Keep Your Eyes on the Sea

What a beautiful baby this is:

US, Israel Warships in Suez May Be Prelude to Faceoff with Iran

INNews says: "the armada, led by the USS Truman with 5,000 sailors and marines, was the largest in years. Egypt closed the canal to fishing and other boats as the armada moved through the strategic passageway that connects the Red and Mediterranean Seas.

"Despite Egypt’s reported refusal to block the canal to Iranian boats, the clearance for the American-Israeli fleet may be a warning to Iran it may face military opposition if the Iranian Red Crescent ship continues on course to Gaza."

Bracing for an Israeli-Iranian Faceoff in the Waters off Gaza

Newsweek says, "...despite concern that the Iranians are sending the ship in a deliberate attempt to provoke the Israelis and worsen already severe tensions in the area, European and U.S. officials say Tehran actually seems to have dialed back some of its rhetoric and threats for the moment. At one point, an official of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards was publicly quoted as saying that his forces were prepared to provide a military escort for any aid vessels heading for Gaza. But Iran’s official news agency later quoted Hossein Salami, the deputy of the corps, as saying there were no such plans. “Such a thing is not on our agenda,”....

Boker Tov Espana,

When will the rest of the world wake up?

"‘If Israel Goes Down, We All Go Down‘" by José María Aznar (Conservative, Spain)

"In our dealings with Israel, we must blow away the red mists of anger that too often cloud our judgment. A reasonable and balanced approach should encapsulate the following realities: first, the state of Israel was created by a decision of the UN. Its legitimacy, therefore, should not be in question...

"Second, owing to its roots, history, and values, Israel is a fully fledged Western nation. Indeed, it is a normal Western nation, but one confronted by abnormal circumstances...." From an op-ed, by the former Prime Minister of Spain, that originally appeared in The London Times

Turkey Cancels 20-Year Water Sales
"Turkey has cancelled the planned sale of 1.75 billion cubic feet of water per year to Israel. The sale was to help provide for Israel's water needs for 20 years ... Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz said there will be no more sales to Israel unless Israel “apologizes and expresses its regret” ....

International Response to Gaza Boats Clash
"Greece, Turkey and Spain, all of which had citizens on the Gaza-bound flotilla that clashed with the IDF Monday morning, have summoned Israel's ambassadors in their countries for explanations of the incident. Turkey even announced that it was recalling its own ambassador from Israel, the second time in a year it has taken this move. Greek officials demanded immediate information regarding the health of Greek citizens aboard the boats...."

HERE COMES ANOTHER SQUEEZE

White House Sets Date for Netanyahu Meeting with President

July 6*

"Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, tells ABC’s “This Week” that Obama has been clear about the need “to seize this moment of opportunity” to make peace — addressing Israeli security and Palestinians’ hopes for their own state."

SOUND FAMILIAR?

Rahm Emanuel: “Never Allow a Crisis to Go to Waste”

Patterico has this to say:

"The American people might be thinking that Barack Obama plans big things because our current crisis demands it. Under this view, the crisis is the problem, and big-government action is the solution. But Obama’s Chief of Staff plans big things because our current crisis provides an opportunity to get it done:

“Rule one: Never allow a crisis to go to waste,”

Mr. Emanuel said in an interview

“They are opportunities to do big things.”

"Under this view, the need to accomplish big-government action is the problem, and the crisis is the solution. Keep this in mind, people of America. Is Obama’s goal to fix the crisis — or to use it to accomplish other things that he wanted to accomplish anyway? This isn’t a paranoid question. Rahm Emanuel said so."



*PS July 6 is the Nefesh flight from North America, to land in Eretz HaKodesh on July 7. Thank you Obama for the push!