Groundzero - even a card carrying Israel supporter such as myself becomes demoralized at this type of counter productive violence which only strengthens the legitimacy of all forms of resistance against Israel in the eyes of the general populace.
No doubt the vast majority of the protesters had peaceful intentions but it appears there was a minority present intent on violence.
Who gains from this? Not Israel who have damaged their reputation out of all proportion to the benefit. Not the commandoes who were stabbed or shot and not the peaceful protesters who lost their lives and not the Gazans who still dont have their supplies or their freedom.
The only ones who gain are the fanatics, the extremists. Those who are so insane they are prepared to repel an armed Israeli boarding party and endanger the entire ship including the well meaning foreigners.
If you swallow their story they have achieved their goal and the sacrifice was worth it in their eyes and they will probably do it again. Surely we cant let ourselves be manipulated so easily.
