1. Thus an IDF elite unit was sent on a mission that was doomed in advance. Nine protestors killed, outrage around the world. A tongue-tied government and exchange of accusations among the leadership. Despite the intelligence failure and the savage violence, commandos succeeded in seizing the ship.
THE SCREW-UP AND THE HEROISM.
2. Israeli Arabs outraged: Riots and violent clashes.
THE SECTOR RUNS AMOK.
Molotov cocktails, fire and injured policemen: Strong protests like this not felt since October 2000.
3. TURKEY BOILS OVER
Palestinian and Hamas flags on every corner, torn blue-and-white flags on the ground and inflamed mobs calling to "fight the Zionists."
4. NETANYAHU: "IDF SOLDIERS DEFENDED THEMSELVES FROM BEING LYNCHED"
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. The ambush: "We felt like we were being lynched," Naval commandos said. The screw-up: Thus Israel was entangled in action at sea.
TRAP
IDF had no information on force of opposition on ship; result – nine civilians killed. In Israel: Readiness for demonstrations by Israeli Arabs. Around the world: Wave of condemnations.
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. Naval commandos sent to arrest "peace activists" – and found themselves in a trap.
SOLDIERS VS. LYNCH MOB
The concept: Army estimated that stopping flotilla would be like dispersing a demonstration, with paint guns. The surprise: Hundreds of rioters waited on deck with knives, axes and clubs. The result: Soldiers were beaten, injured and thrown; one was severely wounded. Self-defense: Soldiers opened fire, nine killed, 44 wounded. The complications: Global condemnation and demand for inquiry; Netanyahu cancelled his meeting with Obama and flew home. Hard feeling: Somebody erred, commandos paid the price.
2. ISRAELI ARABS OUTRAGED
Today: Protest strike in all communities. Last night: Demonstrations and stone-throwing. Contrary to rumor – Sheikh Raad Salah was not hurt.
3. SEVERE CRISIS WITH TURKEY
Ankara recalled its Ambassador from Israel for consultations. Stormy demonstrations in Ankara and Istanbul. Severe travel warning for Turkey.
WALLA!
1. UN condemnation of Israel.
"RELEASE THE SHIPS AND THE DETAINEES IMMEDIATELY"
UN Security Council condemns IDF action against Gaza flotilla vessels and calls for independent investigation of the events. Statement worded according to compromise between Turkey and the US since Ankara was determined not to moderate harsh criticism of Israel.
2. TWO PALESTINIANS KILLED IN ATTEMPT TO INFILTRATE FROM GAZA
This morning: IDF forces identified Palestinians infiltrating into Israel from Gaza, near Kisufim. IDF: Two terrorists opened fire and were killed in exchange of fire. Palestinians report that Israeli tanks entered the Gaza Strip and shelled agricultural areas.
3. 480 FLOTILLA PARTICIPANTS DETAINED, 48 DEPORTED
Police considering trying four Israelis, who participated in flotilla, for attempting to attack soldiers. 48 foreign nationals have already been deported; 480 still in detention. Sheikh Raad Salah interrogated overnight and is being detained.
4. LIBERMAN: NOW CLEAR THAT FLOTILLA WAS DESIGNED TO LEAD TO BLOODSHED
In Foreign Ministry situation room briefing for correspondents in wake of clash between IDF and Gaza flotilla vessels, FM said that, "The State of Israel is a sovereign state and cannot agree to an infringement of its sovereignty."
NANA10
1. UN SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS ISRAELI ACTION
After hours of discussions, Council members condemned Israeli response that led to death of nine civilians. They also called for release of ships and activists still being held. Decision is weak in comparison to Palestinian demands for an international inquiry.
2. ATTEMPTED TERRORIST ATTACK FOILED: TWO TERRORISTS KILLED NEAR FENCE.
Two had attempted to infiltrate into Israel near Kibbutz Nirim.
3. POLICE DEPLOYED: POSSIBILITY OF RIOTS IN ARAB SECTOR
Police deploy on Temple Mount; prepared for extreme scenarios.
4. HUNDREDS DEMONSTRATE OPPOSITE TURKISH EMBASSY
Approximately 500 people waved flags and signs and shouted against Hamas in demonstration across from Embassy
[Headlines for Walla! and Nana10 are from their websites as of 11:20. The print edition of Ha'aretz was unavailable today.]
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SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Yediot Ahronot believes that, "Instead of flat-out dismissing the world's ridiculous claims, everyone here has entered into a frenzy of self-flagellation: How could we have not known, what didn't we do and what will they say. Wouldn't it be more fitting, on such a day, to be proud that the naval commandos overcame the violent individuals who tried to kill them without any loss to our forces? It could be that we need to learn several lessons before the next flotilla…But why all the hue and cry instead of national pride of the simplest and most basic kind?"
Ma'ariv notes that, "At dawn, the armchair experts and analysts stormed the television studios and radio stations," but says that, "On the day after, despite the temptation to give advice, engage in keyboard criticism and break down the operation with the benefit of hindsight, we should shut up and salute the fighters and their officers." The authors note that the order allowing the use of deadly force was given only when the soldiers' lives were clearly at risk and believe that, "It is hard to imagine an elite unit from another army acting with similar restraint in the face of an orchestrated and planned lynching." The paper declares that, "The pictures of the seizure of the Mavi Marmara will not persuade a hypocritical world but they should persuade every Zionist Israeli, from both the Left and the Right, to salute and thank these fighters for what they were prepared to do so that we might sit in our studios and talk ourselves silly."
Yisrael Hayom admits that, "The results of the operation to stop the flotilla of the international Left, led by Erdogan's Turkey, are difficult for Israel," but asserts that, "It is clear that allowing the convoy to pass would – in the end – have meant the opening of a war materiel supply channel into Gaza." The author declares that, "All questions are legitimate regarding the political leadership's decision and the plan of action. But we should not delve into the soldiers' response; their orders were clear and they used force as a last resort."
5-31-10
The Jerusalem Post discusses what it terms US President Obama's "NPT deviation", and states that "Washington decided on Friday to join 188 other nations in singling out Israel’s purported nuclear capability for special censure." The editor adds that "By allowing Israel to be singled out for special, extraordinary condemnation, the US is achieving a consensus on NPT policy, but it is undermining in the process the very purpose of this policy, which is to prevent the abuse of nuclear weapons, especially by radical Islamic elements, such as those with ties to Iran."
Haaretz informs its readers that "Israel suffered a searing diplomatic defeat at the five-year review conference of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty that ended last weekend", and once again finds itself isolated against the entire international community. Reflecting on PM Netanyahu's meeting tomorrow with US President Obama, the editor states that "For Israel to break out of its growing international isolation, Netanyahu must say yes, without reservations, to the peace process that Obama seeks to advance."
[Hanoch Daom, Arel Segal and Kalman Libskind, and Yaakov Amidror wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronot, Ma'ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]
