There are real threats to Israel's security. A flotilla of peace activists that was trying to breach the blockade of Gaza is not one of them. A heavy-handed and poorly prepared response has further blackened Israel's image, claiming innocent lives and alienating close friends and allies. Israel needs a more subtle and sophisticated approach to isolate its enemies; at a minimum, it must avoid such misguided efforts.
Israel and Egypt have blockaded the Gaza Strip since 2007, when the Islamic group Hamas took control of the territory from its Palestinian rival, Fatah, after winning parliamentary elections in January 2006. Hamas opposed security arrangements whereby the Gaza authority patrolled its side of the border to keep contraband from coming into or going out of the territory. So, Israel and Egypt blocked most commerce out of fear that the territory would be used as a haven for attacks against Israel.
As a result, living conditions in the territory have deteriorated. Few Gazans are starving and shops are full, but a once vibrant society is now living on handouts, watching its future be destroyed. Eighty percent of the population depends on food aid to survive and much of the water is undrinkable. Although the territory is dotted with ruins from Israeli raids, construction is difficult because concrete is on the list of controlled items — it can be used for bunkers as well as homes.