JERUSALEM: On any given day, the protracted conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians divide opinions like no other issues for many Jerusalemites. In light of the Israeli attack on the Turkish flotilla off the coast of Gaza last week, we sounded out the opinions of some of its residents and workers. “I wouldn't lose any sleep over it (the Israeli response). “I think that every country has a right to defend its territories, and the right to inspect what enters its waters. The fact that the convoy had a Turkish flag indicated that they were up to something, and were looking for a fight.” -Israeli souvenir shop owner, 47, Jewish Quarter, Old City, Jerusalem “I agree with the IDF's actions. They did it to protect us – they had to do it. The whole world doesn't see our side of the story; all the videos only show the Turkish (the humanitarians') side and see them as innocent. But we watched the news and saw these people beating our soldiers. We feel so hopeless and no one's listening to us.” -Orel, 17, Israeli student, Jewish Quarter, Old City, Jerusalem. “We did what had to do. “We are sorry that lives were lost, but it's their fault. They should've let us inspect their boats. They have to understand that we, Israelis, have to do everything to protect ourselves.” -Tifelet, 17, Israeli student, Jewish Quarter, Old City, Jerusalem “Rather than asking whose fault it was, why did nobody question the purpose of the operation in the first place? “I'm certain that there won't be an inquiry, and even if there were, the outcome will be the same as before. What's interesting is that some German politicians were on board the ships and they said the situation was war-like. They have no reasons to lie….” -A 23-year-old Palestinian worker, Christian Quarter, Old City, Jerusalem “It's just hard to believe that the protestors were a threat to the Israeli army who are all professionals.” -A Palestinian souvenir shop owner, Jaffa Gate, Old City, Jerusalem “The whole world is against Israel and they will pay for it. The flotillas started it; they came here looking for trouble. Our soldiers only had paintball guns! And look at North Korea –why not break the damn blockade there, and (the rest of the world) go somewhere else instead of interfering in our business?! We are dealing with terrorists here! They are not nice guys – they want to blow us up! “I think that war will come very soon – perhaps in the next two weeks, or within two months. That'll be the last great war on earth because after that, the prophet will come – the prophet of Zaccaria!” -A 67-year-old Israeli émigré from America, Jewish Quarter, Old City, Jerusalem. “It was a massacre – a game of the pirates. “They didn't have to end it like this. These people were delivering just food and not weapons. They are not criminals. “The ships came from Turkey to help the Palestinians, and did they find any weapons?? Just knives for use in the kitchens!!! “There will just be more hatred from now on. Look at all the Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem! Is anybody surprised that Israeli homes were burnt by Palestinians in Silwan?” -Khamis, 50-year-old Palestinian café worker, King George V Street, Downtown Jerusalem. “There could've been other ways to stop the boats but it was the right thing to do. We don't approve of this violence, but Netanyahu is pretty strong and does a good job in dealing with the Arabs in Jerusalem. He does what he says and is not Obama's dog.” -An 18-year-old Israeli-American student, Jaffa Road, Jerusalem. “I think war is very likely now; one more with Hezbollah as they really did not like the Israeli actions here. I read in the papers that they were already training their soldiers for action near the Golan Heights. “Netanyahu will stay on – he's a strong man; and he's ready for war.” -Shaeen, Palestianian, Jaffa Road, Downtown Jerusalem. “It was the right thing to do to hit the last boat because here in Israel, there's always a war, and as you can see now on the streets, there are policemen everywhere. “For sure, to kill people is not ok, and we don't have the credit to kill. But I serve only to God, and am not at all worried about the consequences because I believe it was the right thing to do. “That said, I'm not 100% supportive of Prime Minister Netanyahu – he's got many things wrong and done many things that I don't agree with, but if we go to war, I will support him.” -A 25-year-old Israeli man, Ben Yehuda Street, Downtown Jerusalem “No comment – too many Israeli soldiers around, and they don't always wear their uniforms…” -A Palestinain juice-stand owner, Arab bus station, East Jerusalem “I think the military action was problematic and it's very sad that these people got killed. “I don't know much about the tactics of war but I really believe that what the IDF did was wrong. For sure, the people on these boats were clearly not Greenpeace activists – they came to kill or harm or do something violent, but there could've been other ways of dealing with them. “In terms of Israel's image abroad, I think we did a really poor job because everybody can now see the pictures of the soldiers attacking and killing civilians. “They should've been arrested, and not killed. I just hope there won't now be a war but I just do not know.” -Hila, 24-year-old Israeli student, Shlomzion HaMalka Street, Downtown Jerusalem. “Watching the news, it's really sad. What we want is peace. That's all. But no one's interested.” -A Palestinian hotel manager, 57, Mount of Olives, East Jerusalem “This was a mistake from the beginning when they blocked off Gaza. Everything that happened is a result of that. “Of course, we should all blame Israel for their actions but I would blame all the Arab countries first – especially Egypt and Jordan for remaining silent for so long. “So many Arab countries have a connection with Israel or America, and it's impossible for them to do anything about us, the Palestinians. “We have the same blood, same bone, same connection as Arabs. “After the Arab countries, I blame America – they call themselves the police of the world and to do that, you have to be fair. But letting Israel do what they like to do? This Zionist lobby is responsible for that…I hear that 90% of the politicians there have links to it? That's not right.” -37-year-old Palestinian souvenir shop owner, Via Dolorosa, Old City, Jerusalem. “You want to know what I think? First of all, there are no Palestinians – they are Arabs. Thank you.” -A plain-clothed Israeli policeman, Herod's Gate, Old City, Jerusalem. “King Abdullah, President Assad – all useless. Their fathers were so much better. Mubarak? Bad person. We like Egyptians, but not their politicians.” -A Palestinian hotel worker, Mount of Olives, East Jerusalem. BM
