Israel’s PR strategy: blame the victims, use the word “terrorism” excessively and praise the noble IDF:
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Monday that the organizers of the flotilla to Gaza were responsible for the deadly Israel Defense Forces raid of the ships, which left at least 10 pro-Palestinian activists dead and dozens injured. Speaking at a joint press briefing with IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and Navy Commander Eliezer Marom, Barak said, “We express our regret over the injuries, but the sail’s organizers and its participants are fully responsible.”
He added that a violent incident took place on only one of the six ships involved in the sail. “The State of Israel appealed to the organizers before the ships set sail and during the sail and invited them to arrive at the Ashdod Port and transfer the aid to Gaza after security checks,” he said. “All of our appeals were turned down. The soldiers were attacked after arriving at one of the ships. Some were injured by serious physical violence on the part of the protestors.
“I am familiar with these types of operations and their possible developments, and I am familiar with the units which operated and with their commanders. They are the best of our people,” the defense minister explained.