After the Gaza convoy killings: the roadblock to the roadmap
Posted on Monday 31 May, 2010
Filed Under Israel
ISRAEL seemingly revels in brutality to a degree without current parallel among democratic nations. Time after time, its actions underline a determination to ignore the standard strictures that constrain states to use only the minimum degree of force rightly or wrongly considered consistent with legitimate national interests.
Instead, it seems willfully to rejoice in exceeding those bounds, confusing deliberate resort to repression with display of strength as it props up its self image as the toughest kid on the Middle East block.
Whatever the death toll that arises from this morning’s attack on a convoy of vessels bound for Gaza, the loss of life seems entirely without justification on the basis of the facts as they are known so far. That the bloodshed has state sanction only serves to render it morally more despicable.
What we have is another illustration of the doctrine of disproportionate response, seen otherwise in the Gaza incursions of 2008-09 or the assassination of Mahmoud al Mabhouh in Dubai earlier this year.
Israel’s frankest defenders freely acknowledge that this policy is not in the country’s long-term best interests. It is disastrous for its standing among liberal opinion in the west, and only reinforces the hatred and hostility to which it is subject across the Middle East and wider Muslim world.
The approach of the Israeli government conclusively shows that it has no desire to reach accommodation with Hamas on any reasonable basis. It’s apologists will pause here to ask whether it should come to an accommodation with Hamas; pragmatism alone suggests the answer to the question can only be yes if Tel Aviv is serious about achieving any workable settlement to the Israel/Palestine problem.
Gratuitous misuse of violence as the foundation of Israeli statecraft inflames the suspicion that the Israeli political class has no intention of securing a two state solution, or indeed any solution whatsoever, and in reality prefers a murderous status quo.
Nor do the routine pro forma condemnations that will inevitably issue from the mealy mouths of the quartet provide reassurance that the international community is genuine in its purported desire for a deal.
I’m neither under any illusions about the repugnant anti-semitism of Hamas, nor unaware of Israel’s contribution to its genesis. But I do know that the engrained obstructionism at any price currently instantiated by the Netanyahu administration acts as an absolute roadblock to the roadmap.
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41 Responses to “After the Gaza convoy killings: the roadblock to the roadmap”
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Which idiot gave the order to board? And to open fire?
I suppose it’ll all come out sooner or later.
As PR disasters go, ths eclipses the Gaza onslaught.
Check ou what is being said on the Haaretz website to know what intelligent Israelis are thinking and saying today.
Check it out:
http://www.haaretz.com/
All over Britain, Hamas supporters will be joyful and exultant today.
Intelligent Israelis? Looks like pure unadulterated Israeli state propaganda to me.
Greta Berlin makes the right connection: “Do they think that because they can attack Palestinians indiscriminately they can attack anyone?”
Apparently so.
“All over Britain, Hamas supporters will be joyful and exultant today”
Oh, pleeze… The only people joyful and exultant today are Israelis, to be seen on Sky TV waving their flags and celebrating another glorious victory by their murderous thugs. Sky TV also showed what happened when two young women in Muslim dress walked past the crowd. A section turned on them screaming ‘Death to Arabs!’
That’s the true face of this rancid little settler state and its sectarian supporters.
Interestingly, Hague has “.. called on the Government of Israel to open all crossings for aid to enter Gaza and deplored the loss of life during the interception of the Gaza Flotilla.” and to “…lift the restrictions on access to Gaza, in line with UNSCR 1860″. Full text here: http://tinyurl.com/create.php
Fair enough? (And would he have done that without clearing it with the US?)
Also Craig Murray claims the legal situation is that either Israel Govt authorised the attack – in which case it is an act of war, or it didn’t – in which case the killers must be tried in Turkey (the killings happening on board a Turkish ship in international waters).
And Turkey says the next(!) aid ship will have Turkish navy escorts.
Pete
Well done Israeli soldiers for defending yourselves. Soldiers do not give a fuck for the state when their lives are in danger. It is funny watching the rent a mob Hamas supporters in London. This story will blow over like the rest when this is proven to have been orchestrated by supporters of terrorism.
Funny sort of peace activists that wear army fatigues (camoflague) and chant ‘Remember Khaibar. The army of Mohammed will reeturn’. One wonders if this isn’t all an exercise in uniting the Turkish nation what with it’s own internal problems.
I note the islamic carpet kneelers are still protesting in London. Well it is a bank holiday. Back to work tomorrow.
James Glasgow:
“Well done Israeli soldiers for defending yourselves. Soldiers do not give a fuck for the state when their lives are in danger.”
I think I’ve changed my mind about you, James. That is just a plain fucking stupid thing to say. I used to take you for a (right-wing) Labour loyalist, it seems you’re just a nutcase.
SueR:
“Funny sort of peace activists that wear army fatigues (camoflague) and chant ‘Remember Khaibar. The army of Mohammed will reeturn’. One wonders if this isn’t all an exercise in uniting the Turkish nation what with it’s own internal problems.”
Wonder all you like SueR, it’s still a load of bollocks. Can’t you see the aggressive use of state power when it’s displayed right in your face?
Lobby. You are entitled to call me what you want in our democracy. I will not be offended. I promise not to cut your hands off! Actually I am left wing Labour. I do not support cuts in services. Tax the rich Lobby.
It’s extremely rarely that I agree with Southpawpunch, but it does seem that the formerly interesting (if often infuriating) comments section of this blog is increasingly becoming a hang-out exclusively for sociopaths and racists. No wonder others don’t wish to particiate with this stench wafting about.
Stack,Finton,Fr. And what is the stench you wish you to waffle.
It’s been a failing of Dave for a considerable time to entertain the delusion that the left can have any kind of useful debate with pro-imperialist scum like Denham and the AWL. Hence they continue to buzz around his blog, spreading their poison.
I understand how this PR business works now.
Exodus = Good PR
Mavi Marmara = Bad PR
Give me job call me Dave. Go on. Nick? William? Come on give me a job. Yosser’s back.
“I think I’ve changed my mind about you, James[Glesga]. That is just a plain fucking stupid thing to say. I used to take you for a (right-wing) Labour loyalist, it seems you’re just a nutcase.” Lobby Ludd
You’re quick on the uptake mate.
Would it surprise anyone to know that we had a conversation at work – no Muslims were present – a few days ago.
We agreed that the Israelis ought to:
* Wait til the vessels had all left international waters and entered the waters regarded as belonging to Gaza.
* Use seagoing tugs to stop the vessels and then to compel the vessels to go to Ashdod.
* Refrain from boarding the vessels of the flotilla until the flotilla was intered at Ashdod and certainly not to sent boarding parties aboard without neutral camera teams present.
Evidently the Great Brains of the Israeli War Machine thought they’d be dealing …
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-fears-diplomatic-backlash-in-wake-of-gaza-flotilla-deaths-1.293413
… with a bunch of Joan-Baez-type Aldermaston marchers and organic-lentil-munchers singing ‘Kumbaya’ rather than a mob of enraged Turks eager for martyrdom.
A serious ‘Category Mistake’ as Americans say.
It was Exodus in reverse.
One Turkish source assumes that Turks were among those slain …
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=turk-israeli-ties-beyond-the-point-of-no-return-2010-05-31
… not exactly Turkish delight.
WIN-WIN FOR HAMAS …
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/stephaniegutmann/100041664/gaza-peace-ship-shoot-out-is-a-win-win-for-hamas/
… says Stephanie Gutmann and she’s 100% right, of course!
The whole world and its mother is weeping at this tragedy.
There is one group at fault: the Israeli government.
That is the end of it.
A monstrous, counter productive act that can only bring shame on Israel. They need to lift the blockade as a matter of urgency and stop punishing the Palestinians for electing Hamas.
Then I think the world community can start to have real dialogue with them on how the peace process should map out. Their currently policies make my sympathy all one way I am afraid.
I tend to think the one state solution is more appealing but i guess that is up to the parties directly involved.
The other four ships in the convoy managed to make it safely into Ashdod port. What was it about this ship that made them stand and fight?
Exactly SueR. The truth will be revealed. I reckon it was idiot islamic martyrs and even so it will not stop the friends of Palestine from using this incident to have a go at Israel. Strange how you never see the Islamists on the British streets protesting about the daily bloodbath in Pakistan.
“What was it about this ship that made them stand and fight?”
Bravery in the face of terror? Just like that Glasgow airport guy.
The Turks should be really proud of these heroes.
“What was it about this ship that made them stand and fight?”
Bravery in the face of terror? Just like that Glasgow airport guy.
The Turks should be really proud of these heroes.
This is why I come here..I love the nuanced analysis from the commenters.
JOHNNO. The Glasgow Airport hero set himself on fire. A truly great martyr for the true faith. If all the islamists were like him then a few gallons of petrol would solve the problem. Why waste expensive bullets.
terry at 12.38: “That’s the true face of this rancid little settler state and its sectarian supporters.”
And you, terry, represent the rancid face of little ol’ Israel-haters who don’t give a damn about peace and reconciliation, are overjoyed by barbaric acts like this latest one, don’t give a damn about a Palestinian state, but just want to see Israel destroyed and its inhabitants aquainted with the waters of the Mediteranian sea.
I think Johnno is referring to the scotsman who tackled the terrorist doctors, not the doctors themselves. But, maybe I am wrong; he could mean the bravery of the terrorists as they struggled to fix their broken bomb, knowing that the Police and the crowd would soon be upon them.
How truly wonderful to see the UK Labour Party fearlessly racing to the medya to LOUDLY condemn this latest example of “Progresesive Zionism” in action? Not as if there’s a leadership election on is there? Not as if the Friends of Israel and its associated covern of “progessive” lobbyists, spinners and well-connected hacks had any influence on the party and its policy, is there?
Thank God for that.
Where’s Dennis Macshane? Missed his bus?
There’ll be BBC another one along soon.
SueR. The great Scottish hero SMEATO who put the boot into a nutter who was on fire. No point in taking any chances!
Not as if the Friends of Israel and its associated covern of “progessive” lobbyists, spinners and well-connected hacks had any influence on the party and its policy, is there?
They have a “covern?” (sic.)
Who knew?
‘covern’? Is that like a coven or a cabal?
‘covern’? Is that like a coven or a cabal?
It might be a cover.
This one perhaps. http://toiletpapercovers.com/octopus.html
It even has a red star.
Scratch. That was funny a Red octopus. Those Red tentacles are everwhere. Jim Denham hopes.
Jimmy: you questioned my labour movement credentials: I have asked you to back up yhour question: answer me, please. With evidence.
Jim Denham. You did not mention labour movement credentials whatever that is. So how could I question it! I do not recall asking you a question.
See my reply to you, Jimmy, on the “Woodly, Unite” thread.
More news from the Cove(r)n … (Oh don’t carp, it’s where the Moptops played back in the day)…
“The Tories are now in coalition with the Israel-bashing LibDems, who would blame Israel even if jihadis were to sail a flotilla up the Thames and take the entire LibDem leadership hostage.” ~ Mad Mel Phillips, Spectator, yesterday.
“jihadis” – “flotilla” – see how she did that in one swift Mad Mel move?
Although that “Lib Dem hostage” idea sounds good to me…