Speaking in Istanbul, John Kerry said that after what Americans had gone through in Boston last week, "I have deep feelings for what happens when you have violence, when something that happens when you lose people that are near and dear to you. It affects the community; it affects the country."

The remark was made in the context of addressing the May 2010 Israeli interception of a Turkish-led flotilla attempting to break the maritime blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Kerry said he could understand the pain and frustration of the families of those aboard the flotilla's lead ship, the Mavi Marmara, nine of whom lost their lives after violently attacking the Israeli boarding party.

Kerry's remarks are another indication of how little Washington really understands the Middle East.