This time, Israel can pass the test of the Gaza flotilla

[oberliner]

Excerpt:

You know that the flotilla is a test for Israel. You believe that it's a test of your ability to stop the boats before they reach anchor in Gaza. You see it as a test of your ability to keep the siege of Gaza in place, and to fight against the delegitimization of Israel. It's a test of the siege, all right, but not at all the test you think it is.

What this truly is, is the latest in years of tests of Israel's ability to act in its own rational self-interest. It's a test to see if the government will expend time and thought on bringing an end to the siege of Gaza, rather than devoting cabinet meetings, military mobilizations and bizarre media exercises to a flotilla confrontation, relating to the mashat as if it were the battle of Midway.

Once again, as it did a year ago, in making a decision to fight the flotilla, Israel is defending not itself, but the siege. This, at the expense of its own international standing, at the expense of its very freedom to defend itself.

There is nearly nothing which more effectively delegitimizes Israel - and makes Israel look more like an uncaring blockhead state - than does the siege of Gaza. The siege benefits Hamas in a thousand ways and Israel in none. But there is one thing that does the work of delegitimization even better: attacking civilians in order to protect the siege.

http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/this-time-israel-can-pass-the-test-of-the-gaza-flotilla-1.369862

I want to remind people that, in 2008, there were several of these Free Gaza boat trips that Israel did not stop. They reached Gaza successfully.

[Violet_Crumble]

1. good article. Thanks for posting it n/t

[bemildred]

2. +1. nt