Report: New Ships Headed to Gaza, More Violence Feared

Media reports on additional ships planned to Gaza and possible additional violence

Times of India: New boats headed to Gaza to challenge Israeli blockade— Irish-Malaysian ship MV Rachel Corrie, which is currently off the coast of Libya and due to arrive off Gaza tomorrow

Irish Times: ‘Rachel Corrie’ aims to reach Gaza

Reuters: Activists to take another run at Gaza blockade

Jerusalem Post report of Israel Navy officer: ‘Next time we’ll use more force’
— Israel Navy officer reportedly states
: “we will have to come prepared in the future as if it was a war”

Ship MV Linda Renamed MV Rachel Corrie (Photo: RT)
Ship MV Linda Renamed MV Rachel Corrie (Photo: RT)

UK: Indian Muslim Cleric Invited to UK; Promotes Views to Deny Religious Freedom

British media are reporting on the activities of Indian Muslim cleric Zakir Naik who has been permitted to enter the United Kingdom for evangelist activities on his interpretation of Islam.

Religious extremist Zakir Naik has repeatedly called for denying human beings their universal human rights of freedom of conscience, calling those who leave Islam as “traitors.”  The London Times has quoted Zakir Naik as stating that “People who change their religion should face the death penalty.”  On May 30, 2010, Zakir Naik was speaking at a Maldives event where a man publicly renounced Islam in the form of a question to Zakir Naik, and Zakir Naik again called for the death penalty for those Muslims who leave Islam and who propagate another faith.  The man asking Zakir Naik the question was taken into custody in the Maldives and is expected to be prosecuted.

In a widely broadcast video, Zakir Naik has called for the death penalty for those who leave Islam and promote another religion as “apostates.”  In the broadcast, Zakir Naik states “if a Muslim becomes a non-Muslim and propagates his/her new religion, then it is as good as treason.  There is a ‘death penalty’ in Islam for such a person.  In many countries, the punishment for treason is also death. If an army general discloses his army’s secrets to another country, then there is a ‘death penalty’ or life imprisonment for such a person according to the laws of most of the countries.  In the broadcast, Zakir Naik also states that the death penalty for leaving Islam (“apostasy”) should also apply to “non-Muslim countries.”  Zakir Naik also challenges other “Islamic scholars” who believe in such death penalty for “apostates” to extend such defiance of religious freedom not just to Muslim majority nations, but to the entire world. Zakir Naik states “If these scholars are really righteous people then they must welcome their own principle (of death for apostates) in the non-Muslim countries as well.”

Zakir Naik has also reportedly stated that women must cover themselves, and reject “revealing Western dress,” or they are “susceptible to rape.”

Zakir Naik is infamously known for his defense of Osama Bin Laden and stating that “every Muslim should be a terrorist.”

Zakir Naik (Photo: London Times)
Zakir Naik (Photo: London Times)

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) promotes freedom of religion and freedom of conscience as our unqualified, universal human rights. We challenge those who deny such universal human rights, including the right to change one’s religion as defined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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Media Reports:

Daily Star: “Extremist Zakir Naik to start tour preaching hate”
— Daily Star:
“The 44-year-old also claims Western women make themselves ‘more susceptible to rape’ because they refuse to cover up.”

Daily Mail: Allowed into UK, the preacher who backs Bin Laden

London Times: “Muslim preacher of hate is let into Britain” — Zakir Naik
— London Times:
“Zakir Naik, an Indian televangelist described as a ‘hate-monger’ by moderate Muslims and one Tory MP, says western women make themselves ‘more susceptible to rape’ by wearing revealing clothing.”
— “Naik, who proselytises on Peace TV, a satellite television channel, is reported to have called for the execution of Muslims who change their faith, described Americans as ‘pigs’ and said that ‘every Muslim should be a terrorist‘”
— “In a recent lecture, he said he was ‘with’ Osama Bin Laden over the attacks on ‘terrorist America’, adding that the 9/11 hijackings were an inside job by President George W Bush.”
— quotes Zakir Naik: “Beware of Muslims saying Osama Bin Laden is right or wrong. I reject them … we don’t know. But if you ask my view, if given the truth, if he is fighting the enemies of Islam, I am for him. I don’t know what he’s doing. I’m not in touch with him. I don’t know him personally. If he is terrorising the terrorists, if he is terrorising America the terrorist … I am with him. Every Muslim should be a terrorist.”
— quotes Zakir Naik: “People who change their religion should face the death penalty”

Daily Express: “‘Terror Backer’ can enter UK… despite Tories’ ban pledge”

Background:

YouTube: Death Penalty for Apostates! (Dr. Zakir Naik)alternative video link

YouTube: Every Muslim Should be a Terrorist – Mullah Zakir Naik

YouTube: “Spreading Hatred.. Dr Zakir Naik on loose”

Muslim Rebuttals to Zakir Naik
Zakir Naik

October 10, 2008 – MEMRI: “Indian Muslim Cleric Zakir Naik: 9/11 Was Carried Out by George Bush Himself”

May 31 Media Reports Associated with Gaza Ships

Various media are reporting on violence involving a flotilla of ships in international waters headed towards Gaza described as “aid ships.”  The reports describe Israeli  helicopters and military halting the flotilla in international waters, and soldiers boarding one of the ships in the flotilla, the Turkish Mavi Marmara ship, during which shots were fired.  The IDF reports that the Mavi Marmara ship held “extremists” that sought to attack an Israeli commando who boarded the ship, and took the Israeli commando’s gun away.

The media has had wide ranging reports on the casualties and the causes from 10 to 20 killed, and 60 injured, including injured Israel soldiers.  Reports on the tolls include: RT video has reportedTurkey’s NTV states, and The Daily Telegraph.

The Israel Defense Force (IDF) released video reportedly of soldiers being beaten when trying to board the ship.

BBC reports that Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister “Danny Ayalon said it was a ‘premeditated and outrageous provocation’ and the activists on board were intent on violence;” Ayalon described the flotilla as an “armada  of hate and violence in support of Hamas organization was a premeditated and outrageous provocation. The organizers are well-known to their ties to global Violent Extemism, Al-Qaeda, and Hamas…”

A Turkish news agency reported that X-ray of items brought on board the ship showed no weapons. In media reports, the Israel government claims that violence only occurred on the ship Mavi Marmara.

United Nations’ human rights chief Navi Pillay said she was “shocked” at the violence.  United Nations Secretary General Ban stated: “I am shocked by reports of killings and injuries of people on boats carrying supplies for Gaza… “I condemn this violence… It is vital that there is a full investigation to determine exactly how this bloodshed took place.”

The Associated Press reported that the U.S. President Obama administration spokesman Bill Burton stated that it “deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained” and that U.S. administration officials are “currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.”

Other reports included those of French President Sarkozy stating that he  “condemns the disproportionate use of force and sends his condolences to the families of the victims,” Greece has canceled military exercises with Israel, and the Turkish ambassador to Israel has been withdrawn.  The Turkish NTV/NBC news agency published images of wounded in “handcuffs,” and protesters have been outside the Israeli consulate in Turkey.

One report states that protests are also occurring throughout Israel.

Flotilla Ship Mavi Marmara (Photo: BBC)
Flotilla Ship Mavi Marmara (Photo: BBC)

Media Reports:

RT TV: Gaza Flotilla Attacked: Israeli troops storm aid ships, up to 20 killed

Daily Mail: Israeli commandos kill up to 19 peace activists in raid on ships heading to Gaza

Daily Telegraph: Israeli troops attack ship carrying aid to Gaza killing 16

Jerusalem Post: Barak: Gaza flotilla responsible for 15 activists killed

Jerusalem Post: Ashkenazi: Only 1 of 6 ships in flotilla carried extremists

Jerusalem Post: Israel Navy escorts flotilla ships to Ashdod

Haaretz: Israel tows Gaza aid ships to Ashdod after 10 activists killed in clashes with navy

BBC: Activists ‘never imagined confrontation’

BBC: Deaths as Israeli forces storm Gaza aid ship

BBC: In pictures: Israeli forces storm Gaza aid ship

BBC: Israel: Gaza ship is ‘outrageous provocation’

YouTube Video of IDF Warning to Flotilla

YouTube IDF video reportedly of soldiers being beaten when trying to board the ship

Israeli military gives version of flotilla incident

CNN: Latest developments: Raids in Gaza

Turkey NTV News Web Site

Turkey NTV MSNBC News

Israel minister sees ‘scandal’ over ship killings

Analysis: A race to contain the damage

Gaza Flotilla Organizers Protest Israeli Response to Their Mission

France President Sarkozy: Use of force ‘disproportionate’

Turkey condemns Israel over deadly attack on Gaza aid flotilla

Turkey withdraws ambassador to Israel over deaths
CNN report

Turkey: Protesters in Turkey protested outside of the Israeli consulate

Counter Terrorism Bureau Issues Turkey Travel Warning

Abbas slams ‘slaughter’ at sea

Pakistan condemns Israeli attack on mission

World reaction to Israel’s pre-dawn raid

World in shock at deadly Gaza ship raid

Strong int’l backlash to flotilla raid

UN chief ‘shocked’ by Gaza aid flotilla raid

Gaza flotilla deaths aftermath : Protests erupt all over in Israel.

Australia Broadcasting News: Convoy raid condemned as Aussies found safe

Flotilla’s deadly last moments

Sky News: Flotilla Fiasco: A Cack-Handed Operation

Netanyahu cancels upcoming meeting with Obama
Meeting Between Obama and Netanyahu Off, Israeli Official Says

VOA: UN Security Council Discusses Israeli Raid on Aid Flotilla

Commentary suggests Flotilla interception will empower Hamas:
— Flotilla interception looks like a disastrous own goal for Israel

Thousands protest flotilla deaths

Paris clashes near Israeli Embassy, tear gas used

Gaza: ‘day of rage’ in former holiday haven?