McCarthy defends herself

Representative Carolyn McCarthy is defending her record on Israel and responding to a letter to the editor published in The Jewish Star last week (June 11, 2010) that read, in part, “a silent friend in a time of need is not a friend.”

McCarthy’s office released a statement about the Turkish-sponsored flotilla to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza after the letter by Rabbi Hershel Billet appeared.

The statement referred to the June 1 incident in which Israeli troops killed nine combatants aboard the Mavi Marmara ferry as a “premeditated attack, intended to provoke a response and purposely initiate a violent confrontation.”

“We know that those on the flotilla had terrorist ties to Hamas and to Iran and that Israel warned the boats that they were in violation of a lawful blockade and offered them safe harbor, where all humanitarian aid would be off-loaded and delivered to Gaza.”

In the statement, and in a later interview with the Star, McCarthy said, “it is striking how quick the world looked to blame Israel for this incident but as the details have emerged, it has become clear that the Israeli military attempted to resolve the situation peacefully and in accordance with international law.”

During the interview McCarthy voiced support for a “two-state solution” to the conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors. “I fully support Israel and their right to keep its people safe,” she added.

Iran has offered to escort future flotillas, Rep. McCarthy noted. “Iran is a threat not just to the United States or Israel but the world and is a real threat against global safety. We cannot just sit and watch Iran.”