[r9etb]

Israel has made no secret about the existence of this blockade, and the only people who would deliberately set out to run it know full well what they are doing, and not only expected a response from the Israelis, they did everything they could to provoke as violent a response as possible.

They got it. And they'll probably get exactly the sort of publicity they wanted, too. Israel may well have made a bad decision here.

It will go badly for Israel if it turns out that there were no weapons or the like aboard these ships.

If, on the other hand, there were weapons or the passengers can be shown to be bad apples... then Israel had best get them on display as quickly as possible.

[Shermy]

They better “find” weapons, which might be there. Hard to say. Could be one of the most stupid things they’ve done. Would normalize Hamas’ acts.

The stupidest is not to get out video and stories about the so-called “blockade’s” effect in Gaza. From what I’ve seen and read, it Gaza is under no scarcity and is doing well, from UN and NGO welfare in part no doubt.

[ZOOKER]

It will go badly for Israel if it turns out that there were no weapons or the like aboard these ships.

I'm afraid that's exactly what will happen. Hamas and the flotilla organizers made it quite clear what they intended to do - there was intense media coverage - there was immediate provocation and violence. They expected to be boarded, in fact they counted on it.

If the terrorists have their way, Israel will be chastened and reviled, and the next wave of ships won't be searched. Those ships will be packed to the rafters with weapons.