Free Gaza Movement Openly “Smuggles” Palestinians
Gazans Welcome the SS Free Gaza and the SS Liberty
Israel’s Ynet News, the website for Israel’s largest newspaper, claimed that the Free Gaza movement’s boats that left Gaza today “smuggled” Palestinians from Gaza.
The boats took with them 7 Gazans, some of whom are leaving for medical treatment. Saed Mosleh, age 12, lost his leg to an Israeli tank shell. He is leaving to be fitted for an artificial replacement. “I can’t believe we’re finally able to leave for medical treatment,” said Khaled Mosleh, the boy’s father.
Others are going to Europe to study. They have already been accepted to universities and given visas. The only thing that kept them from going was Israel’s punitive closure.
The Free Gaza website posted a press release announcing this smuggling operation, making it one of the most open and public smuggles ever attempted.
The ships successfully challenged Israel’s embargo by traveling from Cyprus to Gaza last weekend. Although Israel allowed the ships to pass into Gaza — to avoid a publicity debacle — it said future determinations would be made on a case-by-case basis. Authorities also said they were satisfied by Cyprus’s inspection of the cargo. The boats’ organizers hope that neutral third-party inspections can help future ships go to Gaza.
Israel’s siege of Gaza punishes the people and offers little hope of Israel’s accomplishing its political objectives. Such sanctions rarely work. And in the end, only the people suffer.
