The deadly May 31, 2010 Gaza flotilla incident has been misunderstood. This book explores the incident in more detail than mainstream media coverage has allowed-explaining the background, key players, and the incident itself-enriched by the authors having had unique access to senior Israeli officials in the immediate aftermath of the event. The incident is a microcosm of the struggle between terrorism and democratic societies, and raises a number of legal, ethical, and strategic political issues in the contemporary Middle East. Chapters address the political and military scenario preceding the incident, key state and non-state actors involved, military and ethical dimensions of the operation, and the aftermath in the media and politics. The book provides thoughtful and readable analysis that is useful to policy makers and to the general public, and draws some important conclusions for the continuing conflict between democratic states and terrorists and their sponsors.

Chapter 1. Introduction: Understanding the Gaza Flotilla Incident Part 2 Part 1: The Scenario Chapter 3 Chapter 2. Ethnic and Religious Dimensions of the Israeli-Palestinian Struggle Chapter 4 Chapter 3. Why There? The Origin, Evolution, and Historical Significanceof the Gaza Strip Chapter 5 Chapter 4. Iran and Weapons Proliferation in Lebanon and Gaza Chapter 6 Chapter 5. Ethical Considerations and Israeli Policy towards the Palestinians Part 7 Part 2: The Players Chapter 8 Chapter 6. Islamic Resurgence in Turkey: The Mavi Marmara Incident as its Statement Chapter 9 Chapter 7. Hamas - Ideology, Elections, and Governance in Gaza Chapter 10 Chapter 8. Charity Begins (and Ends?) at Home: The Nexus between Islamic Social Welfare and the Funding of Terrorism Chapter 11 Chapter 9. RMA's, Hybrid Wars, and the Gaza Flotilla Incident Part 12 Part 3: The Incident and Its Aftermath Chapter 13 Chapter 10. Tactical Ethics: An Evaluation of the Israeli Naval Commando Assault on the MV Mavi Marmara Chapter 14 Chapter 11. Playing Offense and Defense: Examining the Effectiveness of Israel's Counterterrorism Strategies Chapter 15 Chapter 12. Understanding American Media Reaction to the Gaza Flotilla Incident Chapter 16 Chapter 13. US-Israeli Relations in the Wake of the Flotilla Incident Chapter 17 Chapter 14. Drawing a Line in the Sea: What the Gaza Flotilla Incident Means