Voyage of the Damned Foolish

Israel has politely enough asked countries like Ireland, Turkey, Norway and Finland, among others to discourage Palestinian sympathizers and Gaza "activists" from provisioning ships and enlisting crew to undertake sea voyages for the purpose of "freeing Gaza".  The name of the game is to demonstrate sympathy and support for the Palestinian Gazans who are governed by an oppressive regime.

That oppressive regime is Hamas, of course, but somehow the Western sympathizers are obsessed in a kind of mass psychosis of dysfunctional analysis, with equating the oppressor with a perceived 'occupier', a Zionist entity which is named the State of Israel.  Sympathetic to the human-rights-abusing administration of a group named as a terrorist one by many countries.

And fervent in their denunciation of a democratic country with an independent judiciary which, to protect its population and its territory from the violent attacks of its neighbour, must maintain a military presence.  And, in response to the avowed intention of Hamas to destroy Israel, imposing, as is its right under international law, a naval blockade to prevent the importation of weapons.

One thing remains a constant in this world.  Rejection of the Jew.  The ultimate outsider, Jews are claimed to have been responsible for all the dreadful ills of the world.  The founder of the "Free Gaza Movement", has in fact, propounded the belief that Zionists aligned themselves in partnership with the Nazis of the Third Reich and themselves planned and helped to execute the Holocaust.

There is nothing whatever that cannot be laid at the feet of Jews; theirs the ultimate responsibility for all that is ill with the world.  

And from the classic blame, shame and hatred that is labelled anti-Semitism has erupted anti-Zionism, and from there it's a cake-walk to anti-Israel hate slander.  So a country that has been forced throughout its existence to maintain a vigilant military is seen as the oppressor of those dedicated to its destruction.

The neat connection to Zionism and Naziism just too difficult to overlook.  Hamas and the Palestinians represent the forces of good in the world.  A nation that must be ever vigilant to prevent itself from being piecemeal destroyed by an ardent enemy intent on emulating the Holocaust, is characterized as the evil presence.  

And thus it was that a former member of the Canadian House of Commons, Jim Manly, representing the NDP as an MP, saw fit to join the passage of the 'ship to Gaza', in support of Hamas, an organization that his own country has prominently placed on its list of terror groups.  Israel has, as always, patiently taken all those on board the 'blockade busting' ship in custody.

Where they are assured medical attention if required, fed and housed, and released within 72 hours to be returned to their country of origin.  Which hasn't stopped the family of Mr. Manly from hysterically accusing Parliament, the Government of Canada, and Canadians of ignoring the plight of Mr. Manly, a foolish, elderly campaigner for justice.

Justice for a terrorist group whom Human Rights Watch has criticized as having failed to observe human rights: "After five years of Hamas rule in Gaza, its criminal justice system reeks of injustice, routinely violates detainees' rights and grants impunity to abusive security services", by, among other instances, murdering those Palestinians who they think have given them cause to believe they are agents for Israel.

"It would be nice to hear some politicians speak out in support of a retired Member of Parliament who has stuck his neck out to help people in a less fortunate part of the world.  It's kind of shocking that nobody said anything.
"My father must be released from detention immediately and put on the first plane available back to Canada."  Paul Manly

Oh.  Right.