While the condemnations continue to roll in and the Muslim world capitalizes on the so-called IDF commando raid on helpless humanitarian fighters, high-level administration officials in Yerushalayim continue to brainstorm, seeking how best to combat the diplomatic anti-Israel onslaught, the momentum of condemnations that is audible worldwide. All are now well-aware that the battlefield has shifted from the vessels to the diplomatic arena, and Israel, as usual, is sorely outnumbered.

Some of Israel’s strongest allies were quick to join in and condemn on Monday, not even permitting enough time for the IDF to wrap up the operation and present its case. This would include statements released by Italy and Germany for example, staunch Israel allies but today, opting to join in the momentum.

For Turkey, it is no coincidence that Ankara was so deeply involved in orchestrating the flotilla, realizing Israel would lose however the scenario played out, and it appears, at least according to many, that the damage to Israel’s image exceeded anything that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan could have hoped for. Turkey has had one agenda since Operation Cast Lead, to delegitimize Israel, continuously calling on the international community for sanctions.

NATO is convening in response to a Turkish request, as is the United Nations Security Council. The European Union has condemned Israel and the UN’s human rights representative to the PA (Palestinian Authority) has already called for bringing those responsible for the deaths of the flotilla martyrs to justice.

El Al announced on Monday evening that it’s planned Tel Aviv – Istanbul route, slated to begin in June, is being suspended until further notice, aware such a route would not be a profitable venture considering the new low in Israel-Turkish relations.

Anti-Israel protests were reported on the campuses of Hebrew University on Mount Scopus, Tel Aviv University and Haifa University, as the institutions of higher learning continue to serve as bastions of left-wing anti-Israel ideology.

Turkey continues to play lead in the international anti-Israel circuit, recalling the ambassador to Tel Aviv for ‘consultations’. Other nations, including Sweden, Greece, Belgium and Italy have summoned Israel’s ambassador, demanding an explanation for the day’s events.

Anti-Israel protests were reported in Israeli Arab areas during the day, including, Nachal I’ron (Wadi Ara), and Akko, and of course in Gaza, and Kalandia, PA and Hamas areas, as well as Beirut, Amman and Istanbul to name a few.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has decided the situation demands his early return from North America, informing US President Barak Obama that his scheduled meeting in the White House would have to be postponed. His explanation was met with understanding according to a White House statement.
 
“This morning between 10:00 and 10:15 AM CDT, the President spoke by phone with Prime Minister Netanyahu. He said he understood the Prime Minister’s decision to return immediately to Israel to deal with today’s events. They agreed to reschedule their meeting at the first opportunity. The President expressed deep regret at the loss of life in today’s incident, and concern for the wounded, many of whom are being treated in Israeli hospitals. The President also expressed the importance of learning all the facts and circumstances around this morning’s tragic events as soon as possible.”

On Tuesday, Israel’s Arab community will observe a commercial strike, a day or mourning, seeking to capitalize on the events, to gain another day of sympathy for the cause and another round of international Israel bashing.

Following is one video that depicts what really occurred on the Gaza humanitarian flotilla, permitting one to easily see how the naval commandos came under attack as they slid down the ropes onto the vessel. The crowd, the humanitarian agents were armed with chains, clubs, chairs and knives, waiting to ambush the soldiers who were not armed with automatic weapons, naively believing they were sent on a mission to arrest unarmed peace activists, when in actuality, they fell prey to another band of pro-Islamic anti-Israel terrorists.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)