That didn't go well.
Israel stopped a flotilla of ships bound for Gaza, using what appears to be an overkill of naval commandos to board and take over ships loaded with supplies for Hamas-ruled Gaza. A gun battle erupted as Israeli commandos rappelled onto the ship from helicopters. The Gaza activists say the Israelis came out firing; Israel says its troops were attacked with metal rods, knives and pistols. Whoever made the first hostile move, Israel comes across looking like a bully.
Free Gaza, the pro-Palestinian group that had organized the flotilla to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza, had trumpeted its effort for maximum publicity. Israel had done a less effective job of offering to accept the tons of aid bound for Gaza, inspect it for weapons and other banned materials and deliver the goods to Gaza. With yesterday's naval gun battle, world opinion has turned against Israel for its disproportionate use of force and has turned attention away from the repressive and militant regime in Gaza, which routinely allows missile attacks on Israel.
Free Gaza is reveling in its publicity coup as Israel tries to be heard above the din of international condemnation. The flotilla didn't reach Gaza and didn't pierce the Israeli blockade, but it did achieve its objective of embarrassing and isolating Israel.
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