Like most of you, I awoke this morning to the disturbing news that Israeli commandos had raided a flotilla of “peaceful” ships trying to bring food to the residents of Gaza. In their “brazen” assault, the Israelis had killed at least ten “peace activists.” Oh no, I feared, perhaps some of those young Israeli soldiers finally snapped under the pressure. This time, they went too far. They had spilled the blood of those who had chosen the path of peace.
Then the facts of what actually happened began to emerge. As they did so, it became increasingly apparent that the Israelis had acted in self defense, after repeated attempts to avert violence had been ignored. And it also became clear that once again Israel’s side of the story was neither obvious nor simple. It takes an open mind and knowledge of the facts to understand what led to today’s tragedy at sea. Lacking both, most observers issued their guilty verdict against Israel the minute the death toll was announced.
First of all, this “humanitarian” flotilla was, at best, a cynical PR stunt. There is no food shortage in Gaza. Israel maintains an open corridor for the transfer of food to Gaza, and this route is used daily by legitimate relief organizations including the United Nations and the Red Cross. Over the last 18 months, well over a million tons of humanitarian supplies have entered Gaza from Israel. This equals almost a ton of aid for every man, woman and child in Gaza.
Secondly, the Israelis offered the flotilla a peaceful way to resolve the conflict. They proposed that the ships dock at Israel’s southern port of Ashdod and unload their cargo there. The Israelis pledged to transfer all truly humanitarian cargo to Gaza. They simply wanted to screen the cargo first so that they could ensure that no arms or explosives were hidden among the food and other legitimate items. This offer was flatly rejected.
Only then — when faced with the declared intention of these ships to break Israel’s security blockade of Gaza – did Israel decide to board the ships and bring them to Ashdod by force. To do otherwise would have been to allow Israel’s opponents to dictate Israel’s security policy. The Gaza strip is controlled by Hamas, a terrorist organization openly committed to Israel’s destruction. As the constant smuggling of arms and rockets into Gaza – and their repeated use by Hamas — makes clear, Israel has every right and reason to screen shipments going into Gaza.
So long as the Israeli soldiers who boarded these boats were met by peaceful protests, no one was hurt. Of the six ships in the flotilla, Israeli naval forces boarded five of them without incident. Only on one ship – the Marmara — did Israeli soldiers harm passengers. Why did they do so? As videos taken by Israel’s navy since made clear, the Israelis boarding this particular ship met with instant and vicious violence. As the Israeli soldiers were lowered one-by-one onto the ship by helicopter, they were assaulted by an angry mob that beat them with metal rods and knives, threw them off the sides of the deck, and reportedly stole their handguns and shot at them. What awaited the Israelis was a lynch mob, pure and simple. Only after the mob began using deadly force did the Israelis respond with deadly force to save their lives.
Anyone doubting the intensity and severity of the attack by the so-called peace activists should watch the following video taken by the Israeli navy. It is sobering.
We will no doubt learn more of the specifics in the days to come. And we may well come to learn that the Israelis made mistakes in the planning and execution of this operation. But as the initial facts have emerged, it has already become clear that these soldiers were acting in self defense, and would never have resorted to violence had they not genuinely feared for their lives. Yet as in prior conflicts, Israel’s efforts at self defense are being twisted and distorted by the very people who provoked and now celebrate the violence.
So here we go again. Prepare for a wave of attacks and vitriol to crash upon Israel. Get ready for lies and exaggeration to control the media coverage. And gird yourself to stand up and spread the truth. Because once again, the truth is Israel’s ally. And once again, it is up to us to spread the truth when others will not.
If you have not yet signed the Israel pledge, please click here to do so now. And if it is at all possible, please join us in Washington, DC this July. It was already clear months ago that this DC Summit was going to be our most important one yet. And the stakes have steadily risen since then. We need to show up in DC record numbers to make Israel’s case to our elected officials and to the general public. Yes, the truth is Israel’s ally. But the truth will be lost in a sea of lies without witnesses willing to testify.
Brog's Blog 
I hope the president saw this.God is on your side Israel and i am praying for you
Comment by Lenny Guere — June 8, 2010 @ 7:43 pm
let’s pray for israel ..
i bless israel ..
Comment by regina justicya — June 10, 2010 @ 1:41 am
The Americans and all Christians must drop the idea of this political correctness and face this terrorist that call themselves Islamic fundamentalist.Enough is enough.
Comment by Sulisma G Lemuel — June 10, 2010 @ 6:32 pm
‘Scott’, who posted a reply to me on 6, June at 3.26 am, and to the host of this blog, et. al.
How interesting, and of course predictable that my original comment here has been removed. But not my second one. Just yet. I’m sure it will be. We can’t have any voices of reason, transparency and outrage at Israeli crimes here on your precious defense-of Israel-no-matter-how-illegal-and-inhuman-its-actions blog, now can we. The ‘Christian Zionist’ movement has to be impervious to criticism, fair play, justice and international scrutiny, now doesn’t it? After all, its agenda is distinctly in opposition to anything really, properly, humanistically righteous, isn’t it. Oh dear, there we go with that ‘Satanic’ word ‘humanism’ again. How horrible of us!
Did you check the Guardian link I supplied? No, of course not. Why do that?
Comment by Barry Greene — June 10, 2010 @ 9:00 pm
God bless Israel. Israel’s rejection of the messiah(Jesus Christ) is the reason why the gentiles could recieve the gospel. So the beleivers all over the world have a responsiblity to pray for Jerusalem.
Comment by Charles George — June 15, 2010 @ 10:40 am
What is blatantly obvious to me now is the amount of antisemtism that exists in the world today. While on vacation last week, I was visiting a denominational church and a woman stood up in the middle of the service and blasted Israel for defending its country. Appalled I sat in utter shock as the pastor of the church did or said nothing to this woman. If that isn’t bad enough I look at the events of the flotilla incident and I see the same tactics being used in the American media against Israel, as the German newspaper and radio propaganda of the World War II era. If we do not wake up in this country, we will allow another episode of the holocaust to occur. Maybe we should all read Genesis 12:3 again and see if it can penetrate our dying gray matter and pierce our hardened hearts. I thank God for Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem daily.
Comment by Karl D. Pabst Sr — June 15, 2010 @ 12:42 pm
I’ll pray to israel,God is blessing all of you
Comment by bambang triono — June 16, 2010 @ 10:51 pm
GOD be with ISRAEL…..
Comment by Anonymous — June 25, 2010 @ 2:48 pm
I wish i could join the rally..there are lots of friends of isreal in my country ie nigeria.but we are with you in parayers.
facing similar situation here too lies and distortion of truth in newspapers and news media.why dont more of christians own news media houses too?
Comment by Martins — July 2, 2010 @ 4:23 pm
u know what ? all of u jews lovers…why don’t u try to come to Palestine and see what is happening there by yourself ?
all the things u all said here are unbalanced…
Comment by AteX — July 4, 2010 @ 5:36 am
I thank GOD for ISRAEL and pray for the peace of jerusalem daily. ISRAEL is rejection of the Messiah (JESUS CHRIST)..So the believers all over the world have a responsibility to pray for Jerusalem. GOD be with ISRAEL.
Comment by silvana — July 31, 2010 @ 6:05 am
ISRAEL NEVER DIE!!!
Comment by zordranger — August 14, 2010 @ 7:46 am
one thing, i just wanna see peace there, the holy places for all jew, christian, and moslems.
Comment by i love indo — August 16, 2010 @ 1:45 am
may i see the refferences
Comment by imanuel — September 4, 2010 @ 9:43 am
If you desire to get much from this piece of writing then you have to apply
such strategies to your won blog.
Comment by click to more — April 30, 2013 @ 9:40 am
Some genuinely nice and utilitarian info on this internet site, also I conceive the design and style has superb features.
Comment by Christina Granvil — June 1, 2016 @ 9:07 pm
I used to be suggested this website through my cousin. I am not
sure whether or not this publish is written through him as no one else realize
such specific approximately my trouble. You are amazing! Thank you!
Comment by Lorie — February 18, 2019 @ 7:35 pm