SAME OLD @#%$!!!!!

YES, you have read the heading correctly and I'm talking about how I'm describing this latest despicable and highly insensitive act by the Israelis.

There we are, half the world, including some countries known to have good relations with Israel, speaking in one voice to condemn. There have been demonstrations in many cities including our own KL, there was a marathon session of the UN Security Council which came out with an anti-climax of a statement, watered down most likely due to the influence of the Americans. The White House? It regrets, that's all -- regrets -- the deaths of those on board the ship that was boarded by commandos in international waters, in itself an unlawful and barbaric act.

You are expecting more? More strongly worded statements? Whatever for?

How the world has reacted so far is not going to affect the Israelis one bit. The condemnations after past atrocities have not altered the political landscape and have not moved the Israelis to remove the blockade of Gaza. The condemnations this time around are going to have the same effect.

Another resolution by the UN? That too is not going to make the Israelis sob with regret. What could possibly work is to impose sanctions, the way the Americans, British, Germans and others from the western world have been pushing against Iran and Iraq but never is an action like this ever suggested by them against Israel, no matter how brutal its regime and how indifferent it is towards international laws and conventions.

We have not seen the last of what kind of damage and harm the Israelis are capable of, if only what the world can manage is to merely condemn through demonstrations and statements.