No event in Israel history, some are saying, has been as great of a PR embarrassment as last Monday's attack on the Mavi Marmara and five other ships carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
And now, this morning, comes word another aid ship, the Rachel Corrie, has been captured.
But, though the story continues to unfold, it is backwards in time we should go to understanding Israel's actions. Those who have a grasp of what has happened will have much less a problem with what Israel has done.
An inquiry has been called for. An inquiry is in order. But, before you too swiftly condemn the Israelis, consider what is known so far.
June, 2007: The Hamas, acclaimed terrorists, wrestle control of the Gaza Strip from Fatah and the Palestinian National Authority. Israel and Egypt then slapped a blockade on trade to and from the Gaza Strip, Israel being wary of what weapons the terrorists might slip in. The problem is, the blockade limited food and other everyday supplies to residents, as well as to the Hamas terrorists.
The breadth of news reports now reaching us leaves many believing no food nor medical supplies are making it into Israel. This is simply not true. Supplies are being restricted, but Israel is allowing food and medicine through.
In fact, it is Hamas -- the very ruler of the government in Gaza -- that has on occasion actually raided the incoming humanitarian supplies, robbing its own people of the aid they were to receive.
At any rate -- however much aid is getting through -- a relief agency, Free Gaza, announced it would break the blockade and get food through to the other side.
Although many who boarded the ships were undoubtedly straight-and-true humanitarian workers, there is much reason to believe a terrorist-related organization was behind the flotilla. It was also announced that the purpose was to break the blockade. If you know the enemy is going to try to pull you into an attack, but also know you do have to go ahead and enforce your blockade, you are going to try to be as soft about it as possible. That background is key to understanding why the Israelis thought to use weapons no more dangerous than paintball guns, as they knew they might be being set up to be shamed for attacking an aid ship.
And, knowing the Free Gaza effort was seeking a public relations victory, one can also understand why those among them who possibly were terrorists would not bring semiautomatic or other actual weapons, but rather use makeshift weapons such as pipes. It also explains why they might not actually try to smuggle in weapons.
At any rate, as Free Gaza repeatedly announced its aid ships were coming, Israel repeatedly replied it would be glad to deliver the supplies through the blockade for the aid workers, so there was just no need to defy the blockade.
So, the supplies came.
On that dark day, Israel helicopters appeared above the flotilla. They had word that up to 100 Hamas boats would be sent out to escourt the flotilla in, so this would explain why the Israelis made their attack in international waters, before the flotilla was close enough to receive Humas support.
Bullets -- if just warning shots -- were fired before commandos slid down ropes from helicopters to the ships to ensure weapons were not being smuggled. Israeli personnel involved in the attack have said they initially used no more dangerous firepower than paintball guns, hoping that would be enough to scare the relief workers.
"You are approaching an area which is under a naval blockade," Israel announced to the ships.
"Shut up. Go back to Auschwitz," came the reply. "We have permission from the Gaza Port Authority to enter."
And, this rejoinder from a flotilla member: "We're helping Arabs go against the U.S. Don't forget 9/11, guys."
Of all the ships in the flotilla, the Mavi Marmara has had its story told the most, for it is the ship where fighting broke out. Israeli sources say a helicopter lowered a boarding rope, only to have rioters below grab it and tie it to an antennae in hopes of pulling the copter down.
Then, as commandos slid down the rope or ropes, the rioters took to beating them as they hit the deck, using metal pipes, and perhaps bats and clubs. A video of the rioters beating the soldiers shows them using pipes.
Eventually, the soldiers received permission to fire real guns, and that evidently is how the nine, ten or more passengers were killed.
Those opposed to what Israel did might ask why it is that the passengers didn't kill any of the boarding commandos. Hasn't it been said they had knives?
On the flip side, the soldiers could have aimed to maim instead of to kill.
After the first commandos were beaten, an officer came down the rope, landing to see one of the shipmates having taken a gun from a commando and he was pointing the gun at one of the Israelis. That officer led the charge, fearing for his own life and the life of his fellow commandos, and he reportedly personally killed six of the shipmates.
A Turkish captain aboard one of the ships later said the rioters threw real weapons overboard after the commandos had gained control.
Ship in international waters? Workers killed while trying to bring in humanitarian aid? The incident has brought worldwide outrage down upon Israel, and even many within the Israel are angry. One massive crowd of protesters in Israel shouted, "Danger, danger, government of war!"
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