The Red Cross said in a new report that six months after the devastating Israeli offensive in Gaza, Palestinians in the impoverished coastal territory are “unable to rebuild their lives and are sliding ever deeper into despair.”
This is the direct outcome of Israel’s continued siege on Gaza — an unjustifiable regime of collective punishment that must be ended immediately.
While the Arab states play with their toes, activists are taking Israel’s crushing embargo on directly. The Free Gaza boat, the “Spirit of Humanity,” departed Cyprus at 7:30am this morning.
Twenty-one human rights and solidarity workers representing eleven different countries were aboard. The passengers include Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The ship also carries three tons of medical aid, children’s toys, and rehabilitation and reconstruction kits for twenty family homes.
Though the amount of supplies on the boat is far from enough to address the needs of Gazans, it is powerful symbolically. These voyages are a powerful message that Israel’s punitive measures against all the people in Gaza is intolerable.
While other attempts in their seven previous voyages have been successful, including an overland aid convoy from Europe and a previous ship, the Israeli navy rammed one several times and fired upon another, forcing it away.
McKinney challenged the American government to follow suit: “the U.S. should send a message to Israel reiterating the reported White House position that the blockade of Gaza should be eased, and that medical supplies and building materials, including cement, should be allowed in … Will [President Obama] stand by his own words and allow us to provide relief for Gaza or will he back down?”
Such grassroots agitation for the basic human rights of the Palestinians in Gaza can go a long way towards disturbing the institutionalized disregard for their lives in the foreign policies of western capitals. These activists need to be supported and joined by the rest of us. And we must not forget Gaza.
Related posts:
- Cynthia McKinney and Sami al-Hajj to sail on Free Gaza boat
- Free Gaza Boats to break Siege
- Two Men Behind Sinking of Bahraini Boat
- Free Gaza Movement Openly “Smuggles” Palestinians
- Punishing Gaza
Thanks for posting this my friend . . . this gives me hope
Posted by Al-Muhandis | June 29, 2009, 6:39 pmFifteen hours since we waved our friends off at the Port of Larnaca. SPIRIT OF HUMANITY is now half way to Gaza. Inshallah it will arrive in another fifteen hours. Godspeed.
Posted by Mariapalestina | June 29, 2009, 7:42 pmIf liberals need any more proof that they voted for the wrong candidate, McKinney has provided it. While Saint Obushma of Cairo can scarcely manage a tepid whine about Israel's atrocities in Gaza, McKinney is putting her ass, as well as her political career, on the line in support of what she believes is right. I admire this woman more by the day and am sorry she is not our president.
Posted by Sean2009 | June 29, 2009, 7:47 pmWebsite [ADC] to easily send emails re seizure of ship to Gaza
http://capwiz.com/adc/home/
See 1st item under "Take Action!":
Call on Congress to Condemn Israel’s Seizure of Humanitarian Aid Ship on Route
to Gaza, Call for End to Siege
[Send emails to US govt officials]
___
Subject:
Tell Israel to Release Human Rights Activists, End the Siege of Gaza
Required text:
(This text will be included in your message)
As your constituent I am asking you to condemn the state of Israel's commandeering a ship carrying humanitarian supplies to the besieged territory of Gaza and demand their immediate release and an end to the siege of the Gaza Strip.
The ship, which left from the Cypirot port of Larnaca, was approximately 20 miles off the coast of Gaza when it was board by Israeli Navy personnel and redirected to the city of Ashdod.
The ship was flying a Greek flag and traveled through international waters but was stopped during their approach to the occupied Gaza Strip. The “Spirit of Humanity” is crewed by a number of humanitarian activists from across the globe including former Congresswoman Cynthia Mckinney and Nobel Laureate Mairead Maguire. Reports indicate that all of the ships 21 crew members have been taken into custody by Israel.
The siege of the Gaza strip has continued unabated for over two years and badly needed reconstruction aid has been prevented from entering the strip after the 22-day war on Gaza this past winter. Recently, President Obama called for humanitarian supplies to be permitted to enter the Gaza Strip and a number of members of congress have traveled to the strip and remarked on the dire circumstance facing the civilian population.
Posted by Michael | June 30, 2009, 6:11 pmInteresting. Thanks for the info
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Posted by porno hd | December 19, 2009, 2:22 pmThe beast from the Sea arrives again in line with biblical prophecy that it would. They did not come in peace but were found red handed armed with weapons and children. They were singing about how they were going to kill the Jews and enjoy their martyrdom. What a first class publicity stunt from the Arabs and the Turks. Good job that those with common sense can see straight through the PR strategy and we are not fooled by it at all. Spirit of Humanity was a good name for the boat because it sure did not come from the Spirit of God. Violence vexes the Spirit of God and disempowers the souls that engage in it. May you all find the peace within as the LORD asks everyone to do. May you all find your heart of conscience and integrity so that you may truly know God. May you all stop your PR stunts and stop indoctrinating children into violence. May you give Israel and its people the right to exist. For God said 'Those that do not give others the right to exist do not have the right to exist either".
Posted by Angel of the LORD | June 1, 2010, 5:58 pmI also wanted to share these links with. There are many parts to this documentry,(about 10 mins each) but every believer needs to watch. You can find the parts I have not listed on google vid.
If you have not done so yet, please google the Book of Enoch and read it.
Again, God Bless you.
Labyrinth of Truth pt.1 (New Babylonian World Order) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDiVJ6_FvdQ
pt 2 (The Goddess)
http://www.clipser.com/watch_video/1322818
pt 3 (Sirius in Architecture)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InVNS_MIXx8&fe…
pt 4 (Isis Osiris Horus)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNyrbHqGl9U&fe…
pt 5 New Millenium Ritual http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vijIdmYqmhQ&fe…
pt 6 (Order out of Chaos)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdDCq-pLIxY&fe…
Posted by seaoftears | June 1, 2010, 7:16 pmI see your passion for your beliefs thru your comment. You mention biblical prophecy , so I assume you study the teachings of the Bible and Christ, and in your heart believe that the secular Zionist State of Israel as we are seeing it today is biblical prophecy. But you are mistaken. I also was raised being taught the same thing, however I could not seem to make myself believe that the abuse, enslavement and slaughter of the Palestians was directed, wanted and supported by my God. My God is a God of love, my God's heart would break while watching even one person die not knowing Him. This lead me on an intense journey of research and study. It would take me days to tell you what I have learned. I have found a couple of websites that I beg you to go to and really read the information provided. The first will give you scriptures to back up what I am saying.
God Bless you on your own journey of truth.
http://www.jewsagainstzionism.com http://www.ifamericansknew.com http://www.ifamericansknew.com/cur_sit/missinghea… http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/18.html http://www.brasschecktv.com/
Posted by seaoftears | June 1, 2010, 7:03 pm