Nobody’s Business But the Turks
Dave Anderson fleshes out the argument that, whatever might come out of Israel’s attack on the Free Gaza Flotilla, it’s not going to be a full-scale war between Israel and Turkey. People really need to think more about logistics and politics.
He also includes a list of measures short of war that Turkey can meaningfully take. I challenge anyone to find them especially dire from the Israeli government’s perspective. Meanwhile, Ha’aretz is outraged.
Comment by mds —
June 1, 2010 @ 9:42 am
As usual, the Iranian mouthpiece Ha’aretz has no understanding of international law, Israeli politics, or the need of Israel to defend itself against implacable foes equipped with deck chairs.
But yes, all this fooferaw about international consequences and war with NATO are so much hyperventilating. If attacking the USS Liberty and murdering American sailors wasn’t considered an act of war, then illegally boarding cargo ships flying under the Turkish flag doesn’t even rise to the level of a sternly-worded letter. The US will veto any attempt at the UN to point out that is was a bad thing, the Turkish military, prompted if necessary, will remind the Turkish government what the consequences could be if they push too hard on this, and life will go on. Well, not necessarily for starving children in Gaza or civilians on Mediterranean cargo vessels that the IDF takes a dislike to, but who gives a fuck? Let chocolate into Gaza, and next thing you know Iran has nuked Jerusalem.
Comment by Thoreau —
June 1, 2010 @ 10:16 am
mds is right. Israel attacked Our Brave Men and Women in Uniform Defending Our Freedom and got away with it. Why would the US get upset over dead hippies from Europe and swarthy Turks?
Even if Turkey goes all the way into the Iranian camp, what does Israel care? Uncle Sam has their back and the Turkish betrayal just proves how necessary that is.
Also, IOZ is right as always: Gaza is a concentration camp.
Comment by Nell —
June 1, 2010 @ 10:54 am
At the level of what we can do, I’d encourage anyone reading along who has up until now been unwilling to support the movement for boycotts, disinvestment, and sanctions against Israel to consider supporting and participating.
The permanent government/bipartisan consensus among those in power here can’t even bring itself to criticize an illegal assault in international waters that kills ten people and wounds dozens more without blaming the victims. So, until our government changes enough to consider holding accountable its murderous bullying client state, it’s up to us to repudiate it.
Comment by y81 —
June 1, 2010 @ 1:24 pm
Here’s my prediction: an investigation which concludes that the Israeli account of the incident is essentially accurate, followed by a bunch of Turkish harrumphing about “unanswered questions,” declarations from various U.S. authorities that there have been no violations of international law, complete silence from NATO, and a return to the status quo ante.
Here’s my further prediction: constant, relentless pursuit of every avenue to Mideast peace by the Obama administration will produce the exact same result as the willful neglect of the failed, discredited Bush/Cheney/Palin administration.
Comment by doubled —
June 1, 2010 @ 1:39 pm
y81 : “Here’s my further prediction: constant, relentless pursuit of every avenue to Mideast peace by the Obama administration will produce the exact same result as the willful neglect of the failed, discredited Bush/Cheney/Palin administration.”
Gee, wonder why? Of course it can only be the fault of those blood thirsty Jews who are the only people in the world who kill civilians.
But, since they are so blood thirsty , why didn’t the Captain of the flotilla agree to dock in Ashdod and take the aid to Gaza over land? Could it be be that provoking a confrontation was more important than getting the aid through to it’s target?
Comment by mds —
June 1, 2010 @ 2:09 pm
From the Guardian:
So, amazingly, y81 is probably right about something. If the investigation is carried out by Israel, it will certainly conclude that the Israeli account of the incident is essentially accurate, followed by a bunch of Turkish harrumphing about “unanswered questions,” based on all of the questions actually deliberately left unanswered.
Yeah, given Israel’s reputation, why not dock in Israel instead and let Israel destroy any foodstuffs that are on their contraband list? Could it be that provoking a confrontation over the Gaza food embargo was more important than quietly capitulating to the Gaza food embargo? Of course, if you’re some of these civilian activists, perhaps you were giving Israel insufficient credit for bloodthirstiness if you thought they weren’t going to board you in the middle of the night in international waters and shoot you. Silly hippies. Don’t they realize that Saddam Hussein and Stalin were worse?
Comment by Uncle Kvetch —
June 1, 2010 @ 2:14 pm
those blood thirsty Jews who are the only people in the world who kill civilians.
Mmmmm, that’s good straw.
Comment by Eric Martin —
June 1, 2010 @ 4:39 pm
Here’s my prediction: an investigation which concludes that the Israeli account of the incident is essentially accurate, followed by a bunch of Turkish harrumphing about “unanswered questions,” declarations from various U.S. authorities that there have been no violations of international law, complete silence from NATO, and a return to the status quo ante.
Here’s my prediction, if any investigation concludes otherwise, the person in charge of the investigation will be accused of being an anti-Semite. Call it a hunch.
Comment by Professor Coldheart —
June 1, 2010 @ 5:35 pm
Could it be be that provoking a confrontation was more important than getting the aid through to it’s target?
Y’know, you’re right! And now that I think about it, those black people who sat at whites-only lunch counters in Nashville probably WEREN’T EVEN HUNGRY! Lo, the hypocrisy!
Comment by Thoreau —
June 1, 2010 @ 5:50 pm
I hear that my namesake was actually able to afford the tax but chose not to pay it anyway. What a hypocrite.
Comment by Jack Crow —
June 2, 2010 @ 9:09 am
The Turkish state will take a buy out. What that form is, is anyone’s guess right now.
But, so long as the US has Israel’s back (and short of Americans electing David Duke, and maybe even with that, it will have Israel’s back) – they Israelis do the US’ bidding, and serve US regional interests.
Comment by Hogan —
June 2, 2010 @ 3:48 pm
People really need to think more about logistics and politics.
As with all important reminders, I’m going to write this on a Post-It and stick it to my monitor.