Americans for Peace Now statement on the flotilla echoes their usual line, that the United States must place pressure on Israel. But how can the U.S. place pressure so long as the Israel lobby remains monolithic and in Obama’s face? The problem is that Peace Now, out of feelings of ethnic cohesion and allegiance to the conservative strains in the Jewish community, refuses to resign from the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, which says Israel has a right to do anything it pleases. And so Peace Now must echo those sentiments in this statement.
Now Israel is facing another flotilla, and it appears that another potential debacle is in the making.
Let there be no doubt: the organizers of the flotilla are seeking to provoke a confrontation with Israel. In doing so they are playing a dangerous game. None of us knows what the consequences of their actions will be.
…Israel can and should choose a different role – by making the long-overdue decision to end the blockade and allow the boats to pass. Such a policy shift would avert a pointless confrontation and remove the pretext for future similar provocations. APN renews its longstanding call on Washington to engage the Israeli government to achieve this.
In the event that a confrontation does occur, APN calls on both participants in the flotilla and Israeli forces to avoid violence and ensure that the tragedy of 2010 is not repeated.
