Although the second flotilla to Gaza met a farcical end this week, few Israelis were laughing. The activists quickly switched to a plan to swamp Ben-Gurion airport, a sign that their efforts to embarrass and confront Israel are far from over. But there was genuine good news.

The flotilla failed primarily because Turkey and Greece decided to prevent the Gaza-bound boats from leaving their ports. Within days, the IDF was taking part in a large exercise with the Greek army, while Israel and Turkey continued trying to resolve their differences ahead of a UN report on last year's flotilla. The signs are positive.