Ships of Fools

Welcome aboard, “Freedom Flotilla” passengers! I trust that you enjoyed your embarking in Istanbul and felt an adequate degree of anti-Semitism mingled with “concern” for Gaza’s population as our ships were loaded.


As we approach the port of call, it will be my pleasure to point out some noteworthy sites along our journey. We will very likely encounter some Israeli Navy patrols in the area. As you may know, the Gaza Strip was part of the territory originally mandated by the League of Nations for a Jewish National Homeland. But in 1948, Egypt overran the area, destroying existing Jewish towns. Israel reclaimed this territory in 1967.

The Navy may board our boats or accompany us to shore because we do not have permission to enter Israeli waters and dock at Gaza. Israel has denied most ships this request for almost four years, since an Israeli soldier was kidnapped and the ruling power in Gaza has refused to let him be examined by the International Red Cross, as required by the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law. Gaza has also refused to negotiate a prisoner exchange, despite Israeli offers to release hundreds of terrorists who were tried, convicted and sentenced to jail in Israel.

As we near the coast you will see the Gaza beaches. Don’t be surprised if they are empty. The governing organization in Gaza, the Islamic terrorist group, Hamas, forbids men and women from mingling on the beaches and women are prohibited from wearing bathing suits. When we arrive, we will be turning over all of the cargo in our boats to Hamas, for free.

In the meantime, UNRWA, a United Nations group dedicated to maintaining the Gazans’ refugee status and reinforcing the notion that they can reclaim all of Israel without the need to make peace, has been providing free humanitarian goods to the people of Gaza almost consistently since 1948. While illegal unregistered cargo from ships such as ours have been turned away fro the Gaza port, UNRWA has continued to operate there, virtually unhindered.

Besides providing basic goods for the Gazan people (instead of handing goods to the corrupt, oppressive regime, as we intend to do), UNRWA also sets up summer camps for Gazan children. You’ll notice the charred remains of one such camp along the beach. On Sunday, this UNRWA campsite for girls was raided by Islamic fundamentalists, supported by Gaza’s government, and was utterly destroyed because the summer camp intended to teach the girls swimming and dance. I am sure these fundamentalist groups, who control most of the smuggling cartels in Gaza, will appreciate all of the supplies we are bringing them, which they can mark up and sell to the people of Gaza for a large profit to finance their activities.

If we do reach Gaza port, you may be interested in touring the city. You’ll notice that there are stores selling food, clothing and medicine. Electricity and fuel are available. This is because, every day, Israel allows truckloads of basic supplies to enter Gaza through the usual checkpoints and depots. However, Gazans are blockaded from official trade with one country: the Arab Republic of Egypt. One event you might want to take in is an execution, which happens very often in Gaza, for all sorts of charges. None are scheduled? Don’t worry; most of the executions here are ad hoc and extra-judicial. Even official executions are likely to pop up after a one-day trial and sentencing.

Yes there is nothing quite like supporting an Islamic-fundamentalist, misogynist territory engaged in a violent struggle against a country who can claim rightful ownership of the territory under international law.

Enjoy your trip.