Uri Avnery's Column: My answers to Uri's questions - Part 3.

25.Was due consideration given to the alternative of stopping the flotilla in territorial waters, inspecting the cargo for arms and letting it sail on?

ANSWER: Apparently not. Jewish Mentality.

26.Was the impact of the action on international public opinion considered?


ANSWER: ditto. And add "bully Mentality".

27.Was the impact of the action on our relations with the US considered?


ANSWER: ditto. And ...I wonder who controls who...USA Israel, or Israel USA?

28.Was it taken into consideration that the action may actually strengthen Hamas?


ANSWER: ditto.


29.Was it taken into consideration that the action may make the continuation of the blockade more difficult?


ANSWER: ditto..

30.Questions concerning the planning of the action: What intelligence was at the disposal of the planners? (Evidence may be heard in camera.)

ANSWER: Why in camera? Everybody has the right to know. And everybody - as it goes without saying - knows what intelligence was at the disposal of the planners.

30.Was it considered that the composition of the group of activists in this flotilla was different from that in earlier protest ships, because of the addition of the Turkish component?

ANSWER: Apparently not. And also Israel respect nobody.

31.Was it taken into consideration that contrary to the European peace activists, who believe in passive resistance, the Turkish activists may adopt a policy of active resistance to soldiers invading a Turkish ship?

ANSWER: Apparently not.

32.Were alternative courses of action considered, such as blocking the progress of the flotilla with navy boats?

ANSWER: Apparently not.


33.If so, what were the alternatives considered, and why were they rejected?


ANSWER: None. Israel is sick with "one track mindedness and tunneled vision"


34.Who was responsible for the actual planning of the operation – the IDF Chief of Staff or the Commander of the Navy?


ANSWER: Does it matter - all of them, or a few, one?

35.If it was the Navy Commander who decided on the method employed, was the decision approved by the Chief of Staff, the Minister of Defense and the Prime Minister?

ANSWER: Does it matter?


36.How were the responsibilities for planning divided between these?


ANSWER: Who cares?

37.Why was the action undertaken outside of the territorial waters of Israel and the Gaza Strip?


ANSWER: Ask captain "Black Beard"

38.Why was it executed in darkness?


ANSWER: If you ask captain "Black Beard", he might say because his beard is black..

39.Did anyone in the navy object to the idea of soldiers descending from helicopters onto the deck of the ship “Mavi Marmara”?

ANSWER: Soldiers obey orders. Rule: If you have objection, you carry out the order first, and then objection will be discussed later. It is as simple as that.