Bray 1191 and King Philippe Auguste

Champagne is a region in the north of France. There are plenty of Christians there. And back in 1191, in the city of Bray, one of these people was caught in the act of conducting an "aid flotilla". (as per Robert Booth, Israeli attack on Gaza flotilla sparks international outrage, Guardian, 31 May 2010)

The local Jews were incensed. And so they grabbed the Christian, bound his hands, put a crown of thorns on his head, and dragged him through the streets. And then they hanged him.

And all that on their festival of Purim.

MEANWHILE AT THE UNITED NATIONS

"In the early morning hours of Tuesday, the Security Council expressed deep regret at the loss of life and injuries resulting from the use of force during the Israeli military operation early on Monday in international waters against the convoy sailing to Gaza, and condemned those acts which had killed at least 10 civilians and wounded many more." (Security Council Condemns Acts Resulting in Civilian Deaths during Israeli Operation, Security Council, Department of Public Information, News and Media Division, New York, United Nations)

There was regret, but not enough to call the matter "barbaric" and "abhorrent". (as per Mark Toner cited in US appalled by 'barbaric' stoning plan in Iran, AFP, 8 Jul 2010)

DIDN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING CONCRETE

The facts were not in dispute. But the UN thought an inquiry might sound good: "The UN secretary general called today for a multinational

BUT AT LEAST PRETEND TO DO SOMETHING

investigation of Israel's raid on the Gaza-bound aid flotilla that left nine dead but the proposal was swiftly rejected by the Israelis." "Michael Oren, Israel's ambassador to Washington, told Fox News: "We are rejecting an international commission." (Harriet Sherwood, Amabassador to US dismisses Ban Ki-moon's suggestion but says Israel is willing to work with Washington, Guardian, 6 Jun 2010)

NOT THAT A COMMISSION COULD DO MUCH TO CHANGE THE PUBLIC FACTS

Of course, the facts are already out there. The boats were in international waters. The Jewish pirates had no legal right to board them. And the murdered sailors were shot down in cold blood: "Autopsy reports on the dead activists yesterday revealed that five had gunshot wounds to the head." (Harriet Sherwood, Amabassador to US dismisses Ban Ki-moon's suggestion but says Israel is willing to work with Washington, Guardian, 6 Jun 2010)

So why were the Jews so shy of an international commission?

It all goes back to 1191.

After the Jews had captured a Christian, bound his hands, put a crown of thorns on his head and dragged him through the streets of Bray, word got around to the King.

So Philippe Auguste travelled to Bray, accompanied by his royal soldiers.

And there he held a commission of inquiry.

Which resulted in the burning of 100 Jews.

So now you know why the Jews rejected the United Nations proposal for an international inquiry.

And you also know why they'd rather talk about the justice system in Iran than what happened in May 2010 in international waters.

Or, for that matter, Purim 1191 in Bray.