Quote by Christopher Hitchens

The little boats cannot make much difference to the welfare of Gaza either way, since the materials being shipped are in such negligible quantity. The chief significance of the enterprise is therefore symbolic. And the symbolism, when examined even cursorily, doesn't seem too adorable. The intended beneficiary of the stunt is a ruling group with close ties to two of the most retrograde dictatorships in the Middle East, each of which has recently been up to its elbows in the blood of its own civilians. The same group also manages to maintain warm relations with, or at the very least to make cordial remarks about, both Hezbollah and al-Qaida. Meanwhile, a document that was once accurately described as a 'warrant for genocide' forms part of the declared political platform of the aforesaid group. There is something about this that fails to pass a smell test.

Summary

In this quote, the author argues that the significance of sending little boats with materials to Gaza is primarily symbolic rather than tangible, as the quantity of materials being shipped is negligible. The author questions the adorability of this symbolism, pointing out that the ruling group in Gaza has close ties with retrograde dictatorships, has been involved in violence against its people, and maintains relations with radical organizations like Hezbollah and al-Qaida. Furthermore, the author highlights that the group's political platform includes what was once referred to as a "warrant for genocide." The author suggests that there is something suspicious or questionable about this endeavor.