While Israel fights its newest PR war after it’s attack on an aid flotilla left a dozen or so dead, the U.S. is showing that friends in high places can be quite helpful. First, the Obama Administration has taken a stand from the rest of the planet by not condemning the acts. And second, it seems that Israelis can even manage to kidnap American citizens without getting any reprimand from Washington.

From CNN:

As many as nine Americans may have been aboard the Gaza relief flotilla attacked by the Israeli military, and are now being held by Israeli authorities, a State Department official said Monday.

The official, who had no details about their identities, conditions or whereabouts, said U.S. consular officials were expecting to interview the Americans on Tuesday.

Separately, Jonathan Slevin, a spokesman for the activist group Free Palestine Movement, said a group of five Americans participated in the flotilla, including former U.S. Ambassador Edward Peck.

Slevin said the Americans boarded a ship called the Sfendoni in Athens, Greece. He said there had been no communication with the Americans since the flotilla was intercepted by the Israelis.

While we hope for the best for those in Israeli custody, don’t expect the U.S. to condemn Israel for the act. After all, nothing is more anti-Semitic than telling a nation not to kidnap your citizens.

–WKW

Crossposted at William K. Wolfrum Chronicles