" ... that the Israel Defense Forces acted lawfully. Just as Britain and Russia did when they enforced a blockade on Nazi Germany."

Now there's an interesting comment. Why doesn't he say
"Just as Germany did when it enforced a blockade (or attempted to) on
Britain and Russia"
Would that have been lawful? Or does the lawfulness of the "war" - or their involvement in it - have something to do with it?

I actually would really be interested to know this.
Jonathan J. Ariel isn't much better at informing us on this than the Fairfax media. (and of course there's no indication as to whether he knows anything about international law).

Incidentally - in WW2 it was Germany, not Britain and France, which started it by progressivly grabbing neighbouring countries.

This 'article' is nothing but a duplicitous, pro-Israeli propaganda piece.

With nine peace activist killed (some of them shot in the back and in the top of the head)and no Israelis, we know who the terrorists are.

They were the same as the lot than bombed Gaza and killed 400 children along with a 1,000 adults and are now imposing an illegal siege, a blockade, and collective punishment (a war crime) on the Gazans.

The sooner Israel is extinguished the better. Hopefully it will occur before Israel drags the world into a nuclear war.

http://www.dangerouscreation.com

"There was absolutely no categorical mention of the fact that Gaza’s democratically elected government is sworn to the annihilation of the Jewish people, in its charter, in its mission and by its deeds."

Elsewhere I've heard (frequently) that Hamas's official policy is to refuse to recognise or accept Israel as a Jewish state. I suspect this is closer to the truth.

I don't defend this, but I ask - how is this more represhensible than the Israeli politicians (and, I have heard, the official position of the Likud party) who refuse to accept a Palestinian state.

"What are the Jews supposed to do?"

I can't believe you really want to know - but just in case - try this

(1) Israel should confine its territorial ambitions to the territory that is legally theirs

(2) Allow the return of those (and their descendants) who were expelled from that territory, or fled the fighting, in 1948.

From all the reporting I've heard, notwithstanding Hamas's official policy about Israel, this would be sufficient to produce peace - in fact widespread Palestinian demands have been for less that this. But they seem to be prefectly reasonable demands to make of Israel.

The article contains:

"America, especially under Barrack Obama, hasn’t the stomach for policing anymore.

After all he reasons: Iran is about to go nuclear and his co-religionist in Washington has refused to wave the big stick at the mullahs. Would Washington really retaliate against a few ships carrying crude missiles?"

Barack Obama is not a Muslim and has decided that the role of world policeman is not suitable for his country. He uses his brain rather than his stomach. "Conveniently ignoring the truth" is a great title for the article.

I am a dual citizen of Australia and the US and voted for Obama. Obama is apparently aware of the futility of waving big sticks. Unlike his immediate predecessor he prefers to work in concert with other nations. He is trying to extricate the US from the wars that Bush got us into.

Of course the key to understanding the situation in Israel/Palestine and the entire Middle East altogether is that it IS a vast lunatic asylum.

A seething cauldron wherein the three major semitic religions are playing out their "end-time" apocalyptic fantasies. All mandated and commanded by each of their tribalistic deities.

And indeed particularly in the case of christianity and islam (and even to a lesser degree judaism), global warfare for the totalitarian rulership of the entire world.

Mr Ariel chooses to set the tone of his article with a link to a sophomoric parody, then expects us to take him seriously. Does this sort of obliviousness qualify him for a bright future in Israeli federal politics? Maybe not, considering this press release:

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/06/05/gaza.flotilla.mock.video/

"Israeli government office apologizes for mock flotilla video
By the CNN Wire Staff June 5, 2010 -- Updated 1844 GMT (0244 HKT)

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Israeli press office sorry for distributing video mocking flotilla activists "We Con the World" video created by Jerusalem Post columnist Israeli PM spokesman: Video captures what "Israelis feel"

Jerusalem (CNN) -- The Israeli government's press division is apologizing for circulating a link to a video that mocks the activists on aboard the a ship headed to Gaza that was blocked by an Israeli raid."

Well then, it seems that those who don't learn from history are condemned to repeat it. The Israeli government and IDF had a year to plan. The Gaza Flotilla was openly advertised and planned for that long. Instead, the Israeli government chose to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

It's worth looking at the history of the 1947 British blockade of Palestine, and the consequences of a planned confrontation by European Jewish refugees, in 1947. That incident was a milestone toward the formation of Israel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Exodus
"The ship left Baltimore February 25, 1947 and headed for the Mediterranean. ... with 4,515 passengers ... The British Royal Navy cruiser Ajax and a convoy of destroyers trailed the ship from very early in its voyage, and finally boarded it some 20 nautical miles (40 km) from shore. The boarding was challenged by the passengers ... Two passengers and one of the crews, ... died as a result of bludgeoning and several dozen others were injured before the ship was taken over."

Who is Mr Ariel defending, and to what purpose?