It's hard to improve on the Wall Street Journal's above title when it comes to accurately depicting the global siege directed against Israel for its enforcing of its naval blockade of terrorist-ruled Gaza.
S.Raymond's letter (Weekend Sun 24/09) responding to Mary Brooks is correct … Hamas has been playing the victim's card for too long. No doubt Mary is sincere in her view that Israel is the villain and Gaza the victim. The facts are, however, different to that.
The blockade busting ship Mavi Marmara was part of a 'Peace” flotilla - partly manned by Muslim extremists - orchestrated by Hamas to bring global condemnation on Israel. Since the boarding took place, photos have been released to the media showing samples of the weapons that were found on board. The Investigate magazine (July 2010) seems to be the only NZ media to have published even one of those photos.
The terror group Hamas rules Gaza with an iron fist. And according to the London Telegraph some citizens of Gaza blame Hamas for their depredations.
At times, Israel must be a nerve-wracking place to live, surrounded by millions of religious extremists. Israel is peppered with rockets supplied by Iran who, along with Hamas, openly calls for the destruction of Israel and the killing of Jews.
Israel is not at strife with the people of Gaza; and goes to great lengths to organise the transfer of some 15,000 tons of humanitarian aid each week to Gaza, where 80% of the population relies on United Nations food handouts to survive.
It would be interesting to know who comprises the remaining 20%.
G Allan, Tauranga.