I normally try to keep from talking about politics here on my blog, but since I’ve been asked my opinion, here’s the short version:
Based on some of the flotilla cargo contents and the statements made by some flotilla members, I don’t think that these people were peace activists. Activists, yes, but not peace activists. If they were truly looking to help the Gazan people, why not unload the cargo at Ashdod and allow it to be inspected before delivery?
These are people who were looking for nothing more than the opportunity to make a political statement — and Israel fell for it. In that regard, the flotilla participants got exactly what they wanted at Israel’s expense.
Both sides are hollering about international law, but so far I haven’t seen either of them back up their claims of legality/illegality by citing precedents or international statutes, so I don’t really have an informed opinion on the subject.
Maybe the man who wrote the first letter in this collection of letters to the editor has the right idea…
Jews and Israelis are by no means all of one mind when it comes to the issue, as evidenced by the articles in the opinion sections of Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post.
It’s a very tricky situation, and one I certainly wish hadn’t happened…
Joie de Kitty 