In Defense of an Ally

This spring, I traveled to Israel to meet with various Israeli government officials to hear firsthand their views on the geopolitical situation in the Middle East. It was an eye opening visit, one that made me keenly aware of the security, political, and economic challenges facing the country. Since returning to the United States, I have watched very closely current events relating to Israel.

I am extremely concerned about the international reaction to Israel’s interdiction of a flotilla of boats attempting to run the blockade of the Gaza Strip. We still don’t yet have all the facts, but that hasn’t stopped the international community from prematurely condemning the Israelis’ actions.

The Gaza Strip is governed by Hamas, a terrorist organization sponsored by Iran and Syria. Hamas has stated repeatedly its intention to eradicate Israel. Indeed, the organization’s charter calls for creation of an Islamic state of Palestine covering all of what is the current state of Israel. Israel and Egypt’s joint naval blockade of Gaza is the only thing preventing Hamas from importing heavy armaments to use against Israeli cities.

A flotilla of ships departed Turkey with a load of both humanitarian goods and prohibited materials with the intention of breaking the Israeli blockade. Before the flotilla set off, Israel repeatedly offered to inspect the flotilla’s cargo and deliver the humanitarian aid to Gaza by land. But by the flotilla’s organizers own account, the purpose of their outing was not to deliver humanitarian aid to suffering Palestinians but to break the blockade of Gaza -- the same blockade preventing Hamas from receiving weapons from Iran. Consequently, when the Israelis interdicted the ships, many of the protesters were armed and ready to provoke an international incident with the hope that such an incident would force Israel to lift her blockade.

Israel not only has a right to defend herself, she has a solemn responsibility to her citizens to ensure their protection from terrorism. Israel is an oasis of freedom and democracy in the Middle East, and we share with her a common enemy in the battle against Islamic terrorism. Our relationship with Israel has been strained in recent months, but as the condemnation of the international community mounts, we must support Israel in her struggle against terrorism.