So you've squashed your bare feet into your deck shoes and slung the waterproof kit bag over your shoulder and headed out the door. On reaching the port you stow your gear on board and go up topside to join your mates haphazzardly painting over the Irish tri-colour on the side of the boat, in accordance with an official request by the Irish Governement. Then you sip GnT's or slug Hieno's as the boat slips out into the Irish Sea. three or four days later you pass through the Iberian peninsula taking in the majestic sight of Gibraltar in the distance.
Then this morning it all seems to go a wry when one is awoken to here the news that number of foreign Nationals have died in a confrontation with Israeli Commandos .
Now this isn't how a Jaunt round the Med should go... Down off certain parts of Africa where Pirates roam, those of course that bear no resemblance to Jack Sparrow, it's expected. But in the Med its a lot more tranquil. Unless that is if you ignore a warning from the Israelis not to go near Palestine, then in my book one is asking for whatever comes your way.
So you say the poor Palestinians are starving, that the big brutish US backed Israel is blockading them. Ok point taken, but firstly are the Palestinians totally without blame in this regards.... Er no. They voted a terrorist group into power, who continue to kill innocent men women and kids, by firing rockets into their neighbours back yard. Hezbollah screamed for years to be given power to change Palestine, what happens once they got there... They realised what a bloody mess the country was in, so went back to doing what they do best, blaming everyone especially Israel for their woes and running up the body count in both Israel and Palestine, without realising how much of a hiding they're on. The Israelis are the master poker players in international politics, whatever you throw at them they'll multiply the response by ten they don't give a tinkers about the attitude of the rest of world, they're getting a job done the only way the know how, according to the Mossad/ 24 hand book.
So why did you join the flotilla? To bring aid to Palestine... Leave that to the professionals, Goal, UNICEF etc, this ain't Dunkirk... It's not an opportunity for you and the Commodore of the local yacht club to steam into something that isn't any of your business. Also the Palestinian smugglers are doing a roaring trade under the Turkish border, I don't really think Palestine is starving, have you seen what they're bring through the tunnels... You name it they'll get it through. Maybe FedEx should take note.
Now I hear you want me to march round the town, ha! When was the last time a Palestinian marched because of anything happening in Ireland. Did they rise up against Anglo Irish? Against the OAPs losing their medical cards... Hmm thought not.
Of course as I walked home through Bray tonight, the biggest bunch of "Bandwagon" jumpers in Ireland where out flag waving at the town hall, with placards proclaiming "Free Gaza". It stood a better chance of that before Hezbollah got their feet under the table.
We have big enough problems ourselves without getting involved a pissing contest between two middle eastern countries, they've been bitching at each other for years, all you'll get for sticking your oar in (excuse the pun) is an over zealous Israeli response . If you walk up to a gate and see a sign saying beware of the dog, then catch site of a big angry Alsatian baring his teeth at you from behind, do you still go in? No you find another way to make contact, send a letter, email use the phone....
To those who lost their lives today, my condolences to the relatives, but they new, they were warned.
