Will Israel be let off the hook, again?
It all boils down to this: There is no law but Israeli law, no legitimacy but Israeli legitimacy and no truth but Israel's version of the truth.
In spite of the shock, pain and anger that was felt across the world in reaction to Israel's bloody dawn attack against the humanitarian aid flotilla heading to Gaza on Monday, which killed and injured scores of international activists, the Jewish state brushed aside condemnations and criticisms and appeared unrepentant and shameless.
Not only that, but Israeli officials were quick to justify the massacre that its soldiers had perpetrated, alleging that the elite commando force was attacked, with sticks and knives, and even fired upon. One official said those on board were not peace activists and aid workers but sympathizers of Hamas and supporters of terrorism. The organizers of the aid-to-Gaza flotilla had expected all possible scenarios; to be forced to turn back from where they came, to be diverted to an Israeli port and even to be arrested and later deported. But no one imagined that a cold-blooded massacre was in store; that unarmed civilian opponents of the three-year Gaza siege will be gunned down while the entire world was watching.
The flotilla of six ships, carrying around 700 international activists, including European parliamentarians, and laden with 10,000 tons of essential aid and building material to the people of Gaza, was on its way to the stricken strip when it was intercepted by Israeli helicopters and navy ships in international waters.
Video clips sent almost immediately by those on board showed Israeli commandos being lowered from helicopters onto the largest vessel, Marmara, followed by scenes of dead and injured passengers lying on the ground. The rattle of gunfire could be heard in the background.
Nothing can justify this latest Israeli crime. The attack was deliberate, ordered by Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak and blessed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was in Canada preparing for a visit to Washington on Tuesday to meet President Barack Obama.
Diplomatic nightmare
There were many quick and fiery reactions from world capitals, both public and official. From a PR point of view, it was a nightmare for Israeli diplomacy. But if Israel thought it can sustain few days of bashing by the international community before it could walk away, free of guilt and accountability, it was wrong.
Of all the angry reactions that poured from Arab, Muslim and foreign capitals, Turkey's was the most profound and sincere. After all, the Liberty Fleet mission was organized and supported mainly by Turkish humanitarian agencies and donors. The biggest ship in the flotilla carried a Turkish flag and many of the dead and injured were Turkish nationals.
Turkish-Israeli relations have been strained for months, and the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quick to denounce the attack, accusing the Israeli government of violating international law and of committing an act of piracy.
'Act of state terrorism'
It called for an emergency meeting of the UN's General Assembly and said Israel must endure the consequences of its action. Erdogan, who interrupted a visit to South America and headed home, described the Israeli interception as an act of state terrorism. They were tough words coming from a man who does not beat around the bush when it comes to expressing his emotions, especially on the continuing plight of Gazans.
Even in Israel there were voices that debunked the official version and expressed doubts about the wisdom of the government's action and long-term strategy on Gaza. Bradley Burston, writing in Haaretz, said that "we are no longer defending Israel. We are now defending the siege, which is becoming Israel's Vietnam." He concluded by saying that instead of focusing on Iran, "Netanyahu must recognize that the world is now focused on Israel and the threat it poses to the people of Gaza."
The Arab reaction was confused and confusing. Qatar and Syria called for an emergency session of the Arab League at ministerial level, but between threatening to withdraw the Arab peace initiative and waiting to see where the White House will finally draw the line, nothing much was forthcoming.
President Obama finds himself once more trumped by Netanyahu, who always puts himself one step ahead of his American allies. Now he is exerting pressure again on the Obama administration. As the Security Council debated Turkey's draft statement, the US stepped in to water down its wording; a gesture toward Israel, which could always rely on the blind backing of Washington, no matter the crime.
It is a setback for peace efforts, but the tragic death of humanitarian activists rallying to support over 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza under siege should not be in vain. This is an opportunity to end this unlawful, criminal and unjustified blockade once and for all.
It is ironic that there are those, among the Arab countries, who would not be happy if the Gaza siege is lifted, but this is no longer about politics; Hamas, Israel and Palestinian power struggle. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is unprecedented in modern history; it is a crime against humanity and an affront to international law and the Geneva Conventions. It must end and the time to end it is now.
On the other hand, Israel's disregard for international law must be brought to a just conclusion. The West, especially America, have justified Israeli atrocities and its fascist policies against the Palestinian people for too long. The time for reckoning has come and Israel's crime in the high seas should not go unpunished.
— Osama Al Sharif is a veteran journalist and a political commentator based in Jordan.
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