Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, the Israeli economy has suffered, said Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, Consul General of Israel on his visit to St. Louis this week. During an event sponsored and convened by the Jewish Federation of St. Louis on Feb. 7, Elbaz-Starinsky said ongoing support by the United States is an important asset to Israel’s rebuilding effort. That includes travel. Americans who had plans to travel to Israel and postponed them should “Come now—it’s especially important because it will help strengthen the economy.”
“The aftermath of Oct. 7 is much greater, much larger than just the mere atrocity or genocidal act that was committed on that day,” he told Federation board members. “It has wide national, regional, and international implications on all fronts, political, military, social, economic. Israel is a proud, sovereign, strong, successful, prosperous country. Despite that, we need you more than ever.”
Elbaz-Starinsky’s role is to promote the positive image of Israel in four designated geographic areas (Florida, Kansas, Missouri and Puerto Rico). His trip to Missouri included a stop in Jefferson City, where he spoke at the Capitol to a joint session of lawmakers and provided an update on the ongoing efforts to eradicate Hamas.
The Federation conversation was another opportunity for Elbaz-Starinsky to provide context to the war effort. Jewish Federation sponsored and convened the event. Asked about strains between the U.S. and Israel created by the conflict, he said the relationship between the two countries remains strong.
“It is solid, and fed by shared values, but also by mutual interest. We are an independent country who should be doing whatever is good for Israel. That sometimes doesn’t align directly with views that are perceived in Washington, DC. Does it mean that there is a bad relationship? The answer is completely no. I am in charge of making sure that there is no erosion in the strength of the relationship.”
Mediators in Israel are attempting to broker a new cease-fire proposal and hostage release, but a sticking point has been calls for the Israeli military to leave Gaza entirely. Elbaz-Starinsky said Israel’s ultimate military goal remains to completely dismantle Hamas.
“We have no intention of allowing Hamas to control the Gaza Strip,” he said. “If they do, we are doomed to repeat this again. And Hamas has declared that this was just the first October 7. So let’s take what they’re saying seriously. Soon we will go into the final intense step of the war, in the city of Rafah in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. It is a very sensitive place. It is on the border with Egypt. The Egyptians are very sensitive about any military activity of Israel close to the border.
“The city of Rafah, for many years has been the center of smuggling of weapons,” he said. They dig a tunnel in a house, in the street, and the exit shaft is in another house in Rafah, so you can’t even see it. Not from satellites, not from drones. This is what they use to smuggle weapons.”
