Yet another Israeli foreign policy nightmare!

There is a certain amount of apprehension that exists within the media when talking about the struggles between Israel and Palestine. An almost hushed up feeling that some news agencies maybe aren't reporting stories as critically as they would if it were Al-Qaeda and the like. This is due to a strange phenomena which frankly I don't understand. If the provisional IRA bombs a police station in Northern Ireland, then we would all rightly condemn them and their actions. The same can be said when the government of Robert Mugabe breaches human rights and rapes his own people of food and resources, but for some reason the mere mention of any form of condemnation of Israel and its foreign policy apparently surmounts to xenophiobia and anti-semetism. Rubbish! I have no problem with anyone from the jewish community and I certainly have no problem with anyone at all based on their race, religion, colour or creed. I have problems with people based on their actions and I truly feel that the actions of Israel this past week have been utterly deplorable.

The greatest quote I have heard on this subject was by the comedian Frankie Boyle who stated that:

"Israel are the South Africa your not allowed to hate" Frankie Boyle

Which although highly satirical, is also a pretty much true. If any other so-called civilized country committed the acts of aggression and violence which Israel continues to commit in Gaza and the West bank, then they would surely be vilified as a loose cannon rouge state whose mere existance threatens world peace. However, for reasons unbeknownst to me, time and time again countries are outraged for a couple of weeks and then... nothing. No sanctions, no tightening of security council resolutions, no hard hitting embargo's or weapons contracts pulled, nothing.

Anyway lets get to the facts, for the past three years Israel has enforced an illeagle blockade around Gaza. The World Bank has stated that 90% of water within Gaza is not fit for human consumption and that 70% of the population have to rely on charity for food supplies. Despite these shocking statistics Israel still bans shipments of vital aid supplies including food, clothing, medical supplies and building materials vital for the reconstruction of this desolate region.

Now i'm not naive enough to believe that the flotilla which set sail for Gaza thought it would get their unapposed, nor am i foolish enough to suggest that every volunteer on those boats were there with completely peaceful intentions but the fact remains that the ship was in international waters when attacked, over 100 miles from Israel itself. It was, in essence an act of piracy and despite what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says it was not in any way an act of self defence. In order for it to be self-defence then surely you need to be being attacked in the first place. At best it could be described as a pre-emptive strike but even this definition falls apart under mild scrutiny. The boat in question revieved no warnings, no messages to cease and desist or to alter its course, instead it was quickly and aggressively sorrounded and then boarded by helicopter commando's.

The next actions of the night are alot less clear, some reports suggest that the Israeli commando's fired upon the volunteers whilst still descending from the helicopters. Other reports suggest that the commando's were attacked the second they landed on the vessel. Which story is true? It's impossible to say with the small amount of evidence available at the moment, and in truth a part of me thinks that we'll probably never find out the whole truth but the fact remains that the actions of Israel are not in keeping with those of a "civilised" westernised, supposedly forward thinking country.

If Britain or America or Germany chose a course of action which resulted in the deaths of 10 civilians who were not breaking the law and were in international territory i would expect,and also support the strongest possible actions to be taken against the guilty party and that is all i am asking for here. I dont critisise Israel for its religion or beliefs i criticise Israel for its apparent nonchalant approach to the sanctity of human life. We musn't forget that governments are elected in order to make the decisions for which an entire country will be judged, and judged it will be on how a group of 700 protesters were sorrounded descended upon and then shot at whilst breaking no laws and while in waters protected under international law. Admittidely there is fault on both sides but there must be a point where we ask ourselves whether Israel's worst enemy is the Arab powers of Iran and the like, or its own foreign policy. Time will tell.