Stronger Govt reaction required

Israel’s recent use of violence against the aid flotilla to Gaza - a brutal attack on civilians acting out of compassion - demands a stronger reaction from our government than Murray McCully’s insipid words, which strangely echo Hilary Clinton’s!
Blockading Gaza, denying innocents basic necessities, and making everyday life intolerable; isolating 1.5 million people into a small area one third the size of the Coromandel - this is collective punishment. Moderates and world leaders are labelling it not only immoral but ineffective and unsustainable. The Israeli Govt alleges they are “protecting security”. There is never justification for denying human rights and such callous treatment of human beings. If it weren’t for the USA’s unswerving protection of Israel, the international community would not have tolerated this for so long. What further atrocities does Israel have to commit before the USA withdraws its support for this oppressive rogue government?
Criticism of Israel’s official policy is not to be confused with anti-Semitism. Accusations of anti-Semitism are attempts to silence dissent and will not lessen opposition to Israel’s racist policy. Nor will it suppress worldwide abhorrence of such policy. Israel is rapidly losing support and becoming increasingly isolated, repressive and intolerant of criticism. Are Jews inside and out of Israel expected to give their unconditional support to a govt that oppresses and kills Palestinians under the pretext of security?
It is time that all decent and compassionate people, Jews and non-Jews around the world, united in their condemnation of Israel’s blockade of Palestinians trapped in Gaza. And it is time that international pressure was put on Israel just as it was put on the South African perpetrators of apartheid until it ends.
Dr Ron Lopert, Welcome Bay.