Flytilla Fails to Take Off
April 16, 2012 14:14 by Simon Plosker
It was meant to be a Palestinian PR dream. Over 2,000 activists scheduled to converge on Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport, arriving on planes from around the world as part of a “Welcome to Palestine” flytilla.
Israel had done its homework, however. No-fly lists of potential activists sent to airlines prevented many from even boarding their flights at the point of departure. What could have been a major international incident turned from a flytilla into a floptilla, the lack of action described by The Times of Israel reporting from Ben-Gurion Airport:
But by mid-morning, nothing much was happening. Nothing had been happening for quite some time, reported an Associated Press TV cameraman in the arrivals hall who had replaced another cameraman who had watched nothing happen for most of the night. …
There were no fewer than 13 TV cameras and about 30 journalists around the terminal, bored and standing around in clumps. Anyone expecting Tahrir Square was presented instead with “Waiting for Godot.”
Indeed, the story barely registered on the radars of the US press, probably due to the fact that the majority of the activists were Europeans.
Snide headline of the day went to CNN:
Hours later, CNN updated the headline to something more neutral: “Israel detains pro-Palestinian activists”.
And what of the “snide letter” described by CNN? It’s worth noting as one of the means deployed by Israel to pop the activists’ balloons.
Dear activist, we appreciate your choosing to make Israel the object of your humanitarian concerns.
We know there were many other worthy choices. You could have chosen to protest the Syrian regime’s daily savagery against its own people, which has claimed thousands of lives.
You could have chosen to protest the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on dissent and support of terrorism throughout the world. You could have chosen to protest Hamas rule in Gaza, where terror organizations commit a double war crime by firing rockets at civilians and hiding behind civilians.
But instead you chose to protest against Israel, the Middle East’s sole democracy, where women are equal, the press criticizes the government, human rights organizations can operate freely, religious freedom is protected for all and minorities do not live in fear.
Therefore we suggest to let you solve first the real problems of the region, and then come back and share with us your experience.
Have a nice flight.
I. Barr
3:55 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Refusing entry of persons who can create unrest and incite violence is Israel’s right. US chronically refuses admission of certain individuals for similar reasons. Try to get into Saudi, Iran or Syria. Nevertheless there is a solution to accommodate those “human rights activists” and allow them entry. While applying for visa to Israel they have to pass an exam in Israel history and speak Hebrew fluent enough to be able to communicate with Israeli citizens including police. Rachel Corey, a Solidarity member, did not understand commands in Hebrew and got killed. Not speaking and understanding Hebrew does endanger the willing provocateurs. Other countries such as Japan may require knowledge of Japanese before entry into Japan.
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Mirian
4:29 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Barr? Do you live in the U.S.?
Obama just invited 80,000 Muslims to come to the U.S. without background checks. I lost count of the numbers of those who have already been caught trying to set off explosives.
On that same day, he states is will have 80,000 per year enter OUR Country — FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
He has no intentions of Leaving OUR White House.
We are now 47th on the Freedom Index in the world!!!
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barbara
6:07 pm
Apr 16, 2012
please inform me as to when obama let in 80,000 muslims? and on a daily basis? what planet do you live on?
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esther
4:32 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Are you seriously saying that countries can or should not allow people who do not speak the language to visit? This makes no logical sense whatsoever. Yes, I do see how not knowing the language of a place you are visiting can possibly put you at a disadvantage and yes, you can even stretch the arguement and say that not understanding instructions in a situation can endanger lives. Are you actually saying, however, that people who do not speak the language should not visit? I guess that if I wanted to subscribe to your theory, I could pretty much cancel my future plans of visiting all the countries all over the world that I had planned to visit! Including MY OWN COUNTRY, ISRAEL, because I barely speak Hebrew at all!!
Either I seriously misunderstood your comment, our you are kinda nuts.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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marco
4:43 pm
Apr 16, 2012
You did miss the point, or one of them, that being if you are going to participate in protests in areas of high security concerns, you had better be able to understand the commands being shouted by those personnel whose job it is to protect the peace and safeguard life, not just that of the protestors.
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esther
4:58 pm
Apr 16, 2012
OK. Well at least you are not including all visitors. That’s a relief. Your solution is odd, and I do not believe that it would fly (yes, pun intended
), but OK. I can be on board (yes, another pun intended) with anything that keeps them out!
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Glenn Tamir
5:29 pm
Apr 16, 2012
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Gary Katz
6:21 pm
Apr 16, 2012
I agree with everything except the Hebrew requirement. I’ve visited many countries with little knowledge of its main language. I usually try to learn their versions of “yes,” “no,” “please,” “thank you,” and, most importantly, “Where’s the bathroom?” But then again, I wasn’t going there to cause trouble.
When I read the “snide” letter, I thought, “Wow, this letter reads like I wrote it!” I loved it!
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yanshuf
8:40 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Sorry, Gary, that letter does not read at all as if you had written it, but a whole lot better.
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Ellen Lindemans
4:02 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Well Irael has the right to let in or out who Israel wants. That’s what the USA does all the time and nobody cares. I think Israel was getting smarter after that flotilla disaster. Isael told people: stay home get a life and do what is useful.
Ha, I like that.
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Ron Salfrais
4:04 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Kol hakavod for the Israeli government.
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LUIS FROM MEXICO
4:09 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Israel should allow this “peace lovers”to enter the country, then put them in buses and give them a tour; then, take them to the border with Gaza and put them right where missiles fall almost every day and hope for one to fall right on their heads, so they can feel what inocent israelis feel; then finally send them to Gaza and let them see the difference between Israel and “Palestine”, and of curse, let hammas take care of them so they can go home from there.
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marco
4:47 pm
Apr 16, 2012
…don’t forget the tour of Gaza’s primary schools where the teachers and textbooks (funded by the UN) instill in young minds that Jews are dogs and the children of apes, that one’s life goal should be to become a shahid (martyr) by blowing up civilians in restaurants, etc etc.
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LUIS FROM MEXICO
5:02 pm
Apr 16, 2012
I am sorry Marco, but the tour in Gaza is out of my control….they have their own travel agency and they will show them just the good things they have, so it will be a very ,very short tour!!!
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Aisha too
4:20 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Personally, I avoid ‘crazies’. I certainly don’t let them in my home.
Israel obviously does the same. Makes sense to me!
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Jon Cohen
4:33 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Leslie Nielsen to star in another “airplane” sequel – “Floptilla – the non-event”.
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marco
4:49 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Shirley your not serious!
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Carole
4:53 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Brilliant move by Israel, that letter was great and full of truth!
I don`t blame Israel for not allowing the activists in, they have enough on their plate trying to police and stop their people from being attacked on a daily basis by the palestinians!
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Nathan Zafran
4:54 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Judging from the few and in-between “declarations” from self-appointed defenders of Palestine in these organisations, it is very safe to assume that few, if any of them, have an inkling of what the Middle East conflict is all about. This is about pure hatred of Jews and Israel and nothing less. Cynics will obviously be quick to point out the Jewish participants in these and similar activities. But what can be done? We have had self-loathing Jews for forty centuries – nothing new and unique here. “On behalf” Jews are unfortunately always available and are regretfully the worst kind of antisemites. These organisations’ theatricals are counter productive, damaging to any peace process, and help to prolong the conflict and bloodshed.
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sylvia
4:58 pm
Apr 16, 2012
curious, who pays for their flights?
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Ellen Lindemans
5:08 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Curious too
Must be a great job ” Activist” at least well payed.
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Glenn Tamir
5:08 pm
Apr 16, 2012
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Ellen Lindemans
5:14 pm
Apr 16, 2012
you are missing a important point: activists are not peaceful and that could in Israel give a lot of problems like flotilla. I don’t let crazy people in my house, why should Israel let grazy people in the country? To show what? stupidity? on who’s costs? Who will pay the price from: “we are nor afraid”? get real.
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Glenn Tamir
5:33 pm
Apr 16, 2012
OK Ellen, now define why they are crazies? Good luck with that one.
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Marcus
6:41 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Glenn, just because you can use a few high school words does not mean you should be spewing them in public. Have you ever heard the term “useful idiot”. Please look into it as you reconsider your stupidity.
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sylvia
5:22 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Glenn, are you for REAL? You had to much wine during Pesah!
sylvia
Canada
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Glenn Tamir
5:35 pm
Apr 16, 2012
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Mr. Light-Bright
6:07 pm
Apr 16, 2012
You live in Israel!? These Arabs… are they patient men? If so GOOD! Tell them we in the west want to see: love, not judgement; peace not war… We want to see unconditional love for humanity. Perhaps have a march in the streets with a sign “I love Israel, but please change some policies” “peace peace to the Jews, and arabs alike,” “Stop building settlements on the west bank, but even if you do we stand together against violence”
Stuff like that would bring so much more support to the cause.
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Nathan Zafran
6:39 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Another self-loathing Jew? Or maybe just part of your “Socialist/Communist” up-bringing? Give us normal people a break and pipe down.
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Esther
5:42 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Glenn: your ideology in blocking your view of reality! You are naive. And I will dare to speak for others here, and tell you that none of us are feeling the slightest bit guilty about anything, much less, an “occupation” that does not exist. If we feel guilty about anything at all, it would be for the unfortunate times when we were not able to do enough to prevent a loss of life of one of our own!
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Mr. Light-Bright
5:46 pm
Apr 16, 2012
HonestReporting Quote: “Israeli letter to the activists pointed out, other very pressing concerns in the Middle East continues to expose the obsessive and disproportionate and often hateful attention leveled at the region’s only real democracy.”
Yep… but palestinian activists often will point out thing like the current Egyptian elections. Egypt is a place where a minority (however huge) of religions get pushed way too far. The greatest freedom a nation can give you is not the chance to vote or privileges… but to have freedom of the mind/soul (Israel accomplishes more than that).
As a young yet old fashioned (stern beliefs) Christian, I see the freedom that allows (some times annoying) Christians to visit “Jesus related” sites without much restriction. Such is a privilege, not a right.
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Snide Letter from Israel or Typical Rush to Judgement by CNN? You Decide. « TSTI
6:14 pm
Apr 16, 2012
[...] Page: 1 [...]
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Danielle Sussmann
6:18 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Kol hakavod to the Israelei government and your satirical drawing is great!
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Steve Eisenberg
6:28 pm
Apr 16, 2012
It’s not clear to me why a guy named Kareem would be critical of Israel.
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esther
6:42 pm
Apr 16, 2012
@ Steve E. Be careful, you might upset Glenn!
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Michel
6:33 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Glenn Tamir’s, Esther’s and others’ comments are either fake or a little bit stupid. As Barr suggests : “try to enter Iran, Syria or Saudi Arabia”.
In this latter country, those “non muslims” have to show a “baptism certificate” which means : “Jews are forbiden !” Nobody finds it discriminative or illegitimate ! Have you seen their roadsigns showing way for “muslims” and another way for “non muslims”. Even the roads are discriminative. Lately, there was there a big improvement : women can (are allowed to) drive cars ! What an achievement …
Even other more “open minded” countries, such as Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman Sultanate… give you an entry visa “provided the passport doesn’t bear an Israeli visa” …
And we should accept all the immigration frm Arab countries and face their constant provokation with more veiled girls and women and men dressed the “Afghanise style, in our streets than in Casablanca ?!
Why those “normal regular europeans” (we could see the pictures of !!! mainly veiled women of north-african origin) for the “flytilla” (which turned into the “floptilla”) didn’t chose Damascus or Alep, or Homs as their destination ??! Ge ! there is there so much to defend, to start with the very population (more than 10,000 killed) ! But also so much to risk, actually ! A real shame for the Baas criminal regime, of Bashar after his father Hafez and uncle Rifaï (all el Assad !) which were “the progressists western’s friends”. The same as Sadam Hussein’s Bass party… until it was decided he couldn’t be our friend, any longer. Or Gaddafi. Not to speak of past and coming Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria or Turkey !
All these examples just to show there have been, and there are so many countries and regimes and dictatures to carefully watch (and possibly help) for those “Human Rights activists” instead of obsessing themselves about Israel, the real sole democracy in the region : just ask the Arab Israelis (muslim or christian ones) if they want to move to the Palestinian zones (West Bank or Gaza) and to be under their juridiction !!!
Where are the Jews and the Christians (Orthodox, Maronites, Syriac, Coptes…) real first settlers when Islam was created in the 7th Century ?! Not many left (I’m talking about the Christians, of course, since), no Jews except few ostages, here and there.
So, you all “politically correct” commenting folks, please go and see and check it up by yourselves, first, before insulting Israel who, perhaps, may not be perfect at all times… But who is legitimate and facing an every day real survival war.
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esther
6:51 pm
Apr 16, 2012
@ Michel… Perhaps you may want to read carefully before hurlung the insults. Glenn and Esther have completely opposing views! If you were not “stupid” yourself, (just using your word, to make sure you understand what I am saying), you would realize that Esther is actually in agreement with you, and was arguing with Glenn! How you can call somebody “politically correct” after she specifically says “I am on board with anything that keeps them out” is beyond me. Read more carefully next time, before inserting your foot in your mouth again.
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Danielle Sussmann
6:35 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Glenn, first of all nobody will sue the Israeli Government in international court. Every country decide for the people it doesn’t want on its soil. Secondary and more important, they are activists who hate Israel. I know the Italian and French ones as I live in Italy and France and I am concerned from many years of their anti-Semitism. Italian President had once awared about the analogy between anti-Semitism and anti-Sionism. This combination has growned in Europe at a very concerning level. What you perhaps forget about those activists is that they need only to refuel their propaganda against Israel and make us a very difficult life.
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Flavia
6:54 pm
Apr 16, 2012
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Danielle Sussmann
7:14 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Flavia? why you don’t give up with Israel?! You’re Italian and I know people thinking – indoctrinaded – like you. You are a Palestinian supporter – indifferently mixing terrorists and people – and hate Israel.
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Flavia
7:52 pm
Apr 16, 2012
I have given up Israel, after years of supporting it. And I’m sorry for the waste… but before I say good by for good let me point out just the latest example of your obsessed attitude: you’ve categorized me based on nationality and on prejudice. You know for sure I’m indoctrinated (by whom, since I’ve been an Israel’s supporter for years?) and so stupid that I cannot differentiate between the rights of the people and the policy of the terrorists. You assume I never studied your history, you don’t even know if I have visited the country or not but you proclame that I hate Israel. You see, you don’t even listen to your friends: you put up ideological walls stiffer than cement. Good luck to you.
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yanshuf
8:58 pm
Apr 16, 2012
O Flavia, if you were such a strong supporter for years, you should be able to understand that people fighting for their lives tend to become very nervous. A country at war cannot be judged by general rules. Think again.
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Natalie
9:16 pm
Apr 16, 2012
Definition for fascism by Prof. Robert Paxton (Wikipedia):
A form of political behavior marked by obsessive preoccupation with community decline, humiliation or victimhood and by compensatory cults of unity, energy and purity, in which a mass-based party of committed nationalist militants, working in uneasy but effective collaboration with traditional elites, abandons democratic liberties and pursues with redemptive violence and without ethical or legal restraints goals of internal cleansing and external expansion.
Palestine could be a prosperous country by now with all that international support they receive, but they choose otherwise. In my opinion there is an up rise of a new fascism in Europe and the Middle East, including Palestine. As a German citizen I am really concerned about this tendency and ashamed that this happens also in our country and it comes not really from the right-wing politic this time, but from the left-wing. Thumb up to Lufthansa, who cancelled the flights of these fascist supporters!
I pray that lots of people here wake up and check out reality. Israel did the right thing, they shouldn’t let troublemakers into the country and then let the Israeli people pay taxes to maintain order.
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Stephen
8:16 pm
Apr 16, 2012
First, entry to a foreign country is not automatic. You can be refused for virtually any whim, and entering to disturb and instigate against that nation is a valid reason for refusal.
Just about every country has a no-entry list, and many, such as the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, et cetera, have no-fly/no entry lists, and rarely is an eyebrow raised. So why is this so wrong of Israel to do likewise?
That the letter is sarcastic is not worthy of mention by the press. Imagine the hurt feelings of the so-called protesters. Boo hoo. What next? The protesters are upset that Israel’s flag is white and blue? The press needs to grow up. What about the content of the letter? Read anything in the press that, well, Israel has a valid point?
Perhaps Israel could do the same as oh-so-many other countries and toss these people into an overcrowded cell for a week and then deport them at their own expense. You know, as the USA has been known to do with illegals trying to get into the country. Just ask a Mexican caught illegally entering the USA. Some stew in cells for as much as two years, and no one in the international press complains.
So many commentators here want to pamper the troublemakers. Give them tours at the government’s expense, teach them, educate them, and so on. Their minds are already set and nothing will dissuade them. Best thing is to point them at the exit gate and send them on their way. If this looks bad, so what. The world will complain that Israel should have not let them in if there is a problem, the world will say this is a way to override Israel security (ha ha), or the world will wring its hands if Israel stops these people at its entry points.
Israel should stop worrying about what the international press says and begin acting like every other country on this planet.
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