Ships of despair

I have felt a heavy sense of sadness all day, after hearing the news that the encounter at sea between Israeli soldiers and supposed peace 'activists' had turned deadly. The situation could only have gotten worse if the 'activists' had begun killing themselves - a demented scenario that a few of us had silently feared.

The sadness is firstly for the loss of life - so needless and contrived.

The sadness is also for an era when humanitarian aid actually meant helping people. The organisers of the recent flotilla have abused and bloodied the word and very concept of humanitarian aid. That word will never sound the same to me again. It is somehow tainted now ... the meaning not as pure or full of hope. When a wolf in sheep's clothing bites you - you never really trust another sheep.

The deepest sadness comes from the outpouring of rage and hate towards Israel that is on every channel. The objective of the flotilla has been achieved. Blame Israel. Once gain it is the Jews spoiling for a fight. The fatalities have already been forgotten by the news, which contort and twist the facts just as they are instructed to by the evil political campaign that rides deep beneath the surface. A campaign so evil, it is not even comprehended by most of the world.

So while they scream and burn our national flag, I will sit quietly. I will not respond with violence and hatred. I will think of a way to get around yet another event in a history overflowing with events. I will watch those protesters in the West and imagine they do not know what they are doing for one day, they will stand alongside us and say they never knew what was coming.

God Bless Israel & God bless the world.