What is the legal status of Israel's blockade of gaza?

[aikoaiko]

To be honest, I've not kept up with the Israel/Palestine conflict, but the recent incident has me wondering about a few things.

What is the legal status of Israel's blockade of Gaza or Lebanon?

eta: I think a lot of how I will judge the most recent incident will have have to do with Israel's legal right (or not) to blockade a territory it occupies.

And I just read the I/P guidelines and I think this post may be improper. Sorry. If anyone can IM answers, I'd appreciate it.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RandomThoughts]

5. The temptation to feel as if a person is chosen is a heavy one.

It can lead to thoughts of superiority. The easiest way for me to asuage that temptation is to know that God can add or take away anyone from that status by both his perfect justice, and his merciful love.

Within thoughts of chosen, I know God is faithful, and have no fear of such events, since such a thing would only be because of justice and love. I also do not rest my thoughts on such a claim, since that would not be about my thoughts and actions, nor the better intents I choose to live in. So I do not think in terms of chosen or superiority. If anything, a person, if they believe they are chosen, should think they are chosen to serve people from whatever position they find themselves while in life, as God commanded the angels to do, within my view.

So the chosen trap is not one that I fall into, because of knowing a person does not chose themselves, and peoples 'lots' can change any day or any hour, from that thinking oneself chosen is arrogant at best, and possibly disingenuous in many cases. If that thought is for ideas of self, and not glory and service to God.

So blaming the concept of chosen is not fair, if it does not include how a person considers that role.

[cali]

7. what ignorant simplistic tripe.

[jonnyblitz]

8. oh please I have seen settler after settler on video and

documentaries say exactly that. the far right over there BELIEVES THAT.

[cali]

10. yes, but that's hardly what the idiot and now deleted post said.

[peacebird]

2. additional question: Is it legal for IDF to force their way aboard boats in international waters?

and then take the passengers into custody?

[Esra Star]

3. Some nations seem to have a misplaced sense of entitlement.

History shows us that this always ends up in tears for the rogue state.
It might not be soon, but it will happen. "Revenge is a dish best served cold."

[PDJane]

4. It is, as is the 'wall'

against international law. That hasn't stopped them, because of the protection of Israel by the US.

[rumpel]

6. Here is the UN Security Council Emergency Meeting Summary of today

I was also curious and have searched for some information. Apparently, there was a call by the UN to end the blockade. Related stories leading up this incident are here:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=34863&Cr=gaza&Cr1=

Security Council

6325th Meeting (PM)

Note: a complete summary of today’s Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, will be made available as press release SC/9940 after the conclusion of the meeting.

Background

The Security Council met today in an emergency meeting to discuss the unfolding situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

Briefing

OSCAR FERNANDEZ-TARANCO, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, reported that, in the early morning hours, Israeli naval forces had boarded a six-ship convoy, which was heading towards Gaza. The stated purpose of the convoy was to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza. The convoy was reportedly carrying a range of educational, medical and construction materials and approximately 700 activists, citizens of several countries. Among their numbers were reportedly members of parliament from several countries.

He said that in the lead-up to today’s events, the Israeli authorities had conveyed their intention, both publicly and through diplomatic channels, not to allow the convoy to reach Gaza. The Israeli authorities had stated that should the convoy proceed contrary to those warnings they would divert it to an Israeli port, inspect the cargo, facilitate the entry of only those goods that were allowed into Gaza, in accordance with Israel’s blockade, and deport those on-board.

The organizers of the convoy had indicated their intention to proceed with their convoy and to attempt to deliver their full consignment of cargo to Gaza and to break the blockade, he said. A committee of persons organized by the de facto Hamas authorities in Gaza had been formed to receive the convoy.

He said that several Governments with nationals on-board the vessels had urged restraint from all sides and had indicated to the Israeli authorities their utmost concern that their nationals be protected. The Secretary-General’s Spokesperson last Friday had urged that all involved act with a sense of care and responsibility and work for a satisfactory resolution.

The convoy had been due to reach Gaza today, he said. According to the Israeli authorities, Israel naval forces had conveyed directly to the convoy during the early hours of this morning that they would not be allowed to reach port in Gaza. However, the convoy had proceeded towards Gaza. At approximately 0400 hours local time, the Israeli navy had acted to intercept the convoy. That had reportedly taken place some 40 nautical miles off the coast, in international waters. That reportedly had involved Israeli military personnel boarding the vessels, supported by naval ships and helicopters.

He said that Israeli forces had taken control of all six vessels. There had been serious violence on the main passenger vessel, a Turkish-registered ship named Mavi Marmara. He had also seen media reports of violence related to a Greek-registered ship, the Sfendonii. As a result of that violence, according to the latest information, at least 10 people had been killed and at least 30 injured, while at least six Israeli military personnel had been injured. There were no finally confirmed casualty figures at the current stage.

Given the circumstances, he said, “it is not possible to state definitively the sequence or details of what happened”. The Israeli Government had stated that the demonstrators on-board had used knives and clubs against Israel Defense Forces naval personnel, and possibly live fire, and that a weapon had been grabbed from an Israel Defense Forces soldier. Given that those who had been on-board the ships were now in Israeli custody, including reporters who were travelling with the convoy, and had had their transmission equipment confiscated by the boarding Israeli forces, further information from the organizers of the convoy had been minimal since this morning. “We have no independent information on what transpired.”

much more including statements of countries attending
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2010/sc9940.doc.htm

[WeDidIt]

9. It is a crime against humanity.

Plain and simple. It's a violation of international law and given the starvation diet forced on the Palestinians in Gaza, it is attempted genocide.

[shaayecanaan]

11. A blockade is considered an act of war...

its use is therefore governed by the same principles that apply to other acts of war. It must be proportionate and discriminate, in legitimate self-defence and in compliance with international humanitarian law.

The International Court of Justice has not ruled explicitly on the Gaza blockade, though I imagine that day cannot be too far away.

[grassfed]

12. "We Turn Our Backs To Them" Action to Socially Shun Israel's Apologists

Action to Socially Shun Israel's Apologists

We cannot influence our government or media but we can exclude Israel's Apologists from our social lives. If encountered at Trader Joe's, the PTA, the dog park, wherever, "We turn our backs to them". No kids birthday parties, no dinner invitations, no bridal showers - cut all ties. No discussions, no explanations.

http://mondoweiss.net