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People and Politics by Patrick Roberts

Irish peace lessons for Israel after Gaza flotilla deaths

Posted on Monday, May 31, 2010 at 09:38 PM

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What were the Israeli commandos thinking when they boarded the Gaza bound flotilla and killed ten people?

Seven Irish people,including Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Corrigan were on board the flotilla. They are currently being held.

Also on board one of the vessels was a Holocaust survivor and peace activists from many different countries.

The Israelis are somehow justifying this disaster saying they were fired on.

Unfortunately this latest Israeli incursion is another example of how the far right policies being pursued by Benjamin Netanyahu have come back to haunt Israel in the worldwide community.

In one fell swoop they have destroyed their relationship with Turkey, one of their very few Islamic allies,and created a massive propaganda coup for their Hamas enemies.

Part of the problems stems from the unqualified support that American Jews give to the current government in Israel.

It is a case of 'my country right or wrong' and in this case it is very definitely wrong. There is no critical thinking going on, only blind moral support no matter what actions have been taken.

The flotilla of activists should have been shepherded to shore, their cargo unloaded and they should have been sent back to where they came from.

Instead they were attacked and ten killed in an outbreak of macho mania unmatched in recent times.

Israel appears to believe that military might solves all problems. It doesn't

American Jews are very reluctant to criticize, yet they should take a leaf from the Irish American role in securing the Irish peace process.

Back then Irish Americans questioned and debated Irish government policy towards Northern Ireland for many years.

They helped create the peace process by being the first to champion a new American approach under President Bill Clinton.

They were never patsies for the Irish government as any diplomat will tell you. Yet they played a huge role in the peace process that created the conditions for peace.

It is that kind of arms-length approach that Jewish Americans should take towards the Israeli government. Clearly there is something very wrong when a government brutally kills ten people and loses a massive propaganda war.

They need to do a lot better and American Jews need to tell them that. The Irish American example for American Jews would not be a bad place to start.

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seanomelbourne | Jun 09, 2010, 03:33 AM EDT

censored again monsoonman

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seanomelbourne | Jun 09, 2010, 03:28 AM EDT

reading an article today man beaten to death in custody, 14year old child shot twice in the head for throwing stones at border patrol.Those blo--dy Israelis are at it again I thought, but I was wrong I apologize to the Israelis my mistake .42yr old Hernandez Rojas was beaten to death whilst in custody in San Diego and a 14yr child shot twice in the head for throwing stones at a border patrol guard

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maireadinmelb | Jun 08, 2010, 07:53 PM EDT

True Sean, but it is fun!!

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Monsoonman | Jun 08, 2010, 01:04 PM EDT

LOL Lad....Now that was humorous!

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seanomelbourne | Jun 08, 2010, 08:52 AM EDT

Careful Maireadinmelb you'll unleash the bleeding heart Fox watching Zionist. They are attracted to the word Palestine as Dracula is to blood. I can't go through it again.

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maireadinmelb | Jun 08, 2010, 05:36 AM EDT

The term terrorists as it is being used now would include people like Jefferson, Washington and Adams - really America gained its independence from Terrorist acts, why cannot Palestine strive for the same freedoms???

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seanomelbourne | Jun 07, 2010, 11:17 PM EDT

Monsoonman I sometimes love little pearls of wisdom,unfortunately you misuse them a times to avoid an honest reply. time for bed you old sage.

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Monsoonman | Jun 07, 2010, 10:47 PM EDT

Shuvonn: Sometimes i speak to the lad metaphorically. So just like algore do as I say not as i do....Not that I disagree with that statement, regarding you and a few others being terrorist sympathizers, but if you'll notice I wasn't pointing my finger at the time just making a statement of fact.

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shuvonn | Jun 07, 2010, 10:37 PM EDT

Monsoonman: SO when you are calling us terrorist sympathizers you have three fingers pointed back at yourself, thank you for clarifying that for us :-)

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Monsoonman | Jun 07, 2010, 10:22 PM EDT

Remember and digest this pearl of wisdom lad: When you point a finger (not the finger) at someone else, you have three pointing back at yourself.

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seanomelbourne | Jun 07, 2010, 09:34 PM EDT

Why do you right wing Yanks have a siege mentality? "It's us against the world". Sadly the mind conditioning works for you,the propaganda guru's own your mind. How sad.

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Monsoonman | Jun 07, 2010, 08:57 PM EDT

I am Sean: That's what I pay my armed services to do, defend my home from terrorists. Just like the Israeli citizens expect from their government.

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seanomelbourne | Jun 07, 2010, 06:32 PM EDT

You watch to much Fox Monsoonman I hope you never have to defend your home from a terrorist state.

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shuvonn | Jun 07, 2010, 01:27 PM EDT

Gosh boys I didn't realize you would miss me so much. But seriously the we con the world video is going for a re-make between apologies from the Israeli government but they will want you to not be off key this time, and learn the words properly... Cause its ONLY funny when its Israelis making them kinda videos isnt it?

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ritmomente | Jun 07, 2010, 09:18 AM EDT

shuvonn drank the koolaid again.

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