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The Libyan-chartered, Moldovan-flagged freighter, Amalthea, is about 95 miles due north of Alexandria, traveling at 8.5 knots, on a course of about 106 degrees. It is about 250 miles from the Gaza shore. At course and speed, that should put it near the area where the Rachel Corrie was seized by the IDF last month in about 24 hours.
Antiwar.com‘s news wire reports:
A pair of Lebanese NGOs are already raising funds for a trip, which will carry a large number of journalists and even a few European MPs. A small Jewish group from Germany is also planning to send a small aid ship.
These are just the groups farthest along in their efforts, and other groups across the Muslim world and indeed, the world in general, are looking to challenge the long-standing blockade of the Gaza Strip. Israel’s pledges to stop them all notwithstanding, they look to have an uphill battle in contending with so many aid groups, and so much international pressure.
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Surprise, Surprise, Surprise…!
*gah*
Yeah well, it’s gonna solidify Bibi’s death grip on power, so it all worked out just fine !
This is IDF CYA
When statesmanship is dead and the only tool you know how to use is force..
Who would have thought the outcome otherwise?
Exactly…! Btw… Tony Blair Lied, Bushco Should’ve Been Indicted, And Other Miscellany…!
Speed 8.1 knots, course 104 degrees, 175 statute miles out. 22 hours from Gaza, Probably 18 from interception.
Sad…! Btw, Israel still has all the ships it’s intercepted in it’s years of blockading, right…?
NYT (via Post-Gazette):
That’s the opening paragraph from Ethan Bronner’s piece on the initial Israeli military investigative findings on the Mavi Marmara boarding.
The NYT. Nine Turks. Bronner stripped Furkan Dogan of his U.S. citizenship. Just another day’s work for Ethan. He’s got his son’s back.
For 2010 they haven’t released any vessels. I haven’t read anything indicating a possible release situation either.
Good grief.
my comment or the shirt itself?
Bibi, and our universe as we know it, are unsustainable, hoss, at this rate.
I know you know.
*G*
There was an REM song, oh, this one, that tells it well:
IT’s The End Of The World As We Know It, And I Feel Fine
*G*
Sorry, the shirt.
Bone-chilling, and not unlike some of the quotes I have read. It’s unsettling to see them in apparel print.
I do wonder how much influence the Dad had on his Son’s ‘enlistment’ into the IDF…?
What?!?!?!?
Of COURSE there were no alternatives.
To suggest there should have been, or could have been, is pure folly.
Israel’s leaders, one and all from the LIKUD war mongering (like USA) have no interest in waging peace.
Not on shore, not off shore.
You seem a bit naive about this.
It’s war. Pure and simple. And folks will have to die to change it all.
It’s class war, it’s religious war, it’s corporate war, it’s war.
What are you hoping for? What would you change, and how?
How would you fight this war of ours? This war of we the people?
In Gaza, in Iraq, in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and where ever the USA wages it’s war mongering?
How would you stop it? I’m really curious. I am anti war, and I only know one way to change it all.
And that will be a bloody conflict, of the ages.
How would you change it, Frogs?
Indeed.
Pull the football, Lucy.
Sigh.
I’m reading a fine book, Larue. The Fate of Nature, by Alaskan Charles Wohlforth. May be the best book yet by an Alaskan on anything. Too early to tell, but I cannot recommend it enough.
I’ve been thinking all day on how to write about the way the Israelis are setting up industrial zones in the West Bank that spew totally uncontrolled industrial wastes out onto the lands and into the groundwater of Palestinian territory the settlers intend to soon take for themselves. So far, the issue has mostly come up tangentially, but Israeli war and expansion policies need to be questioned for their lack of environmental protections.
As do ours.
8.2 knots, maintaining course of 104 degrees.
The port of entry for Amalthea is listed as El Arish, in Egypt. We will see.
Their current heading is still straight for Gaza… Do you suppose they’ll be (again) boarded as they flee the scene…? 8-(
“The Israeli navy is monitoring the vessel’s progress and preparing to intervene if it continues on a course to Gaza.
“I say very clearly, no ship will arrive in Gaza. We will not permit our sovereignty to be harmed,” the foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said in a radio broadcast.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/11/libyan-ship-heads-for-gaza
Dickwads…! Oops, that just slipped out…
sorry, I was being cynical.
I’ve got SO much to say about all the expansionist efforts, be they Israeli or USA.
As to USA, it’s war mongering, to the nth degree, and so is the Israeli effort since ’48.
This is not the place and time for me to vent about my thoughts.
This is your post.
And I thank you for it, and your suggestion for that read . . .
You school us well, ya do . . .
Bless yas.
Oh, my bad, I know we’re on the same side, most of the time.
Sorry I misread your comment . . .
These ARE dire times . . . . I know you know that.
My bad.
BTW Tboggs got a post up about Sestaks cojones.
http://tbogg.firedoglake.com/2010/07/12/joe-sestak-asked-to-look-other-way-when-israel-invades-lebanon-pa/
Anyone hear anything about the Amathea headed Gaza’s way in our MSM? Remember Chris Matthews showed the Israeli released Mavi Marmara clip of Israeli soldiers dropping down on the boat and then getting beat 9 times in 7 minutes. Never ever showed any coverage of what took place before or after the Israeli soldiers air stunt. Not a word about how the 9 activist were slaughtered. Bullets in their heads, some through the back of the head at close range. Executed Israeli style.
Keith Olbermann had former Amabassador Peck on the next night and Rachel Maddow actually showed clips of the Israeli released clip and I believe a section of Iara Lee’s clip on her show. Rachel stated at that time that the Rachel Corrie she referred to it as “another ship” was on it’s way. She said that she would keep people up dated. Wonder if the producers would not let her refer to it as the Rachel Corris
More than likely Rachel, Chris, Keith, Cnn etc will not touch any coverage of the ongoing aid efforts that our peaceful on their programs. Silence that is unless there is violence
Ask Rachel or any other MSMer to cover this ship on the way to the Gaza
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/
BBC just announced that Israeli officials have made contact with the ship they also mentioned the 9 activist who were killed by Israeli soldiers last month
this is what Democracy Now has up about the Amalthea
“Libyan Humanitarian Aid Ship Heads to Gaza
A Libyan ship carrying humanitarian aid is heading toward Gaza in the latest attempt by international activists to challenge the Israeli naval blockade. Members of the Gaddafi Foundation says it is not looking for a confrontation with Israel.
Youssef Sawani, Gaddafi Foundation: “Gaza has been the world’s biggest number one open prison,open jail, people in Gaza have been in jail for the last number of years. And everyone is witnessing them, so I think its high time the international community delivers some humanitarian goods and help ease, finally lift the blockade as a step towards realizing proper peace in the Middle East.”
Israeli officials say the ship will not be allowed to reach shore.
Daniel Hershkowitz, Israeli Minister of Science: “Israel hasn’t changed its policy, and its policy is very clear. No ships were allowed to arrive at Gaza, so if they want to transfer the humanitarian equipment to the people in Gaza they are welcome to do it through Ashdod.”
35 miles north of Port Said, speed 7.1 knots, course 105 degrees.
From a Reuters report:
ABC blip
http://abcnews.go.com/International/libyan-aid-ship-bound-gaza-strip/story?id=11141293
MSM
http://news.ca.msn.com/world/cbc-article.aspx?cp-documentid=24838289
Calgary
http://www.calgaryherald.com/story_print.html?id=3263514&sponsor=
CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/07/13/gaza.gadhafi.flotilla/?hpt=T2
Another short blip at MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38180618/ns/world_news-europe
If folks hear any live coverage anywhere in the MSM hope they will mention it here at ET’s.
Too bad our MSM does not cover any of this until their is violence and even then the majority of the outlets only played that Israeli released propaganda.
Interesting OT:
As I was looking at the identities of all ships being tracked within 100 miles of the Amalthea, I noticed that the brand new Greenpeace Warrior is in the area, and is headed to Haifa.
Greenpeace Israel has been conducting anti-coal actions, including the boarding of a very large coal-carrying ship last week. Here are links to that action. The story includes many pictures of the Greenpeace kids boarding the coal ship while it is underway at sea. strange.
6.9 knots, course 103 degrees, 115 miles out of Gaza. the routing gives El Arish as the destination, ETA as 11:55 UTC. But the skipper was quoted about two hours ago: “the captain of the Libyan ship and the head of the foundation team on board reaffirmed that the ship’s destination is Gaza and no other place.”
Have had numerous friends who have worked on Greenpeace ships. Glad to see they are in the neighborhood.
Hope Rachel of just one of the MSM talking heads mention the Amalthea
Maddow will not mention the vessel.
change of course to 119 degrees from 104. This is a more southerly heading, and one that allows it to claim to be bearing more for El Arish, but the vessel is still aimed at the Gaza-Egyptian border junction.
The truth has a habit of doing that..’g’
BBC Radio just now reporting constant contact between IDF and the Amalthea. Maintaining course for Gaza-Egypt border.
What’s the local time there…?
“Israel’s navy is intercepting a Libyan-sponsored aid vessel attempting to break the sea blockade of Gaza.
The encounter began a 300 miles off the coast of Israel and is ongoing. Israel’s naval blockade begins 20 miles out to sea.
Reports from those on board the ship claim it has been given an ultimatum, to reroute by midnight or be commandeered.”
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Israelis-Navy-Intercepts-Libyan-Sponsored-Aid-Vessel-Al-Amal-Which-Is-Trying-To-Break-Gaza-Blockade/Article/201007215664629?f=rss
160 kilometers = 99 miles
************
“The captain of a Gaza-bound Libyan aid ship on Tuesday rejected an Israeli demand that it change course and dock in Egypt, the mission organisers said.
An Israeli military spokesperson confirmed that a “process of identification and communication” with the vessel, about 160km from the Gaza coast, had begun but said the ship had not been boarded.
“The Israeli navy has launched preparations and activity to stop the Libyan ship,” the spokesperson said.”
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-07-13-israeli-navy-challenges-gazabound-libyan-ship
Course change to 127 degrees, which is toward the Egyptian shore, near Gaza. Maintaining speed of 7.1 knots. Less than 100 miles from the Gaza-Egypt border coast.
The Rainbow Warrior has changed course to 184 degrees, and appears to be headed straight toward where I predict the IDF will attempt to board. The Rainbow Warrior is about 85 miles north of El Arish, and 75 miles from Gaza. WTF…?
RW’s speed is only 1.1 knot, though.
From Gaddafi’s aid organization website.
************
“For his part, the Ship’s Captain and the head of the Foundation’s team on board of Al-Amal aid ship affirmed that the Ship’s sole destination is Gaza, asserting that it is carrying humanitarian aid and has no other purpose whatsoever.
The gunboat is still present near the Ship sailing to Gaza.”
http://gicdf.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=397:israeli-gunboat-intercepts-al-amal-aid-ship&catid=3:thenews&Itemid=55
I know her team comes to FDL to visit. Whose to say we can not push them a bit. She did say she would keep people updated. Just too bad they wait for violence to happen before talking about or putting their spotlights on these critical issues.
Over at Mondoweiss
Israeli whitewasher on flotilla inquiry once called for ’suffering of 100s of 1000s of people’
by Norman Finkelstein on July 13, 2010 · 25
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/07/israeli-whitewasher-on-flotilla-inquiry-once-called-for-suffering-of-100s-of-1000s-of-people.html
Amalthea has slowed to 2.2 knots. Apparently headed to El Arish. 50 miles from the Rainbow Warrior, which will be on a converging course, should the RW speed up to 5 knots or more.
Apparently, the captain of the Amalthea offered the IDF to allow them to board the vessel and inspect it at sea, if they would then allow the ship to proceed to Gaza after inspection. The IDF appears to have refused the offer:
Course of Amalthea now 151 degrees, speed 1.6 knots. It may have been boarded. The heading is now to the west of the port of el Arish. No rational reason for it to slow down, unless there is no unloading berth available at el Arish.
BTW, here’s the link to the route tracker. I posted it in the diary’s body, but here it is again.
The Rainbow Warrior has turned their position transponder off.
Israel (inadvertently) admits it broke law in raiding flotilla
by Alex Kane on July 13, 2010 · 0 comments
Like 0 1 Retweet
With a Libyan aid ship perhaps trying to break the naval blockade of Gaza, Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a warning to the IDF not to stop the ship in international waters, Haaretz reports.
The Foreign Ministry advised the defense establishment yesterday to wait until the Libyan aid ship reportedly headed for Gaza approaches or enters the coastal strip’s territorial waters before making any attempt to stop it. The ministry made the recommendation to avoid the risk of breaking international law.
That warning is an implicit admission that when Israel attacked the Gaza Freedom Flotilla on May 31, it broke international law. Before the Israeli Navy raided the Mavi Marmara, the Turkish ship was in international waters, 85 miles west of Haifa, according to this Ali Abunimah blog post.
http://mondoweiss.net/
Whatever he said, I think the Amalthea was probably boarded about an hour ago.
wondering if Fox News will break out in front of the MSM pac and report about this ship. Since the so called progressive on MSNBC are peps (progressive except for Palestine ) will more than likely not touch it.
Fox could break out in front on this issue the way they did did with wiretapping
Fox broke out on the wiretapping thing way back in late 2001
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article5133.htm
(watch all four reports) saw them on Fox in 2001
AND MORE RECENTLY ON LANDBUYING IN JRERUSALEM
Fox breaking out in front of the MSM pack on the I/P conflict here
Surprisingly truthful ‘Fox News’ report on Jerusalem
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/07/surprisingly-truthful-fox-news-report-on-jerusalem.html
later. going to watch the MSM this evening to see if this gets covered by anyone at all.
Thanks for all the details ET
Video report from Russia Today.
ET !
Thanks so much for all the updates !
Their live web cam is still on. Lights were off for a few minutes, but a light is back on now.
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/multimedia/ship-webcams/Rainbow-Warrior-Webcam/
I wish the Amalthea had a live web cam.
The NYT’s Ethan Bronner reporting:
Then again:
Amalthea underway at 1.5 knots, course 151 degrees. 77.5 nautical miles from Gaza port, 60.2 nm to el Arish.
For sure. I’ve been watching The Warrior’s cam. They are stopping and restarting the cam as they camouflage a turn. The pole that now sits between ‘on and 2010′ in the title, used to be barely visible on the left hand side of the screen at 19.16.21. Not knowing anything about navigation, I’m guessing that is a fairly substantial alteration of their course?
Their time stamp is running at GMT. Israel is GMT+3 hours.(11:24PM right now)
They are under sail, so they may have just tacked (a course change meant to take advantage of the wind’s direction relative to the boat’s ultimate destination).
Because I was curious,
The girl’s name Amalthea a-mal-
thea, am(a)-lthea is of Greek origin. Greek mythology: the name of the mountain goat that nursed the infant Zeus. Her horns were the basis for the cornucopia, the horn of plenty spilling over with fruits and vegetables.
from,
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Amalthea
Interesting! Never knew that! Thanks!
The Amalthea disappeared from the vessel tracking system about 30 minutes ago.
The AP has this story…
Back from hiking a bit. Gotta get ready for work.
It looks like, as CT points out above, the vessel is barely maintaining headway, with engine trouble (hasn’t this happened to other flotilla vessels?) and an IDF escort, en rout el Arish. At present speed, it will arrive some time on Thursday.
Egypt.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/14/world/middleeast/14flotilla.html?_r=1&ref=world
Latest update 09:33 14.07.10
” A Libyan chartered aid ship trying to break Israel’s Gaza blockade entered an Egyptian port Wednesday after changing course in the Mediterranean Sea.
The director of the Egyptian port of El Arish, Gamal Abdel Maqsoud, said the Libyan boat radioed Wednesday evening asking permission to dock there.
Egypt’s foreign minister, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, told reporters that Cairo has agreed to let the Amalthea through, and that its cargo will be unloaded and handed over to the Red Crescent to deliver to Gaza ”
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/libya-sponsored-aid-ship-originally-headed-for-gaza-enters-egypt-port-1.301884