By Rabbi Yossi Marcus
I have a question for the world:
Really?!
Thousands of truly innocent civilians are dying in wars around the world without a peep from the “international community.” But the deaths of nine members of a terrorist-supporting Turkish group who attacked with intent to kill Israeli soldiers, this inspires worldwide condemnation and demand for inquires?
Really?!
North Korea slaughters South Koreans at sea. No inquiry.
Men and women beaten and killed daily for political dissent or other so-called crimes in the Middle East. Snooze.
Russia destroys Grozny killing tens of thousands. Pass the ketchup.
US drones doing their thing in Afghanistan with much collateral damage. Business as usual.
But Israel, surrounded by enemies who aim their rockets at kindergartens, enforces its blockade and kills nine agitators: Everybody and their uncle chimes in and is "outraged"!
From Hamas and Fatah, from Iran and the Arab world, we’ve learned to expect this language of “massacre” and demand for “UN inquiries” following the successful PR stunts of those who seek Israel’s destruction.
Turkey, occupying half of Cyprus, from which they sent their provocation boats, is lecturing Israel on occupation? Really??!!)
A “Botched” Raid
And a message to Americans critics: Could Israel have neutralized the situation differently? Maybe. I don't know. But if that’s what you‘re criticizing, let’s have a look at our record in dealing with “civilian” boats challenging our sovereignty, who are ready to kill our soldiers and even die as martyrs in the process. It is not something we have to deal with, so perhaps we should reserve judgment.
By the way, memo to “activists” teaming up with terrorist organizations: You are no longer a “civilian” when you announce your intentions to enter a war zone and defy a country’s sovereignty (yes, even when you’re still in international waters). Please don’t put yourself in the same boat, excuse the pun, as MLK and others who used civil disobedience for political change. When you block a street in Chicago you are not declaring war on America. When you attempt to interfere with Israel’s military actions against those who bomb kindergatens you are declaring war on Israel and supporting terrorism.
Action
Friends, I encourage you to go out and protest today in SF (see below) and/or send a letter to local media. Here’s what I sent KCBS 740 after hearing a one-sided interview with one of the provocateurs:
In an interview today with one of the anti-Israel provocateurs from the infamous "flotilla," you allowed him to perpetuate the lie that this was about humanitarian aid, when in fact it was about breaking a blockade against the terrorist entity, Hamas. The five boats whose passengers did not attack the soldiers were brought peacefully to Ashdod from where the aid will be passed through the normal channels after inspection. I would appreciate if you can stop perpetuating this lie, as in your headline: "The demonstration was in response to an Israeli raid on "an international civilian aid mission to Gaza." It was not an aid mission but a publicity stunt and a provocation, as the organizers themselves have stated.
Respectfully, Rabbi Yosef Marcus, S. Mateo, CA
The Future
As a religious Jew and a believer in Isaiah’s prophecy that one day we will know war no more, that nations will not lift swords against each other, I hope for and look forward to world peace. Despite the picture painted above, I believe we live in a very fast age. As bad as things seem today, as isolated as Israel is today, as dishonest and hypocritical as the "international community" seems to be, recent history shows us how quickly things can turn around. In the past, we’ve seen rapid deterioration. Let us hope we are in from some rapid improvement.