Simultaneous gatherings in more than 30 locations throughout Israel on Tuesday proclaimed the Israeli people's support of, and love for, the soldiers of naval commando unit Shayetet 13 who faced a brutal ambush from supposed 'peace' activists Monday.
The rallies were the initiative of the Religious Kibbutz Movement and Raising the Flag -- a movement created by former Gush Katif rabbis in order to connect to the general Israeli population. Gatherings were held in Jerusalem, Tiberias, Haifa, Hadera, Afula, Netanyah, Beit She'an, Raanana, Modiin, Beit Shemesh, Bat Yam, Ashdod, Tel Aviv, Ofakim, Rehovot and many other places.
Signs said: "We are all Shayetet 13" and "The Nation of Israel Lives."
Rally in Modiin / Courtesy Behar family
Rally in Ashkelon, outside court where Sheikh Raed Salah was being remanded / Flash 90
Activists for My Israel handed out newly printed stickers: 'We are all Shayetet 13' / My Israel
The American Israeli Action Coalition (AIAC) today expressed its outrage at the seemingly coordinated world attack upon Israel for what it said was its defensive action in preventing an attempt “to breach Israel’s legitimate anti-terrorist defenses.”
AIAC says it is a “non-partisan, non-political, issue-oriented NGO” whose purpose is to represent the united voice of more than 250,000 Americans living in Israel on issues which affect Israel, Israel-U.S. relations, and the Jewish people worldwide.
“The flotilla’s attempt to aggressively breach Israel’s legally-declared and maintained maritime blockade against the Hamas terrorist-controlled Gaza Strip was intended as a direct attack upon Israel and its citizens,” stated AIAC Chairman Harvey Schwartz. “The American Israelis condemn those who have heavily criticized Israel for taking the steps necessary to defend its citizens from this outrageous attack.
“The Israeli maritime blockade of the terrorist-controlled Gaza Strip was fully in accord with maritime and international law,” continued Schwartz. “Its imposition and parameters were fully disclosed in accordance with such law... The world condemnation should have been properly focused on the flotilla’s leaders and international sponsors whose refusal to adhere to international law and Israel’s numerous warnings was the direct cause of the unnecessary loss of life and serious injuries suffered by the Israeli military.”