Israeli troops opened fire across the Syrian frontier on Sunday to disperse hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters who stormed the border of the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Syrian television reported four people, including a 12-year-old boy, were killed by Israeli gunfire.
Yes, I know that Israel's enemies push their own children forward for the purpose of dying for the cause. But it works against Israel and regardless of the unfairness, the right thing to do is reduce the chances of children being killed.
UPDATE: Syria paid the protesters and there is a question of whether a boy was killed, given that it would be very convenient for the Syrian government to claim this:
Syria claimed that 23 people were killed and 350 injured. Israel claimed that there were few deaths, and less than a hundred injured. ...
The Syrian government, which has been fighting pro-democracy demonstrations for the last three months, was accused by opposition groups, of staging the "Palestinian demonstration." The government was said to have recruited poor farmers, with offers of $1,000 each if they joined the march, and $10,000 each if they were killed, and free medical care if they were injured. Syrian border guards were seen directing the demonstrators, not trying to stop them from marching into Israeli gunfire.
Israel still needs means to stop these civilian fronts, whether on their borders or at sea, without significant loss of life. I still don't know why the Israelis couldn't toss strong nets in the path of any fauxtilla ships to foul their propellors.
