Attacking Israel - as usual

Lots of people like to hate Israel, the Mideast’s only fully functioning democracy, but the latest outcry over Israel’s handling of its blockade against Gaza is hypocritical at best.

First things first: The blockade is not some rogue act of a terrorist state. Blockades are an established legal use of force when it applied against an enemy in war, and one thing we are sure of is that Israel is at war with Hamas, the terrorist organization that runs Gaza.

The founding charter of Hamas, also known as the Islamic Resistance Movement, calls for the obliteration of Israel. It is not therefore surprising that Israel insists on controlling the nature of the shipments coming into Gaza. Nor should it be forgotten that Israel has been joined by Egypt in carrying out the blockade since 2007. Both countries consider Hamas a security threat. Those who try to turn the blockade into an excuse to hate Israel are conveniently ignoring the role of Egypt, one of the most important Islamic nations in the world.

Turning to the actual events of Monday when Israeli commandos stormed a six-ship flotilla bound for Gaza, it is obvious both from accounts of those involved and film footage shot at the time that the Israeli soldiers who boarded the boat were met by violence. It is not surprising, therefore, that Israel used force in turn to restore order.

The deaths of nine activists, mostly Turks, in the ensuing battle should not bring discredit on Israel. Everyone had been duly warned that the flotilla would not be allowed to reach Gaza. It is no different than when a policeman warns an approaching suspect that he will be shot if he continues forward. This is how force must be applied. To threaten force and then not apply it just invites greater violence in the long run.

In any case, the film showing the activists grabbing the Israeli soldiers as they boarded the boat and kicking them and hitting them with sticks and clubs is much more offensive that Israel’s effort to defend its very existence. These were thugs, not some kind of “peace” activist.

To excuse continuing violence against Israel while condemning Israel for responding to that violence is the most contemptible kind of hypocrisy.