Keep the Flotilla away by force - Dan Margalit

by Dan Margalit

In Tunisia and Kuwait, and with the head that was cut off in a barbaric attack in France, there have already been a few limp condemnations, but no one is really upset. But if a single hair on the head of one of the terrorists making their way to Gaza on the decks of the flotilla boats is harmed, it will cause a diplomatic uproar.

This weekend, the terrorism of Islam struck France, Kuwait, and Tunisia, killing dozens of innocent people, but the anger will pass quickly, because a few pathetic ships are making their way across the Mediterranean Sea on their way to the Gaza Strip. Rather than focus on addressing the root cause of the terrorism that is exacting a horrific, bloody price from sovereign nations, the media of the democratic world is being trawled after the boats, whose passengers are declaring that they will try "to break the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip." 

In Tunisia and Kuwait, and with the head that was cut off in a barbaric attack in France, there have already been a few limp condemnations, but no one is really upset. But if a single hair on the head of one of the terrorists making their way to Gaza on the decks of the flotilla boats is harmed, it will cause a diplomatic uproar. Things have reached the point where Israel is asked to provide explanations not about a violent conflict, but about why it prevented a group of Turks who support the flotilla from remaining in the country. Proportion? Relativity? There's no such thing. Not even a pretense of it. 

Israel is aware of the world's biased attitude toward it, and since it can't change that, it must take it into account when planning its next steps. The simple solution proposed is to let the flotilla dock in Gaza. If the government agrees, it will find itself in an embarrassing position in which it cannot prevent the free movement of ships and boats, which will unload uninspected cargo in the Gaza Strip. 

There is no way the government can let the flotilla arrive. An image of the army bested by a few boats will cause incalculable damage. If the demonstrators approach the coast, the IDF will have to prevent them from getting through. Force will be answered by force, even if bloodshed causes Israel some headaches in the diplomatic arena. Agreement? Arrangement? Moving the flotilla ships' cargo into Gaza City? By all means. But dictating to Israel? No, absolutely not. 

One aspect of the flotilla's timing is surprising. If there is anything to the claim that Israel and Hamas are testing the waters for a possible five-year hudna (truce), a flotilla like this one could be a fatal blow to the longed-for cease-fire. 

In the last go-around five years ago, the IDF's response was clumsy. Suggestions made by the former commander of the Israeli Navy and others were ignored. The assumption today is that the IDF learned its lesson; that if necessary, it will intercept the ships without bloodshed; and unlike last time, there will be no delay in distributing footage of the interception to the international media.

Dan Margalit

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=13003

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