>>>The incident with the Turkish ship worked out just as a the blockade runners had hoped, and in that sense I think the Israelis made a big mistake, but I think the blockade of Gaza or at least some attempt to control Hamas's access to weapons is the only rational thing to do.
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>>Netanyahu thinks letting Iran establish a port on the Mediterranean isn't a good idea: http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/Israeli+accuses+critics+hypocrisy/3105048/story.html
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>>Blockade basics: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/06/03/gaza-is-blockaded-for-a-good-reason/
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>>And, those esteemed humanitarians, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, have offered to "escort" vessels to Gaza: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=3119752
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>And these are very good examples of my point that the greatest danger to peoples with legitimate grievances is that they will led by their worst elements and become pawns manipulated by those who do not have their interests and heart and who may be more prepared to sacrifice them than are their "oppressors". I think the Arabs who lived in Palestine prior to 1948 and their descendants may be one of history's greatest examples of that principle.

Another factor in the manipulation of Palestinian "pawns" is the promotion of martyrdom in radical Islam. That encourages the population to accept, and even participate in, acts they would otherwise find abhorrent.