they -- they don't want gaza. they don't want to be responsible for gaza. they feel as long as israel preserves this blockade, if they open the border, they effectively become responsible for gaza, for administering gaza and the heat comes off israel. that's one thing. the other thing is the egyptian authorities deeply, deeply dislike hamas which was an arm of the muslim brotherhood, an illegal, banned organization in egypt -- the last thing they want is this hamas that is now empowered in gaza to spread into egypt so they do find themselves in this difficult position. even during the height of the war when israel was bombing gaza in retaliation for rocket fire, egypt didn't open the border. they let some wounded come through but they did not open the border and allow a free flow across the border. the only time they made kind of a public gesture to open the border, again, it was a reflection of the feeling on the street was after the flotilla incident when they were embarrassed publicly into having to open the border. >> charlie: you suggest that people in

they -- they don't want gaza. they don't want to be responsible for gaza. they feel as long as israel preserves this blockade, if they open the border, they effectively become responsible for gaza, for administering gaza and the heat comes off israel. that's one thing. the other thing is the egyptian authorities deeply, deeply dislike hamas which was an arm of the muslim brotherhoo an illegal, banned organization in egypt -- the last thing they want is this hamas that is now empowered in gaza to spread into egypt so they do find themselves in this difficult position. even during the height of the war when israel was bombing gaza in retaliation for rocket fire, egypt didn't open the border. they let some wounded come through but they did not open the border and allow a free flow across the border. the only time they made kind of a public gesture to open the border, again, it was a reflection of the feeling on the street was after the flotilla incident when they were embarrassed publicly into having to open the border. >> charlie: you suggest that people in t

a libyan ship carrying aid for gaza has docked at the egyptian port of. the only theory named hope for the voyage was trying to break the blockade of the palestinian what was warned against the action by the israeli navy. a publicity stunt a provocation or as organizers claim and if it merely to get much needed supplies into gaza in place were all the ingredients for an international showdown a libyan ship sitting still for gaza its organizers vowing to break the israeli blockade and the memory of nine turkish such as and killed in a similar to md still fresh in everyone's mind but in the end the captain gave in to israel's order and without much fuss docked the ship in egypt for the israelis it's a victory they say the fact that the united states and european union convinced the ship to change its course legitimizes their position but at of us disagree they say the libyan effort puts the story of gaza back in the headlines her must accuses israel of piracy and insists its refusal to allow aid ships to reach gaza is in breach of international law. the con

the only benefit of the attempts to break the blockade is not really assisting the people of gaza but it is helping to make israel. be perceived in the world of people as more and more prostate and who is set to gain the most from that p.r. exercise as a very simple truth that most people don't know when israel was created and closed the palestine file after its picture on the battlefield in forty eight. the whole establishment world wanted that file to remain closed in other words zionism. and the western powers were not only of one mind the arab regimes behind closed doors were one mind they wanted the file to remain closed the palestinians were supposed to accept their lot as the sacrificial lamb on the altar of political expediency and then along came this are beautiful man yasser arafat who opened the file and it stayed open so the file is opened but it's deeply embarrassing for the arab regimes because they are divided they are impotent they are corrupt they are repressive so back to the flotilla a point that you made it's a little gesture that says you know we really with the w

on a gaza bound aid flotilla in may so far israel has shunned any suggestion of an international probe into the incident next we take a closer look with veteran british journalist alan hart who spent decades covering the arab israeli conflict stay with us. today i'm talking to alan hart veteran middle east correspondent and conflict resolver we're going to start by talking about israel's blockade on gaza and the aid ships that are trying to get into the region allan hart thanks very much for talking to r.t. let's talk first about israel's blockade on gaza and the eight chips that are trying to get in and israel insists that that blockade is legal what do you thing well let's first of all say that the purpose of the blockade is the collective punishment of the whole people of gaza to try to wean them away from hamas now collective punishment by definition is a war crime it is absolutely illegal. the only benefit of the attempts to break the blockade is not really assisting the people of gaza but it is helping to make israel. be perceived in the world and people as more and more staid an

alan hart veteran middle east correspondent we're going to start by talking about israel's blockade on gaza and the aid ships that are trying to get into the region allan hart that's very much for talking to r.t. let's talk first about israel's blockade on gaza and the eight chips that are trying to get in and israel insists that that blockade is legal what do you thing well let's first of all say that the purpose of the blockade is the collective punishment of the whole people of gaza to try to wean them away from hamas now collective punishment by definition is a war crime it is absolutely illegal. the only benefit of the attempts to break the blockade is not really assisting the people of gaza but it is helping to make israel be perceived in the world to people as more and more state and who is set to gain the most from that p.r. exercise has a very simple truth that most people don't know when israel was created and closed the palestine file after its picture on the battlefield in forty eight. the whole establishment world wanted that file to remain closed in other words zionism. and th

official request to cooperate with the un human rights council's investigation into the deadly attack on a gaza bound aid to the target in may so far israel has shunned any suggestion of an international probe into the incident when next we take a closer look with a veteran british journalist alan hart who spent decades covering the arab israeli conflict. today i'm talking to alan hart veteran middle east correspondent and conflict resolver we're going to start by talking about israel's blockade on gaza and the aid ships that are trying to get into the region allan hart thanks very much for talking to r.t. let's talk first about israel's blockade on gaza and the eight ships that are trying to get in israel insists that that blockade is legal what do you thing well let's first of all say that the purpose of the blockade is the collective punishment of the whole people of gaza to try to wean them away from hamas now collective punishment by definition is a war crime it is absolutely illegal. the only benefit of the attempts to break the blockade is not really assisting the people of gaza but it i

into the deadly attack on a gaza bound aid to the terror in may so far israel has shunned any suggestion of an international probe into the incident when next we take a closer look with a veteran british journalist alan hart who spent decades covering the arab israeli conflict. today i'm talking to alan hart veteran middle east correspondent and conflict resolver we're going to start by talking about israel's blockade on gaza and the aid ships that are trying to get into the region thanks very much for talking to r.t. let's talk first about israel's blockade on gaza and the aid ships that are trying to get in and israel insists that that blockade is legal what do you thing well let's first of all say that the purpose of the blockade is the collective punishment of the whole people of gaza to try to wean them away from hamas now collective punishment by definition is a war crime it is absolutely illegal. the only benefit of the attempts to break the blockade is not really assisting the people of gaza but it is helping to make israel. be perceived in the world of people as more and more st

now let's talk first about israel's blockade on gaza and the eight chips that are trying to get in and israel insists that that blockade is legal what do you think well let's first of all say that the purpose of the blockade is the collective punishment of the whole people of gaza to try to wean them away from hamas now collective punishment by definition is a war crime it is absolutely illegal. the only benefit of the attempts to break the blockade is not really assisting the people of gaza but it is helping to make israel be perceived in the world to people as more and more prostate and who is set to gain the most from that p.r. exercise has a very simple truth that most people don't know when israel was created and closed the palestine file after its picture on the battlefield in forty eight. the whole establishment world wanted that file to remain closed in other words zionism. and the western powers were not only of one mind the arab regimes behind closed doors world one mind they wanted the file to remain closed the palestinians were supposed to accept their lot as the sacrificia

created whole question about whether gaza was can. part of the palestinian people for most israeli jews now they consider gaza to be a separate state that no longer in the occupation even though it's besieged on all sides by israel. and therefore in a sense out of the picture the question is what israel is planning to do with other palestinian groups is what we simply change the oath upon entering the israeli parliament no longer do members of parliament swear allegiance only to the state of israel but also to a jewish democratic state why do you think this happened what is the significance well this is part of a much wider trend to do with loyalty what it would boil to legislation as the government's now calling it mr mr lieberman's party. this far right party i've already mentioned he he he got elected on a plan he's the third largest party in the parliament he was elected on the platform of no loyalty no citizenship and his party has been introducing a series of bills to try and ensure the palestinian citizens have less and less le

alan hart veteran middle east correspondent we're going to start by talking about israel's blockade on gaza and the aid ships that are trying to get into the region allan hart that's very much for talking to r.t. let's talk first about israel's blockade on gaza and the eight chips that are trying to get in and israel insists that that blockade is legal what do you think well let's first of all say that the purpose of the blockade is the collective punishment of the whole people of gaza to try to wean them away from hamas now collective punishment by definition is a war crime it is absolutely illegal. the only benefit of the attempts to break the blockade is not really assisting the people of gaza but it is helping to make israel. be perceived in the world to people as more and more state and who is set to gain the most from that p.r. exercise has a very simple truth that most people don't know when israel was created and closed the palestine file after its picture on the battlefield in forty eight. the whole establishment world wanted that file to remain closed in other words zionism. and t

well i think obama gets it now mid-term elections be nice to israel again despite what happened in gaza the aid convoy despite the demolition of palestinian homes in jerusalem the continued building of collen is for israel is an israeli is only on arab land obama goes along with it is the big handshake and that will happen next time will be a little junction from obama and then it'll be the next presidential elections and the next mid-term elections and i think that we all know an israel knows very well that israel has tremendous power which it uses in congress in the senate in washington this means that america cannot be a fair honest broker the real question is since the european union are paying for most of this could the european union or let's get to that but i want to ask dan dan is good in light of what robert fisk just had to say is that in america's best interest to have such a close relationship with israel because the whole perception whatever the arab street people want to define these days doesn't see the united states is a fair broker dollops the same side is israel in its

not a humanitarian effort to those who conducted it truly cared about the humanitarian situation in gaza they had numerous opportunities and were offered numerous opportunities to take whatever they wanted it to god through the main entrance into gaza so this was clearly about sending out a message about a p.r. kind of campaign my argument was that when we are engaged in a campaign over idea over images the last thing we need to do is give the other side because zac what they want which is an image of conflict with israeli soldiers this is clearly what they want to be came into this effort seeking that image so clearly a provocation the finger is that when you're engaged in that kind of battle you have to be smarter than the other side and not to give them the images that they seek so you can justify the use of soldiers and if you look at a very specific effort to kind of go through that blockade in israel has a legitimate blockade that is defined by international law as well but my point was that we are here are we are fighting and a war of ideas and there is an effort even i would say

this week the u.n. a human rights council appointed a panel to investigate israel's deadly attack on a gaza about aid flotilla in may israel rejects any international probe into the incident in our interview up next we'll take an in-depth look at the arab israeli conflict with british veteran journalist alan hart who spent decades covering the issue that's up next. today i'm talking to allan hart veteran middle east correspondent and conflict resolver we're going to start by talking about israel's blockade on gaza and the aid ships that are trying to get into the region allan hart thanks very much for talking to r.t. now let's talk first about israel's blockade on gaza and the eight chips that are trying to get in israel insists that that blockade is legal what do you think well let's first of all say that the purpose of the blockade is a collective punishment but the whole people of gaza to try to wean them away from hamas now collective punishment by definition is a war crime it is absolutely illegal. the only benefit of the attempts to break the blockade is not really assisting the peopl

the facts are that israel was attacked from gaza. the fact is that we had -- that iran sends weapons into gaza so they'd be fired on us. the fact is that this regime, hamas, is holding an israeli soldier that they kidnapped for four years. for four years, this soldier, gilad shalit, has not been allowed to see anyone. this is a complete violation of international norms. i think if anything bears condemnation, it is this -- this inhumane terrorist regime. and i would hope that international condemnation is directed there. that's where it belongs and not against israel. a struggling democracy striving to live and to make peace with its neighbors, it should not be condemned. it should be encouraged to -- >> larry: saying -- >> -- defend itself and also make peace. >> larry: continue, mr. prime minister that israel's image around the world is poor. you're not in high regard at the u.n. you seem to be, from a public relations standpoint, pr standpoint, in trouble. >> well, that's one of the reasons i'm appearing on the "larry king show."

well i think obama gets it now mid-term elections be nice to israel again despite what happened in gaza the aid convoy despite the demolition of palestinian homes in jerusalem the continued building of a column is for israel is an israeli is only on arab land obama goes along with it is the big handshake and that will happen next time will be a little junction from obama and then it'll be the next presidential elections and the next mid-term elections and i think that we all know in israel knows very well that israel has tremendous power which it uses in congress in the senate in washington this means that america cannot be a fair honest broker the real question is since the european union are paying for most of this could the european union or let's get to that but i want to ask dan dan is good in light of what robert fisk just had to say is that in america's best interest to have such a close relationship with israel because the hope or the perception whatever the arab street people want to define these days doesn't see the united states is a fair broker dollops the same side is israe

gaza bound aid for to the many so far israel has shown to any suggestion of an international probe into the incident well next we take a closer look with veteran british journalist iman hearts who spent decades covering the arab israeli conflict. today i'm talking to alan hart veteran middle east correspondent and conflict resolver we're going to start by talking about israel's blockade on gaza and the aid ships that are trying to get into the region allan hart thanks very much for talking to r.t. let's talk first about israel's blockade on gaza and the eight ships that are trying to get in and israel insists that that blockade is legal what do you thing well let's first of all say that the purpose of the blockade is the collective punishment of the whole people of gaza to try to wean them away from hamas now collective punishment by definition is a war crime it is absolutely illegal. the only benefit of the attempts to break the blockade is not really assisting the people of gaza but it is helping to make israel. be perceived in the world to people as more and more staid and who is set

human rights council appointed a panel to investigate deadly attack on a gaza about a flotilla in may israel rejects any international probe into the incident and in our interview up next we take an in-depth look at the arab israeli conflict with british veteran journalist alan hart who spent decades covering the issue that's up next. today i'm talking to alan hart veteran middle east correspondent and conflict resolver we're going to start by talking about israel's blockade on gaza and the aid ships that are trying to get into the region thanks very much for talking to r.t. now let's talk first about israel's blockade on gaza and the eight chips that are trying to get in israel insists that that blockade is legal what do you think well let's first of all say that the purpose of the blockade is the collective punishment of the whole people of gaza to try to wean them away from hamas now collective punishment by definition is a war crime it is absolutely illegal. the only benefit of the attempts to break the blockade is not really assisting the people of gaza but it is helping to make

human rights council appointed a panel to investigate israel's deadly attack on the gaza bound aid flotilla in may israel rejects any international probe into the incident and our interview up next we take an in-depth look at the arab israeli conflict with british veteran journalist alan hart who spent decades covering the issue. today i'm talking to alan hart veteran middle east correspondent and conflict resolver we're going to start by talking about israel's blockade on gaza and the aid ships that are trying to get into the region allan hart thanks very much for talking to r.t. now let's talk first about israel's blockade on gaza and the eight chips that are trying to get in israel insists that that blockade is legal what do you thing well let's first of all say that the purpose of the blockade is the collective punishment of the whole people of gaza to try to wean them away from hamas now collective punishment by definition is a war crime it is absolutely illegal. the only benefit of the attempts to break the blockade is not really assisting the people of gaza but it is hoping to make i

created a whole question about whether gaza was. part of the palestinian people for most israeli jews now they consider gaza to be a separate state that no longer in the occupation even though it's besieged on all sides by israel. and therefore in a sense out of the picture the question is what israel is planning to do with other palestinian groups it's always in the change the earth upon entering the israeli parliament no longer do members of parliament swear allegiance only to the state of israel but also to a jewish democratic state why do you think this happened what is the significance well this is part of a much wider trend to do with loyalty what it would boil to legislation as the government's now calling it mr mr lieberman's party. this far right party i've already mentioned he he he got elected on a plan he's the third largest party in the parliament he was elected on the platform of no loyalty no citizenship and his party has been introducing a series of bills to try and ensure that palestinian citizens have less and less

created a whole question about whether gaza was can. part of the palestinian people for most israeli jews now they consider gaza to be a separate state that no longer in the occupation even though it's besieged on all sides by israel. and therefore in a sense out of the picture the question is what israel is planning to do with other palestinian groups it's always in the change the earth upon entering the israeli parliament no longer do members of parliament swear allegiance only to the state of israel but also to a jewish democratic state why do you think this happened what is the significance well this is part of a much wider trend to do with loyalty what it would boil to legislation as the government's now calling it mr mr lieberman's party. this far right party i've already mentioned he he he got elected on a plan he's the third largest party in the parliament he was elected on the platform of no loyalty no citizenship and his party has been introducing a series of bills to try and ensure that palestinian citizens have less and less

the facts are that israel was attacked from gaza. the fact is that we had -- that iran sends weapons into gaza so the fact is that this regime, hamas, is holding an israeli soldier that they kidnapped for four years, four years this soldier, gilad shalit, has not been allowed to see anyone. this is a complete violation of international norms. i think if anything bears condemnation, it is this -- this inhumane terrorist regime. and i would hope that international condemnation is directed there. that's where it belongs. and not against israel. a struggling democracy. striving to live and to make peace with its neighbors. it should not be condemned. it should be encouraged to -- >> larry: saying -- >> -- defend itself and also make peace. >> larry: -- image around the world is poor, you're not in high regard at the u.n. you seem to be from a public relations standpoint, pr standpoint, in trouble. >> well, that's one of the reasons i'm appearing on "the larry king show." there's a difference between perception and reality. the reality is

created whole question about whether gaza was. part of the palestinian people for most israeli jews now they consider gaza to be a separate state that no longer in the occupation even though it's besieged on all sides by israel. and therefore in a sense out of the picture. the question is what israel is planning to do with other palestinian groups it's always in the change the oath upon entering the israeli parliament no longer do members of parliament swear allegiance only to the state of israel but also to a jewish democratic state why do you think this happened what is the significance well this is part of a much wider trend to do with loyalty the will to legislation as the government's now calling it mr mr lieberman's party. the far right party i've already mentioned he he he got elected on a plan he's the third largest party in the parliament he was elected on the platform of no loyalty no citizenship and his party has been introducing a series of bills to try and ensure that palestinian citizens have less and less legitimacy

not a humanitarian effort if those who conducted it truly cared about the humanitarian situation in gaza they had numerous opportunities and were offered numerous opportunities to take whatever they wanted it to god through the main entrance into gaza so this was clearly about sending out a message about a p.r. kind of campaign my argument was that when we are engaged in a campaign over idea over images the last thing we need to do is give the other side exactly what they want which is an image of conflict with israeli soldiers this is clearly what they want to think came into this effort seeking that image so clearly a provocation the thing is that when you're engaged in that kind of battle you have to be smarter than the other side and not to give them the images that they seek so you can justify the use of soldiers and if you look at a very specific effort to kind of go through that blockade in israel has a legitimate blockade that is defined by international law as well but my point was that we are here are we are fighting and a war of ideas and there is an effort even i would say a

a libyan ship carrying aid for gaza has don't gyptian port and irish the al fair renamed hope for the voyage was trying to break the blockade of the palestinian on cave but it was warned against the action by the israeli navy. a publicity stunt a provocation or as organizers claim and if it merely to get much needed supplies into gaza in place were all the ingredients for an international showdown a libyan ship sitting still for gaza its organizers vowing to break the israeli blockade and the memory of nine turkish citizens killed in a similar to md still fresh in everyone's mind but in the end the captain gave in to israel's order and without much fuss docked the ship in egypt for the israelis it's a victory they say the fact that the united states and european union convinced the ship to change its course legitimizes their position but activists disagree they say the libyan effort puts the story of gaza back in the headlines her must accuse israel of climbers see and insists its refusal to allow aid ships to reach gaza is in breach of international law in the congress who traveled i

we entered into gaza. afterward, another round of even more accelerated munition or rockets, load ended up there, so we have ouresponsibility vis-a-vis our citizens to protect them against such attacks to make sure that armamentes, war materials and the rockets and missiles -- that armaments, war tomorrows and rockets and missiles are not entering it. >> charlie: the provocation was what? the shelling of israel? >> no, the sending of a flotilla to open the blockade directly to gaza while we offered to them -- i talked to the turkish -- and to other for mr. -- mr. abdullah gul, we will check whatever is on board those vessels and allow them to bring it -- we will bring it to gaza. so basically, the provocation was the attempt to break the -- and go to gaza. >> charlie: you're the defense minister of israel. do you approve of the way that was handled? >> yeah. >> charlie: in the middle of t night? do you approve of that? you have no reservations about what happened at all? and you approved it yourself? >> at

in place were all the ingredients for an international showdown a libyan ship sitting still for gaza its organizers vowing to break the israeli blockade and the memory of nine turkish citizens killed in a similar tim still fresh in everyone's mind but in the end the captain gave in to israel's order and without much fuss docked the ship in egypt for the israelis it's a victory they say the fact that the united states and european union convinced the ship to change its course legitimizes their position but activists disagree they say the libyan effort puts the story of gaza back in the headlines her must accuse israel of piracy and insists its refusal to allow aid ships to reach gaza is in breach of international law. the congress who traveled in still travel must continue because we are now free salute battle to break the blockade imposed in this battle is related to the land of palestine and jerusalem and to the bucket of jerusalem as well but the jury's still out on whether the restrictions israel has in place are legal or not you can apply. a maritime blockade if there is a quote

created a whole question about whether gaza was can. part of the palestinian people for most israeli jews now they consider gaza to be a separate state that no longer under occupation even though it's besieged on all sides by israel. and therefore in a sense out of the picture the question is what israel is planning to do with other palestinian groups is what we said the change the oath upon entering the israeli parliament no longer do members of parliament swear allegiance only to the state of israel but also to a jewish democratic state why do you think this happened what is the significance well this is part of a much wider trend to do with loyalty what it would boil to legislation as the government's now calling it mr mr lieberman's party. this far right party i've already mentioned he he he got elected on a plan he's the third largest party in the parliament he was elected on the platform of no loyalty no citizenship and his party has been introducing a series of bills to try and ensure that palestinian citizens have less and less

but before let's see what russians think about the gaza blockade. despite a little something they get as a blockade after the attack on the freedom flotilla meant to say israel's jest is not and that the e.u. is high representative of foreign policy insist on a full lifting of the blockade claiming it would allow gazundering rebuild their lives russia's live either side i asked citizens if they approve of israel's blockade they get a straight twenty eight percent said they do however another thirty five percent disapprove of is room blocking delivery to the region back to. ok if i go back to you robert i mean these release always mention are slow is the point of reference can you explain to my audience what is the palestinians got of out of our slow because eighteen years ago they were direct talks today we don't even have direct talks and and while lot of people will claim you see this amazing colonization of the west bank which is supposed to be the second state well that is exactly factually what is happening if we can go back to something down s

well i think obama gets it now mid-term elections be nice to israel again despite what happened in gaza the aid convoy despite the demolition of palestinian homes in jerusalem the continued building of collen is for israel is an israeli is only on arab land obama goes along with it is the big handshake and that will happen next time will be a little junction from obama and then it'll be the next presidential elections and the next mid-term elections and i think that we all know in israel knows very well that israel has tremendous power which it uses in congress in the senate in washington this means that america cannot be a fair honest broker the real question is since the european union the paying for most of this could the european union or let's get to that but i want to ask dan dan is good in light of what robert fisk just had to say is that in america's best interest to have such a close relationship with israel because the whole perception whatever the arab street people want to define these days doesn't see the united states is a fair broker dollars the same side is israel in its

but before let's see what russians think about the gaza blockade. despite a little something they get as a blockade after the attack on the freedom flotilla menace a israel's just is not and up the e.u. is high representative of foreign policy insist on a full lifting of the blockade claiming it would allow gazundering rebuild their lives rushes live on us and our citizens if they approve of israel's blockade of the gas us three twenty eight percent said they do however another thirty five percent disapprove of is room blocking the delivery to the region back to. ok if i go back to you robert i mean these release always mention are slow is the point of reference can you explain to my audience what is the palestinians got of out of our slow because eighteen years ago there were direct talks today we don't even have direct talks and and water people will claim you see this amazing colonization of the west bank which is supposed to be the second state. well that is exactly factually what is happening if we go back to something down said it sounds as if

but before let's see what russians think about the gaza blockade. despite a little something they get as a blockade after their attack on the freedom flotilla meant to say israel's justice is not and that the e.u. is high representative of foreign policy insist on a full lifting of the blockade claiming it would allow gas rebuild their lives russia's live either side i asked citizens if they approve of israel's blockade they get a strike twenty eight percent said they do however another thirty five percent disapprove of is room blocking cargo delivery to the region back to. ok if i go back to you robert i mean these release i always mention are slow is the point of reference can you explain to my audience what is the palestinians got of out of our slow because eighteen years ago they were direct talks today we don't even have direct talks and and while lot of people will claim you see this amazing colonization of the west bank which is supposed to be the second state. well that is exactly factually what is happening if we can go back to something do

but before let's see what russians think about the gaza blockade. despite a little something they get as a blockade after their attack on the freedom flotilla menace a israel's jest is not and that the e.u. is high representative of foreign policy insists on a full lifting of the blockade claiming it would allow gazundering rebuild their lives russia is led by the us and us citizens if they approve of israel's blockade they get a straight twenty eight percent said they do however another thirty five percent disapprove of is room blocking delivery to the region back to. ok if i go back to you robert i mean these release always mention are slow is the point of reference can you explain to my audience what is the palestinians got of out of our slow because eighteen years ago they were direct talks today we don't even have direct talks and and while lot of people will claim you see this amazing colonization of the west bank which is supposed to be the second state. well that is exactly factually what is happening if we can go back to something down said

not a humanitarian effort if those who conducted it truly cared about the humanitarian situation in gaza they had numerous opportunities and were offered numerous opportunities to take whatever they wanted it to god through the main entrance into gaza so this was clearly about sending out a message about a p.r. kind of campaign my argument was that when we are engaged in the campaign over idea over images the last thing we need to do is give the other side because sadly what they want which is an image of conflict with israeli soldiers this is clearly what they want to think came into this effort seeking that image so clearly a provocation the finger is that when you're engaged in a kind of battle you have to be smarter than the other side and not to give them the images that they seek so you can justify the use of soldiers and if you look at a very specific effort to kind of go through that blockade in israel has a legitimate blockade that is defined by international law as well but my point was that we are here are we are fighting and a war of ideas and there is an effort even i would

the facts are that israel was attacked from gaza. the fact is that we had -- that iran sends weapons into gaza so they'd be fired on us. the fact is that this regime, hamas, is holding an israeli soldier that they kidnapped for four years, four years this soldier, gilad shalit, has not been allowed to see anyone. this is a complete violation of international norms. i think if anything bears condemnation, it is this -- this inhumane terrorist regime. and i would hope that international condemnation is directed there. that's where it belongs. and not against israel. a struggling democracy. striving to live and to make peace with its neighbors. it should not be condemned. it should be encouraged to -- >> larry: saying -- >> -- defend itself and also make peace. >> larry: -- image around the world is poor, you're not in high regard at the u.n. you seem to be from a public relations standpoint, pr standpoint, in trouble. >> well, that's one of the reasons i'm appearing on "the larry king show." there's a difference between perception and

created whole question about whether gaza was can. part of the palestinian people for most israeli jews now they consider gaza to be a separate state that no longer in the occupation even though it's besieged on all sides by israel. and therefore in a sense out of the picture the question is what israel is planning to do with other palestinian groups is what we said the change the oath upon entering the israeli parliament no longer do members of parliament swear allegiance only to the state of israel but also to a jewish democratic state why do you think this happened what is the significance well this is part of a much wider trend to do with loyalty what it would boil to legislation as the government's now calling it mr mr lieberman's party. the far right party i've already mentioned he he he got elected on a plan he's the third largest party in the parliament he was elected on the platform of no loyalty no citizenship and his party has been introducing a series of bills to try and ensure the palestinian citizens have less and less l

not a humanitarian effort if those who conducted it truly cared about the humanitarian situation in gaza they had numerous opportunities and were offered numerous opportunities to take whatever they wanted it to god through the main entrance into gaza so this was clearly about sending out a message about a p.r. kind of campaign my argument was that when we are engaged in a campaign over idea over images the last thing we need to do is give the other side because sadly what they want which is an image of conflict with israeli soldiers this is clearly what they want to be came into this effort seeking that image so clearly a provocation they think is that when you're engaged in that kind of battle you have to be smarter than the other side and not to give them the images that they seek so you can justify the use of soldiers and if you look at a very specific effort to kind of go through that blockade in israel has a legitimate blockade that is defined by international law as well but my point was that we are here are we are fighting and a war of ideas and there is an effort even i would sa

word disputed robert fisk oh those that territory the west bank and gaza disputed because that's what they say in american mainstream television that's what americans would buy are told all the time go ahead been to israel and i've also been in the west bank i've been to is on the west bank in the last few weeks and help the area see which is the part of the west bank which israel occupies the palestinians cannot even build a drainpipe on the ground there that area which is sixty percent of the twenty two percent of palestine that's left is occupied by the israelis israeli checkpoints israeli settlements the rest this little about eleven point seven percent is all the palestinians have got left this land is occupied and it will continue to be it's my view that will not be a palestinian state it's gone it cannot exist in the framework that exists now unless there is an israeli withdrawal from area c. sixty percent and there is not going to be i am certain of that and i don't think there's any intention of being it is occupied and it has gone and that is the point and that's what mr oba

not a humanitarian effort if those who conducted it truly cared about the humanitarian situation in gaza they had numerous opportunities and were offered numerous opportunities to take whatever they wanted it to god through the main entrance into gaza so this was clearly about sending out a message about a p.r. kind of campaign my argument was that when we are engaged in a campaign over idea over images the last thing we need to do is give the other side exactly what they want which is an image of conflict with israeli soldiers this is clearly what they want to be came into this effort seeking that image so clearly a provocation they think is that when you're engaged in that kind of battle you have to be smarter than the other side and not to give them the images that they seek sue you can justify the use of soldiers and if you look at a very specific effort to kind of go through that blockade in israel has a legitimate blockade that is defined by international law as well but my point was that we are here are we are fighting in a war of ideas and there is an effort even i would say a co

not a humanitarian effort if those who conducted it truly cared about the humanitarian situation in gaza they had numerous opportunities and were offered numerous opportunities to take whatever they wanted it to god through the main entrance into gaza so this was clearly about sending out a message about a p.r. kind of campaign my argument was that when we are engaged in a campaign over idea over images the last thing we need to do is give the other side because sadly what they want which is an image of conflict with israeli soldiers this is clearly what they want to be came into this effort seeking that image so clearly a provocation the fingers that when you're engaged in that kind of battle you have to be smarter than the other side and not to give them the images that they seek so you can justify the use of soldiers and if you look at a very specific effort to kind of go through that blockade in israel has a legitimate blockade that is defined by international law as well but my point was that we are here are we are fighting in a war of ideas and there is an effort even i would say a

not a humanitarian effort to those who conducted it truly cared about the humanitarian situation in gaza they had numerous opportunities and were offered numerous opportunities to take whatever they wanted it to god through the main entrance into gaza so this was clearly about sending out a message about a p.r. kind of campaign my argument was that when we are engaged in the campaign over idea over images the last thing we need to do is give the other side because sadly what they want which is an image of conflict with israeli soldiers this is clearly what they want to think came into this effort seeking that image so clearly a provocation the fingers that when you're engaged in that kind of battle you have to be smarter than the other side and not to give them the images that they seek so you can justify the use of soldiers and if you look at a very specific effort to kind of go through that blockade in israel has a legitimate blockade that is defined by international law as well but my point was that we are here are we are fighting and a war of ideas and there is an effort even i would

not a humanitarian effort to those who conducted it truly cared about the humanitarian situation in gaza they had numerous opportunities and were offered numerous opportunities to take whatever they wanted it to god through the main entrance into gaza so this was clearly about sending out a message about a p.r. kind of campaign my argument was that when we are engaged in the campaign over idea over images the last thing we need to do is give the other side because sadly what they want which is an image of conflict with israeli soldiers this is clearly what they want to be came into this effort seeking bad image so clearly a provocation they think is that when you're engaged in that kind of battle you have to be smarter than the other side and not to give them the images that they seek so you can justify the use of soldiers and if you look at a very specific effort to kind of go through that blockade in israel has a legitimate blockade that is defined by international law as well but my point was that we are here are we are fighting and a war of ideas and there is an effort even i would s

created a whole question about whether gaza was. part of the palestinian people for most israeli jews now they consider gaza to be a separate state that no longer in the occupation even though it's besieged on all sides by israel. and therefore in a sense out of the picture the question is what israel is planning to do with other palestinian groups is what we simply changed the oath upon entering the israeli parliament no longer do members of parliament swear allegiance only to the state of israel but also to a jewish democratic state why do you think this happened what is the significance well this is part of a much wider trend to do with loyalty to the oil to legislation as the government is now calling it. mr lieberman's party. this far right party i've already mentioned he he he got elected on a plan he's the third largest party in the parliament he was elected on the platform of no loyalty no citizenship and his party has been introducing a series of bills to try and ensure that palestinian citizens have less and less legitimac

we entered into gaza. afterward, another round of even more accelerated munition or rockets, load ended up there, so we have our responsibility vis-a-vis our citizens to protect them against such attacks to make sure that armamentes, war materials and the rockets and missiles -- that armaments, war tomorrows and rockets and missiles are not entering it. >> charlie: the provocation was what? the shelling of israel? >> no, the sending of a flotilla to open the blockade directly to gaza while we offered to them -- i talked to the turkish -- and to other for mr. -- mr. abdullah gul, we will check whatever is on board those vessels and allow them to bring it -- we will bring it to gaza. so basically, the provocation was the attempt to break the -- and go to gaza. >> charlie: you're the defense minister of israel. do you approve of the way that was handled? >> yeah. >> charlie: in the middle of the night? do you approve of that? you have no reservations about what happened at all? and you approved it yourself? >

gaza was considered part of the palestinian people for most israeli jews now they consider gaza to be a separate state it no longer and occupation even though it's besieged on all sides by israel. and therefore in a sense out of the picture. the question is what israel is planning to do with other palestinian groups it's always in the change the earth upon entering the israeli parliament no longer do members of parliament swear allegiance only to the state of israel but also to a jewish democratic state why do you think this happened what is the significance well this is part of a much wider trend to do with loyalty what it would boil to legislation as the government's now calling it mr mr lieberman's party. this far right party i've already mentioned he he he got elected on a plan he's the third largest party in the parliament he was elected on the platform of no loyalty no citizenship and his party has been introducing a series of bills to try and ensure that palestinian citizens have less and less legitimacy within the political system not all of the bills are being passed but but

human rights council's investigation into the deadly attack on a gaza bound. now. take a closer look at the story with veteran british journalist alan hart who spent decades covering the arab israeli conflict. today i'm talking to you alan hart veteran middle east correspondent we're going to start by talking about israel's blockade on gaza and the aid ships that are trying to get into the region allan hart thanks very much for talking to r.t. let's talk first about israel's blockade on gaza and the eight chips that are trying to get in and israel insists that that blockade is legal what do you think well let's first of all say that the purpose of the blockade is the collective punishment of the whole people of gaza to try to wean them away from hamas now collective punishment by definition is a war crime it is absolutely illegal. the only benefit of the attempts to break the blockade is not really assisting the people of gaza but it is helping to make israel be perceived in the world to people as more and more prostate and who is set to gain the most from that p.r