Gaza flotilla: Should the U.S. condemn Israel?

The U.S. is one of the few countries not denouncing Israel for its bloody raid on a "humanitarian" Gaza-bound flotilla. Is that wrong?

Protesters gather outside the Israeli consulate in New York City.
(Image credit: Getty)

Israel is facing strong global condemnation over its killing of nine Free Gaza activists in international waters early Monday morning. The U.S., however, issued a cautious response to the raid, deploring the "tragedy" and expressing "deep condolences" for the Turks killed, but refraining from assigning blame. Is President Obama putting the strained but special U.S.-Israeli relationship above our ties with Turkey and the Arab world — and, if so, is that a good idea? (Watch a Russia Today discussion about U.S. support for Israel)

The U.S. should support Israeli self-defense: The "bloody confrontation" with the Free Gaza provocateurs is "turning into a diplomatic debacle for Israel," says the Chicago Tribune in an editorial. "Pardon us, though, if we don't join the condemnation." Israel has every right to keep materials that could be used to build weapons from reaching Hamas-controlled Gaza — and that means enforcing its legitimate blockade.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

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.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us