Flotillas to Our Neighbors, Gaza

by Jerry Waxman

Abstract: Sequence of Events and Thoughts

  • Last Week, word came that activists were sailing toward Gaza. The activists support Hamas. In Sderot, we don't support Hamas.

  • Last Thursday night about midnight, the "tzeva adom" warning sounded. A kassam flew over Sderot and landed in Sha'ar HaNegev. We know that Hamas has many more rockets in their arsenal.

  • Before Saturday, we learned that the "humanitarian" activists aboard the flotilla refused to try to bring something to Gilad Schalit. Their purpose was not humanitarian or peaceful.

    • Samson Grinding in Prison at Gaza, Judges 15:21 Picture on the rightArabs claim that there has been no Jewish influence in Gaza. Her's a poster inspired by the famous story of Samson and Delilah.

    Around Sunday morning, we learned that Israel had planned to inspect all the humanitarian aid on the flotilla's boats, and send it overland from Ashdod to Gaza.
  • Monday we learned that Israel forces had intercepted the flotilla. As the day progressed various reports of violence and even deaths aboard the flotilla's boats surfaced.

  • Tuesday, we learned that violent confrontations aboard the Mavi Marmara led to 9 deaths and many injuries. Spontaneous protests in Gaza and in several cities worldwide dominated the news.

Reactions in Gaza's Neighbor, Sderot

Since last year's war in Gaza, there have been very very few rocket attacks in Sderot. We would prefer no attacks at all, and no threat of missiles or bombs at all, but we're realistic. We appreciate what Israeli forces have been able to accomplish to maintain the quiet in Sderot.

ZaraMart
Alexander the Great's Siege of Gaza, 332 Bc Picture on the right Activists and media pundits call the embargo a "siege." The real siege in Gaza happened in the days of Alexander the Great.

We also know very well that stockpiles of weapons - more kassams and mortars - have been smuggled into Gaza. We fully appreciate that the embargo around Gaza's shoreline has helped keep things quiet in Sderot. We don't think much of those - such as the "Free Gaza" movement - who support Hamas. When the "tzeva adom" sounded suddenly last Thursday night, I thought about the flotilla and its pro-Palestinian activists; they encourage this violence against Sderot.

They are neither friends of peace nor advocates of humanity.

Why were they really sailing to Gaza? Hamas was there, ready to accept the humanitarian aid supplies. We know from experience that Hamas is NOT the place to go if you want to help the Palestinian people. Hamas has a history of hijacking deliveries of supplies for their own purposes, at the expense of the Palestinian people who need the supplies.

If they were on a truly humanitarian mission, the activists would never think of bring supplies to Hamas. If they were truly on a peaceful mission, the activists would have worked with Israel to bring their humanitarian aid into Gaza. The "Free Gaza" movement, and similar pro-Palestinian organizations are severely misguided and misguiding. They don't care as much about the Palestinian people as they do about damaging Israel.

The "Free Gaza" movement is NOT pro-Palestinian; they are anti-Israel, and anti-Sderot.

I think most residents of Sderot are saddened by the violence that occurred on the Mavi Marmara, and the deaths and injuries that resulted from it. And I think we have reason to be apprehensive that the world's reaction will trigger rocket attacks against us. If the "Free Gaza" movement had any integrity at all, its leaders would denounce the rocket attacks from Gaza - and they would take full responsibility for the confrontation aboard the Mavi Marmara that led to 9 deaths. They are the ones responsible.

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Filed under: About Israel • About Sderot

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