Does Israel Deserve the World's Condemnation?

The world seems ready once again to condemn Israel for the force used to stop a flotilla of activists seeking to break the blockade of the Gaza strip.  This blockade, imposed by both Israel and Egypt, is meant to stop the supply of weapons and other war-making material to Hamas, the de facto rulers of this small, densely populated strip of land along the Mediterranean.  Over 10,000 tons of relief aid is shipped through Israel to Gaza each week, so the aid on the ships was a pretext for the attempt to break the blockade.  People on the ship were prepared to use violence to repel Israeli forces that sought to board the main ship, with a result of at least nine of the activists dying in the clash.

Video has been released showing the soldiers being attacked by the ship's passengers, and both Egypt and Israel offered to let the ships dock and then transport the aid to Gaza.  These offers were refused.  The only conclusion to draw is that the flotilla wanted a confrontation.  One woman on the ship was quoted saying that they had two good alternatives ahead--landing in Gaza or martyrdom.

In a clear and blunt video message in response to worldwide criticism, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuses to apologize for actions he says are defending the safety of Israelis.  He warns that Israel will continue to maintain this blockade, and asks other world leaders, "what would you do" if your people were under missile attacks.

Some press in the U.S. is reporting Israel's responses, but most of the world's reporting is calling the action a massacre and calling for condemnation of Israel.  While I don't believe that all of Israel's actions in relation to Palestinians are always just; in this case I have no doubt that Israel's actions should be seen as justifiable, and in fact would be the actions of any country that considered itself at risk.  When America blockaded Cuba during the missile crisis in the early 60s, there was no thought that any ship would be let through, no matter how "peace loving" they may have been.

Israel is under siege in world opinion, and is still bordered by nations and peoples that desire and seek its destruction.  I've been in Israel during tense times, and in cities that have been the target of missiles from Lebanon and from Gaza.  Their treatment of Gaza is far more humane than that of their neighbors dealing with political rivals or ethnic groups.  How much humanitarian aid would be making its way to a surrounded Jewish enclave that was surrounded by a superior Arab power?  There is no doubt that the amount would be zero--if such an enclave were even to be allowed to exist.

Israel's future holds some very difficult days ahead, until the day they welcome their Messiah's return to earth. Her friends will be few in those days, but God does not forget those who bless his chosen people, even in their unbelief.  Being a friend to Israel may sometimes mean expressing disapproval when the state acts unjustly.  More often, it will mean enduring the opposition of most of the rest of the world.