The big nothing to see here moment in Israel today is the “Flytilla 2”. You know, when a bunch of drug addled rich kids and assorted loonies try to enter Israel by air with the express purpose of making a scene. There’s so much to poke fun at here but it seems that the Governement of Israel has figured out the correct response: ridicule and satire.
Most have been prevented from boarding planes; had their tickets cancelled (without refunds from the airlines); and a few (latest number I’ve seen on the tweeters is 27) have made it and been held for “interrogation” (we can only hope that means what we hope it means).
Here is the official letter of “welcome” that they will receive before they board their (self funded) flight out of here:
And here is the text of the letter:
April 15, 2012
Dear activist,
We appreciate your choosing to make Israel the object of your humanitarian
concerns.We know there were many other worthy choices.
You could have chosen to protest the Syrian regime’s daily savagery against
its own people, which has claimed thousands of lives.You could have chosen to protest the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on
dissent and support of terrorism throughout the world.You could have chosen to protest Hamas rule in Gaza, where terror
organizations commit a double war crime by firing rockets at civilians and
hiding behind civilians.But instead you chose to protest against Israel, the Middle East’s sole
democracy, where women are equal, the press criticizes the government, human
rights organizations can operate freely, religious freedom is protected for
all and minorities do not live in fear.We therefore suggest that you first solve the real problems of the region
and then come back and share with us your experience.Have a nice flight.
