SAN DIEGO (Staff Roundup) –Demonstrations in support of Israel and against the pro-Hamas activists who sailed their flotilla towards Gaza are planned in various American cities today (Tuesday, June 1)
In New York, Russian American Jewish Experience (RAJE) together with other American Jewish organizations will gather outside of the Israeli Consulate, located at 800 Second Avenue (42nd Street) at 6:00 PM to stand in support of Israel’s self-defense. Hundreds will gather waving American & Israeli flags, and bearing signs which read: “Peace Activists Don’t Attack Soldiers,” “Hamas & Al Qaeda Support the Flotilla”, and “We Stand with Israel.”
“We will gather to stand united with the State of Israel, and to let President Obama, and the world know that we will not sit silently as Israel is attacked by her enemies. We stand with Israel in their battle against terrorism. Israel has the right to stop terror at its door, and we condemn the United Nations for standing with terrorists. These so-called peace activists used knives, clubs and fire from weapons stolen from soldiers, and attacked soldiers who were seeking to enforce international law. The boats were warned to change course multiple times, and we as the American Jewish community will not stand silently as Israel is attacked,” said RAJE Chairman, Rabbi Mordechai Tokarsky.
In Los Angeles, STandWithUs announced a rally will be held at 5 p.m. today (Tuesday, June 1) in front of the Turkish consulate, 6300 Wilshire Boulevard.
StandWithUS President and CEO Roz Rothstein made the following statement:
“”Turkey played a key role in promoting the flotilla of six ships that tried to breach Israel’s maritime blockade of Gaza on May 31st.
“The flotilla, organized by self described human rights groups, claimed it was bringing aid to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel offered to deliver the goods through official channels if the activists conformed to international and Israeli law, and agreed to dock at Ashdod instead of Gaza. They refused.
“When Israel warned the approaching ships to redirect to Ashdod, they refused to do so. Exercising its sovereign rights under international law, Israel boarded the ships and escorted them to Ashdod. Five ships complied peacefully and no one was injured.
“The sixth ship, Mavi Marmara, flying under the Turkish flag, refused to cooperate.
“As is shown in this video, when a small group of Israeli navy personnel attempted to board the Marmara, the alleged ‘peace activists’ ambushed them with guns, knives, steel pipes, bats, and other weapons. Seven Israelis were wounded, two critically, and nine activists were killed. Watch the video here:
“Turkey permitted the Marmara to fly under its flag. Turkey knew that the IHH (Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation) had organized the Flotilla, and supports the genocidal terrorist organization Hamas, several Jihadist organizations in Bosnia, Syria, Iraq, Libya, and elsewhere, and has ties with Al Qaeda. But Turkey did not prevent the Flotilla from disembarking and attacking Israel’s sovereign right to protect itself from terrorists attempting to enter Gaza.
“Now Turkey is condemning Israel for the unfortunate casualties, and is leading the charge to condemn Israel at the U.N. It is Turkey that should be condemned by the United Nations for its role in this brutal trap set for Israelis.
“Turkey has blood on its hands, not Israel.”
In San Diego, community activist Tami Zohar has been sending out notices that supporters of Israel are encouraged on June 20 to wear blue.
“Imagine hundreds of thousands of people, in America, Canada, Israel, Europe and the whole entire world, committing to a simple easy action that will show their support for Israel as a Jewish and Democratic state?” said a note she forwarded on FaceBook
“What kind of message will this give in a time where many have shown interest in painting Israel as alone and without any support? Would you be willing to join this international movement and show your pride and support for the Jewish state? Well, now you can! On June 20th 2010, we will all wear a blue shirt and show our support for the State of Israel. We will show the world that Israel does still have a lot of proud supporters. This incredibly simple action – just choosing to wear a blue shirt- will enable us to give a strong message which will be heard internationally! You will be able to say proudly: “Israel has supporters and I am one of them!”.
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Preceding compiled from a variety of sources