Immediately following the Flotilla incident, AJC Chicago sent the following letter to all of Chicago's Consulates.

June 1, 2010

Dear Consul General:

The American Jewish Committee deeply regrets the incident that occurred on May 31 when a protest flotilla attempted to reach the shore of Gaza in violation of Israel’s maritime blockade. We extend our sincere condolences to the victims and their families.

As for the circumstance that led to the incident, under international law Israel has the right to protect the lives of its citizens from Hamas attacks, including by a maritime blockade aimed at curbing efforts by that terror organization to rearm itself. The ships participating in the protest flotilla were warned repeatedly that a maritime blockade is in effect and were given due notice of its exact coordinates.
  
Furthermore, Israel has repeatedly offered the flotilla organizers to land in the port of Ashdod, and to transfer their aid to Gaza through the existing overland crossings, in accordance with established procedures.  The flotilla organizers rejected this offer, stating blatantly that “this mission is not about delivering humanitarian supplies, it's about breaking Israel's siege.” When it became clear that the protest flotilla intended to violate the blockade despite repeated warnings, Israeli Naval personnel boarded the vessels of the flotilla, and redirected them to Ashdod.

 There are conflicting versions as to the events on the ship Mavi Marmara, where violent clashes between IDF soldiers and protesters occurred. In our view, the responsibility for the violence rests with Hamas and its supporters on the ship. While Israel could only lose from such a confrontation – hence the strict orders given to IDF soldiers to open fire only when their lives were in danger – Hamas and its supporters sought to provoke a confrontation, believing it would advance their “cause” in the public opinion and the media. Indeed, video coverage provides clear evidence that Israeli solders were brutally attacked as they boarded the ship.

There is no military solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The only viable solution is a political one, i.e. two states living side by side in peace and security. But the achievement of such peace requires two parties that are committed to a negotiated settlement. The rule of Hamas, a terror organization committed to Israel’s destruction, in Gaza makes the efforts to achieve peace infinitely more difficult.

We look forward to working with you and your country in substantive ways to move the peace process forward and safeguard the millions of people who live within range of a potential Iranian nuclear strike.

Respectfully,

AJC Chicago