Flotilla fallout: Does it matter that an American died?
Should news that a U.S. citizen died in Israel's flotilla raid change Obama's reaction to the incident?
One of the nine activists killed on the humanitarian aid flotilla raided by Israeli commandos over the weekend was an American-Turkish dual citizen, it is now being reported. Furkan Dogan, 19, was shot five times at close range — four times in the head — as Israeli troops stormed the boat to prevent it from violating the three-year blockade on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. The U.S.'s reaction to last weekend's events has so far been muted. Will the death of an American citizen change that situation? (Watch a Russia Today report about the American's death)
This terrorist sympathizer was no American: Can we even call Dogan an American?, asks Cassy Fiano at Hot Air He left the U.S. at the age of two, and "allegedly never returned." That makes him "technically a citizen," but not a "legitimate part of our country." And anyway, this wasn't just some "innocent high school student," but a dangerous Islamist. "American or not, if you pal around with terrorists, then you deserve to die like one."
"Turk American killed aboard the Gaza flotilla"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
America must react to the death of one of its citizens: Even though Dogan's "ongoing American ties appear to be limited," says Scott Peterson at the Christian Science Monitor, his death will "make it harder for the Obama administration to side-step a diplomatic confrontation with Israel." When U.S. citizens have died in Israel before — such as American activist Rachel Corrie — the federal government has reacted strongly. It must do the same here.
"Israeli raid on Gaza Freedom Flotilla killed U.S. citizen Furkan Dogan
This will change nothing: Governments typically "object vociferously when their citizens are killed by foreign nations," says Glenn Greenwald at Salon. That principle will no doubt be "completely discarded" in this case. "Reflexive U.S. support for Israel" is now so strong that "one dead 19-year-old American with 4 bullet holes in his head" won't make any impact at all.
"The Israeli flotilla attack: victimhood, aggression and tribalism"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Eurovision 2024: how is politics playing out in Sweden?
Today's big question World's most popular song contest 'has always been politically charged' but 'this year perhaps more so than ever'
By The Week UK Published
-
'Trump's Tahoe tryst'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
In the fold with Gergei Erdei
The Blend Artist explains his foray into precious folding screens
By Mary Cleary Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published