I’ll give you a hint. It’s not the denial of Israel’s right to exist that some of you have embraced. It’s not the comparisons made between Israel and Nazi Germany. It’s not even the veiled suggestion that Israeli deaths don’t count because less of them have died.
It’s this.
Don’t understand? Well let me explain.
The message of this sin against humanity is that this teen was somehow special. That his death should stand out from the crowd. Why? What makes him different?
Well, he’s an American.
Really? This is why he’s so special? He’s a citizen of the United States, and therefore I should care more? Are you really making that argument?
I don’t see any other way to read it. The message that is being sent is that his death outweighs the importance of the deaths of the other eight unfortunate activists who were killed in either a confused reaction to poorly-planned raid or were incited to violence by agitators wishing for a blood bath. This is a bigger insult to the Turks than Israel boarding Turkish flagged vessels.
Those of you who have been following the feud that has been raging across the diaries between Israel’s supporters and detractors know that I fall pretty heavily on the side of Israel. If you’ve been paying close attention, you’ll have also noticed that I don’t just play lip service to peace and the creation of a Palestinian state, but in fact actively condemn the West Bank settlers, the anti-gay extremists, and whichever dumbass ordered the raid in the middle of the night.
I want the Israelis to be safe and secure. I want the same for the Palestinians, the Turks, the Lebanese, hell even the Syrians. Whenever people, especially people who I believe had good intentions (whether I think they’re misguided or not), are hurt or killed I bleed for them. I bleed for every Israeli killed by Hamas, Fatah, or Hezbollah rockets. I bleed for every Israeli soldier kidnapped and tortured by the same. I bleed for every Palestinian who goes needlessly hungry, or who gets crushed trying to defend their homes. I bleed for every one of the Turks who were killed on Monday, and I also bleed for the American Turk who died as well. I bleed for all of them alike, none receiving more because they are Israeli or American or whatever. They are all human beings that are needlessly dying in a conflict that none of the people really want. That’s the saddest thing of all.
This is my first attempt at a diary. I might be doing it wrong. I'm sorry if I am, and I'll try harder next time. I just didn't feel like a comment would be enough.
EDIT:Examining the offending diary again, I admit it's possible I misread. That being said, my point that we should morn every loss of life equally still stands. (I'll make special exceptions from this rule for real Hitlers and Stalins.)