I’ve spent the past week debating the issue of the Flotilla and Israel with some reasonable Jewish compatriots and others, well, not.

Initially I figured I should comment on it. However, I quickly realized that while the world is busy arguing over what the Israeli government should or should not have done, it’s all just futile beating around the bush. For any Israel-Palestine incident is always about the core issues of war and peace, and rights. This, I would be happy to discuss with anyone.

But meanwhile, I continue to hear the classic declarations: “If this were any other country the world wouldn’t care,” and “The media was waiting for an opportunity like this,” and “How else should Israel protect its citizens?”

Some of that is true; most of it isn’t. But honestly, it’s all so played and I’m just tired. So, here are some commentaries I compiled with the help of some friends and I invite you to draw your own conclusions.

http://www.tnr.com/article/world/75397/sos
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/03/AR2010060304287.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/suffocating-gaza-israeli-blockades-effects-palestinians-2010-06-01
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2010/jun/10/failure-american-jewish-establishment/?pagination=false