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Supporting Israel
Flotilla flak draws Israelis, local Jews together.
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A
s waves of condemnation
continue to wash over Israel
after its Navy commandos
clashed with armed activists of the
Gaza "Freedom Flotilla" in international
waters off Gaza May 31, leaving nine
activists dead and seven Israeli soldiers
wounded, Detroit's Jewish community
remains steadfast in its support of the
Jewish state.
"Not one person out of the 19 signed
up for Detroit Hadassah's mission to
Israel have questioned anything going
on," said Annette Meskin of Sylvan
Lake, who is heading the October mis-
sion with her husband, Russell. "I had
five people this week call me for more
information to join the group, so hope-
fully people realize that it is even more
important to visit Israel when times are
a little more difficult.
"I encourage as many people who can
to go to Israel and support our country:'
Rabbi Paul Yedwab, Temple
Israel, West Bloomfield:
"I am afraid that the
fallout from prevent-
ing one flotilla of
ships to enter Gaza
will lead to so much
international pres-
sure being brought
to bear on Israel that
she will be forced to
Rabbi Yedwab
dismantle the embar-
go entirely, leading, of
course, to a re-arming of Hamas.
"Clearly, there was a political miscalcu-
lation here and it does baffle me. Israel is,
after all, a country of Jews, known for our
abilities in the field of PR, led by a prime
minister who, when he was an ambas-
sador, was a public relations whiz and yet
who, nonetheless, doesn't seem to grasp
that sometimes you have to cooperate
with, and yes, even accede to, your ally's
demands not because they are right, but
because they are your allies.
"The fact these were Turkish ships,
Israel's one Middle East ally so to speak
(with friends like that, of course, who
needs enemies), should probably have
made a bigger difference in the course of
action that was taken. But on the other
hand, if you decided to let this flotilla
through, then where does it stop?"
2010
said Meskin, immediate past national
chair of missions for Hadassah. "I met a
college student today who is going on a
Birthright trip in August and can't wait,
and neither she nor her parents are wor-
ried."
Matthew Bernstein,
21, of Oak Park was
in Israel May 24-June
4 on the first Detroit
community Taglit
Birthright trip spon-
sored by Federation
and Hillel of Metro
Matthew
Detroit. Forty college
Bernstein
students from Metro
Detroit ages 19-23 plus
eight Israelis from Detroit's Partnership
2000 region in the Central Galilee par-
ticipated. Another such trip is planned
in August and already is full.
"I had never gone to Israel before and
it was a fulfilling experience Bernstein
said. "We had gone to Jerusalem that day
and we didn't know [about the flotilla]
until that night. I was watching CNN
with other Americans and it sounded
like Israel killed humanitarian aid work-
ers. An Israeli with us changed the TV to
an Israeli station and translated for us.
We saw the Israel Defense Forces video
way before CNN had it that showed sol-
diers being beaten and stabbed.
"I never realized it was that way:'
Bernstein said. "CNN made it seem
Israel just stormed a ship and did some-
thing wrong. In America, the media hide
many things from us. With our friend
translating, we saw the discrepancy
between the world media and Israeli
media. The reason he turned Israeli
media on is that world news is biased
against them.
"It was a very interesting time to be
there he said. "It made me feel more
honored to be part of the Jewish state
because of how they handled things and
went about their business. I would not
hesitate to go back. My boss at work is
from there. My cousin just came back.
U.S. Sen. Carl Levin,
D-Michigan:
"Israel has the right
under international
law to set up a naval
blockade to keep
weapons from being
sent to llamas. Hamas
is an organization
that is listed by our
Sen. Levin
state department as
a terrorist organiza-
tion and that controls
Gaza, indiscriminately attacks Israeli
citizens and cities with rockets, and
denies Israel's very right to exist.
"While all the facts are not yet known,
it seems clear that the organizers of the
flotilla, particularly those on the Mavi
Marmara, set out intentionally to use force
to challenge the blockade. This confronta-
tion and the tragic loss of life could have
been avoided had the organizers of the
flotilla agreed to Israel's repeated offers to
accept the humanitarian aid at an Israeli
port and transfer it overland to Gaza under
the supervision of those in the flotilla.
"An in-depth investigation is underway.
But even as it is taking place, one thing is
clear: the need to proceed, despite all the
setbacks, with negotiations that can lead to
a comprehensive agreement which has two
states living side by side in peace":
U.S. Rep. Gary Peters,
D-Bloomfield Township:
"I am saddened by
the unfortunate loss
of life and injuries
that occurred during
this incident. However,
it seems that many
would prefer to judge
Israel rather than wait
Rep. Peters
and judge the facts.
I am puzzled that so
many around the world
are so quick to condemn Israel's acts of
self-defense while they are slow to speak
out on the dangerous nuclear ambi-
tions of Iran — even as just yesterday
news broke that Iran has the fuel for two
nuclear weapons.
"I am incredulous that the U.N.
Security Council can meet the same day
in response to this unfortunate incident,
but despite years of a growing nuclear
threat from Iran, the U.N. Security
Council has yet to take necessary action.
While Israelis live in fear of rocket
attacks and Gilad Shalit is still held
hostage, there is not commensurate
international outrage toward indiscrimi-
nate acts of terrorism by llamas and
Hezbollah. These issues, which threaten
regional and global stability, call for
much swifter and stronger action:'
Supporting Israel on page 12
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