I’m told there won’t be any daylight between the US and Israel in the aftermath of the incident on the flotilla yesterday, which resulted in the deaths of 10 activists.Not that I'm surprised in any way shape or form. Not that I approve of what Israel did. But the reality is (and as much as it really, really galls me to type this) my usual peanut gallery is correct: another flotilla at this point is just something to try to provoke an Israeli naval response. Especially now that Egypt has opened its Gaza crossing, it's time for Obama to show some serious diplomatic chops and convince Turkey and Egypt to make a major aid package to Gaza through Egypt. Make a big huge show of it if you want to, invite Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on down, have Turkey PM Erdogan there too, get photo ops with little Palestinian kids on your laps, whatever.
Regardless of the details of the flotilla incident, sources say President Obama is focused on what he sees as the longer term issue here: a successful Mideast peace process.
“The president has always said that it will be much easier for Israel to make peace if it feels secure,” a senior administration official tells ABC News.
The suggestion is that US condemnation of Israel would further isolate that country, and make further peace negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians even more difficult.
But Turkey blockade running with warships, not an option. Cooler heads need to prevail here, and it's time for Obama to be as chill as Point Barrow, Alaska in January. He's made the argument time and time again that diplomacy and smart power are the keys to peace in the Middle East, well hey, this is the perfect time to prove it.
I understand Turkey's goal is to draw attention to the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza. Well, you've gotten Egypt to open its crossing as a result...take advantage of it. Get the aid in there, and let's prove that diplomacy is better than bullets.
Obama has the chance to show some true leadership here. I hope that he takes the opportunity.
Why, thie represents actual critical thinking on your part! Admission that the flotilla is designed specifically to provoke an international incident, it's almost like you're looking at the facts! I'm impressed. Now if we can only cure you of this idiotic notion that Obama is relevant anymore, there might be hope for you yet!
ReplyDeleteThat condescension is leaving a small pool on the floor. Please clean that up, if you don't mind.
ReplyDeleteLook, I don't want a war any more than you guys do. What Israel did was stupid and abominable, let's get that straight now. I wholly condemn it.
But it's also stupid for Turkey to try another flotilla and not to expect the same thing to happen again.
See I disagree, the blockade has been there since Jan 2009, why fight it? I'm not sure the validity of them but look on YouTube, there are videos showing these "activists" attacking the Israeli's. Sorry but I just don't buy that they weren't there to cause a scene. Let them inspect your ship and go on your way.
ReplyDeleteLater tonight, I will crash through Booger Eatin Moron's bedroom window after rappelling from a helicopter to inspect the consumer content tags on his mattresses and pillows. If he acts to prevent me from carrying out this police action, I will kill him in self-defense.
ReplyDeleteYour example is fail and isn't the same, but thanks for playing.
ReplyDeleteHaving more than a weeks notice from the Israeli's saying "Hey don't come through and if you do we'll be searching your ship" plus knowing that the blockade has been in place since Jan 2009.
Fail. harder.
Yeah, but in my example, you're still dead.
ReplyDeleteWin.
Well it's obvious by what you write that you live in your own little world.
ReplyDeleteStill fail.
You're still dead.
ReplyDeleteDead is forever.
So is stupid Allan...so is stupid..
ReplyDelete