Let Nation Speak Peace Unto Nation

For reasons I don’t pretend to understand, suddenly a couple of days ago, I seemed to have become the unofficial spokesman in Scottsdale for the state of Israel.

Clearly, the question was the interception by the Israeli Defense Force, (IDF) of the so-called “humanitarian” flotilla from Turkey to the Gaza.

When I spoke to a friend in England it was obvious where he stood based upon his understanding which he had gleaned from his local news outlet, primarily, I’m guessing the BBC....

That same person had visibly bristled when, in the past, I had suggested that that previously respected organ of independent reporting wasn’t anymore and hadn’t been for years. But I sensed that and I tried to respond accordingly even when he demanded to know what the United States was going to do.

Now given Obama's reticence to do anything but bow when faced with a foreign situation, my suspicion was not much. But I felt the need to say something and so I came up with this snappy rejoinder.

“So what would you expect Israel to do”, I asked.

And his response to mine was, “I knew you’d say that”.

Now that kind off lucid intercourse isn’t going to get us too far in this debate or any other for that matter. So perhaps it’s time to establish a baseline for discussion. And then we’ll see where you stand as will I.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, but Israel isn’t exactly the flavor of the month in the Middle East. Even before 1948 its very presence started wars and since 1948 that pattern has continued on and off.

Yeah, Yeah, you say, I know all that but let’s get to Gaza.

Very well, let's but please allow me one other bit of more recent history.

About 5 years ago, Israel was pressured into ceding the Gaza to the Palestinians and it did. The reaction of the Arabs was to trash a vibrant flower industry as well as the rest of the area’s agricultural infrastructure.

Then in 2007, Hamas became the defacto government in the territory and celebrated its ascendancy by launching rocket attacks into Israel. Those rockets were not accurate but Hamas didn’t care about that. They are terrorists by definition whose modus operandi is terror. So it didn’t matter to them what they hit; Jews, Arabs, Christians, citizens, tourists, whatever.

More than 5000 years of history have taught Jews many things and patience is one of them. But there is a limit.

Most of Gaza’s border abuts Israel but a little in the south is next to Egypt. That nation did not want to be identified with the Gaza-generated violence and so it scrutinized carefully any and all material destined for the frontier.

But that left the ocean which is what the latest hoohaw is all about.

Upon the refusal of all Arab countries and the UN to monitor shipments into Gaza, Israel was forced to establish a naval blockade for its own protection. A line was drawn and publicized and the “boatilla” was just the latest among many to try their luck.

Before I go any further, Israel has always permitted unlimited food and medical supplies into Gaza. I’m sure that instinctively you know that but just in case.

Until fairly recently Turkey has been as close to a friend as Israel has in the Arab world. But, even there recent developments such as the emergence of “IHH” which is a branch of radical Islam is barely kept in check by the military-backed government.

And it was “IHH” that financed and equipped and manned the “boatilla”.

Even after warnings by Israel before they left and during their voyage, they crossed the line and the IDF was left with no choice but to intervene.

Now, let’s assume for a moment that 8 small boats needed 600 crewmen. And let’s assume they were all necessary and let’s assume the cargo was all legit why not sail into Ashdod and save some broken heads and lives.

But no, the “crews” decided to fight and some got killed.

I can hear my British friend now talking about “International Waters.”

Really.

So Kennedy should have waited for the delivery of rockets to Cuba?

So, when England was in a war against Germany, what difference did it make to the U-boats what kind of water they were in?

As I said earlier, “What choice did Israel have?”