Freedom Flotillia Mark Two.

Over the coming days - possibly even tomorrow (28/6/11) - a group of Palestinian Solidarity activists will set sail from Greece. They will then attempt to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza by sailing through the Israeli naval blockade. You may remember that the last time this was attempted back in May/June of 2010 it led to the Mavi Marmara incident when Israeli naval commandos shot dead nine activists aboard the Turkish ferry, the Mavi Marmara.

So while I hate to be the bearer of bad news I should warn the people aboard the second freedom flotilla that if they do break the naval blockade then the Israel Navy are fully entitled to sink all the ships and kill all those on board. This is because if Israel fail to enforce the blockade on this or any other occasion the blockade ceases to exist and Israel loses the right to intercept any other ships headed for Gaza, regardless of what they may or may not be carrying. Of course there are separate arguments over why Israel is imposing a blockade and whether it is right to do so, both morally and in terms of ensuring Israel's security.

It's a shame then that the flotilla isn't attempting to address any of those questions. Instead it is an American and European attempt to put pressure on the Israeli's, the Palestinians and the Chinese over September's upcoming vote at the UN over Palestinian statehood. I now actually think it's time for that motion to be withdrawn to make way for the much more pressing and significant issue of how the United Nation Security Council proceeds post-Libya. After all this will be the issue that everyone's really talking so it would be a shame for all the confusion to lead to the Palestinians getting a deal they didn't really expect. A break would also give the Palestinians time to reflect on who suggested this rather aggressive and loud strategy.

Apart from that my father and I have moved on to episode three of the Pacific. I think he was a bit annoyed because it prevented him from watching yet another repeat of the BBC show "Silent Witness." However I think if we persevere we might one day cure this valve-era electrician of his addiction to bad TV.