{"id":3043,"date":"2009-06-30T23:03:19","date_gmt":"2009-06-30T23:03:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gaza.haimbresheeth.com\/?p=3043"},"modified":"2009-07-02T21:41:00","modified_gmt":"2009-07-02T21:41:00","slug":"june-39-2009","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/2009\/06\/30\/june-39-2009\/","title":{"rendered":"June 30, 2009"},"content":{"rendered":"

I was unable to keep the blogrunning over the last ten days, for which apologies. I will fill the gap as time goes on. Today there aresome incredibly important items!<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pirates of the Mediterranean<\/a>: Israel attacks and ransacks the FreeGaza Boat!<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

The Free Gaza Movement will again challenge Israel’s illegal closure of the Gaza Strip and collective punishment of its civilian population by sailing the HOPE FLEET, a flotilla of passenger and cargo ships, to Gaza at the end of June 2009 – to be followed by freedom riders this summer. We are turning to you, our friends & supporters, to help make Hope come alive.<\/p>\n

Our small yet committed group has already made five successful voyages to Gaza, delivering needed human rights workers & humanitarian supplies, and helping to lessen Gaza’s terrible isolation from the world. We are confident that with the universal outrage over Israel\u2019s massacres in Gaza, we will be able to send a flotilla of ships to shatter the siege and deliver a message of international hope and solidarity to the people of Palestine.
\nIsraeli policies of racism, ethnic cleansing and the brutal military occupation of Palestine demand determined & direct action to overcome them. When our governments fail to act, we – the citizens of the world – must stand up and make our voices heard. Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights grants all people the right to leave and return to their own country – a right that Israel summarily denies Palestinians.
\nWe are looking for ships wishing to join the Hope Fleet and sail to Gaza in late June, and we are looking for high-profile people, including parliamentarians and celebrities, who want to join us and demand that a besieged Gaza cannot forever remain an open-air prison with no access to the world. The Free Gaza Movement will continue to challenge Israel’s brutal policies. We will go to Gaza again, and again, and again, until the Israeli siege is broken and the people of Gaza have access to the rest of the world.
\nIf you are interested in joining or supporting this action, please email Iristulip [at] gmail.com. We will begin collecting names and information as we ready for this historic voyage. With your help, we will make the HOPE FLEET a reality!<\/p>\n

The whole world seems to care about the pirates of the Horn of Africa, so what about the Pirates of Mediterranean? 26 miles from the shore, in international water, Israel commits crimes with impunity. Did Obabma read the papers today? Does he care?<\/span> Is he there?<\/span><\/p>\n

Attack on Spirit of Humanity<\/a>: Pursuing Justice<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Breaking News:<\/p>\n

While in international waters, the Israeli Navy warships surrounded the SPIRIT of HUMANITY. The captain of the boat is reporting that the Israelis are threatening them, telling them to turn back or they will fire on them. The Israeli Navy are jamming all the navigation systems of the boat.<\/p>\n

The Pirates of the Mediterranean are once again on the attack. Israel apparently wants to show the whole world that it is a country with absolutely no moral boundaries. A country that without flinching will use its naval forces and mighty firepower to attack a tiny boat of unarmed civilians sailing in international waters and bringing medical supplies the children’s toys to Gaza. If this is not state terrorism and piracy on the high seas, I don’t know what is.<\/p>\n

Free Gaza Movement Update at 21:30 EST:<\/strong><\/p>\n

We just spoke again with our people aboard the Spirit of Humanity. The Israeli Navy is continuing to try and intimidate the ship, and is actively jamming its radar, GPS, and navigation systems in direct violation of international maritime law. This jamming is extremely dangerous and directly threatens the welfare and safety of everyone aboard our civilian ship. Because their instrumentation is being jammed, they are using compass & paper to attempt to navigate. They are in international waters & they believe their location is approximately 110km off of the town of Hadera. Everyone is tired but determined. They are not being deterred by the Israeli aggression & are continuing toward Gaza. Please help them.
\nEarlier, at 20:14 EST, the Free Gaza Movement released the following report:<\/p>\n

We just spoke to the passengers. Everyone is OK, but the situation is still very tense. They continue to be surrounded by Israeli warships which are threatening to open fire. The Israeli Navy is actively jamming all navigation systems in violation of international maritime law, endangering the people on board.<\/p>\n

Former U.S. Congresswoman, Cynthia McKinney, speaking from on board the SPIRIT, stated, “I am extremely angry. We demand that the Israeli government call off their attack dogs. We are unarmed civilians aboard an unarmed boat delivering medical and reconstruction aid to other human beings in Gaza. Why in God’s name would Israel want to attack us and threaten our safety and welfare. I call on President Obama and the international community to intervene now to prevent this situation from escalating with potentially drastic results to the civilians on board.”<\/p>\n

CALL or FAX Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy at:
\nTel + 972 5 781 86248 or +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242
\nFax +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister’s office at:
\nTel +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264 mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il<\/strong><\/p>\n

CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
\nTel +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
\nmediasar@mod.gov.il<\/strong><\/p>\n

Israelis intercept Gaza aid ship<\/a>: BBC<\/h3>\n

Israeli forces have boarded a ship trying to carry aid and pro-Palestinian activists to the Gaza Strip in defiance of Israel’s blockade of the territory.
\nThe 20 passengers include former US congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and Nobel Prize winner Mairead Maguire.
\nThe activists also include some Britons, campaigners said.
\nMs McKinney described it as “an outrageous violation of international law”, as the boat was on a humanitarian mission and was not in Israeli waters.
\nThe Israeli military said the boat was trying to enter Gaza illegally.
\nThe US-based Free Gaza Movement has breached the blockade five times since August 2008.
\nTwo other attempts by the activist group were stopped by Israeli warships during Israel’s three-week military offensive in Gaza in December and January.
\nIsrael keeps a tight hold on Gaza, which is ruled by the militant Palestinian group Hamas.
\nThe Israeli military said the passengers and crew of the Greek-registered ship Arion would be handed over to immigration authorities in Ashdod, and its humanitarian aid cargo would be taken to Gaza by road after a security check.
\n“An Israeli navy force intercepted, boarded and took control of the cargo boat Arion… as it was illegally attempting to enter the Gaza Strip,” a military spokesman said.
\nReconstruction
\nThe British Foreign Office said on Tuesday it was aware of the situation and was trying to clarify the facts.
\n“We would be concerned if the stories of the Israeli Navy boarding the boat in international waters were true,” a spokesman said.
\n“We have made it clear to Israel that we are very concerned for the safety of British nationals.”
\nThe mission is the latest by the Free Gaza Movement, which has renamed the ferry Spirit of Humanity.
\n“This is an outrageous violation of international law against us. Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip,” said Ms McKinney in a statement.
\n“President [Barack] Obama just told Israel to let in humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that’s exactly what we tried to do. We’re asking the international community to demand our release so we can resume our journey.”
\nOn Monday, a report by the International Committee of the Red Cross described the 1.5 million Palestinians living in Gaza as people “trapped in despair”, unable to rebuild their lives after Israel’s offensive.
\nDonors have pledged $4.5 billion for reconstruction and rehabilitation in Gaza following the 22-day offensive which left more than 50,000 homes, 800 industrial properties and 200 schools damaged or destroyed, as well as 39 mosques and two churches.<\/p>\n

Activist on boat seized by IDF laments world apathy to Gaza<\/a>: Ha’aretz<\/h3>\n

One of the international activists who sought to sail to Gaza on Tuesday lamented the world’s “apathy” to the plight of the Hamas-ruled territory shortly before the Israel Navy seized control of the vessel.
\n“We didn’t come with guns and weapons, but with just humanitarian aid, in an attempt to break the siege of Gaza and to tell the apathetic world about what is happening in the Strip, especially after the last war,” said Huwaida Araf in an interview with the Nazareth-based radio station Al-Shams.
\nShe added: “I was born in the United States to a family of immigrants from the [Arab Israeli] village of Ma’ilia, and still have relatives in Israel, and I’m sure that everyone supports my step.” The voyage’s organizers, the Free Gaza Movement, said the vessel, renamed the Spirit of Humanity, left the Cypriot port of Larnaca on Monday bound for Gaza with three tons of medical supplies.
\nThe activists were attempting to break a blockade of Gaza, imposed by Israel after the Islamic group Hamas took over the territory in a bloody 2007 coup. Early Tuesday, the navy surrounded the vessel, which was also carrying humanitarian aid, and told the activists to turn back because of security risks in the area and the blockade, according to the IDF. But the boat later entered Gaza’s coastal waters, the IDF Spokespersons’ Office said in a statement, after which a naval force boarded it.
\nNo shots were fired during the boarding of the boat, and the crew was to be handed over to the appropriate authorities, the IDF said.
\nIn the statement, the IDF Spokespersons’ Unit added that it “would like to emphasize that any organization or country that wishes to transfer humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, can legally do so via the established crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip with prior coordination.” The army said humanitarian goods found on board the boat would be transferred to the Gaza Strip, subject to authorization. The 20 passengers include former U.S. Representative Cynthia McKinney, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire and other activists from Britain, Ireland, Bahrain and Jamaica. The ship was flying a Greek flag, but no Greek citizens were aboard. The Greek government issued a statement saying it sent a message to Israel demanding that it release the ship, crew and passengers. Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said Israel was planning to
\nfree the crew and passengers. ”
\nNobody wants to keep them here,” he said. “They will be released as soon as they are checked.” The Free Gaza Movement has organized five boat trips to Gaza since August 2008, defying a blockade imposed by Israel when the militant group Hamas
\nseized control of the territory from its Palestinian rivals in June 2007.
\nTwo other attempts were stopped by Israeli warships during Israel’s three-week offensive against Hamas in the territory in December and January. Nobody on board was harmed. Israel tightened a blockade on Gaza in 2007 after Hamas seized control of the territory, home to some 1.5 million people.<\/p>\n

Please note that the piracy act itself did not merita headline in this ‘liberal’ paper. If there ever was an example for Agamben’s concept of the ‘state of exception’, israeli behavioursupplies it daily.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jews Confront Zionism<\/a>: Monthly Review<\/h3>\n

Daniel Lange\/Levitsky
\nDaniel Lang\/Levitsky is a theatre worker and organizer based in New York City, and a co-founder of Jews Against the Occupation\/NYC. Current projects include Palestine solidarity work with Adalah-NY: The Coalition for Justice in the Middle East; supporting the Right to the City Alliance with the Rude Mechanical Orchestra (NYC\u2019s radical brass band) and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice; and staging a new queer & gendertreyf production, \u201cWho Loved You Before You Were Mine,\u201d with Killer Sideburns Nepon.
\nOne of the main accomplishments of the Israeli government\u2019s bombing and invasion of the Gaza Strip last winter was to inspire new vitality within leftist and peace groups in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for justice and liberation. This wave of activity has continued after the supposed ceasefire, with demonstrations and direct actions from New York to Los Angeles, Paris, Jaffa, and Tel Aviv. Most noteworthy has been a coming out of sorts of an increasingly large and vocal segment of the Jewish world that is not only opposed to the Israeli government\u2019s wars and military occupations, but critical of Zionism itself.
\nBlockades of the Israeli consulates in Los Angeles and San Francisco were undertaken in part by members of the recently launched International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network. The occupation of the Toronto consulate was carried out by Jewish Women for Gaza, including members of the Canadian anti-Zionist Not In Our Name network. A seven-hundred-person demonstration in New York City was organized by Jews Say No, an ad hoc group of Jewish activists, many of them longstanding critics of Zionism. The London diasporist group Jewdas used a hoax e-mail to cancel a pro-war rally called by the Board of Deputies of British Jews and received a flood of support. And the Israeli antinationalist direct action group, Anarchists Against the Wall, blockaded an Israeli Air Force base in Tel Aviv. Almost all of the most visible public events showing Jewish opposition to the latest escalation in the war on Gaza were organized and carried out largely by non- and anti-Zionist Jews (as well as those who oppose Zionism but prefer not to define their politics in relation to it).<\/p>\n

A notefrom PACBI: OmarBatghouti writes about a further defeat for Zionist propoganda in Canada:<\/span><\/h3>\n

Another major BDS achievement in the Canadian trade union domain …<\/p>\n

The Centrale des Syndicats du Quebec (CSQ), the third largest labor federation in Quebec, Canada, passed a decisive BDS resolution today.
\nCSQ represents\u00a0over 180,000 workers.
\nLetters of support can be sent to:<\/p>\n

Rejean Parent , president of the CSQ \u00a0parent.rejean@csq.qc.net
\nMonique Pauz\u00e9 \u00a0President of Champlain Teachers Union mpauze@synd-champlain.qc.ca<\/p>\n

The motion is below in French. A rough google translation follows.<\/p>\n

————————————————————————-<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.csq.qc.net\/<\/a><\/h3>\n

Il est r\u00e9solu que :<\/p>\n

*\u00a0La CSQ r\u00e9ponde favorablement \u00e0 la demande de 172 organisations
\npalestiniennes qui \u00a0appellent au boycott d\u2019Isra\u00ebl, au retrait des
\ninvestissements dans ce pays et \u00e0 l\u2019imposition de sanctions contre l\u2019\u00e9tat
\nisra\u00e9lien.
\n* La CSQ se joigne \u00e0 la campagne internationale appelant au boycott
\nd\u2019Isra\u00ebl, au retrait des investissements dans ce pays et \u00e0 l\u2019imposition de
\nsanctions contre l\u2019\u00e9tat isra\u00e9lien.
\n* La CSQ s\u2019engage aussi \u00e0 faire la promotion de cette campagne de
\nboycott et \u00e0 inciter ses membres \u00e0 soutenir le peuple palestinien dans sa
\nr\u00e9sistance au quotidien pour mettre fin \u00e0 l\u2019occupation isra\u00e9lienne.
\n* L\u2019appui de la CSQ au \u00a0boycott, d\u00e9sinvestissement et sanctions contre
\nIsra\u00ebl demeure jusqu\u2019\u00e0 ce que Isra\u00ebl se conforme au droit
\ninternational et aux principes universels des droits humains.<\/p>\n

__._,_.___<\/p>\n

Be it resolved that:
\n* CSQ responds favorably to the request by172 Palestinian organizations
\nthat call for boycott of Israel, the withdrawal of\u00a0investments from that country and the imposition of sanctions against the state\u00a0of\u00a0Israel.
\n* CSQ is joining the international campaign calling for a boycott\u00a0of\u00a0Israel, the withdrawal of investments from this country and the imposition of\u00a0sanctions against the Israeli state.
\n* CSQ is also committed to promote this campaign\u00a0of\u00a0boycott and encourage its members to support the Palestinian people in their\u00a0everyday resistance to end the Israeli occupation.
\n* The support of the CSQ for a boycott, divestment and sanctions against
\nIsrael remains until Israel complies with international law\u00a0and universal principles of human rights.<\/p>\n

activist Ezra Nawi faces the court and needs solidarity<\/a>!: Kibush Magazine<\/h3>\n

Tomorrow, July 1, Ezra will be sentenced according to his conviction
\nof assaulting a police officer and participating in a riot. The
\nsentencing will take place at 15.00 at the Peace Court (Magistrate`s Court) of Jerusalem *Russian Compound) by judge Eilata Ziskind. Those who wish to show their support are very welcome.
\nEzra has written a letter that was placed on The Nation yesterday:
\nhttp:\/\/www.thenation.com\/doc\/20090713\/nawi<\/a>
\nAs mentioned in his letter, the international pressure did not fall on
\ndeaf ears, as the Israeli Ministry of Justice and other governmental
\nbodies have responded to our letters with confused and irrelevant
\nstatements such as `Mr. Nawi provokes the local residents. [ie. Jewish
\nSettlers]` or `…Mr. Nawi who has often uses insults…`; the
\nofficial response can be found here:
\nhttp:\/\/www.supportezra.net\/JusticeMinistry.pdf<\/a>
\nsee recent reports on the case in:
\nNew York Times<\/strong>:\u000e\u000e\u000e http:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2009\/06\/28\/world\/middleeast\/28westbank.html?_r=1&emc=eta1<\/a>
\nYNET<\/strong>\u000e\u000e http:\/\/www.ynet.co.il\/articles\/0,7340,L-3738813,00.html<\/a><\/p>\n

We still demand the complete exculpation of Ezra, and the
\ninvestigation of his continual harassment by the Israeli police,
\nIsraeli army and the civil administration.
\nPlease post and forward his letter to your friends; as Ezra says `What
\nstrengthens me and gives me energy is the widespread and constant
\nsupport I have always received.`<\/p>\n

Thank you,
\nThe Committee Supporting Ezra Nawi<\/p>\n

PSC Education Conference in Birmingham<\/a>: PSC<\/h3>\n

Palestine Solidarity Campaign<\/p>\n

PSC National Education Conference<\/p>\n

Justice for the Palestinians – the Moral Issue of our Time<\/p>\n

Birmingham 11 July 2009<\/p>\n

10.30 \u2013 4.00<\/p>\n

Carrs Lane Church Centre, Birmingham B4 7SX<\/p>\n

Book your tickets online here: http:\/\/www.palestinecampaign.org\/store\/index2.asp?origin=UK&m_id=1&l1_id=22&l2_id=49<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1948 and after \u2013 ethnic cleansing and the refugee question<\/p>\n

Prof Ilan Pappe and Karma Nabulsi<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Reality of Occupation:<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Politics – Prof. Manuel Hassassian<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Economy \u2013 Samia Botmeh<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Health \u2013 Dr. Rita Giacaman<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lessons from the Anti Apartheid Movement: Victoria Brittain<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 War crimes \u2013 Daniel Machover<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions \u2013 Betty Hunter, Hugh Lanning, Salma Yaqoob<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After Gaza – getting active on campus – student activist networking session<\/p>\n

Cost:\u00a0 \u00a310 (\u00a37 concessions) \u2013 includes lunch<\/p>\n

Venue details: http:\/\/www.carrslane.co.uk\/travel<\/p>\n

This conference is an opportunity following the attacks on Gaza for members and supporters to discuss the current situation in Palestine in its historical context and to address issues of solidarity work.<\/p>\n

Please book your place with the PSC office or online:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.palestinecampaign.org\/store\/index2.asp?origin=UK&m_id=1&l1_id=22&l2_id=49<\/p>\n

Tel: 02077006192<\/p>\n

Email: psc.admin@palestinecampaign.org<\/p>\n

www.palestinecampaign.org<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I was unable to keep the blogrunning over the last ten days, for which apologies. I will fill the gap as time goes on. Today there aresome incredibly important items! Pirates of the Mediterranean: Israel attacks and ransacks the FreeGaza Boat! The Free Gaza Movement will again challenge Israel’s illegal closure of the Gaza Strip … Continue reading June 30, 2009<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3043"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3043"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3043\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3054,"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3043\/revisions\/3054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3043"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3043"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/haimbresheeth.com\/gaza\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3043"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}