Flotilla Activists Chanted Anti-Jewish Battle Cries, Welcomed 'Martyrdom'

Activists on a six-ship flotilla headed to the Gaza Strip shouted anti-Jewish battle cries and spoke of using "resistance" against Israel, with one participant stating she saw only two possible outcomes for the boat occupants – "either martyrdom or reaching Gaza."

On Monday, Israeli navy commandos raided the flotilla, encountering heavy resistance and live fire from the activists. Several activists were killed and dozens of others were reportedly injured, as were several of the Israeli commandos.

The main flotilla ship was named the MV Rachel Corrie, taking on the namesake of a far-left activist from the International Solidarity Movement who died in 2003 while serving as a human shield to protect a terrorist.

An Al Jazeera news report translated by Palestinian Media Watch documented men on the flotilla chanting "[Remember] Khaibar, Khaibar, oh Jews! The army of Muhammad will return!"

That chant is often used at rallies for Hamas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Khaibar is the name of the last Jewish village defeated by Muhammad in 628. That battle marked the end of the Jewish presence in Arabia.

Al-Jazeera also interviewed a woman on the flotilla who said that the participants' goal was "one of two happy endings: either martyrdom or reaching Gaza."

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