A day after Israeli commandos raided an aid flotilla seeking to breach the blockade of Gaza in international waters, more than two dozen activists demonstrated in front of the Florida Democratic U.S. Senator Bill Nelson's office in downtown Tampa on Tuesday.
The actions by the commandos resulted in the deaths Monday of 9 people, including 4 Turkish citizens.The incident has caused international outrage, though also a vehement defending of of the Israeli commandos by their supporters in the U.S., who claim the whole event was a stunt designed to provoke the Israeli government.
The U.S. government hasn't said much about the incident, but has refrained from criticizing Israel.
Many of the protesters standing along Florida Avenue said they were as equally upset with the U.S. government's continuing back of Israel's actions as they were the Israeli government.
This article appears in May 27 – Jun 2, 2010.