[Essefsbyday]

The Israelis....

This was international waters. What right did they have to board the ship?

No UN mandate, nothing.

but but but! They have the right to drill for oil in the water. It's in the EEZ.

[Smittoh]

NYE - That argument would hold more weight if they were actually intercepted in Israeli waters.

[Speareerfug]

I don't know the legal basis for blockades, but I imagine that would be it.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1586180/

It's my understanding that the UN needs to grant it to be legal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapter...ations_Charter

Should the Security Council consider that measures provided for in Article 41 would be inadequate or have proved to be inadequate, it may take such action by air, sea, or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security. Such action may include demonstrations, blockade, and other operations by air, sea, or land forces of Members of the United Nations.

[77rexulceme]

Asher - The most recent example of that was the NK embargo from a year or so ago iirc. UN sanctioned.

[otheloComRole]

I have not heard of many blockades that happen in the waters of the blockading power.

That's the point of them, to stop shipping going into foreign ports.

So are you arguing Turkey should be blockaded because the ship was heading to Gaza?

[EasyLOAD]

So are you arguing Turkey should be blockaded because the ship was heading to Gaza?

Don't be dense.

[SaLifHoq]

Israel is only citing its own actions and maritime law as the reasoning for it.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government...1-May-2010.htm

I'm thinking that nations have the ability to use military force in a conflict.

The stated aim of Hamas is the destruction of Israel. Hamas is in power in Gaza. A blockade of Gaza by Israel is not unreasonable, and I would be surprised if it were illegal under international law.

[costamarianavia]

I'm trying to understand your position.

Do you consider Gaza to be "foreign ports"? They aren't a nation.

Semantics? Gaza is foreign to Israel.

[Accor$314]

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/698c8b84-6...44feab49a.html

Is the blockade legal?

Israel insists that under international law, it gets to say what goes in and out of its borders, and has a sovereign right to decide whether to impose economic sanctions on any enemy state or entity. But Sari Bashi, a lawyer and executive director of the human rights group Gisha, calls the restrictions illegal. Ms Bashi says that Israel – despite its withdrawal of civilians and soldiers from Gaza in 2005 – still controls the strip because it dictates who and what goes in and out, and is violating international humanitarian law by punishing civilians under its control for acts committed by militants.

That's an interesting opinion.

[Ervntewc]

The problem NYE is that what Israel has done can be considered an act of war against the nations to which those ships were registered. Israel can't just go boarding other country's ships to check them out unless those ships are in Israeli waters, disputed waters or there is some sort of international agreement to allow such.

[Fetowip]

Did the Navy board Soviet vessels during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

[Mearticbaibre]

I believe the Soviets turned back.

[Voliscietle]

The Marcula was boarded Oct. 26, 1962 by the USS Joseph P. Kennedy:

[neonasafluni]

I believe the Soviets turned back.

Eventually. After confrontations with the USN by some merchants.

[Pataacculako]

Apparently, it was chartered by the Soviet Union but I have no idea how that maritime stuff works... Chartering means what? The article on wikipedia for chartering is not clear.