Lesson from the Audacity of Dopes: Can't get your way? Lie!

At a press conference earlier, the "Audacity of Dopes" announced it would be leaving Greece later this week. Turns out they were lying through their teeth, and they attempted to make a run for it just minutes ago.

Shortly after leaving port, the Greek coast guard stopped the ship. "We are just here, two miles off Piraeus. We've been stopped by the coastguard, their ship maneuvered in front of us and they are now talking to the captain, they want us to turn around," Ann Wright, told Reuters.



The Greek Ministry of Citizen Protection issued a statement saying that the Minister, C. Papoutsis, decided to prohibit the departure of ships flying either Greek or foreign flags "to the maritime area" of Gaza.

"By orders of the Hellenic Coast Guard Head Quarters to all local Hellenic Coast Guard Authorities, all appropriate measures are taken for the implementation of the said decision," the statement said

And the tweets are coming fast and furious from the US Boat

RT .@ibnezra: Passengers are now chanting to the fully armed Greek commandos just ten meters in front of the boat #flotilla2 5 mins ago
RT .@LopeztoGaza: #Greece commandos on Coast Guard boat pointing weapons at The Audacity of Hope #flotilla2 20 mins ago via .@theIMEU Phone update from .@MedeaBenjamin on @USBOATTOGAZA: #Greek Coast guard captain begging us to return to port. #flotilla2 26 mins ago LIVE @USBOATTOGAZA press conf, organizer: "I never knew the Mediterranean was owned by #Israel quot;: http://t.co/vNNhblp #flotilla2 49 mins ago We sat sail playing & singing http://t.co/qeylnWb now we're in a standoff w/ Greek Coast Guard. Passengers are in high spirits. #flotilla2 54 mins ago

Update:
A second Greek Coast Guard boat with more heavily armed forces arrived and the Audicity of Dopes made the decision was made to return to shore.

Challah Hu Akbar is doing a wonderful job of live blogging the incident.

The latest in a series of publicity stunts and provocations directed against the worlds only Jewish state is scheduled for the week of July 8- the flotilla is clearly anxious to arrive in time to participate, and is willing to disregard international law to accomplish their goal.

As for Israel? They've shown their commitment to using diplomacy and non-violent means to accomplish their goals. Good for them.

How can you help end this provocation? Send the Greek embassies an email or call the Greek Embassy in Washington, DC: 202-939-1300. Thank them for promoting peace by observing international maritime law.

Gaza Flotilla 2011 . Preparations are finalized on all sides

In order to protect Israeli civilians from attacks by the terrorist organization Hamas, the IDF maintains a naval blockade on the Gaza Coast. Given previous attempts by the terrorist organization in smuggling weapons via land and sea and the inherent difficulties in conducting inspections at sea, it is critical that Israeli forces inspect all goods and material marked for Gaza prior to their transfer into the Strip



This week in Athens, Greece, the blockade runners conducted trainings on how to thwart Israeli efforts to enforce the blockade. And the Israel Navy conducted an simulation of all possible scenarios for when the Gaza flotilla attempts to run the naval blockage.

The US State Department warned activists planning to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza that they risked criminal prosecution if they carried through with their attempt.

“Delivering or attempting or conspiring to deliver material support or other resources to or for the benefit of a designated foreign terrorist organization, such as Hamas, could violate US civil and criminal statutes and could lead to fines and incarceration,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement issues as a flotilla prepares to set out from Europe to Gaza, which Hamas runs.

The American Blockade Runners are well aware of this and as a result are simply carrying a cargo of "letters" to be delivered to Gaza. When they aren't trying to provoke an international incident however, our homegrown jihadis and their allies don't even try and conceal their support for Hamas.

Paul Larudee and friends feted by Hamas leaders in 2009

Scott Kennedy and Hamas Leader Haniyeh 2006

Wallach-bot with "Hand Off Hamas" hat. San Francisco Jihadi showing off Hamas Sweatshirt : collage courtesy of David

The Americans will be sailing on a Greek owned ship that will be flying an American flag to create a special you-tube moment "Look! The Israelis are attacking an Americans on an American vessel"- don't think for a moment that this entire scenario has not already been planned and orchestrated for maximum impact by the blockade runners.

On Wednesday Greek Foreign Ministry released a statement, saying that flotilla will not help the humanitarian situation. “Greek foreign policy is set by the Greek government, which has in mind the advancement of Greek interests,” “In these moments [the citizens] must show the corresponding responsibility or take full responsibility of their actions.”

That would be a "flying pigs" moment. For the Israel haters, jihad means never taking responsibility for their actions. After all, its all Israel's fault.