Israel exercised her legitimate right of self defense (Sen. Joseph Lieberman)

The blockade exists because Hamas, which is increasingly acting as a proxy for the Iranian regime, has fired thousands of rockets upon Israel even after Israel withdrew from Gaza.  The flotilla was a clear provocation and was not an effort to improve the lives of the people of Gaza but rather an attempt to score political propaganda points.  The Palestinian people have legitimate rights to a state that is a peaceful neighbor of Israel, but those who assist Hamas only undermine that goal and a peaceful resolution.  Support of Hamas and its aims is not the humanitarian path to peace, but rather enables continued violence and conflict.

I appreciate the way in which the Obama Administration has refused to join the international herd that has rushed to convict Israel before the facts were known and has apparently forgotten that Israel is a democratic nation and Hamas is a terrorist group.  At difficult moments like this, it is more important than ever for the U.S. to stand steadfastly with our democratic ally, Israel.