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Last update - 21:21 03/07/2009
UN's Richard Falk: IDF seizure of Gaza-bound ship is 'criminal'
By Reuters
Tags: gaza, un, israel news 

A United Nations human rights investigator on Thursday called Israel's seizure of a ship carrying relief aid for the Gaza Strip "unlawful" and said its blockade of the territory constituted a "continuing crime against humanity".

Israeli authorities on Tuesday intercepted the vessel, which was also carrying 21 pro-Palestinian activists, and said it would not be permitted to enter Gaza coastal waters because of security risks in the area and its existing naval blockade.

Richard Falk, an American Jew and the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, said the move was part of Israel's "cruel blockade of the entire Palestinian population of Gaza" in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibiting any form of collective punishment against "an occupied people".
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Falk, who is an expert on international law, said Israel's two-year blockade of Hamas-ruled Gaza restricted vital supplies such as food, medicine and fuel to "bare subsistence levels".

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a report this week that Israel was also halting entry to Gaza of building materials and spare parts needed to repair damage from its 22-day invasion late last December.

"Such a pattern of continuing blockade under these conditions amounts to such a serious violation of the Geneva Conventions as to constitute a continuing crime against humanity," Falk said in a statement released in Geneva.

Prior to leaving Cyprus, the ship was inspected by Cypriot authorities in response to Israeli demands to determine whether it carried any weapons, according to the UN investigator. "None were found and Israeli authorities were so informed."

"Nonetheless, the 21 peace activists on the boat were arrested, held in captivity and have been charged with 'illegal entry' to Israel even though they had no intention of going to Israel," Falk added.

Israel envoy calls remarks'biased'

Israel's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Aharon Leshno-Yaar, rejected the remarks by Falk whom he said was "known for his bias against Israel and anti-Israel statements".

Israel is allowing relief aid to reach Gaza in coordination with Egypt and the Palestinian Authority, Leshno-Yaar said.

"Clearly the purpose of that ship was to create a buzz and serve as a propaganda vehicle against Israel," he told Reuters.

Activists from the U.S.-based Free Gaza movement said that Irish Nobel peace prize laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. congresswoman Cynthia McKinney were among those aboard.

Falk has had his own difficulties with Israeli authorities in trying to fulfill his independent mandate for the UN Human Rights Council.

Last December, he was detained and turned back from Israel, forcing him to abort a planned mission to Gaza -- a deportation denounced by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

In a report last March, Falk said Israel's year-end military assault on the densely population coastal strip of 1.5 million appeared to constitute a grave war crime.
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  1.   Richard Falk is so "unexpert" he is denied entry to Israel 06:08  |  dmgold 03/07/09
  2.   Criminal actives are an integral part of the Israeli phyche 06:25  |  lydia 03/07/09
  3.   Falk 06:41  |  Louis Fried 03/07/09
  4.   Gangsterism 06:59  |  Nick Ferriman 03/07/09
  5.   Criminality is Irrelevant 06:59  |  Mark of Lewiston 03/07/09
  6.   the UN 07:07  |  vik 03/07/09
  7.   Anyone who criticizes Israel is biased, always the same excuse 07:17  |  peacelover 03/07/09
  8.   Falk is a pathological self-hater 08:04  |  IW 03/07/09
  9.   Richard Falk 08:27  |  lives by the law? 03/07/09
  10.   the truth hurts....... 08:42  |  one man 03/07/09
  11.   It`s a fantastic "get out of jail for free" card, isn`t it? 08:58  |  Johnboy 03/07/09
  12.   Israel is asked to uphold it`s UN obligations again 09:03  |  C J 03/07/09
  13.   UN expert 09:16  |  fredyr 03/07/09
  14.   Falk and the UN- Why they are not concened 10:05  |  with appropriate 03/07/09
  15.   Why then? 10:08  |  John 03/07/09
  16.   It might seem like a crime ! 10:10  |  Yosi 03/07/09
  17.   #1 dmgold. Speak for yourself! 10:13  |  Maureen Annf 03/07/09
  18.   Absolutely criminal 10:24  |  Mimmi 03/07/09
  19.   Oh well seizing the ship is a crime then, 10:34  |  Michael 03/07/09
  20.   Could Mr Falk tell us 10:40  |  JL 03/07/09
  21.   The Gaza siege is implementing housing minister`s apartheid. 10:40  |  Michael 03/07/09
  22.   To Yosi / ...crime? 10:45  |  Anne 03/07/09
  23.   www.100-boats-to-gaza.org 10:53  |  Shamir 03/07/09
  24.   aid to Gaza 11:03  |  Space 03/07/09
  25.   Aharon Leshno-Yaar forgot one thing... 11:10  |  PADDY 03/07/09
  26.   Yosi 11:12  |  John 03/07/09
  27.   Carry on, Israel 11:19  |  Uetliberg 03/07/09
  28.   the hysterical" law expert "and maritime law 11:31  |  vhardman 03/07/09
  29.   :: Israel commits pedalcide again 11:45  |  Matty Groves 03/07/09
  30.   Mr Falk. 11:47  |  David Nigel Braham 03/07/09
  31.   Zionist war criminals 11:47  |  Gordon Elliot 03/07/09
  32.   rogue state 11:56  |  Muskens 03/07/09
  33.   Falk, pl. check out the definition of "occupation" 12:00  |  Alicia 03/07/09
  34.   Obviously, it was criminal. 12:12  |  Solow 03/07/09
  35.   Jewish UN official: IDF seizure of Gaza-bound ship is `criminal` 12:14  |  flo 03/07/09
  36.   Jewish UN official: IDF seizure of Gaza-bound ship is `criminal` 12:18  |  flo 03/07/09
  37.   These peace activists are overt supporters of Hamas! 12:37  |  Dr Eric 03/07/09
  38.   vhardman: Same old, same old... 12:37  |  Swen 03/07/09
  39.   Falk 12:37  |  John Strawson 03/07/09
  40.   #17 Maureen Anne 12:51  |  Mike B 03/07/09
  41.   The international community 12:56  |  Chris linthwaite 03/07/09
  42.   Say what you want but... 12:56  |  Mariano 03/07/09
  43.   The israeli press... 13:03  |  Mariano 03/07/09
  44.   These ships are pure propaganda--Gaza has all the luxury goods 13:05  |  IW 03/07/09
  45.   Falk is an embarasment to the US 13:07  |  US CITIZEN 03/07/09
  46.   #22 Uetilberg--you`re in bed with a joke! 13:14  |  US CITIZEN 03/07/09
  47.   # 8 IW 13:30  |  maoriboy 03/07/09
  48.   All UN membe states have the right to protect themselves, and so 13:45  |  Yair Svorai 03/07/09
  49.   #30 swen on the vision of the virgin mary and 2000 years of spin 14:06  |  v hardman 03/07/09
  50.   V Hardman 23 14:14  |  PCR 03/07/09
  51.   Twaddle 14:17  |  Mark Lincoln 03/07/09
  52.   Johnboy # 11 The Law Of Blockades (Part II) 14:20  |  Jeff Northridge 03/07/09
  53.   Criminal 15:04  |  patriot 03/07/09
  54.   It makes me sad and angry 15:41  |  Stuart Sweeney 03/07/09
  55.   FALK type propaganda hurts the decent Palestinians 16:11  |  soeasytomakefriends 03/07/09
  56.   If de did`t hate Israel 16:20  |  W 03/07/09
  57.   "Collective punishment" 16:23  |  The Prophet 03/07/09
  58.   He`s a Jew, so he can`t be biased against Israel 16:25  |  The Prophet 03/07/09
  59.   UN human rights = oxymoron 16:36  |  Arie 03/07/09
  60.   Nick in Thailand- You should look to yourselves 16:37  |  Arie 03/07/09
  61.   #53 The Prophet 16:47  |  Chris Linthwaite 03/07/09
  62.   support your local apartheid state gazastan 16:53  |  vhardman 03/07/09
  63.   The UN is Criminal (and a waste of tax dollars) 17:05  |  Jane 03/07/09
  64.   Jeff, your passing gas 17:35  |  Mark Lincoln 03/07/09
  65.   vhardhead - what State? 17:45  |  Mark Lincoln 03/07/09
  66.   Chris Linthwaite # 60 The Rome Statute 18:00  |  Jeff Northridge 03/07/09
  67.   #61 Peter Harris 18:32  |  Chris Linthwaite 03/07/09
  68.   The UN, Is Useless and Powerless 18:40  |  Shepherd 03/07/09
  69.   Stuart Sweeney # 53 What Piracy? 18:54  |  Jeff Northridge 03/07/09
  70.   #1 18:58  |  Erik 03/07/09
  71.   Gaza is a prison 19:13  |  janice 03/07/09
  72.   Drip, Drip, Drip - Seizure Reported In US Media 19:28  |  chet 03/07/09
  73.   enemies? 19:40  |  Patriot 03/07/09
  74.   UN 19:54  |  Oz 03/07/09
  75.   Only violation of law is Free Gaza group breaking US tax law. 20:06  |  Dr. L. Brnd 03/07/09
  76.   #52 patriot 20:20  |  steve 03/07/09
  77.   An example of when Gaza IS in Israel 20:22  |  Colin Wright 03/07/09
  78.   The Purpose 20:28  |  American in DC 03/07/09
  79.   Leshno-Yaar: fool and tool 20:33  |  David 03/07/09
  80.   #63 lintwit unable to see with his eyes voices deception 20:37  |  vhardman 03/07/09
  81.   Warsaw ghetto? 20:52  |  jackie 03/07/09
  82.   It`s Time to Close the UN 21:01  |  Jane 03/07/09
  83.   #74 Paul Harris 21:12  |  Chris Linthwaite 03/07/09
  84.   Patriot: I agree 21:20  |  Jasper 03/07/09
  85.   STEVE 21:26  |  PATRIOT 03/07/09
  86.   Desperation 21:38  |  mariapalestina 03/07/09
  87.   aid 21:43  |  oz 03/07/09
  88.   Stretching It Dr BRND 21:45  |  Mark of Lewiston 03/07/09
  89.   mercy 22:04  |  oz 03/07/09
  90.   Brnd #69 22:14  |  wibism 03/07/09
  91.   Gaza gas 22:17  |  PCR 03/07/09
  92.   Israel commits these criminal acts.... 22:17  |  Silvienne 03/07/09
  93.   #39, Mike B....to Maureen Ann 22:21  |  Silvienne 03/07/09
  94.   Cynthia McKinney 22:29  |  mariapalestina 03/07/09
  95.   #74 vhardman 22:35  |  Space 03/07/09
  96.   Legal? 22:38  |  John 03/07/09
  97.   Richard Falk/Cynthia McKinney 22:43  |  Rob 03/07/09
  98.   TO NO 57 22:45  |  DANNY 03/07/09
  99.   Colin Wright # 71 They Never Got To Gaza 22:53  |  Jeff Northridge 03/07/09
  100.   Oslo Accords #87 23:29  |  wibism 03/07/09
  101.   The UN is a Criminal Organization 23:29  |  Jane 03/07/09
  102.   another apologist for Israel 23:53  |  wibism 03/07/09
  103.   #87 space thinks that there are parallels between islam 00:04  |  v hardman 04/07/09
  104.   Propaganda Value 00:06  |  Hugh 04/07/09
  105.   92 Jeff Northridge - Holes in the No-Occ Theory 00:14  |  Mark of Lewiston 04/07/09
  106.   UN 00:16  |  patriot 04/07/09
  107.   Mark Lincoln and Twaddle 00:19  |  Stephen L 04/07/09
  108.   #15 Here`s why 00:26  |  Jim 04/07/09
  109.   well done free Gaza--time to double our contributions 00:33  |  Gregory westridge 04/07/09
  110.   #92 Jeff --what sovereign Israeli territory 00:42  |  Gregory westridge 04/07/09
  111.   Johnboy (#11) sweeping the Persian carpet 01:02  |  Morris Valentine 04/07/09
  112.   One simple question 01:34  |  Gee 04/07/09
  113.   More twaddle 01:56  |  maoriboy 04/07/09
  114.   it is unlawful and criminal to 02:15  |  liberaci 04/07/09
  115.   flo in mo 02:18  |  liberaci 04/07/09
  116.   This is politically incorrect ... 02:25  |  Jasper 04/07/09
  117.   Mariapalestina - Entered Israel???? 02:42  |  Mark of Lewiston 04/07/09
  118.   #52 Wrong in the first line, Jeff 03:49  |  Johnboy 04/07/09
  119.   Mark of Lewiston # 103 Check The Court Rulings 03:54  |  Jeff Northridge 04/07/09
  120.   #110 The answer is in the article, Gee 03:57  |  Johnboy 04/07/09
  121.   #51 You appear to have mixed your logic up, Mark 04:14  |  Johnboy 04/07/09
  122.   Newsflash ! 04:17  |  Sean 04/07/09
  123.   Gregory westridge # 108 Thanks For The Correction 04:26  |  Jeff Northridge 04/07/09
  124.   #61 The facts, please, Chris Linthwaite 04:28  |  The Prophet 04/07/09
  125.   #63, MARK LINCOLN, astounding 04:41  |  VIPER 04/07/09
  126.   #36 Flo USA Go Blo 04:54  |  Malach HaMavet 04/07/09
  127.   116 Jeff Northridge - That Many Angels 07:09  |  Mark of Lewiston 04/07/09
  128.   PCR you are right on the button 08:13  |  j9 04/07/09
  129.   Gregory westridge 08:43  |  TonyL 04/07/09
  130.   The Prophet - the GC`s need to bre read in total, 08:47  |  CJ 04/07/09
  131.   Where are the warm and caring Jewish hearts? 08:52  |  hala 04/07/09
  132.   my son also said it 08:56  |  dani.a 04/07/09
  133.   Complicity. 08:56  |  Lane 04/07/09
  134.   A YEAR FROM NOW 09:25  |  indrajaya 04/07/09
  135.   Yair Svoraia ...UN member state - sovregeinity 10:14  |  CJ 04/07/09
  136.   #119 who else do you oppose tonyl ? 10:20  |  vhardman 04/07/09
  137.   Jeff Northridge - Law on Armed Conflicts at Sea, 12 June 10:21  |  CJ 04/07/09
  138.   this is an offer for free the donation of a dictionary 10:25  |  vhardman 04/07/09
  139.   Jeff Northridge - aw of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982 10:26  |  CJ 04/07/09
  140.   war 10:43  |  patriot 04/07/09
  141.   Israel is occupier 11:17  |  Iain 04/07/09
  142.   #101 Paul Harris 11:41  |  Chris Linthwaite 04/07/09
  143.   hala 12:17  |  Linichka 04/07/09
  144.   #114 Jasper, good mail 13:19  |  Alicia 04/07/09
  145.   #127 Lain: "Israel is an occupier" 13:30  |  Alicia 04/07/09
  146.   Jane#80 13:53  |  Ozymandias 04/07/09
  147.   No.67 Jeff Northbridge on "Piracy" 14:34  |  Stuart Sweeney 04/07/09
  148.   Gaza Waters? Not. 14:44  |  Jasper 04/07/09
  149.   #125 how israel came about its called the 1922 mandate 15:25  |  vhardman 04/07/09
  150.   #131 stuart and international waters and mere allegations 15:31  |  vhardman 04/07/09
  151.   Jasper ..They`re Gazan Waters. 15:46  |  CJ 04/07/09
  152.   #132 If Gaza is Israel ... 15:52  |  Born Free and Equal 04/07/09
  153.   These people were kidnapped and forced into Israeli waters.- 15:59  |  Labhras 04/07/09
  154.   Israeli Policy Is A Disgrace 16:24  |  Neil 04/07/09
  155.   The next boat should have a armed escort ready to do battle 16:46  |  chilem 04/07/09
  156.   An occuppier has only but one right, the right to stop occupying 16:56  |  chilem 04/07/09
  157.   chilem 17:03  |  Linichka 04/07/09
  158.   CJ # 126 Nobody Is A Signatory Of The San Remo Manual (2nd try) 17:09  |  Jeff Northridge 04/07/09
  159.   Chill out, Chilem, Arabs in Texas have it good.. 17:09  |  Nemesis 04/07/09
  160.   never been to 6flags 17:24  |  chilem 04/07/09
  161.   just WHERE WAS THIS ILLEGAL BOAT ARRESTED 17:29  |  v hardman 04/07/09
  162.   chilem # 144 Ah, But The Israelis Do Have The Right 18:25  |  Jeff Northridge 04/07/09
  163.   Paul Harris aka Vicky hardhead.--san remo means diddly 18:30  |  Labhras 04/07/09
  164.   #143 Born free--You must not ask Jasper difficult 18:36  |  Labhras 04/07/09
  165.   UN law lol. you a joke just like that law 18:44  |  chilem 04/07/09
  166.   any country under occupation is at war 18:49  |  chilem 04/07/09
  167.   #153 Paul harris aka vicky hardhead--I can answer that 18:51  |  Labhras 04/07/09
  168.   Ozymandias - Rightfully so 19:02  |  Jane 04/07/09
  169.   chilem again 19:39  |  Linichka 04/07/09
  170.   You should read history Linichka 20:00  |  chilem 04/07/09
  171.   The reason for comtinued detention 20:28  |  Mikesailor 04/07/09
  172.   v.hardman 20:54  |  mariapalestina 04/07/09
  173.   Chilem #170 21:20  |  Peter Mall 04/07/09
  174.   #171 Mikesailor spot on The two Irish people have confirmed 21:57  |  Labhras 04/07/09
  175.   #171, 174 Mikesailor, Labhras 22:20  |  BDS 04/07/09
  176.   Criminal behaviour is the norm for Israel 22:29  |  James J. David 04/07/09
  177.   Lydia 2 22:43  |  Alice 04/07/09
  178.   BDS Thanks.It will be interesting to see where their 22:46  |  Labhras 04/07/09
  179.   Alice yes but not if my country was committing war crimes and 22:50  |  Labhras 04/07/09
  180.   Judging from the photos of this boat, ... 23:00  |  Jasper 04/07/09
  181.   #180 Jasper, Israel does not aid Gaza 23:28  |  BDS 04/07/09
  182.   Johnboy #120 newsflash for you 23:52  |  Gee 04/07/09
  183.   BDS 23:53  |  Jasper 04/07/09
  184.   #174 labarse of arabia and more irish comedy 23:55  |  v hardman 04/07/09
  185.   lasbars eof arabia and the heroes of the ira 23:58  |  v hardman 04/07/09
  186.   Maureen from Australia # 17 00:12  |  Eaglebeak 05/07/09
  187.   Peter Mall #173 and also Chilem 00:20  |  Eaglebeak 05/07/09
  188.   Janice 00:58  |  norman a blumberg 05/07/09
  189.   Marietta 01:02  |  norman a blumberg 05/07/09
  190.   still on our website 01:27  |  mariapalestina 05/07/09
  191.   BDS Jasper is probably a recent camera graduate 01:29  |  Labhras 05/07/09
  192.   The UN and Falk,Hamas are THE REAL CRIMINALS,NOT ISRAEL! 01:56  |  Whiskey/Bravo 05/07/09
  193.   The greater crime against justice 02:03  |  Darlene Wallach 05/07/09
  194.   To Labhras (#179) 02:08  |  Morris Valentine 05/07/09
  195.   #119 Where Jeff goes So Very Wrong 02:12  |  Johnboy 05/07/09
  196.   #162 Ahhh, but they don`t have that right, Jeff. 02:20  |  Johnboy 05/07/09
  197.   BDS #181 your ignorance is astonding 03:23  |  Gee 05/07/09
  198.   #162 Just to point something out, Jeff 04:03  |  Johnboy 05/07/09
  199.   #162 Awww, look, I`ll point this out too, Jeff. 04:07  |  Johnboy 05/07/09
  200.   Richard Falk is so "unexpert" he is denied entry to Israel 04:13  |  Jim Edwards 05/07/09
  201.   Linichka - Gaza is part of a non-state entity called Palestine 05:24  |  CJ 05/07/09
  202.   Jeff Northridge - An aid ship is not a merchant vessel 05:33  |  CJ 05/07/09
  203.   Linichka - Jewish land ownership was a tiny fraction. 05:41  |  CJ 05/07/09
  204.   "..before 1948 palestine was a british colony" `fraid not! 05:48  |  CJ 05/07/09
  205.   But we all know UN is ineffective, racist body 08:59  |  Joe Sittizen 05/07/09
  206.   THIS UN paid Pal flunky does not" know"Qsssams & NO peace 10:19  |  PETER SM 05/07/09
  207.   #158 How odd for your claim, hey, Jeff 15:49  |  Johnboy 05/07/09
  208.   CJ The Arabs chose not to recognise borders or have a state 16:12  |  PETER SM 05/07/09
  209.   To norman a blumberg @182..You are quite right,And! 16:39  |  Whiskey/Bravo 05/07/09
  210.   PETER SM.. "The Arabs chose not to recognise borders .... 18:06  |  CJ 05/07/09
  211.   Gee - "We are supplying the terrorists ..."Uh huh 18:21  |  CJ 05/07/09
  212.   Whiskey/Bravo - the longest border of Gaza strip is with Israel 18:31  |  CJ 05/07/09
  213.   Hey CJ@212 WHY DO YOU THINK ISRAEL CLOSES THE BORDERS? 18:58  |  Whiskey/Bravo 05/07/09
  214.   To CJ .PART TWO: FROM PART ONE. 19:03  |  Whiskey/Bravo 05/07/09
  215.   213The majority of jews were guests ofTsarist Russia 01:43  |  lydia 06/07/09
  216.   Whiskey/Bravo - save your silly insults 07:08  |  CJ 06/07/09
  217.   v hardman 01:26  |  Pete 12/07/09
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