'Provocation Flotilla' activists. Photo: Mideastposts.com.

Whether by government coordination or a blessing from above, so far Israel has been successful in limiting the damage over the flotilla, which the terrorist sympathizers – who were intent on breaking international law – have been able to do. While the Western media seems oblivious to the fact that Israeli society is nearly united that the “provocation flotilla” shouldn’t be allowed to sail to Gaza, the State of Israel has stood strong. On this rare occasion, Israel has realized that PR is a necessary part of war and battle these days.

Some of Israel’s PR victories:

Israel utilized her allies – The Greek Coast Guard blocked a rogue ship from departing from the Greek Coast and the captain of that boat was arrested for defying the Greek ban, as well as endangering the lives of the ship’s passengers. The boat was forcibly transferred to a Greek Military Naval Base.

As Prime Minister Netanyahu said today, “I would like to praise the many leaders throughout the world who worked against the ‘provocation flotilla,’ led by U.S. and European leaders, UN Secretary-General [Ban Ki-moon], and my friend the Greek Prime Minister [George Papandreou].”

The Greek authorities have announced that they will not allow the ships to sail, as they believe the mission is “too dangerous.” Israel rightfully utilized back-door-diplomacy – as the only democracy in the Middle East – and on this rare occasion, it’s actually worked. (The image seen around the world was of Greek authorities blocking the boat and not the “big bad Jews.”

Today, the Greek Government offered to allow Greek Navy ships to transfer any humanitarian aid aboard the flotilla to Gaza. Once again, from a PR perspective, Israel can’t be seen as blocking humanitarian aid from arriving in Gaza (which incidentally they never do) – but again, regardless, it’s a PR issue which can’t be used against Israel.

Whatever the cause, some of the boats weren’t mechanically able to reach Israel. If, in fact, it is the blessed “long arm of Israel” or, as some Israeli leaders have said, the activists have “watched too many James Bond films,” – once again, Israel can’t be damaged when the boats don’t work.

Do I think the “provocation flotilla” has been good for Israel? Far from it, but the damage done is far less than it could, and would, have been had the flotilla proceeded as planned.

Those of you who think the flotilla should be allowed – Take a U.S. boat to Rikers Island or Guantanamo Bay, and when the authorities tell you to stop, keep going. Let me know how it goes.