And what can you expect from the Arab Nations and so called Muslim countries? The retention of the status quo,a binge in Las Vegas, power and blue eyed blondes, perhaps Israeli-born, adept at extracting information from their partners who are either drugged or mismerized.

No amount of rhetoric, condemnation or criticism will make any impact on Israel which continues to defy international law, the United Nations and the Security Council, both of which are tootless lions, they roar but never bite. I have heard of economic boycotts of many nations, but never Israel. Why? I have also heard of sanctions against many nation,s but never against Israel. Why? Cowardice or spineless, Take your pick.

Demonstrations and Protects cannot equate to firm and resolute action on the part of those affected and indeed those countries which have close ties to Israel, realizing that they can fool people some of the time, perhaps most of the time, but not all the time. It is time to call a spade a spade, and not cower behind the facade of criticisms, which very often are watered down.

The most recent of arrogance and cowardice is the Israeli attack on a flotilla of ships seeking to carry food and medicine to the people of Gaza which has been under blockade by Israel for the past three years. What has been done over this period to assist the Palestinians? Nothing but rhetoric as if this will have an impact on the thinking of the Israelis who continue to continue its illegal occupation of Arab land and expand the construction of new homes, despite the world community's stance that this is illegal. So what? We (Israel) will continue to do as we see fit and that is to continue our policy of expansionism and genocide.

Not all the western nations are spineless. Australia and Britain must be commended for expelling two Israeli Diplomats for the part they played in the assassination of a Hamas Leader. At least this is one example of two nations that are taking positive action against Israel for its violation of international law.

The BBC, the only international news service was the first to break the news. The Washington Post and other western media did not say one word, perhaps waiting on the go ahead from Israel before it can say anything. This is nothing new and is part of a plan to retain the status quo. Here is what the BBC had to say:

Israeli commandos intercepted a flotilla of six ships destined for Gaza

Live coverage of events, after Israeli commandos storm a convoy of boats carrying aid to Gaza, showing latest developments with breaking news and comment from BBC correspondents. All times BST.

1246:

The United States deplores the deaths and injuries caused in the raid.

"The United States deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained, and is currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy," said White House spokesman William Burton.

1241: The BBC's Jon Donnison in Gaza City says:

Here in Gaza City, demonstrators have gathered at the port, waving banners and chanting slogans to protest against Israel's actions.

The aim of this flotilla was to focus attention on Israel's three-year blockade of Gaza; it has certainly done that, but at the expense of many lives.

And whoever is to blame for the blockade, there is no doubt it has greatly increased the hardship faced by ordinary Gazans.

1213:

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said he "deplored" the loss of life on the flotilla and was seeking more information and urgent access to any UK nationals.

In a statement, he said: "There can be no better response from the international community to this tragedy than to achieve urgently a durable resolution to the Gaza crisis.

"I call on the government of Israel to open the crossings to allow unfettered access for aid to Gaza, and address the serious concerns about the deterioration in the humanitarian and economic situation and about the effect on a generation of young Palestinians."

1211:

The Vatican says it feels "deep sadness" at the Israeli raid

"This is a very painful fact, in particular because of the loss of human lives," said chief Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi.

1135:

French President Nicolas Sarkozy accuses Israel of a "disproportionate use of force".

1131:

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says he is "shocked by reports of killings and injuries" on the flotilla and says it is vital that Israel carries out a full investigation.

1129:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to cut short an official trip to Canada and Washington, Israeli radio reports.

1125:

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is to cut short an official trip to Latin America to deal with the political fallout of the Israeli action.

Turkey says it is recalling its ambassador from Tel Aviv.

1122:

The BBC's Natalia Antelava in Beirut says many people have taken to streets in Beirut and are protesting in front of the United Nations building.

1115:

Ambassadors from European Union's 27 member states are to hold emergency talks in Brussels on the Israeli operation.

1105: The BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem says:

More details are emerging about the Israeli version of what happened on the boat.

Yochanan Plessner, member of the Israeli parliament and former navy commando himself, says that the moment Israeli commandos boarded the boat they were attacked by spikes, metal rods, and live ammunition.

He said: "They were actually thrown down the different levels of the ship. Basically the Israeli soldiers who came for policing type activity were lynched."

1058:

Turkey's foreign ministry calls for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council over Israel's military operation.

1056:

Frank Barat of the Russell Tribunal for Palestine tells the BBC he has several friends onboard ships in the flotilla and is concerned for their welfare.

Briton Sarah Colborne, the director of the Palestine Solidarity campaign in London was last heard from at 2300 on Sunday, speaking live via a webcast from the Turkish ship that was intercepted.

Mr Barat says another friend, Ewa Jasiewicz, who is part of the Free Gaza movement, was on board one of the smaller ships.

1055:

Nabil Amr, an adviser to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, condemns Israel's actions:

"The Palestinian Authority cannot let what happened go unnoticed.

"What happened is merely an international cry that does not carry any aggression or a violation of any borders; it is only a strong humanitarian call addressed to the world to end this unjust siege against our people in the Gaza Strip," he tells broadcaster al-Jazeera.

1052:

Wallander author Henning Mankell is among those believed to be on board the ships to Gaza.

1045:

Israel's Channel 10 TV says 19 activists were killed and 26 wounded.

1030: The BBC's Malcolm Brabant in Athens says:

Greece has withdrawn from joint military exercises with Israel in protest at the attack on the Gaza flotilla.

Athens has also barred the head of the Israeli airforce from flying to Greece.

The Greeks have long had warm relations with the Palestinians and are furious with the Israelis for carrying out this raid in international waters.

The Israeli ambassador to Athens was called into the foreign ministry to provide an explanation. The deputy foreign minister, Dhimitris Droutsas, demanded assurances about the wellbeing of 30 Greeks who were on board ships in the flotilla.

Mr Yahya was told in no uncertain terms that Greece held Israel responsible for their safety. One of the vessels currently being escorted by the Israelis towards the port of Ashdod is sailing under a Greek flag.

1012:

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner says he is "deeply shocked" by the Israeli action and calls for an inquiry.

1010:

The first of the six ships in the flotilla dock in Ashdod, Israel.

1009:

Thousands of Turkish protesters march in Istanbul to denounce Israel.

0945:

Turkish foreign ministry warns Israel of irreparable damage to bilateral ties.

"This deplorable incident, which took place in open seas and constitutes a fragrant breach of international law, may lead to irreparable consequences in our bilateral relations," a statement read.

0930:

The Arab League calls an emergency meeting on 1 June to discuss Israel's "terrorist act" against the flotilla.

0925:

Sweden summons the Israeli ambassador to Stockholm over the "unacceptable" action.

0910:

The Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister, Daniel Ayalon, blamed the organisers for the violence, saying they were linked to terrorist organisations.

"The armada of hate and violence in support of Hamas terror organisation was a premeditated and outrageous provocation.

"The organisers are well known for their ties with global Jihad, al-Qaeda and Hamas. They have a history of arms smuggling and deadly terror.

"On board the ship we found weapons prepared in advance and used against our forces. The organisers intent was violent, their method was violent and the results were unfortunately violent. Israel regrets any loss of life and did everything to avoid this outcome."

0900: The BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem says:

After the funerals and after the rage Israel will face two big questions: if, as Israeli officials insist, they are happy to channel all this aid into Gaza via Israeli ports - including the building materials which it claims Hamas could put to military ends - then what's the point of the blockade?

And how far can it continue to stick to the line that "there are no shortages in Gaza", when the United Nations, among others, describes the humanitarian situation as "grim" and "deteriorating"?

0845: Audrey Bomse of the Free Gaza movement, which organised the convoy, tells the BBC:

"I can tell you that there were no firearms - all the boats were carefully inspected by the government before they left the port of departure.

"You can't hide a firearm; I suppose you can hide a knife, but there's no evidence there was shooting, there was live streaming coming from the boats.

"You don't see any fire going past the Israelis, you see them coming out of helicopters and shooting immediately."

0830: The BBC's Wyre Davies in Ashdod, Israel, says:

An Israeli army spokesman said the activists refused an order not to go to Gaza with their boats laden with humanitarian aid and instead dock at the Israeli port of Ashdod.

The army says its troops were attacked by the activists with axes, knives and firearms.

At least four Israeli marines were injured, said a spokeswoman, including one who was shot when his gun was snatched by an activist.

There's now a state of alert across Israel.

0812: Israeli spokesman Mark Regev speaks to the BBC's Today programme:

0800: The BBC's Jon Donnison in Gaza City says:

Israel had warned it was going to use limited force to stop the flotilla. It seems to have used more than that.

Television pictures from on board the ships show Israeli armed commandos storming the boats.

You can hear what sounds like gun shots and a number of people can be seen lying on the deck, apparently injured.

It took place around 60km out to sea in international waters. An Israeli government minister expressed regret for any loss of life.

Israel has said it will tow the ships to Ashdod where a special passport and detention centre has been set up.

It says from there the activists will be deported.

0745:

Hamas leader Ismail Haniya says of the activists: "You were heroes, whether you reached [Gaza] or not."

0730: The BBC's Jonathan Head in Istanbul, Turkey, says:

Within hours of the first clashes between Israeli forces and the Gaza bound convoy the Turkish government issued a strongly-worded condemnation of the Israeli actions.

Once again Israel has shown that it ignores human rights and peaceful initiatives, read the statement from the foreign ministry.

It accused Israel of violating international law by using such force on the high seas, and said its actions could have irrevocable consequences for relations with Turkey.

The main organiser of the convoy is a Turkish-based Islamic charity and most of the activists on board are Turkish citizens.

If the reports of large numbers of casualties are confirmed, relations between Turkey and Israel, already badly strained over the blockade of Gaza, will plunge to a new low.

The BBC has summed up this deplorable and despicable situation in a fitting manner and ought to be commended.