Israelis Intercept and Battle Gaza Blockade Runners; Diplomatic Flap Between Israel and Turkey

[jordan179]

From "10 killed in Israeli attack on aid flotilla bound for Gaza," (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-05/31/c_13325000.htmRead more... )

Comments

[hannahsarah]

I just commented over in my journal as well. It's glaringly obvious that this whole spectacle has nothing to do with "helping the poor Gazans" and everything to do with trying to discredit Israel - even if it ends up being a suicide mission for all aboard.

[jordan179]

I think that the Terrorists see it as a win-win -- either Israel lets the convoy through, and the blockade of Gaza is broken; or they get propganda points from the poor innocent victims of the Israeli naval action.

The solution to the dilemna is for Israel to stop caring about "world opinion," and instead fight for their own interests. The "world opinion" the Terrorists appeal to will always be anti-Israeli, anyway, and more to the point, it's mostly toothless.

[belvarius]

I'm loathe to turn on the news today because likely all we'll see is this story with all the usual Israel bashing and the outrage from Turkey.

[blackhawk101]

I believe if the current adminsitration had to to choose between a Turkey rapidly sliding into Islamist fascism similar to Iran or a staunch deomocratic ally in the Middle East that they would throw Israel to the wolves in a heartbeat.

[jordan179]

I believe if the current adminsitration had to to choose between a Turkey rapidly sliding into Islamist fascism similar to Iran or a staunch deomocratic ally in the Middle East that they would throw Israel to the wolves in a heartbeat.

I agree.

Fortunately, Obama is weak and indecisive, and he knows that Israel is a lot more popular with the American electorate than are the Palestinians, or for that matter the Turks. And where Turkey is concerned it's all the fault of their own beastliness -- Armenians are one of our immigrant groups, and what most Americans know about Turkey is summed up in the phrase "Turkish prison."

[oronoda]

What I can't get over is they were complaining about children being on board. Yeah, and I'm going to take my 11 year old niece to Afghanistan for sightseeing.

[jordan179]

Indeed. IMO, whoever brought their children on board should have them taken away, as unfit parents. Running a blockade is not exactly a pleasant family outing. I'm sure that this isn't the tone the MSM is taking, however ...

[oronoda]

I agree with that statement fully.

[marycatelli]

You might, as a human shield, though. If you didn't give a damn about her next to your politics.

[sianmink]

AP is already calling it a "botched raid" without explaining why. The soldiers were attacked and likely fired on, taking 6 wounded, and they defended themselves.

So much for the claims of it being a "peaceful relief mission".

[jordan179]

I guess it's "botched" because it failed to please the reporters. In fact, they searched the ship and confiscated whatever they felt like, and ultimately forced the flotilla to proceed to Ashdod.

[cutelildrow]

Yeah, because goods made it to Gaza anyway, they can't whine too much more about the Israelis being a nation of pirates.

Given how much people romanticize piracy, you'd think that this would have been thought of as fucking awesome instead of whining about it.