Flytilla - 600 fly to Israel

[Gromit]

// Israeli police say hundreds of officers and undercover police have taken up position at the country's international airport in anticipation of the arrival of planes with pro-Palestinian activists.

Police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld says the police have been prepared to deal with scenarios ranging anywhere from uneventful landings to attacks on airport officials.

Organisers of the "Welcome to Palestine" campaign say the 600 or so activists - more than half of them French nationals - are flying in to spend a week visiting Palestinian families and have "totally peaceful intentions."

Media reports suggested all flights arriving from Europe would be directed to a separate terminal and their passengers carefully screened.

Some press reports warned of various disaster scenarios, such as activists setting themselves on fire or attacking Israelis on incoming flights.

Activists say Israeli authorities are overreacting to the arrival of a group of people who have said their mission is peaceful.

The Yediot Ahronot newspaper quotes police commander Nissim Mor as saying 150 activists have been earmarked as potential problems. //

Just the kind of peaceful protest the Israelis hate. A good idea or a provocation?

[Ankou]

so they are just flying in to spend time visiting families, but have told the authorities all about it and declared they are activists ?

[R1Geezer]

have you been smoking the fluffy bunny wunda dr00g Gromit? i can't understand What The Funicular you are on about!

[Raleigh]

Why don't they try making a peaceful protest in Damascus to show how much they care about the people being slaughtered there?

Perhaps the Syrians will also direct them to a special terminal for screening.

Unlike an Israeli one it would probably not have much need for an exit as they would not be coming out again.

[jno]

since they are too busy at the moment, Raleigh, why don't you do it instead? To show how you care?

[Buenchico]

As someone who supports the view of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, that Israel should be 'wiped from the map', you might expect me to totally oppose the actions of the Israeli security forces. But even I have to accept that 'peaceful demonstrations' tend to be infiltrated by those whose intentions are anything but peaceful. (After all, it happens in London dozens of times every year!)

[Raleigh]

Well, as they are going to be 'next door' to the country, and I am on the other side of the world, it will be a lot easier for them.

And as there are 600 of them and only one of me, the odds are a little better for them.

Though, come to think of it, the way the Syrian government acts, I doubt it.

[jno]

they've gone there, you could manage. Though of course it's much easier telling people what to do from your sofa, yes?

[Raleigh]

Yes, and it is much easier going en mass to cause trouble in a civilised country who's every action is watched and criticised by the world's media. Bet they would not dare to try a similar action in any other middle-east country.