Free Gaza Boats to break Siege
A couple of days ago, after weeks of preparations and delays, two small boats (the USS Liberty and Free Gaza) set sail from the port of Larnaca, Cyprus for the Gaza Strip. The initiative is an attempt by the international Free Gaza movement to break the crippling siege imposed by Israel and Egypt on the Gaza Strip and its 1.5 million men, women and children for the last year and two months.
On board are 44 international human rights activists and volunteers, including an 84 year old Holocaust survivor, Tony Blair’s sister in law, doctors, professors and other activists. The volunteers are bringing with them medicines and several hundred hearing aids-the entry of both of which into Gaza is severely impeded or banned by the Israeli authorities.
For the last few days, the Israeli government has been threatening to use force to stop the boats from reaching the Strip, predictably accusing the human rights activists of supporting terror. Even though the boats would travel out of Cypriot waters, into international waters and straight into Gaza’s waters, the Israeli military and government claimed they had the right to block the passage of the volunteers. Remember, Israel Left Gaza Two Years Ago™.
I met with one of the organizers the night before she flew out to Cyprus to prepare for the voyage. She told me everyone involved was aware that the Israeli’s may attack them, board the boats and arrest them, or hold them at sea for days on end. They were prepared to take the risks, daring to hope that if their mission succeeded, it would be the first of many such popular initiatives to break the siege.
Shortly after the boats set sail, the communication equipment was jammed for several hours. Those on board elected to keep going, and with Israel continuing to threaten the volunteers, the boats reached Gaza’s territorial waters. In a comedic show of the Israeli government’s inane arrogance, Prime Minister Olmert, Foreign Secretary Livni and Terrorist Barak convened to discuss the imminent threat to Israel’s security. Eventually, they bit the bullet and allowed the two small boats with 40 human rights activists and a few hearing aids to pass through.
*UPDATE: Its 6:10 in Palestine and the USS Liberty and Free Gaza have just docked in Gaza City’s port. Apart from when Palestinians knocked down the border wall in Rafah this past January, this is the first time the siege on Gaza has been broken. Full update later.
yawn, wake me up when they bring in anti-aircraft missiles
The dumbest publicity stunt ever.
A) they brought too many “activists” and not enough food or supplies (because it’s not really about the Palestinians, it’s all about the “activists).
B) they did it during the Olympics and on the eve of the Democratic National Convention.
She told me everyone involved was aware that the Israeli’s may attack them
Please.
Just embarrassing.
Mo’s posts have been erratic and weak as of late. Something to do with the pummeling he’s been getting from PC, Firouz and the other KabobRefuseniks?
“In a comedic show of the Israeli government’s inane arrogance, Prime Minister Olmert, Foreign Secretary Livni and Terrorist Barak convened to discuss the imminent threat to Israel’s security.”
Like a group of humanitarian activists pose any threat to security….
Nope Sean I’ve been really busy. Firouz et al might have had some effect on me had they ever actually said anything that I could’t refute.
“Like a group of humanitarian activists pose any threat to security….”
Julia, those were Mohammad’s words. That didn’t actually happen. Our good ole’ Mo’ was engaged in bitter sarcasm.
If Olmert, Livni, Mofaz and Barak met that day, it was for a regular cabinet meeting. You know, the kind of thing that happens in a democracy.
hey, anon, whenever olmert livni mofaz and barak meet, its about ‘security’.
and when two small ass ships bring in anti-aircraft missles that can shoot down F-16 fighter jets, then you have the right to talk. where would the missiles go anyway, there’s no place to launch them from. why am i even discussing this with you as if you’re worth my time.
hey, anon, whenever olmert livni mofaz and barak meet, its about ‘security’
Are you an idiot?
then you have the right to talk
I’ll talk when I want, bitch. This isn’t hamastan yet, you little dipshit.
where would the missiles go anyway, there’s no place to launch them from
You’re an idiot. Thank G-d for that.
Unless Sean Hannity is also posting here, the post by “Sean” is likely a forgery. As for being hammered, watching Firouz and PC trying to debate people here is like watching a one-armed blind man trying to shove butter up a wildcat’s ass with a red-hot poker: amusing, messy, but ultimately unsuccessful, as are Firouz’s rather obvious forgeries. Give it a rest, pal. Your style always shines though in every post.
Hopefully, this small action will lead to other efforts and shame some of the European countries into acting against Israel’s unlawful and barbaric collective punishment of Gaza. Unfortunately, it seems the GIYUS whackos have already seized on the use of the prefix “SS” in the names of the ships as evidence of anti-Semitic intent and of course, the desire to kill Jews.
As an American, I was gratified to see they named one of the ships after the USS Liberty, which Israel attacked during the 1967 war in a false flag operation aimed at dragging the US into its war with Egypt. They even had a small ceremony in commemoration of the US sailors who were murdered. It will be interesting to see if that part of the ship’s name gets as much coverage as the “SS” part, as few Americans are informed of this and other incidents and what they say about the “special relationship” between the US and Israel.