SITUATION ANALYSIS -- XXIV

Jerusalem, Israel

ISRAEL’S CRISIS AT SEA

FACTS:

• There was a pre-dawn raid on Monday, by Israel’s navy, of a Gaza-bound protest flotilla of six ships, called, “Free Gaza”. The ship captains claimed to be carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, they also admitted their real intent was to break Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip. Israel is, technically, at war with Hamas in Gaza, and is not willing to allow weapons into Gaza by ship; or, the release of certain materials that could be used by Hamas to build rockets.


• Reports indicate that the protest flotilla was organized by a radical Islamic group, called IHH (an Istanbul-based Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief). It’s based in Turkey, with ties to Hamas and the Moslem Brotherhood. Between 600-700 activists were on-board the ships.


• Israel warned the ships not to break the blockade, and to proceed, instead to Ashdod port, where they could deliver their humanitarian aid. Israel promised to get the aid to the people of Gaza. The captains of the ships refused to obey Israel’s orders.


• The Israeli navy then ordered helicopters to proceed toward the ships in the Mediterranean Sea. About 80 miles from the Gaza coast, the helicopters released naval commandos to drop into the ships and seize control. The Israeli navy was not prepared for serious violent clashes. When Israeli soldiers descended onto the lead ship, several activists tried to lynch them, using knives, metal and wood bats, clubs, and sticks, beating the soldiers ruthlessly. (There were rocks, detonators, large hammers, slingshots with glass marbles, and sharp metal objects on-board, as well). The violent activists threw a soldier over a third-story railing, and he sustained serious head injuries. They used stun grenades and Molotov cocktails against Israeli troops. And, they captured pistols from some of the commandos, and started to shoot. The commandos, in an act of self-defense, returned fire. At least 10 activists were killed. Many were wounded by the violent clashes on the lead ship, including at least seven Israeli soldiers. Most of those killed and wounded were Turkish nationals.


• The activists also tried to tie the ropes dangling from the helicopters, to the lead ship, in hopes of bringing down the helicopters.


• Visuals from the Gaza flotilla ship showed young Moslems shouting Islamic battle chants, invoking the killing and defeat of Jews in battle. One women interviewed on Al-Jazeera said that the goal of the flotilla participants was, “one of two happy endings: either martyrdom or reaching Gaza.”


• Israeli commandos had no problem seizing the other five ships, and all activists on-board those ships surrendered peacefully.

• There were members of international parliaments on-board the six ships, including those from Germany, Ireland, Sweden, and Kuwait. There was also a Noble Peace Laureate on-board, as well as, a UN high-level official. As of this writing, there has not been a public statement about the condition of these V.I.P.’s.



• There was an Arab member of Israel’s Knesset on board the lead ship, Haneen Zoabi. She was not harmed. She spent Monday morning in IDF custody because she participated in the ship flotilla.


• Reports indicate that, not only were there anti-Israel activists on-board the ships, but also wanted Hamas terrorists, and those with ties to global jihad and Al-Qaeda.


• Netanyahu was in Canada about ready to leave for Washington, D.C., but postponed his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama because of the crisis. The meeting was supposed to help repair relations between Obama and Netanyahu.


• Israel’s ambassadors in embassies and consulates, worldwide, were called in by their host governments to explain what happened at sea.


• Greece, Turkey, and Germany cancelled important military exercises with Israel.


• Turkey recalled its ambassador from Israel, saying this was not an Israeli-Turkish incident, but one of Israel’s relationship with the entire international community.


• Criticism and condemnation rose across Europe and the Arab world. Protests and riots occurred on the streets of Turkey, Greece, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria, Bosnia, France, and England. At least 10,000 Turks marched on Istanbul. About 1,000 Jordanians protested in Amman.


• Arab states, led by Turkey, called for a full investigation by the UN Security Council.


• European states called for an end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza.


• Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas declared three days of mourning in the Palestinian territories. He claimed that Israel planned an assault on the ships in advance, and violated international law. He called for the UN to stand up to Israel; and, demanded that the UN and US intervene and cause Israel to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip.


• Hamas leader, Khaled Mashaal called on Jordan and Egypt to cut off diplomatic ties with Israel.



• Israel’s police and prison services went on the highest state of alert. Unrest in Israeli Arab towns caused clashes with police.


• The U.S. administration did not condemn Israel, but called for an investigation to determine what happened.


• Egypt just opened the Rafah border crossing to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

FAILURES:

• Senior Israeli officials said the naval operation was a failure. Israeli naval commandos were not prepared for the kind of violence they faced. This was a matter of faulty intelligence gathering on Israel’s part.


• The violent resistance by activists on-board the lead ship was an action designed to serve Hamas and other terrorists in Gaza. Israel acted in self-defense and for its own security interests. However, in the end, this was a successful diplomatic campaign for Hamas, serving Iran’s interests.


• Israel’s public relations officials, who were responsible for getting the facts out quickly to the media, failed to respond in “real time”. They waited many hours to get Israel’s point of view to the media, which was already broadcasting live video from the ships. Israel then went on the defensive, engaging in “damage control” with the media. The government spokesperson’s office and the IDF were too slow in releasing important video that proved Israel’s points: (a) that Israel wasn’t the aggressor; and, (b) that the soldiers acted in self-defense.

FALLOUT:

• A worldwide censure of Israel has already begun. This is an international diplomatic crisis for Israel, which could further isolate the Jewish State, internationally. This could result in a greater deterioration of Israel’s ties with European and Arab states, especially Turkey.


• The UN is expected to condemn Israel, claiming that the ships were carrying humanitarian aid; were in international waters; and that it was illegal for Israel, under international maritime laws, to board the vessels and seize the passengers and cargo. More accusations from the UN are expected, including UN Security Council resolutions against Israel, pointing to Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.


• Israel has already been accused of war crimes, due to the Goldstone Report; and, threatened with universal jurisdiction, which is already being applied in Britain and Belgium. Israel could be brought before the international court because of this current crisis. And, it’s expected that universal jurisdiction against Israel may be expanded to include other nations. This means, Israeli IDF officers and government leaders could be arrested when traveling abroad.


• Hamas has been trying to prevent peace talks from succeeding between Israel and West Bank Palestinians. This crisis could now help Hamas achieve its goal of breaking the blockade, and derailing peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.


• The Israeli blockade has already fueled anti-Semitism in the Arab world. Great anti-Semitism can be expected in Arab and European states.


• Further tensions are expected within Israel, provoked by Israeli Arabs and Palestinians. There’s talk of another intifada starting.

PRAYER POINTS:

• At least seven Israeli soldiers were injured, two in critical condition, when activists opened fire on Israeli troops. One of the soldiers sustained a critical head injury. Please pray for the complete healing and fast recovery of these Israelis.

• Pray also for the activists that were injured, and comfort for families who lost loved ones on the lead ship.

• This conflict is being fought on the battleground of international public opinion. Pray for this crisis to end quickly, in Israel’s favor. Pray that righteousness, truth, and justice will prevail.


• Pray that the media will report the facts with accuracy and truth, and that those who defend Israel will be heard and received favorably by international viewers and listeners of broadcast and media outlets.


• Pray for protection over Israelis and Jewish people, worldwide, from any backlash as a result of this crisis. Pray, especially, for the Lord to shield Israelis living, working and traveling in Turkey, as the government says the situation has become dangerous there.


• Pray that Israel’s relationship with Turkey will mend and heal. Pray that Turkish leaders, especially, Turkey’s Prime Minister Rajab Tayyip Erdogan, will have a change of heart towards Israel, and believe the truth instead of lies about Israel’s intentions. Pray for Israel to have favor with the Turkish people, as well. Israel needs a good working relationship with Turkish diplomats and generals because of Turkey’s strategic geo-political position in the Middle East region.


• Israel needs good relations with European and Arab states, especially for its defense and security interests. Pray that all strategic defense cooperation will continue; and, that all military exercises scheduled for this time period, will resume immediately.


• Pray that the Israeli government will stand up to pressure and not concede to the Palestinians, Hamas, Syria, the U.S., the UN, the EU, the Quartet, the Arab League, or to any other international entities that would cause Israel to disobey God’s commands. Pray that Israelis call on the name of the Lord, for His mercy, in order to be released from world condemnation because of this crisis.


• Ask God to pre-occupy and distract the nations with other national and international issues and interests, in order for Israel to survive this crisis.


• Pray that all diplomatic challenges Israel is currently facing, will be resolved quickly. Pray that those involved in anti-Israel hatred; that are bent on the de-legitimization of the Jewish State (including the re-writing of history, and the organizing of international boycotts); will be confused in their plans, distracted from their goals, and stopped from carrying out their evil tactics.


• Pray that God will calm the nations, and grant His favor toward Israel, so she can fulfill her biblical calling as a “light to the nations”.


• Left-wing Israelis are contributing to the crisis. They have been protesting the IDF naval raid on the ships; and they are declaring that Israel’s blockade of Gaza is “illegal”. Pray that they would have a change of heart regarding their own nation, and would begin to defend Israel in the face of international condemnation. “A house divided cannot stand.” Pray for greater unity among the citizens of Israel.


• Pray for experienced and intelligent Godly men and women to be put in position to help Israel’s public diplomacy and media challenges. When it comes to winning the media war, every minute counts. Pray that the IDF will coordinate its media campaign with a high degree of excellence and speed.


• Israel allows as much as 15,000 tons of humanitarian aid into Gaza on a daily basis. The humanitarian aid, from the ships, would have been in addition to what Israel already allows into the Gaza Strip. Please pray that this information is distributed, worldwide, reported by the international media, and believed by those who receive it.


• Two more ships are supposed to sail towards Gaza in a few weeks. They are also expected to try and break the blockade. Please pray that the ship organizers encounter difficulties, and that the planned sailing is cancelled.