New York, NY… June 2, 2010: Members and supporters of the America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL) express their steadfast support of Israel as the Jewish state is confronted with a wave of unfounded accusations and attacks resulting from the unfortunate flotilla incident earlier this week. As a member-state of the United Nations, Israel has an uncontroverted right under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter to defend herself against armed attacks on her sovereignty or her citizens.

Following Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005 and Hamas’ victory in the Gaza elections, Hamas took complete control, expelling Fatah and the Palestinian Authority. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and Europe. For the past seven years, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Al-Qaeda-supported terror cells have launched rockets and missiles on Israel’s southern cities and towns. Over 6,000 attacks - many deadly - from Palestinian terrorists were reported since Hamas took hold of Gaza. This year alone, 150 rockets were launched into Israel.

Israeli forces had routinely intercepted dozens of vessels carrying sophisticated weaponry and bomb-making materials. Like all western democracies, Israel had to defend herself against persistent terror and continued Hamas calls for her destruction. To this end, Israel imposed a maritime blockade to prevent smuggling of deadly arms. This blockade is no different from other nations’ acts in conflict situations.

Despite this necessary blockade, Israel continues to be the largest humanitarian aid provider to Gaza. More than 1 million tons of humanitarian aid since Operation Cast Lead last January and continues to deliver 10-15,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza per week.

The Turkish group IHH, which organized the flotilla, is a radical anti-Western group that supports Hamas and Islamic Brotherhood. IHH had sought a confrontation with the Israeli army and did not heed Israeli requests to redirect the flotilla and deliver the supplies in an orderly, legal, and appropriate manner. The tragic events aboard the Mavi Marmara this week were the result of a deliberate provocation organized primarily by groups with ties to terrorist entities including Hamas.

Facts of the unfortunate confrontation aboard the Mavi Marmara will show that so-called activists planned to attack and inflict deadly injuries on Israeli soldiers who requested the flotilla organizers to redirect the boats to the Port of Ashdod. Israeli soldiers were armed with paint ball guns. They were ordered not to use pistols unless faced with a life-threatening situation. Confronted with knives, clubs, and other weapons, including live fire from guns stolen from an Israeli soldier, they responded in self-defense.

AIFL members - composed of non-Jewish and Jewish leaders - regret the loss of life and the injuries. However, we believe that those who organized and carried out this provocative and extremist flotilla bear the primary responsibility for the tragic events aboard the Mavi Marmara.

Predictably, demands have been made for condemnation of Israel by many elements of the international community which have always been the first to attack Israel. They have demanded action by the United Nations and others to punish and excoriate Israel. Experience has shown that Israel has very little chance of fair and balanced treatment from such groups and bodies who are mostly interested in self-serving propaganda.

Israel has longstanding democratic traditions and strong government oversight by an independent and well-respected judiciary. Jerusalem has already vowed to initiate an immediate, independent inquiry of the facts surrounding this unfortunate confrontation. We urge all responsible international actors to allow for this inquiry to take course and present its findings.

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AIFL’s mission is to strengthen the ties between the people of the United States and Israel; bridging distances to reveal the beauty, the humanity, and the modern democratic values that define both nations.

AIFL sends leadership delegations of lawmakers, educators, community activists, and journalist to Israel; sponsors unique high school exchange programs; and promotes cultural ties between Israelis and Americans.

For further information on this program, please contact AIFL at 212-213-8630 / info@aifl.org