As God is my witness, I have no idea who the anonymous people were who placed forbidden materials on the current flotilla to Gaza, causing its delay, but God bless them. Anything that harms, postpones, diminishes or causes the flotilla organizers to feel impotent is a worthy initiative. But in the end, slowing down the flotilla will not stop it altogether, and the ships will sail out to sea. Israel must welcome the terrorist-sailors with confidence, flexibility and most importantly, the ability to navigate world public opinion. Unlike last year, this time the new Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz will remain in the command "hole" all night to coordinate between the military's different branches and their different objectives. Also, in contrast to last year, helicopters won't drop soldiers one by one, without cover, into the waiting arms of their adversaries. The IDF's treatment of the Turkish flotilla last year failed at the operational level, not that of decision makers. That is a fact, even if the decision-making process was flawed. This time, the government will follow the rule book written for it by retired Judge Yaakov Turkel [head of the Turkel Commission appointed by the Israeli government to investigate the Gaza flotilla raid]. Then as now, however, the main test will be at the general staff level and not in the cabinet's meeting room. The picture is not yet sufficiently clear. One the one hand, flotilla organizers admit that response has been weaker this year. Without a central Turkish instigator there is no wind in the sails of the boats that keep being sabotaged and diminishing in number in European ports. On the other hand, because the remaining activists are extremists and foreign journalists who think that violent confrontation makes for a better story, there is a danger that they are even more likely to seek hand-to-hand combat with the IDF. Whatever happens will be determined then and there, out at sea. Since the first flotilla 13 months ago some government officials have raised the idea of doing nothing to interfere with the terrorists' attempts to reach their home port of Gaza. At this stage their vessels are not carrying weapons, and even if there are some hidden here and there, it is not a significant amount. In any case, the passages between Israel and the Gaza Strip are fully open, as is the Egyptian border at Rafah. So what is the point of stopping the flotilla- But the struggle is not about oil, clothing and the small quantity of weapons in the ships' bowels. It is all about the cameras, which hope to once again immortalize Israel's retreat in the face of terror. Therefore, capitulation is not an option for Israel.
