Israel Update for June 2011

Opinion surveys showed in June that PM Netanyahu's popularity ratings were enhanced by his late-May public clash with President Obama after the US leader called for Israel to open peace negotiations with an offer to return to the 1967 pre-war ceasefire borders. Surveys showed that a majority of Israelis were pleased with Netanyahu's public response that such borders were "indefensible" and had to be adjusted to reflect new realities on the ground-a position earlier endorsed by the Bush administration. The Premier's obviously warm welcome during his stirring speech before Congress was praised by most commentators, even by some who disagree with the Likud leader's political positions.

Flotilla Redux

Israeli military forces were busy during June getting ready for a new international attempt to break through the Israeli naval blockade of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Although the number of vessels expected to participate in what is being billed Freedom Flotilla Two dropped during the month as several governments around the world intervened to prevent their flagged ships from joining the joint sailing, it is still anticipated that many will do so, setting sail from around 22 countries. Among those ships that have been readied for the contentious voyage is the US-flagged Audacity of Hope, expected to carry around 35 American passengers including noted poet and author Alice Walker.

The US State Department issued a strong warning against the announced sailing on June 24th, saying it violated American law. The statement called the intended flotilla operation "irresponsible and provocative," noting that the Gaza Strip is ruled by a group labeled as a terrorist organization by the government. Therefore it added that any attempts to aid Hamas could result in fines or even jail terms. On top of this, the State Department pointed out that "established and efficient mechanisms exist to transfer humanitarian assistance to Gaza," urging that these methods be employed instead of the confrontational flotilla, which is expected to be turned back by IDF naval forces as occurred last year with deadly consequences.

With many serious dangers lurking on both land and sea, the tiny country of Israel is once again being tested to its core. While this is obviously a difficult process, it also sparks off fresh opportunities to "Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return to the Lord" (Isaiah 55: 6-7).