A Moral High Ground in the Middle East

The so-called Peace Flotilla was meant to send a message to Israel and to the world. The message was that the blockade of the Gaza Strip is unjust, and should be discontinued. Many fell under the spell of this illusion, -- including at least one Holocaust survivor who met with some of the "peace" activists -- but an illusion it is. The recent rocket attacks from Egypt and Gaza have demonstrated why.

The purpose of the blockade was to protect Eilat, Sderot and other cities that are threatened by such rockets. Given that nobody has yet come forward to claim credit for the attacks of Monday, August 1st, it is clear that these are not political statements. Hamas or possibly others are using these inaccurate but deadly weapons to terrorise Israeli civilians and provoke the Israeli government into actions. As with the flotilla, Israel's response -- regardless of appropriateness -- is sure to draw criticism.

This is mass insanity. Like all nations, Israel has a right to defend itself. Surely the blockade of Gaza is more humane than bloody urban warfare with Hamas. Besides military confrontation and quarantining their hostile neighbors, what options do the Israelis have? Yet, for having the audacity to choose the lesser of two evils, the Israelis are accused of violating the rights of Palestinians.

What separates the Israelis from their enemies is that the Israelis do not deny this. The people of Israel are honest enough to discuss these alleged violations. Groups like B'tselem are a source of self-criticism. Whatever the merits of these groups and their allegations, it is clear that there is a moral compass guiding the people of Israel that seems to be completely absent in, say, the perpetrators of the Jenin hoax.

Consider the actions of Israel's enemies. Suicide bombers have attacked innocent and largely random civilians. The recent rocket attacks are attempts to deprive Israelis of basic security. The dissembling flotilla "peace" activists attacked Israeli commandos, needlessly escalating the confrontation to a deadly skirmish. These are not, by any meaningful standard, moral actions. They are the rejection of morality itself.

If the ends justify the means, then morality does not exist. Morality, if it exists at all, consists not just of good intentions but just actions. Do not steal; do not kill; do not bear false witness: it is clear that these basic precepts have no meaning for the amoral murderers who currently threaten Israel. How ironic it is that Israel is cast by the international community as lacking due regard for righteousness.