Israel's Defense Ministry proposes confiscating boats that breach Gaza blockade

[Jefferson23]

Government warns of two passengers' alleged ties to Hamas, claims others have smuggled 'chemicals' aboard.

By Amira Hass, Amos Harel, Jonathan Lis and Barak Ravid

Israel's defense Ministry has proposed setting up a special naval court that could confiscate ships that attempt to break through Israel's naval blockade on Gaza, a move aimed at deterring future flotillas to the Strip.

The proposal, drafted by ministry legal advisor Ahaz Benari, was made in a letter sent by Defense Minister Ehud Barak to Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman at the beginning of the month. Noting that the Justice Ministry had looked into setting up the naval courts, called prize courts, a few years ago, Barak urged Neeman to bring the matter to the cabinet for approval in the near future.

Defense sources said that ship seizures would make it harder for pro-Palestinian activists to rent ships for future flotillas. They also said a prize court could be established very quickly, enabling even ships in the current flotilla to be impounded.

"There's no doubt that impounding vessels is a deterrent measure that could prevent the need to use force against future violations ," Barak wrote.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-s-defense-ministry-proposes-confiscating-boats-that-breach-gaza-blockade-1.370007

[King_David]

1. Dozens of cars seized as Ontario unveils driving crackdown

Leadfoots, beware: penalties for speeding in Ontario just got a lot harsher. Ontario police said Monday afternoon that 47 vehicles had been impounded across the province in the first hours since the Safer Roads for a Safer Ontario Act came into force Sunday at midnight.

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=b7afe38a-5230-4a08-b8d8-05b7e14bcb47&k=56766

[provis99]

2. prize courts? Arrgghh, shiver me timbers, matey!

Here there be privateers!

[azul]

3. It's pretty much up for grabs these days regarding international law.

The more powerful gets to do the grabbing. Guess that it has been that way for many centuries, but now countries are pretending to follow the rule of law, and so it just looks especially bad.