Put Israeli lives at risk, is that what he said? Well, Senator Kirk, what about American lives? What is going on here? We have two members of the U.S. government apparently trying to undermine a peaceful humanitarian mission that has many well respected Americans on board and poses no threat to anyone. And yet, these American officials seem to be most worried about the risks to Israelis; does Mr. Kirk mean the lives of Israeli commandos when they board the ships are more important than the lives of Americans?
While his White House is warning humanitarians to cease and desist, what is President Obama saying? Well, as far as I know, absolutely nothing. Why is it that this president not only is failing to support such a peaceful mission and protect American citizens but, rather, is allowing his administration to declare that the passengers may be judged to be in violation of the law upon their return to America. What law would that be? Some law that says that Israel has the right to illegally board ships in international waters? Numerous international maritime and legal experts have said that Israel clearly has no legal right to carry out such an act.
How much longer is the government of Israel going to continue to brutally oppress the people of Gaza by keeping them blockaded and depriving them of many of the essentials of life? What it has been doing and continues to do is cruelty at its worst. Secondly, how much longer is the government of the U.S. and President Obama going to continue to accept and condone their actions? Every time Israel engages in aggressive military actions and brutal attacks on innocent civilians in Gaza, Mr. Obama looks the other way and pretends he didn't even know it happened.
Should Israel, once again, illegally board these ships and, God forbid, kill any number of passengers, including American citizens, then what will Mrs. Clinton and Senator Kirk have to say? Will they shrug it off as an unfortunate event that happened because the people refused to heed the warnings and stubbornly carried out their humanitarian mission? I sincerely hope that the flotilla is not harmed in any way and that the government of Israel decides that it should not repeat the tragedy that occurred with the first flotilla. There is no need for extreme violence.
The comments by these representatives of our government clearly indicate that they put the safety of the Israeli's, who have said that they will confront the ships of the flotilla, above that of citizens of the United States of America that are on a peaceful mission. When they stand with a foreign government against law abiding citizens of this nation, it simply cannot and must not be tolerated.
Based on the very disturbing and serious implications of this situation, a Congressional investigation should be initiated and our president should repudiate their statements. But does anyone think that will happen?
Michael Payne
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
2
1
1
