June 1, 2010 6:54 AM

A pox on both their houses

An eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind.

  • Mohandas K. Gandhi

By now, most of us have heard the news of yesterday’s Israeli Navy attack on a flotilla of humanitarian aid ships bound for Gaza. Depending on who you listen to and/or happen to believe, anywhere from 9-15 activists were killed by the Israelis. That this is a tragedy goes with saying, but the real tragedy is that it didn’t have to happen at all, and that’s it being used by both sides to advance their propaganda. The fact that it did happen can and should be laid at the doorstep of both sides. There’s plenty of blood to go around, and everyone involved has blood on their hands.

What upsets me the most about this incident is that both sides are using it for maximum propaganda value and emotional impact. Demonstrators around the world around rioting almost instantaneously and accusing the Israelis of brutally murder peace-loving activists who were seeking nothing more than to ease the suffering in Gaza. The Israeli government is painting the incident as their navy legitimately defending Israeli interests and security and reacting accordingly when they were attacked.

The problem here is that both parties are right. And they’re both very, very wrong. Several people are dead because the Israelis overreacted…but also because the leaders of the flotilla were knowingly provoking a reaction. They knew that they would be intercepted, and their hope was undoubtedly to spark an international incident and embarrass Israel. Mission accomplished…at the expense of the lives of several of the comrades. Listening to various and assorted spokesman for the flotilla, the talking points are clear and well-rehearsed.

Was it really worth the bloodshed? And did Israel react in the only possible way it could have? The answer to both those questions is an unqualified “NO”.

The flotilla was carrying something like 10,000 tons of humanitarian relief supplies. Included in the cargo were things like cement and prefabricated housing- items the Israelis normally don’t allow into Gaza under any circumstances. Surely, the leaders of the flotilla knew this…and yet they pressed ahead, knowing full well that they were risking an armed and aggressive response from the Israelis. Their actions were both reprehensible and irresponsible. If you consider the loss of life involved in this incident, an argument could also be made that they’re criminally liable. The methods employed by the activists were stupid, reckless, and displayed a greater allegiance to their agenda and propaganda than to the well-being of those under their charge.

As for the Israeli government, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been spoiling for a fight since he took office. By responding aggressively to any perceived hostile action, Netanyahu demonstrated for public consumption that he intends to aggressively and decisively respond to any threat. The problem with this attitude is that an iron fist leaves little room for negotiation, compromise, and peace. It also creates an atmosphere of fear and paranoia in which overreaction and disproportionate responses become the rule rather than the exception.

In their own way, both sides were asking for and probably welcomed this sort of confrontation. The activists and Israel-haters have their very own Kent State massacre to milk for every ounce of propaganda value. The Israeli government demonstrated to their constituents that they’re willing to kick ass, take names, and do whatever is necessary to protect Israel.

From where I sit, I find the entire spectacle sickening. Both sides are responsible for this tragedy, and both sides have blood on their hands. Worst of all, our government gets dragged into the silliness since America props up Israel. Turkey, one of Israel’s few allies in the region, has roundly condemned the attack as “murder”. Israel has given itself a huge black eye that won’t heal any time soon. Meanwhile, the activists have revealed themselves to be willing to engage in the worst sort of political manipulation, even if bloodshed is involved. After all, bloodshed merely exponentially increases the propaganda value to be gained from this incident. SInce neither side is willing to entertain anything resembling negotiation and compromise, the rest of the world is condemned to listen to people talking AT one another instead of WITH one another. Frankly, it’s a truly sickening display of mutual intolerance and disdain. Same as it ever was….

Here’s a message for both sides: go to Hell. Go directly to Hell. Do not pass “GO”. Do not…oh, never mind….

Meanwhile, the world grows a little bit more blind as bloodshed becomes the currency of the realm in the Middle East.

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on June 1, 2010 6:54 AM.

I'm Rick Perry...and I'm not sure I approved this message.... was the previous entry in this blog.

OHMIGOD!!! WHAT ABOUT OUR PRECIOUS, IMPRESSIONABLE CHILDREN??? is the next entry in this blog.

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