Israeli Ambassador Oren Defends Israel in NYT

Matthew Green — June 3, 2010 – 11:22 am | Israel | Terrorism Comments (0) Add a comment

Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Michael B. Oren, wrote an op-ed piece in today’s New York Times in which he asserted:

“The mob that assaulted Israeli special forces on the deck of the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara on Monday was not motivated by peace. On the contrary, the religious extremists embedded among those on board were paid and equipped to attack Israelis - both by their own hands as well as by aiding Hamas - and to destroy any hope of peace.”

Oren referenced various videos of the conflict circulating around the internet, but then pointed out that viewers may have missed some crucial, hidden details:

“What the videos don’t show…are several curious aspects Israeli authorities are now investigating. First, about 100 of those detained from the boats were carrying immense sums in their pockets - nearly a million euros in total. Second, Israel discovered spent bullet cartridges on the Mavi Marmara that are of a caliber not used by the Israeli commandos, some of whom suffered gunshot wounds. Also found on the boat were propaganda clips showing passengers “injured” by Israeli forces; these videos, however, were filmed during daylight, hours before the nighttime operation occurred.”
“The investigations of all this evidence will be transparent, in accordance with Israel’s security needs.”

He continued to explain that since 2005, Hamas has fired over 10,000 mortars and rockets into Israel, including two that exploded near Ashkelon just this week:

“Israel has a right and a duty to defend itself from Hamas and its backers. Our struggle is not with the people of Gaza but only with the radical regime that overthrew the legitimate Palestinian Authority and has pledged to seek Israel’s destruction. Each day, Israel facilitates the passage into Gaza of more than 100 truckloads of food and medicine - there is no shortage of either. We, too, want a free Gaza - a Gaza liberated from brutal Hamas rule - as well as an Israel freed from terrorist threats.”
“Israel will scrupulously review the events surrounding the Marmara’s interception. But Israel will also persist in denying advanced weaponry to Hamas. At the same time, the Israeli government will vigorously pursue peace with the Palestinian Authority, which shares our need for defense against armed extremists. The real peace activists are those who support our vision of a two-state solution, not those supporting the terrorists bent on destroying it.”

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