politics

Yes, it's that time again - for sj to go all political in her post :].

I have been sympathetic to the plight of Palestinians much as I am toward Afghans and Iraqis and all civilians caught in the middle of wars decided by their leaders. When I listened to NPR on the way home from backpacking Sunday, May 30, I heard Greta Berlin, organizer of the flotilla describe her organization's unwavering goal to break the blockade. When asked by the interviewer why she did not accept Israel's offer to deliver the supplies after inspection at a port designated for humanitarian aid into Gaza, she responded that her goal was to not simply transport supplies but to break the blockade.

I think Israel poorly executed the raid on the flotilla. However, they were within their legal right to stop the ships. A blockade is a viable military alternative that American has employed against Japan and Cuba and the international law which governs conflicts at sea was not violated. If a vessel ignores all warnings and willingly sails into an existing blockade, it is an offensive action, and defensive actions by the blockading country should not come as a shock to anyone.

The blockading nation, under international law, can request an approaching vessel to stop for inspection. If the vessel does not comply, it can be subject to capture. International law does not allow for the boat to be sunk, but it can be attacked if it resists capturing.

I'm really sorry for the Palestinian people. I believe they are probably living in poverty but I'm also sure that the truth is not as easy as blaming Israel. Hamas is considered to be a terrorist organization and could very well be responsible for most of the poverty in the country it controls. But let's cut the hypocritical talk about war crimes and the sense of indignation that a country had the balls to defend it's own border. We would have done no less (in fact, we probably would've done much more) if someone tried to break a blockade we set up or if a neighboring country declared itself our enemy and lobbed rockets at us.