Costa Rica Congress Condemns New Israeli Attacks By Commandos With Paintball Guns!

The Costa Rica Congress passed a motion last night to condemn the actions of the Israel Navy, responsible for an attack that killed nine members of a group of cooperating carrying aid to the Gaza Strip.

With 37 votes for and 13 against, the deputies condemned the “disproportionate use of force” in international waters and urged the Government of Laura Chinchilla to negotiate with the Israeli authorities to lift the block against the civilian population in Gaza.

Among those against the motion was the Luis Fishman, a member of the Jewish community in Costa Rica who felt that “the information that supported the motion was not reliable.”

Asked about the position of the Government of Costa Rica, Foreign Minister Rene Castro said “he would prefer to take a couple of days before giving opinion, he hopes that will prepare a report on the subject.”

In an interview with Ehud Eitam, Israel’s ambassador in Costa Rica, the Israeli diplomat explains to La Nacion reporter Andres Formoso O. why his country dealt with a flotilla of boats heading toward the port of Gaza and the consequences.

Question: What justifies an Israeli attack on a boat in international waters?

First, let me say that we regret the loss of human lives in this incident. About the event itself, there was a political provocation by the organizers of the activity. Gaza is blocked by Israel to prevent military equipment from reaching it to attack us from there, and they failed to respect the embargo.

Question: But is it correct to attack?

Preventive actions of this type are valid in international waters. Where do you think it should stop the boats not to enter Gaza? Board a ship in international waters is permitted by international law.

Israel asked the Turkish government to let us check the boats before leaving, but they did not agree. La HHI (NGOs organized the trip) is a Turkish Muslim organization that is linked to Muslim fundamentalist elements.

Question: Can you tell me where the soldiers when they were attacked?

The soldiers were descending from helicopters on ropes above the ship. They descended with paintball guns. There were no firearms. The crew of the boat rushed up to attack them with batons and knives. They were left with no choice but to defend themselves with their pistols.

Question: “You tell me that the Israeli soldiers, one of the most effective armies in the world, dropped from helicopters in an operation to control a fleet of ships ‘enemies’ with paintball guns?”

Yes.

Question: But crews of the ships boarded by the Israelis were armed?

Yes, they had batons and knives.

Question: If you are attacked by armed men at sea, do you have a right to defend yourself?

The Israeli army protecting rightful boundaries. What peaceful activists come with batons and knives and attack the soldiers when they come down on the boat?

Question: If the attack had been by Palestinian soldiers against Israeli ships, would you justify this type of actions?

This is a trap to have the war in public. It’s all over the international press. Sometimes they do things with good intentions, but they end badly.

Question: Now all eyes are on the Gaza Strip and the entire world has became aware of your blockade since June 2007. Does an action like this not have too high a political cost?

The only people who won were the ones who are against peace. These groups have made believe that Israel is an aggressor. Moreover, Hamas (the Palestinian group that rules Gaza) does not recognize Israel’s right to exist. Neither do they recognize the Palestinian Authority, and these organizations are pro-Hamas. The HHI (Foundation for Humanitarian Aid, Human Rights and Freedom) is very radical. Since 1996, it appears on the list of CIA terrorist organizations. This attack is the clearest evidence yet that they did not want to deliver supplies to Gaza. It’s not fair, but Israel had no choice. My country had two poor choices. Intervene as it did now or let them enter and pay a military price. We do not want to pay with the lives of more Israelis. This is part of the cost of a war that we have with organizations and groups who do not want Israel to exist. You have to understand that Israel is not in Central America or Latin America. It’s in a region (Middle East) Israel’s right to exist does is not recognized.

Question: Should the Israeli intelligence not have investigated this flotilla of vessels and their contents before it left port?

They (the Mossad) had no way to do it. Now, the Israeli Government is reviewing what happened on the boat. We have to draw some conclusions about this situation. The cost in lives of this operation was very high. Remember also that Israeli soldiers were serious hurt because of the attacks when they landed on the ship.

Compiled and translated by Scott Oliver, author of 1. Costa Rica Real Estate Scams & How To Avoid Them, 2. How To Buy Costa Rica Real Estate Without Losing Your Camisa, and 3. Costa Rica’s Guide To Making Money Offshore.

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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.