Jeff Kripitz All of a sudden, the word “flotilla” is in our vocabulary. Webster defines flotilla as a “small fleet of ships.” This conjures up a sense of peaceful innocence, which was certainly not the case on the waters off of Gaza last week. Permit me to explain:

Just after Memorial Day came the news that Israeli military forces had boarded an unresponsive ship bound for Gaza, and had no choice but to fight the deadly opposition they immediately faced with similar, and appropriate force. Soldiers were severely injured–some had even been captured and taken below by those aboard. In the end, lives were lost. Israel has expressed regret for the loss of life as a result of their defensive operation.

Since Israel unilaterally left Gaza in 2005, Hamas has fired more than 10,000 rockets and mortars into the civilian populations of Israel. These munitions come into Gaza by tunnel and by ship. So it is not only logical and necessary, but also legal according to maritime law, for Israel to intercept provocative ships which refuse to halt in a time of war. Nine previous flotillas bound for Gaza with alleged humanitarian aid, responded peacefully to Israel’s demands to port elsewhere, so that the ship contents could be inspected, and then delivered to Gaza without interference. In fact, this most recent flotilla was comprised of six ships, five of which peacefully allowed the inspections. Only the Marmara violently resisted.

While the loss of any innocent life in a time of war is tragic, the behavior of this ship and many of its passengers was far from innocent. And every country has the right to defend its citizens, especially when its neighboring enemies have a notorious record of unspeakable violence. I am referring to Hamas in Gaza, whose charter continues to call for the armed destruction of Israel.

We must not fall into a political trap in thinking that this is about humanitarian aid. There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza. According to Israel Ambassador Michael Oren, 100 truckloads of food and medicine enter Gaza each day, and “there is no shortage of either.”

If there is a crisis in Gaza, it is one of internal leadership. Israel remains willing to talk peace with the Palestinians the moment there is a willingness to discuss solutions which enable neighbors to live in peace without relentless missile attacks.

For the facts on the flotilla and its aftermath, please visit www.jewishbytheshore.org.