Chag Sameach or Antisemitism?
Jewish Activist on the Sumud Flotilla Sparks Controversy on Yom Kippur
Jewish activist David Adler joins Gaza-bound flotilla during Yom Kippur, drawing controversy by comparing his actions to historical resistance and redefining religious atonement.
As the controversial Global Sumud Flotilla makes its final approach toward Gaza, risking a high-seas confrontation with Israeli forces, a deeply personal and provocative letter from one of its delegates is shining a spotlight on the parallel between the mission’s anti-Israel political aims and the identity of its few Jewish participants.
David Adler, a prominent activist and one of the only self-identified Jewish members on the flotilla, published a letter declaring that his presence aboard the vessel, scheduled to arrive near Gaza during the Jewish fast day of Yom Kippur, is a direct requirement of his heritage.
Redefining Atonement
Adler, representing over 500 people from more than 40 countries, frames the flotilla’s timing not as coincidental, but as a "blessing." He uses the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, the day of atonement, to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza.
In his letter, Adler writes:
"How can we atone for what has been committed in our name? How can we seek forgiveness for sins that multiply by the hour, as bombs and bullets rain on Gaza? How could we possibly take seriously our mandate to 'heal the world' when the State of Israel is so determined to destroy it?"
He asserts that his Jewish identity demands adherence to the tenet:
"Justice, justice you shall pursue," and accuses Israel of perverting this holy obligation while "overseeing a holocaust of the Palestinian people."
A Tradition of Resistance
Adler connects his decision to join the high-risk mission to his family history, specifically citing his grandfather, Jacques Adler, who "joined the Parisian resistance against the Nazis."
This comparison drew immediate and sharp criticism from pro-Israel commentators, who view the flotilla as a hostile political stunt that aims to delegitimize the state and provide cover for Hamas. Adler, however, argues his lineage compels his actions, stating he is answering the call of a tradition that resists what he terms a "genocidal rage that targeted my ancestors is now taken up by its principal victims."
The Yom Kippur Challenge
The presence of a Jewish activist engaging in a direct political challenge to Israel on the day dedicated to repentance and fasting highlights the deep message before a Jewish man who fights against his own People.
Adler directly challenges the traditional observance of the holiday, particularly its emphasis on fasting in comfort:
"If Israeli forces intercept us on Yom Kippur, then let them see what true atonement looks like. Not fasting in comfort while starving their neighbors. Not praying in safety while dropping bombs over their heads. Atonement means action."
His message calls on fellow Jews to join him in "redefining their approach to atonement... toward courageous action to put an end to this horrific genocide."
The Global Sumud Flotilla is characterized as an overtly anti-Israel mission, one that ignores the political and security realities of the Gaza blockade. Adler’s personal appeal, therefore, serves to underscore the parallel between the anti-Zionist mission's rhetoric and the Jewish people who are suffering from the consequences of October 7th until this day.