Turkey has taken the unprecedented step of calling the raid in international waters 'state sponsored terrorism'. This has not only increased their standing in the Middle East but has complicated America's position as an ally of both countries. So what was Netanyahu thinking? Perhaps he was wanting to divert attention from the recent allegations that Israeli soldiers have been subjecting Palestinian minors to sexual abuse. Or the other recent allegation that Israel supplied the apartheid regime of South Africa with nuclear technology. Another theory is that for Netanyahu to survive politically it needs an antagonist such as Hamas to justify America giving $3 billion annually as foreign aid to Israel. The timing, a day before a meeting with President Obama and given Hamas's waning popularity of late seems to me at least to be a pitch for increase aid. Netanyahu is almost blackmailing the American administration by showing how easily it can bring the region to the brink of war. In this respect it is very similar to the policies of North Korea and it's calculated sinking of a South Korean vessel. Whatever the calculation, bartering for concessions with violence is a dangerous recipe for war.
