather than accepting the facts and coexisting with their neighbors. No one else should have a claim to Jerusalem except the Jewish people. Muslims have Mecca, we have Rome and Westminster, Jerusalem and the rest of Israel belong to the Jews, and the rest of this planet should refrain from this 3000 year old hypocrisy.

I am from the Fiji Islands,living in the States,and support the ISRAELIS to do veverything that costs to stop those hooligans ,Sea ,Land and air,deport them back to there countries,and never allow them again to return,orjailed them for years.

Use an ad blocker. It's as easy as pie with Firefox:you just use the adblock add-on.I dare say that other browsers have similar features.Opera does,too. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

When was the last time Israel allowed a peaceful protest without the IDF killing anybody? Freedom of speach is only allowed as long as you aren't speaking against the Zionist state. In real democracies, you can hold protests for virtually anything without being shot at by the army. Enough with the "democracy" card.

New quality in Israel's fight of international human rights ... : Force foreign countries and airlines to act as servants of the Israeli ultra-right policy, force them to block all people critical of Israel's since 1967 continued aggression, occupation and oppression from traveling to Israel. Which makes the pro-Palestine sympathizers to look again as the winner and Israel be the true LOSER.

In a perfect world all of the right wing, goose stepping hate mongers would go to Israel to show their support of all that Israel has become; and stay there. Have your eretz Israel and show your hatred by ignoring the rights of every non-Jew;just do it over there. Sarah B and her fellow lawyer elitists can go chant all they want about " Never again", just do it from Israel. don't do it from the US and drag a country I am proud of into the morass you are creating.

Thank you for being our friends, we will NEVER FORGET you, You are So brave, we appreciate your humanity. "Israel" proves it's a coward again.