So what if Israel is a long-term ally and "friend" of Australia? What have they ever done for us?

Given Israel's increasing isolation as a dangerous rogue State, I don't think we need friends like that.

Maracas1, thanks for your kind comments about my blog and please post the post on your Facebook. Cheers.

What has Israel done for us? They provide the ADF with the bulk of their .50" and 9mm ammunition for one...

As to "brand Israel", anyone who writes a report saying "targeted strikes" are war crimes, whilst indiscriminately raining rockets on population centers, are not, is clearly hypocritical. As to the strikes being crimes, let's wait and see if they have any effect? In order for a crime to be committed, a criminal must be proved to beyond a reasonable doubt, to have acted illegally under the rules of Land Warfare. I don't like your chances.

As to Israel faking passports, I've yet to see anyone, let alone any Country, found guilty of assisting the wannabee Martyr to become a true Martyr. Prove it to beyond a reasonable doubt & we'll see.

With regard to the peace flotilla, Israel should mine the approaches to the exclusion zone and offer to provide pilots. AFAIK, soldiers were being hit with bars & projectiles, and reacted to protect themselves. Prove different

If "Brand Israel" was on the nose last week, their murderous act of piracy on the high seas yesterday has increased its stench.

<< What has Israel done for us? They provide the ADF with the bulk of their .50" and 9mm ammunition for one... >>

That's a commercial relationship, not a friendship. Indeed, Australia should probably look for another supplier under the current circumstances.

So CJ, if the Israeli's stop the boats, that are deliberately provoking them and smuggling weapons, it's murder.

Can you see from the average Israeli citizen's POV if they do not stop them, it's suicide? What if they are smuggling more rockets?

It's all so easy from the other side of the world to condemn a nation who is continually provoked and threatened isn't it?

Do Israel recognize the international border, my impression was they do not - and they warned the boats coming in, who then armed themselves .. peace flotilla indeed.

So they were armed, in case of Israeli aggression - the Israelis arm against everyone's aggression - from the video I saw, it is well founded isn't it.

They are our friends, CJ and others, have been for years through thick and thin - though this turncoat government may turn on them so PM Rudd can get a seat at the UN. Everything will be done by PM Rudd including destroying relationships for his own ego.

Do you expect our own allies to treat us in such a cavalier manner if we were in trouble, how would we feel about that? If countries start to drop us when we are in need, for political pr populist expediency?

Amicus, if Australia started behaving with the contempt for international law and human rights that Israel does, I would expect it to cop the same isolation and censure that Israel is currently experiencing.

<< They are our friends, ...have been for years through thick and thin >>

Like I said, what have they ever done for us? The only reason we're "friends" is that both Australia and Israel are entirely dependent on the US for protection. Having a "friend" like Israel is starting to give us a bad name.