Reply #116: I don't understand the hostility here

[Rubber Ducky]

Now I hope everyone will take this in the spirit intended, since even though I'm new here I know I share many common values with all of you. Maybe it's because I'm older and remember how brutally Israel was attacked before they took control of the West Bank; maybe it's because I know people who live in Israel who only want to be left alone; maybe, but I certainly hope not, it's because I'm Jewish.

But I certainly feel out of place among people who would openly root for Turkey to attack Israel. I don't ever root for violent solutions and I've been a Democrat my entire life because they have always tried to avoid violence. So why is it that on this website, of all places, I am seeing people who want Turkey to commit violence against another country?

If the answer is that Israel "asked for it", then please explain that to me. If we start from the premise that Israel has a right to exist, then what did Israel do to "ask for it"? Iran is doing everything they can to smuggle weapons into Gaza (not to mention Syria and Lebanon, but Israel can't do very much to stop that). Israel announced to everyone that they will inspect ships bound for Gaza, they used paintball guns and other non-lethal means to try to hold off the violent attacks they met upon boarding these ships, and they only resorted to lethal means (on only one of the ships) when they were attacked with potentially lethal force. The only way I can see that this regrettable incident could have been avoided is if Israel were to allow unrestricted access to Gaza by anyone, including its enemies. If they "asked for it" by keeping land that was used by its enemies to attack it, then why do we single out Israel? Most of the world's countries consist mostly, or even only, of land taken in wars.

I hope I'm just being too sensitive, but I can't help but think that smoe people here do not agree with the original premise - that Israel has a right to exist. Because if they are not allowed to stop Iran from arming Gaza then they won't exist much longer. And I hope everyone understands that arming Gaza was what this entire piece of theater was about. Israel allows any ship to dock in its own ports with humanitarian aid for Gaza, and they even help transport it from there. It happens every day. If the intention of the flotilla was to provide aid to Gaza, none of this would have happened. I know these ships were not loaded with bombs and rockets, but at some point ships will be. If Israel does not inspect every ship bound for Gaza, they will eventually allow Iranian arms to enter.

Iran is acting in pursuit of its primary goal - the destruction of Israel. I don't know what else to do but cry if the political party that has been my home forever now shares that goal. I hope the goal of everyone - but especiall everyone here - is for a peaceful solution that leaves a strong and vibrant Jewish Israel, and a peaceful Palestinian neighbor. It is the solution that I, the Democratic Party, and Israel have always sought.