Some facts: Hamas, the ruler of Gaza, is an organization that has never made any secret of its intention to destroy the state of Israel. Since Israel turned the Gaza strip over to Hamas in 2007, at least 3,000 missiles have been fired on Israel from the Gaza strip — the majority fired from civilian areas into civilian areas.

Israel’s blockade of Gaza is in place for the purpose of keeping boats bound for Gaza from smuggling weapons to Hamas. At least twice in the past, Israel has intercepted weapons-laden ships from Iran destined for Hezbollah and Gaza. Standard procedure is for ships to stop and be boarded and searched. The ship in question was repeatedly ordered to stop and submit to search (the first five in the flotilla had) and repeatedly refused. When Israeli troops boarded the ship, they were attacked.

Israel does have the right to defend itself.

This whole thing was obviously a set-up, but most of the press still doesn’t get it, and so the immortal phrase “useful idiots” comes to mind.

Again.

Terence McManus, New Sharon