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Community Corner

Gaza Flotilla Winds Down As Debate Gets Underway

Observers in Creve Coeur weigh in on activist Hedy Epstein's participation in the Gaza flotilla.

A message on the website for the group behind the Audacity of Hope indicates its flotilla participants, including St. Louis area activist Hedy Epstein, are leaving Greece. An update reads in part: "Our folks are beginning the journey home – some will arrive today, some tomorrow and others in the days ahead. Everyone is tired, but their energy is strong!"

As , joined the Gaza Freedom Flotilla II to protest Israel’s naval blockade of the area. The , and authorities arrested the captain of the U.S. boat Audacity of Hope. The captain was released Tuesday

As other flotilla participants wait to learn whether they will be permitted to depart for Gaza, debate continues locally between proponents of the mission and those who oppose it.

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Batya Abramson-Goldstein, executive director at the Jewish Community Relations Council in Creve Coeur said:

“The U.S. Department of State has spoken out about attempts to break the Israeli maritime blockade of Gaza, labeling it ‘provocative’ and ‘irresponsible,’” said Abramson-Goldstein. “Indeed, the Israeli government has repeatedly said it is willing to transport all genuine humanitarian aid to Gaza, but the flotilla organizers refuse to cooperate.”

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In part, a statement on the state department website reads: "Established and efficient mechanisms exist to transfer humanitarian assistance to Gaza.... We urge all those seeking to provide such assistance to the people of Gaza to use these mechanisms, and not to participate in actions like the planned flotilla."

Abramson-Goldstein said Israel instituted the maritime blockade off the coast of the Gaza Strip in 2007 in response to rocket fire coming from that area in recent years and weapons-smuggling into the region.

Careful comments

Like several other local Jewish community leaders Patch contacted, Rabbi Roxanne J.S. Shapiro of United Hebrew Congregation in Creve Coeur said she wasn’t comfortable commenting on the flotilla debate; nor did she feel comfortable discussing Epstein’s involvement.

R. Marie Griffith, director at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion & Politics at Washington University, said she wasn't the right person to comment on the Jewish view of the Palestenian conflict, though she was is familiar with Epstein’s story.

She added that like any other group, American Jews are likely to hold a “wide range of middle-ground views on controversial topics,” and most people probably fall somewhere in the middle when it comes to their feelings about the Gaza Flotilla II.

Digital debate

Facebook pages provide forums for Gaza flotilla debate. 

  • Support Gaza Flotilla is following the progress of the vessels and their passengers in Arabic and English.
  • I’m against the Gaza Flotilla II. Opponents of the Gaza Flotilla argue that if supporters want to get supplies to the people of the Gaza Strip, they should do so through the proper channels.

The I’m against the Gaza Flotilla II Facebook group calls the flotillas “anti-peace” and says the flotilla is “not a humanitarian effort, but rather a crude stunt by provocateurs who want to force Israel to a violent response.” 

On its website FlotillaFacts.com, the group I’m against the Gaza Flotilla II says organizers are violating international law by trying to breach a legal maritime blockade. It also says Gazans are “not facing a humanitarian emergency that justifies breaching the blockade,” because there is an “ample supply of food and consumer goods” in Gaza.

Of the situation in Gaza the state department website says: "The United States remains concerned by conditions in Gaza, but notes that the humanitarian situation has significantly improved over the last year, including a marked increase in the range and scope of goods and materials moving into Gaza, an increase in international project activity, and the gradual expansion of exports."

Wednesday, a lone French vessel managed to evade the Greek coast guard and sail for Gaza. A post on the Support Gaza Flotilla Facebook page and Twitter feed celebrates the departure of the French vessel: "#Ship2Gaza #FreedomFlotilla finally leaving the port in Greece <3 lovely," it reads.

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