Israel’s unrestrained piracy
Israel’s recent interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, which included a New Hamsphire resident, roughly 600 miles from its shores, should concern anyone who values international law. Stopping civilian vessels in international waters, detaining about 175 unarmed activists and reportedly disabling boats raises serious legal and moral questions that cannot be dismissed as routine “security.”
Israel maintains the operation was lawful and necessary to enforce its blockade. But projecting force onto the high seas to block humanitarian aid crosses a clear line. Freedom of navigation is a cornerstone of international law, and actions like this set a troubling precedent, especially when civilians and aid shipments are involved.
This is not an isolated event. It reflects a broader reality in which, despite a nominal ceasefire, Palestinians in Gaza continue to face deadly violence and severe restrictions on aid, while in the West Bank tens of thousands remain displaced amid ongoing raids and settler attacks. A ceasefire that does not protect civilians or ensure access to basic necessities is not a meaningful peace.
The question is not just about one flotilla, but about whether international norms will be applied consistently. If the seizure of civilian vessels in international waters is tolerated, the consequences extend far beyond this conflict. The rule of law cannot be selective without losing its meaning. The continued silence of our legislators and our citizens rises to complicity.
Speak out: contact senators Shaheen and Hassan and representatives Pappas and Goodlander, and demand an end to Israel’s unlawful, aggressive actions.