== Why would Israel fire first? == 

 These ships weren't on a mission to breech the blockade and deliver aid.  Everyone on both sides knew from the beginning that the ships would be boarded and forced to dock elsewhere.  The purpose of the exercise was a publicity stunt to make Israel look bad... by forcing Israel to do exactly that. 

 There are these claims that Israeli commandos opened fire immediately and initiated the violence.  But what motivation could Israel possibly have for such an act?  It would be in their best interest to resolve the situation with completely nonviolent seizures of the ships. 

 The Palestinian activists, on the other hand, could make considerable gains for their cause by initiating violence.  It would be to their benefit for the situation to become as messy and ugly as possible.  Because it will incense the world against Israel and weaken Israel's ties with its allies. 

 The conclusion that the Israeli's couldn't possibly have started the violence seems inescapable to me for these reasons.  And if that isn't enough, why would they seize five ships without violence, but go in guns blazing on the sixth?  No matter what anyone might think of Israel... no matter how evil they may or may not be... it just wouldn't make any sense. 

 This article is actually part of the battleground.  It's being used to help paint this dark picture of Israel.  Editors with political agendas are busily altering the article to spray paint as much blood as possible on Israel's hands.  And that's the whole mission these ships were on. 

 It's creepy seeing Wikipedia being abused this way.