Israel: Self-Defense or Lunacy?

Memorial Day marks the special day when Americans mourn the loss of loved ones who have laid down their lives for America's liberty. This year, however, May 31 was the day when at least nine "Free Gaza" flotilla members were killed in conflict when Israeli commandos boarded their ship. Unquestioningly, virtually all of the United States stands behind Israel, waving the symbolic blue-and-white flag and swearing unswerving devotion, promising to back them up 100% no matter what they do, how they do it, or who they do it to.

In response to international outrage, Israel is pleading "self-defense," "They started it!" and the ever popular "They were about to start it!" Yet the flotilla members don't get such a luxury; they provoked Israel and are being held at fault for their wrongful acts of self-defense on May 31. Instead of being taken for granted, this double standard should make us wonder: Is Israel the only nation, party, or group that can act in self-defense?

In order to answer this, we have to stop focusing on the details: which activist made the first move, how "prepared" he was, or which commando hit the decks of the "Free Gaza" first. Norman Finkelstein, in an interview with RT ('Israel Is A Lunatic State' - Finkelstein on Gaza Flotilla Attack), confirms what we should already be aware of: The blockade was illegal in the first place, and Israel used armed forces to attack a humanitarian convoy in international waters, which is also illegal.

Because the blockade is illegal based on its violation of international law, (Is Israel Exempt From International Law?), it was illegal for Israel to seize and board the "Free Gaza," under the claim that the flotilla was a violent attempt to penetrate the blockade.  Israel boarded a ship they had no right to board that was bearing humanitarian aid to a country they have no right to blockade.

In light of that, who acted in self-defense? Israel's military, with its team of trained and armed commandos, killed nine untrained and unarmed civilians. Yet Americans still insist the flotilla remains at fault because the occupants should have peacefully allowed Israel to illegally seize and sail their ship, by force, and the fatalities are their own fault because they resisted.

The flotilla activists may have started the conflict, although no one can seem to agree on the "he-said, she-said" points. But the activists were clearly not at fault; they had every right to defend themselves against a virtually invading military. Yes, they may have been "prepared." Wouldn't you be? Some citizens of America carry concealed weapons to the grocery store.  Why can't a humanitarian aid flotilla carry "concealed" weapons like wooden sticks, chains, kitchen knives, and chairs across international waters? The "Free Gaza" flotilla is a humanitarian organization, not a military one, and their choice of weapons certainly reflected that.  

The law defines self-defense as "the right to protect oneself against violence or threatened violence with whatever force or means are reasonably necessary." Thus, the civilians on the flotilla acted lawfully and reasonably to protect themselves and their ship from being boarded, seized, and evacuated. No matter what their motive or means, they had every right to defend themselves against Israel's illegal act of piracy.

In the same interview with RT, Finkelstein asserts that Israel has been acting like a "lunatic state," with the intention of creating international fear of its military might and nuclear weapon capacity. Yet, in light of the events of Memorial Day, Finkelstein rightly asks, "Have they actually become a lunatic state?"

It's difficult to disagree with such an assessment. Israel is clearly in over its head, fighting the tide by acting out in the dictionary's definition of lunacy: "wild and recklessly foolish." Meanwhile, the United States defies the UN by turning their backs on reason and international law, promising support (in other words, our tax dollars) to Israel even as the death toll is rising and Israel is committing unwarranted murders. Gaza is still illegally under siege. Nine peace activists are still dead.

With all of the pointed fingers and the confusion, whom are we supposed to believe? America, who supports unfailingly and without question these violent and aggressive violations of humanitarian rights? Or the nine peace activists slain merely for defending themselves, or the 1.5 million Gazans besieged, punished, and restricted without legal cause?

It shouldn't be hard to figure out.