Rocket fire targets Tel Aviv airport just as Air Canada flight due to land

[brooklynite]

Source: Toronto Star

An Air Canada flight from Toronto circled above Tel Aviv International Airport after several rockets were fired at the airport Friday. It was Air Canada’s first flight to Israel after suspending flights to the country on Tuesday.

Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military arm, confirmed via Twitter that it had fired three M75 missiles at the airport around 11:45 a.m. local time.

An Israeli military spokesperson confirmed to Al Jazeera that rockets were fired towards the airport from the Gaza Strip.

Air Canada confirmed that flight AC84, originating from Toronto, altered course five miles (8 km) before landing at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport Friday morning.



Read more: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/07/25/rocket_fire_hits_tel_aviv_airport_just_as_air_canada_flight_due_to_land.html

---

Air Canada flight 84 circled above the West Bank several times before it was able to land at Ben Gurion International Airport. The blue line indicates its intended flight path while the green line shows its acutal flight path.

[Swede Atlanta]

1. Yes Mr Cruz.....

The FAA was looking out for the safety of American citizens and American commercial interests (i.e. American flag carriers) when they this week blocked commercial passenger flights to Israel.

This had nothing to do with harming Israel. It had everything to do with keeping passengers and aircraft safe.

Had a U.S. aircraft been fired upon or hurt Cruz would have been the first to attack BO, the FAA and everyone he could think of naming.

[Iliyah]

3. Don't forget it would have been the new Benghazi for jackoff Issa.

[El Shaman]

44. Theodoro

came to mind right away. Did he get the 'telex' yet??

[Iliyah]

2. My gawd. . .

Whaz that crazy cruz.

[DURHAM D]

4. Was Canadian citizen Cruz on the flight? nt

[24601]

55. Cruz, born a dual citizen, no longer has Canadian citizenship.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/11/politics/ted-cruz-canada-citizenship/

[Max power]

5. Targeting airports

Is just fine with the USA

Stand by for American hypocrisy in 3, 2, 1.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-172671/Iraq-claims-Basra-airport-attacked.html

http://m.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Iraq-says-U-S-planes-attack-Basra-airport-again-2086809.php

[KoKo]

7. Recommend... That's an eye-opening bit of history...

[DustyJoe]

6. airliners

It seems airliners are now the legitimate targets for ukranian rebels, palestinian hamas etc. How long before ISIS gets on board with the 'shoot down an airliner' and get front page movement ?

These groups that purposely target international civilians that fly anywhere in the vicinity should be shunned and de-funded from any US funds.

So will hamas grab the front pages by this weekend with a lucky shot ? The only thing to prevent an area combatant from taking potshots at everyone but their supposed enemies I suppose is total blockade and isolation by land, sea and air.

[alcibiades_mystery]

8. Hamas is categorized as a terrorist organization by the State Department

We can't even speak with them directly; we certainly do not fund them in any way.

Hamas clearly sees value in keeping Ben Gurion closed. That's no business of the FAA or other civilian flight authorities, whose only abiding interest is in keeping people safe in civilian aircraft.

[former9thward]

22. We do fund them.

They are part of the PA and the PA receives funds from the U.S. Hamas diverts material meant for infrastructure and uses it to build tunnels.

[The Stranger]

42. Got a link for that?

[former9thward]

43. A link for what?

That Hamas is part of the PA?

As far as diversion goes:

?w=620

The tunnels can be up to 90 feet underground and reinforced with concrete, a scarce commodity in Gaza, where most imports of construction material are banned by Israel except for internationally supervised projects. The material — the military estimates 600,000 tons — may have come through different smuggling tunnels from Egypt or have been diverted from its intended purpose.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/23/world/middleeast/gaza-israel-hamas-tunnels.html?_r=0

Mr. Eldar, who has been covering the Gaza Strip as a journalist for two decades, said Hamas had diverted cement and other materials intended for rebuilding homes, hospitals and roads to build the tunnels.

“The people of Gaza last voted for Hamas in 2006 … because they wanted to punish [former leader Yasser Arafat's] Palestine Liberation Organization because of the corruption,” he said.

The group promised change and reform.

“Instead, what they’ve done is they’ve stolen all the resources of the Gaza Strip and built something for their own safety, and for violent action against Israel. It’s very disturbing.”


http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/07/22/destroying-gazas-underground-city-israel-forces-take-aim-at-hamas-terror-tunnels/

Where do you think they get the massive amounts of concrete needed for these tunnels?

[The Stranger]

45. No, that "we fund them."

A link for that.

[riderinthestorm]

46. I was curious so I googled it. There's lots of links that we do provide aid to the PA

Here's one:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_security_assistance_to_the_Palestinian_National_Authority

[The Stranger]

62. That wasn't the question. Read very carefully. It is about Gaza and Hamas.

[former9thward]

47. All over the place.

U.S. to send $47 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza Strip

http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.606597

U.S. to Give $900 Million in Gaza Aid, Officials Say

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/washington/24gaza.html

[Scootaloo]

52. Those articles describe aid to Gaza to fix all the shit Israel blew up

Your claim seems to have been we are funding Hamas, with the implication that this money is going to them militarily.

if you have proof that the Obama administration is providing military funding for Hamas, please, demonstrate the claim.

[former9thward]

53. All of the articles point out this aid is diverted to Hamas for military purposes.

If you don't want to believe the innocents would do such a thing don't believe it.

[Scootaloo]

54. Actually neither article does

The NYT article asserts the opposite, in fact,

In an early sign of how the administration plans to deal with Hamas, the militant Islamist group that controls Gaza, an official said that the aid would not go to Hamas but that it would be funneled through nongovernmental organizations.

...

“None of the money will go to Hamas, it will be funneled through NGOs and U.N. groups,” said an administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk about the aid before Mrs. Clinton announced it.

Show me where Barack Obama is funding Hamas militarily, former9thward.

[former9thward]

56. I have shown it.

You don't want to believe it. You would rather believe "an official" who of course is going to say "Hamas, what Hamas?" "It goes to NGOs, it says so right here on the paper." You prove that people disregard facts which interfere with their bias.

[Scootaloo]

57. So your claim is that the Obama administration is lying, and is secretly funding Hamas militarily.

With no proof other than your word.

Sure, and Queen Elizabeth is a reptiloid from the planet Nibiru.

[former9thward]

58. Nice strawman but no one cares.

Ask your high school debate couch for better pointers.

[Scootaloo]

59. I'm asking you to back up your claim that the US is funding Hamas' military

Your articles posted say nothing of the sort (I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you simply didn't read them, instead of presuming you were intentionally misleading.) But you persist in the claim. i want you to back it up, is all.

Show me where my president is helping to fund and arm hamas.

[The Stranger]

63. You have added absolutely nothing but a pathetic "piling on" to the thread.

Go away.

[King_David]

64. No I will not "go away"

WTF do you think you are?

[TexasProgresive]

9. My guess is that Hamas' strategy

is not to hit a commercial airliner but to cause Israel pain by the suspension of commercial flight in and out of the airport. The threat of one rocket did that and so they are doubling down.

[Comrade Grumpy]

11. That's my take, as well. n/t

[stranger81]

16. Agreed. Threatening to harm Israel's tourist economy

may be one of the only real weapons the Palestinians have on their side.

[former9thward]

20. They would love to shoot down a plane load of innocent civilians.

That is what they do.

[stranger81]

48. Yes, because they've done that . . . . Never.

Projection is always the first line of offense, isn't it.

[former9thward]

50. Not for lack of trying.

The Ukrainian rebels never shot one down either .. until they did.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

51. Uh, the Ukrainian rebels likely weren't even trying to shoot down a commercial airplane.

Most likely thing is that they thought it was a Ukrainian troop carrier, since that's what they claimed they'd shot down in the immediate aftermath.

There's nothing for them to gain by doing so, just as there's no gain for Hamas in doing so. In either case, that actually turns the world more against them. Hamas depends upon israeli/Palestinian discord to stay relevant and in power, and would only hurt itself by hurting non-Israelis.

[bemildred]

17. They would be thrilled if they managed to put a divot in the runway.

They have about as much chance of hitting an aircraft in flight as of hitting the MegaLotto jackpot, probably less, actually.

[riderinthestorm]

28. . Pretty fucking sick.

That action only demonstrates how utterly morally depraved they are.

Shooting at or near any civilian airliner is disgusting and should be recognized as the despicable action that it is.

You have no idea what Hamas was thinking

Regardless, that act should be denounced a thousand fold.

Not held up as some kind of strategic "win"

[morningfog]

29. I agree. Hamas has absolutely nothing to gain from shooting down a commerical plane.

[riderinthestorm]

40. Really? Hamas would love to disrupt Israel's tourist industry

The last bombing campaign (suicide bombers) worked perfectly in their eyes.



I absolutely can see them doing this because, well they have done it before.

Just as Israel has a hideous record of "accidentally" hitting hospitals and schools.

BOTH sides are acting with great evil intent. I'm completely unwilling to give either side the benefit of the doubt.

[morningfog]

41. Oh, I agree about their respective intent. But right now, Israel's stock is going down.

In the media/PR world, and politically, it would totally reverse the trend.

And, it would open up holy hell. But, I suppose that could be a desired outcome for one of both sides.

[FrodosPet]

61. They strap explosives to their own children and teach them to glorify martyrdom

Why would they care about a plane load of people landing in Israel?

[Turbineguy]

10. Shooting down an airliner and killing a bunch of people.

Now that would help prevent peace from breaking out.

[kickysnana]

12. And both sides have history, motive and opportunity to do that.

[riderinthestorm]

13. Can't avoid the double standard: Russian separatists shooting at MH17 is bad

Hamas shooting at Air Canada jet - part of a good strategic plan in their attack on Israel!

Some of the comments here are.... well.

Ugh.

[ColesCountyDem]

15. +1! n/t

[uppityperson]

19. 1 is shooting down a jet, the other is preventing one from landing.

As far as I can tell, those are 2 different things.

[former9thward]

21. Ahh, no they are not.

Hamas is trying to kill a plane full of innocent civilians. It would further serve their propaganda.

[uppityperson]

24. How would shooting down an airliner of innocent civilians further Hamas's propaganda?

That is a sincere question.

Shutting down the airport would harm Israel by economic means, that I agree.

[former9thward]

26. They would be able to say they could hit Israel anywhere, anytime.

They would be able to say the Iron Dome can't protect anyone and that no one is safe in Israel.

[uppityperson]

27. Huh, that makes sense, saying they could target accurately?

[former9thward]

31. It might be a random rocket but

if a airplane is hit and goes down, people are just as dead.

[uppityperson]

35. I agree with that. But do you mean it would forward their propaganda by being able to target

specifically, or do you mean to shoot missiles that far?

And, fwiw, I will never use apologist or other insults in I/P discussions as that just continues the crap going on. The situation sucks, media coverage is always questionable for anything, politicians too, it just sucks and there is little I can do to help anything but try to understand what people are meaning in these discussions.

[former9thward]

38. The latter but they would claim a specific hit even if a lucky random.

[uppityperson]

39. I understand. Thank you for taking time to clarify and that makes sense.

We may not agree, often, but I appreciate your taking time to clarify so I understand what you mean.

[riderinthestorm]

23. How do you know that Hamas' goal was to deter landing?

And not to shoot it down? Why does Hamas get a pass on this grotesque action? As though its some kind of strategic maneuver?

I think both sides are acting despicably so Im not blinded by one side or the other.

Shooting at or near a civilian airliner is disgusting! Especially after MH17, how anyone can interpret this action as anything but thoroughly wrong goes to demonstrate how far gone some DUers are in their partisanship.

Fact is you don't know. Its absolutely morally depraved.

[uppityperson]

25. I am just pointing out the difference in 2 scenarios. Fact is you don't know either.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=855672

[riderinthestorm]

34. Regardless taking pot shots at a civilian airliner is WRONG

I don't give a flying fuck what the rationale might be. Its as wrong as Israel lobbing missiles at schools.

WRONG!

[uppityperson]

36. And I am in agreement with that. Trying to understand motivations does not indicate support. nt

[morningfog]

33. Of course it is wrong either way, but it is helpful to consider motivations and implications.

[riderinthestorm]

37. Is it at all helpful to consider Israel's motivation for lobbing bombs at a school?

Filled with innocent people?

Or is it WRONG no matter what?

Sorry but there's no glossing over this strategy as anything other than morally depraved.

After the horror of MH17 I can't believe anyone finds this as anything other than sick.

Completely sick.

[morningfog]

30. Hamas is not capable of that. Nor would they have an incentive to do such.

[Ash_F]

14. With what happened in Ukraine, these flights should probably stop. /nt

[freshwest]

18. Downing a Canadian or better yet, an American plane is the dream of Hamas, Netanyahu and the GOP.

Last edited Fri Jul 25, 2014, 02:08 PM - Edit history (1)

They don't want this state of warfare to ease up. There is a lot of money to be made off this, and a great shift of power to the right on all sides will ensue. After a while, it should be obvious that they're not two 'sides' at all, but the same beast.

Look at who's calling the shots:

FAA lifts ban on flights to Israel 24 hours after it sparked outrage by saying Hamas rocket attacks made flying to Tel Aviv unsafe

FAA issued restriction Tuesday after rocket strike near the airport

Ex-New York Mayor Bloomberg urged FAA to reverse its decision

Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2703718/Passenger-jets-cleared-arrival-Tel-Aviv-24-hours-FAA-banned-flights-fears-Hamas-rocket-attacks-coming-close-Israeli-airport.html#ixzz38V1KSTDw

Yeah, it's the Mail, but it came first in the search results. So the USA and Canada let the Cruz, Bloomberg, etc. brigade gamble on a fostering an even bigger event. It'll make some sick PR for all the warmongers.Among that crowd is Rand Paul with his calls to cut off funding for nations that don't support Xtians.

[Iamthetruth]

49. Funny

I did not realize there was any other arms to hamas but military. They clearly don't value life and their actions define that. I know there are many people that dislike Israel for whatever reason but to defend hamas for any reason is ridiculous. They use innocent civilians to shield their terror campaigns and the billions of dollars of aid money Gaza get is stolen by these thugs to build tunnels and buy weapons.

I feel for the innocent Palestinians, they don't deserve this but hamas deserves everything coming to them.