A HERO'S WELCOME AWAITS THEM

From IHH:

Nine survivors of Israeli raid to visit Gaza
Nine activists who were injured in the Israeli raid on the Mavi Marmara boat have headed for Gaza.

The vehicle convoy set out from Spain and the humanitarian aid volunteers will meet in Egyptian port city al-Arish and cross into Gaza through Rafah border crossing.

The activists were seen to be quite happy about the trip as they said they were excited about visiting Palestine.

Yavuz Dede, deputy head of the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, noted the nine activists got the opportunity to go on this trip by winning in a raffle among the 54 who were wounded in the Mavi Marmara incident.

The names of the nine activists are as follow: Alper Mutlu, Ayetullah Tekin, Cevdet Ökenek, Halim Yazıcı, İlyas Yılmaz, İsmail Hakkı Vehapoglu, Mehmet Ali Akdeniz, Mikail Kurt and Canip Tunç.

FLOTILLA TAKE ACTION NOW!!!!

TAKE ACTION!

Please TAKE ACTION and DEMAND that the United Nations launch an independent investigation into the Israeli attack against unarmed relief ships in the Freedom Flotilla. DEMAND that the international community stop simply condemning Israel's brutal and illegal blockade of Gaza - and start doing something to end it!

CONTACT
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon
The United Nations, New York NY 10017
tel: +1 212 963 5012
fax: +1 212 963 2155
email: sg@un.org

For three days as they were held in captivity last week and unable to speak on their own behalf, Israel presented the massacre against civilian passengers on the Mavi Marmara as self-defense against a “lynching.” Now that the passengers are returning to their home nations, the global community is hearing a much different story, not just regarding the May 31st attack but also new allegations of brutality in the treatment of several passengers afterwards once they were in custody inside Israel. Free Gaza is posting these survivor testimonies on our website, and we will continue to provide updates as more passengers share their experiences.

As the passenger accounts trickle in, survivors portray the Israeli military as using excessive and disproportionate force against activists not just on the Mavi Marmara but the other passenger ships as well. Use of tasers, electric shocks, rubber bullets and live ammunition (both on board and from the helicopter hovering above) are documented. Multiple passengers tell eyewitness accounts of soldiers refusing to allow medical treatment of injured passengers, specific and focused targeting of journalists on board and beatings of passengers after their arrival in Israel, causing at least two passengers to need hospitalization.

“Keeping passengers held in captivity so that they could not share their perspective was a deliberate attempt by Israel to cover up what really happened on the Mavi Marmara that fateful night,” notes Free Gaza co-founder Greta Berlin. “They knew what the passengers would be recounting, but they hoped that by delaying the release of their testimony until days after the immediate incident, media coverage would be buried as backpage follow-up stories or dismissed purely as old news.” She adds.

In her testimony, Annette Groth, a German Parliamentarian who was a passenger on Mavi Marmawa validates that assertion saying “The scandal is that we have to fight the Israeli images only with words. The Israelis confiscated all the activists' cameras, computers, and mobile phones.”

These accounts reveal an “alternative narrative” of the attack on the Freedom Flotilla that cannot be reconciled with the Israeli version. CONTACT Secretary General Ban Ki Moon today and DEMAND an independent investigation!

Updated survivor testimonies available here

Testimony from passengers aboard the Freedom Flotilla

Haneen Zuabi
Member of Parliament, Israeli Knesset

“Israel had days to plan this military operation. They wanted many deaths to terrorise us and to send a message that no future aid convoys should try to break the siege of Gaza.”

Sarah Colborne
Director of campaigns and operations, PSC, United Kingdom

"I couldn't even count the amount of ships that were in the water. It was literally bristling with ships, helicopters and gunfire. It was horrific, absolutely horrific. ...Israeli forces handcuffed members of the activists' medical team who were sent to help treat the injured. It was terrifying...If you talked they pointed a gun at you. ...We wrote a sign in Hebrew saying, 'SOS! Need medical assistance. People are dying. Urgent' Hanin Zoabi, who’s a Knesset member, an Israeli Knesset member, took that sign to the front—to the back of the boat, where the soldiers were pointing at her. They ordered her to go back."

Henning Mankell
Bestselling Swedish crime author

"It was an act of piracy. We were actually kidnapped. ...On the ship I was on, they found one weapon: my razor. And they actually came up and showed it off, my razor, so you see what level this was at."

Professor Norman Paech
Member of Parliament (ret.), Germany

"We had not prepared in any way to fight. We didn't even consider it because we knew very well that we would have absolutely no chance against soldiers like this. ...The Israeli government justifies the raid because they were attacked. This is absolutely not the case."

Annette Groth
Member of Parliament, Germany

"It was like war. They had guns, taser weapons, some type of tear gas and other weaponry, compared to two-and-a-half wooden sticks we had between us. [For Israel] to talk of self-defence is ridiculous. ...The scandal is that we have to fight the Israeli images only with words. The Israelis confiscated all the activists' cameras, computers, and mobile phones."

Iara Lee
Brazilian Filmmaker (based in San Francisco)

"(The attack) was a surprise, because it happened in the middle of the night, in the darkness, in international waters, because we knew there would be a confrontation but not in international waters. Their first tactic was to cut all of our satellite communications and then they attacked. All I witnessed first hand was the shooting. They came on board and started shooting at people. ...We expected them to shoot people in the legs, to shoot in the air, just to scare people, but they were direct. Some of them shot in the passengers' heads. Many people were murdered – it was unimaginable."

Jamal El-Shayyal
Journalist from Al Jazeera

"...as this attack started I was on the top deck and within just a few minutes there were live shots being fired from above the ship from above from where the helicopters were. The first shots that were fired were some sort of sound grenades. There was some tear gas that was fired as well as rubber coated steel bullets. They were fired initially and the live bullets came roughly about five minutes after that, after those initial shots were fired.

"There was definitely fire from the air because one of the people who was killed was clearly shot from above. He was...the bullet targeted him at the top of his head. There was also fire coming from the sea as well. Most of the fire initially from the sea was tear gas canisters and sound grenades. But then it became live fire. There is no doubt from what I saw that live ammunition was fired before any Israeli soldier was on deck.

"[From the top deck] you could almost see the soldiers pointing their guns down through some sort of hole or compartment at the bottom side of the helicopter, firing almost indiscriminately without even looking where they were firing and those bullets were definitely live bullets. There was a Knesset member who approached the Israeli soldiers saying we have injured, she was saying they have injured people, please come and take them. Yet the Israelis refused. Three hours later all three of those people that were injured ended up dying on the spot because no one came to take them."

ISRAEL MAKING IT UP AS THEY GO ALONG

I have to had it to Israel, they wouldn't know how to tell the truth if their life depended on it, they are the kind of lunatics who would keep telling the lie over and over with the truth staring them in the face. Insane people! Check the lunacy:

link Israel released the names on Sunday of the Turkish passengers (there's the first lie) aboard the Marvi Marmara who it claims have been involved in terror activities.

Among those named was Fatima Mohammadi (31), from Iran,(not turkey) who lives in the US (Again not Turkey) and is active in the group Viva Palestine. Mahmadi tried to bring electronic components into the Gaza Strip, which Israel has forbidden. (what electronic equipment? An Ipad????? Israel bans them you know, they are only used by terrorists)

Here's the maths,Israel's proof:
Viva Palestina+Ipad=Terrorist
More utter insanity and bullshit:

Ken O'Keefe (also not Turkish) was also accused by the IDF of having ties to terror. O'Keefe (41), who holds US and British citizenship, was described by the IDF as an "extreme Israel-hating activist, Hamas activist. (sorry but LOLOLOLOLOLOL an ex-US Marine and Gulf War veteran ) and more comedy:His aim was to reach Gaza for training and to set up commando units for Hamas." (Ken was one of the people on board the first boat to break the siege years ago, Israel hates him)

Read about Ken's "deadly weapons" used in Iraq HERE. So according to Israel anyone who uses their "unarmed body" to shield children is a terrorist using a deadly weapon. You know why ole Ken warranted all those Zionist lies being flung at him? Because he was beaten up at the airport by cowardly IDF wankers.

And he's suing Israel and he retained the proof: And Ken, being Irish and smart, did not wash himself or any of the blood off, so when he arrived home (not in Turkey) safely out of the terrorist state of Israel, he was still covered with dried blood which was the proof of the attack he sustained by the Israeli terrorists.

#3 CONTINUING FLOTILLA UPDATES

LOOKS LIKE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT DOES NOT CARE THAT THEIR PEOPLE ARE UNDER THREAT OF ATTACK FROM ISRAELI GUN BOATS IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS, EVEYONE IN LIFEJACKETS NOW


things are moving fast now


20:56 GMT From the IHH ship...3 boats are coming, not two, 3 israeli boats, we are 78 mile from Israel people here put there life jackets, every body preparing here. We are in international waters

21:02 two israeli ships coming toward us. they contacted the ship and asked who we are and then disappeared, they are getting close to the ship and we can see them

21:11 just heard that the ability to broadcast from the flotilla has been disabled not sure if this is temporary or not

21:14 The Challenger 2 boat has been contacted by IDF Radio and is being approached by the IDF

21:27 Someone just spoke now live to one of the ships. They said they were approached by an Israeli warship who asked the captain to identify themselves.
During the interview the line died!

21:48 boats being told they will be towed to israel or boarded by IDF
PLEASE NOTE THEY ARE IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS

22:23 BREAKING, gaza being bombed in the north on the shoreline by Israel, people inside Gaza can hear it. And on the flotilla boats people are in a bit of a panic now as they are 90 miles out in internatinal waters being terrorised by Israel on radio and by military boats. meanwhile another report says israeli navy will use divers and inflatable boats to sneak on board the ships, stay tuned for more.....

00:15 things ahve calmed donw some now, the Zionist pirates are moved back some, the flotilla plans to stay the course but not go closer until daylight. They are currently in international waters 90-100 km off coast, yet rogue Israel threatens them!! hopefully it remains calm until morning ishallah. Anymore news and i will post it here.

#2 FLOTILLA UPDATE LATEST NEWS

Still feeling angry that Hedy Epstein the 86 year old holocaust survivor won't get to Gaza yet again!! Neither will any of our Irish TD's and many other dignitaries and politicians who were banned from leaving Cyprus!! If you missed that earlier update report it's here. Few things to report since the post this morning. Firstly an update from a passenger onboard the ship:

Salaam I will have to make this quick as I have snuck into the press room and i am not meant to be here!

The last 3 days have been very difficult as we have been stationary in international waters awaiting the arrival of all the other ships. The Irish ship is too far behind so will not be joining us but we are now 6 ships in total. Times have been hard but we expect them to get even harder. The showdown with the Israelis is expected tonight.

we need as much help from you guys as possible send emails write try and create as much awareness as you can we need the international community to stand up against this injustice.

Keep checking the IHH website for live streams on the boat but we are also expecting the israelis to jam our communications.

Most of all remember us in your duas inshallah!

Salaam your Brother Tauqir

And this:

the ships are 58 nm from the Lebanese coasts. They changed direction so that they move SW in order to be out of the 65 nm and approach the costs again when they will be much southern and closer to GAZA.

Below is a map of where the boats are right now at 16:00 GMT and this map shows where the Zionist Pirates intercepted the ships the last time (red marker), the blue markers are the boats, click to enlarge detail:


you can follow that map for updates here

Also, You can watch the live streaming from the Turkish Boat the "Mavi Marmara" below, which is carrying about 700 people. Although the broadcast is in Turkish when anyone speaks, mostly, still you can watch the passengers and see the ocean ahead when they begin to near Gazan waters and the scumbag Zionist pirates enter the scene:

Watch live streaming video from insaniyardim at livestream.com

For all you Greeks, you can follow the Greek ships here where there is also a live updating map.

It's going to be a long night and an even longer day starting tomorrow morning when this gets critical. If the flotilla are smart they will stay well away from nearing the Gaza waters in darkness, forcing Israel to make it's move in daylight, so the world can at least see them approaching on the live feed above. I expect the Zionist pirates on approach to disable the flotilla's sat navigantional systems and transmissions, rendering the boats unable to move, dead in the water like the USS Liberty. Then the terrorists will attempt to board and kidnap the passengers and crew without media coverage available as transmission will be disabled so the terrorist pirates can do as they like with the world not witnsessing anything. So, in the morning people will need to be ready and on their game, good luck to them all!!!

FLOTILLA UPDATE SUNDAY 30 MAY

Well, bad news folks. Here's my prediction;The Zionist have had a major victory already, they have managed to separate the important passengers, the dignitaries, the politicians, the famous people, from the Flotilla. Using Cyprus as their agent. Without these people Israel has more opportunity to be, shall we say "less welcoming" and "less fearful" of both attacking the boats and claiming all sorts of things about the passengers! Far easier for them to attack the ships without Politicians on board who can then go home and report to their respective countries of the treatment Israel handed out to the flotilla. So, no dignitaries or politicians to witness Israel's upcoming acts of aggression!

So now Israel must deal with all those journalists on board transmitting to news channels and live streaming internet sites. No worries, they have a plan. The Zionists will use electronic warfare to disable all transmissions and satellite navigation on the Flotilla, leaving them dead in the water, much like the USS Liberty! Journalists won't be able to report or transmit from the ships. Israel can do what it likes in secret. Then they will begin the attempts to board the flotilla, once they are sure all the transmissions are jammed so the world can't see what they are doing! Then everyone will be taken to the newly built concentration camp where they will be searched by soldiers and dogs, along with being threatened. I expect all cameras will be confiscated, film destroyed, as Israel will make every attempt to keep any videos or photos hidden or destroyed, again covering up their crimes.

today's update:

The Cypriot Govt has acted as an Israeli agent, in conjunction with Israel, to sabotage the Flotilla, laying a devastating blow indeed. All the major players, the dignitaries like Hedy Epstein, and the Parliamentarians, including Irish Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on social and family affairs, housing, justice and international affairs, along with Chris Andrews TD Fianna Fáil, Senator Mark Daly Fianna Fáil were to board smaller boats to be taken to the larger flotilla passenger boat at sea. Here's what happened, followed by more updates:

Saturday, May 29, 2010

After tremendous pressure from the Greek Cypriots, reneging on their agreement with us http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/cyprus-stops-mps-joining-gaza-flotilla/20100529, we were forced to take our MPs and activists to Famagusta yesterday, on the Turkish/Cypriot side of Cyprus. We spent all day going from one port to the next, surrounded by helicopters and police. Clearly our deal with Cyprus officials had fallen through, and we ended up being pawns in a political soap opera. The Cypriot members of Parliament, the ones who had worked so hard to get us permission to leave, were outraged. The Greek Parliament members finally told us to go to the North. If they could, they would. The Cypriot government said they made their decision because, “The Republic of Cyprus is fighting for its survival” but it didn’t bow to pressure from Israel. As they said this, they bowed their heads.
We made a deal with the Cypriot government that we would board our high-profile passengers and members of Parliament from Cyprus. We would board with no media coverage. We would not bring our boats into Cyprus. We would take small boats out to our own ships and board past the 12-mile territorial limit.

Authorities mandated that we couldn’t even do that, essentially telling us that, even if we board small boats anywhere in Greek Cyprus from any port, we could not travel outside their territorial limits to go to Gaza. Twenty-seven people were supposed to board, including 9 Cypriots and two Greeks. None of them could come with us as we went North.

It has taken us all day to find someone on the Turkish side to ferry some of our passengers out to the flotilla who have been patiently waiting five hours away from Cyprus. At 6:00 pm, 20 of our passengers left for the flotilla, and the Swedish MP and the three German MPs are on board. Hedy is not, and we are heartsick that, once again, she will not be able to go to Gaza. source

Then this morning we heard this:

Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD Sinn Féin and Chris Andrews TD Fianna Fáil plus Senator Mark Daly Fianna Fáil headed home yesterday when organisers said group wouldn’t succeed in joining flotilla because of Cypriot gov actions. Police Helicopters, boats, plainclothes police along with port security were used to stop the group embarking. Turkish authorities didn’t seem willing to facilitate leaving from Famagusta late Friday. However,since then, some have managed to get out using one of the damaged boats to try to link up with flotilla. Ádh mór to them.

Additionally, more Irish have been given the treatment by Cyprus, at Israels behest:

Cypriot police stop the boat "Challenger 1"

The Challenger 1, Free Gaza passenger boat among the Freedom Flotilla, while holding for the other boats to join, close to Cyprus waters, has been contacted via radio by a Cypriot Police Helicopter. This video is recording the conversation. May 28th, 2010 Shane Dillon (Mate on Challenger 1) commented :
"it is rather shocking that an EU Country refused to let members of another EU Country's Parliament into its port on a humanitarian mission." Watch the video, this is an Irish Crew!! Still more after this:

Also, the dirty warfare has begun, Israel, using electronic warfare has disabled the satellite transmission of the boats and cell phones of people on board for several times briefly. I see this as a practice run for when the Flotilla nears Gazan waters. More after this:

all satellite phones on board had stopped working around 2 am, and said it was an external block placed on the lines.

The IDF had earlier announced it planned to disrupt the boats' communications as part of Israel's efforts to prevent the activists on board from speaking to the press. source

Now, sadly I see what's coming, don't you?

FLOTILLA ECESG PRESS RELEASE

ECESG (European Campaign to End the Seige on Gaza)

Press Release

Brussels, May 29, The “European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza," said that some freed fleet’s vessels are experiencing every now and then Israeli attempts to disrupt the communication process between them, as part of designed moves to prevent the fleet from reaching his goal.

Ameen Abu Rashid, a member of the campaign, one of the founders of the fleet of freedom’s coalition, said that the Israeli authorities, are trying to disrupt the means of wireless communication which is used between ships, during the time that the ships are approching from the point of convergence, in an attempt to impact the pre-defined lanes of the ships, pointing at the technicians on board of the ships are trying to overcome these problems.

Ameen Abu Rashid, who is on board of "The boat 8000", one of vessels of "freedom", said that there were efforts in order to enable a greater number of parliamentarians to join the fleet, which have been stopped by the Cypriot authorities yesterday, saying that the arrival of ships to the point of convergence is expected on Saturday afternoon.

The member of the "European Campaign to End the siege on Gaza," confirmed that it will be on Saturday whether the date of arrival to Gaza will be Sunday morning or Monday, for several reasons, including access to Gaza during the daylight.

The fleet of “Freedom” consists of seven ships which are: A cargo ship funded by Kuwait raising the flag of Turkey and Kuwait, A cargo ship funded by Algeria, and a cargo ship funded by Europe from Sweden and Greece, and 5 vessels to transport passengers; one of the boats is named "boat 8000" taking after the number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

The fleet settled with carrying 750 participants from more than 60 countries, although it had received dozens of requests for participation. Meanwhile 44 governmental, parliamentary, political, European, and Arab officials will be among the participants in the fleet, including ten Algerian MEPs.

The ships of the fleet also carry more than 10 thousand tons of medical supplies, building materials, timber, 100 prefab houses to shelter tens of thousands of people who lost their homes during the Israeli war on Gaza in early 2009, it also carries 500 electric vehicles for the handicapped, especially since the recent war that left nearly 600 disabled people in Gaza.

IDF PREPARING TO EXONERATE THEMSELVES IF THEY HARM FLOTILLA

There is a big UGLY surprise at the end of this post

Wow, all the different propaganda missions Israel has tried so far against the flotilla. Hmmmm, let's see....Oh yes, there was the sudden passing of a handful of aid trucks into Gaza with...........wait for it..............tiny bits of cement!!! Ooooooh, see how nice the Israelis are? Allowing cement in for the very FIRST time Wooo Hooo!!! Alas, it was not for the thousands living in tents whose homes Israel destroyed a year and a half ago, it was for UNWRA to rebuild their buildings Israel also destroyed, by accident, on purpose.

And then there was the letter to Shalit. where Israel claimed; "look those flotilla human rights activists won't take a letter to Gilad Shalit and they call themselves human rights activists, see they're nothing but terrorists" Remember that one? Wrong again, Oh you evil spawn of Satan Zionists, the Politicians on board the Flotilla said they would be happy to deliver the letters to Shalit. But where are the letters? In order for Shalit to GET those letters the flotilla must be allowed in, but Israel blocks it at the same time asking for letters to be delivered to Israel's captured POW Shalit. Now who's the non-humanitarian? Bad move, the bluff was called and Israel was exposed as the liars they are!!

And next we have the threats, followed by the very well crafted little phrase "we fear for our safety" when referring to the flotilla which is clearly armed with nuclear weapons, Oh sorry, that's Israel, forgive me!!

Yes, evil humanitarian Nazi boats, with medical supplies, a dentists office, playground equipment, toys, school supplies, school furniture, prefab homes for the homeless..... GASP, they're coming to exterminate us, shades of "never again" spread through the zio-population, OMG boats with Parliamentarians, journalists and peace activists, including other Jews (nice ones tho) like 85 year old Hedy Epstein, who, unknown to others, turns into a raving terrorist after 7PM. Be afraid, be very afraid......And these evil, dangerous boats filled with politicians (terrorists), journalists (terrorists with terrorist microphones) Jews (self hating brainwashed ones who are now terrorists) and holocaust survivors like Hedy Epstein (Israel wishes she hadn't survived) All these "terrorists" are coming no where near Israeli waters or shores, but are a grave holocaust-proportion danger to all Jews.

And the most recent tactic is not only well planned propaganda, but also serves a very nefarious and very dangerous hasbara purpose!! What is it? Why Israel has called in the IDF film producers and actors. They have created a "movie" of themselves (complete with English subtitles for the "target" Audience, just in case they kill a westerner or an American) In this video they are appearing to be civilised, saying they don't want to hurt anyone (this is in exact preparation of doing just that!) Remind you of anything? It does me. It reminds me of the same storyline they use when the subject of Tom Herndall or Rachel Corrie comes up. It's not poor little Israels fault they murder people, don't you know that only Israelis are victims and as such have a never ending "get out of jail free" card for all of eternity.

But on a serious note, this video was created to be spread around by the "Zionist Internet borg" prior to the Israeli pirates attacking the 10 ships and one or more of those 800 people getting hurt! But the reality is that if Israel would stay the hell out of International waters and away from the flotilla, stop creating confrontations,and stop attacking peaceful boats filled with politicians, journalists, "self hating" Jews and peace activists who are not even heading to Israel, then there'd be no risk to anyone, Israelis OR the Boats. But, Zio's don't think like the rest of us, it's not really about the people on those boats, or the aid on the boats, or even any "so called" security threat to Israel, in reality it's the dangerous mental affliction Zionists all have, that the Zionists can't ever be seen to loose, they must always "win" at any and all costs, even the cost of an innocent life. And the Zionists see these boats getting though to Gaza as them loosing. so they'd rather place 800 people in danger instead. Zionist logic at it's best folks!

So without further adieu, here's the movie production that Israel will use to help get them off when someone gets hurt:

FLOTILLA TOLD BY ISRAEL WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM

Israel lays out the "WELCOME MAT" for the Flotilla


And tells Flotilla members what they can expect when the Israeli pirates come aboard and kidnap them:

1. Thousands of Israeli troops prepare to attack unarmed civilians from 20 countries and members of the European Parliament and one Palestinian member of Israel's parliament, the Knesset from in international waters.

2. Netanyahu told the armed forces to use force, if necessary

3. Navy missile boats and Israeli warships will surround them. Navy commandos wearing black masks to prevent identification as war criminals and murderers, will board the ships and redirect them to Israeli waters

4. "We wish to avoid using force, but the moment that there is danger to the lives of the troops, we will be forced to use live fire as a last resort, " the officer said.

5. After the pirates take over the ships, Israel's "Engineering Corps" and the "Oketz dog unit" will search everyone on board for weapons and explosives.

6. If no weapons or "terrorists" are found, people then be taken to the port of Ashdod, where MORE soldiers and police will escort them to a special Concentration Camp, I mean "registration camp" where they will be detained/imprisoned. (wonder what definiation of “terrorist” Israel will be using, o doubt the one where everyone not supportive of the evil rogue state is considered a so called “terrorist”)

7. After more security checkS AND full body searches, the IDF will register each person and force them to sign a document agreeing to be deported to their country of origin.

8. If you refuse to “Sign zee paper” you will then be given a “medical exam” and immediately transferred to an Israeli prison.

9. Journalists and Diplomats are to be given “special treatment” However, it is noted that "since they will have cameras, there is very great concern about something happening that could endanger the troops''. Yeah, like being caught on camera committing a war crime or beating an innocent person senseless perhaps?

OUTRAGED AT THIS??

Call the news desks at Sky and the BBC now if you would like to support the flotilla. Ask why when dozens of Brit citizens and Irish Citizens are being threatened by Israel and there is nothing carried on their channel?? There's a live feed available for news desks via IHH here. Call NOW you can make a difference! BBC foreign desk: 0044208 624 9111. Sky News desk: 0207 705 3000

UPDATED!! THE FLOTILLA LIVE & UPDATE

please note that any updates I'm just going to add to the bottom of this post in numbered order, unless and until I get something really major. so be sure to scroll down for the latest updates as the flotilla is now being followed by police helicoper from Cyprus.

All the boats are gathering off the coast of Cyprus, once assembled they will move towards Gaza later today which is not that far. They are expected to arrive Saturday early, but of course that depends on the Israeli Pirates. Another two developments; firstly, the MV Rachel Corrie is running way behind and will ultimately travel to Gaza alone after the rest of the boats leave for the last leg to Gaza today. Secondly, is that the Zionist Entity has pressured Cyprus to not allow the boats to leave from there. Citing the PA has not requested any "aid for Gaza." More after this:

link Two cargo ships and five smaller boats loaded with thousands of tonnes of supplies and hundreds of passengers steamed towards a rendezvous point off the Cyprus coast where they planned to regroup before setting out for the Palestinian territory.

Organisers said an eighth ship, the Rachel Corrie that had left from Ireland, was lagging behind and would travel towards Gaza separately.

"The Cypriot government does not want us to leave from Cyprus. I can only assume pressure was put on them," said Audrey Bomse, one of the coordinators.

A Cyprus government official said of the flotilla that Cyprus had not received any formal request from the Palestinian Authority for humanitarian aid.

This next statement from Israel is off the charts with absurdity:

Israel earlier told the ambassadors of Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, and Ireland -- the countries from which the ships set sail -- it "issued warrants that prohibit the entrance of the vessels to Gaza" and that the flotilla would be breaking international law.

Insanity, since when can some random country issue "warrants" that prohibit other countries from traveling to yet another country on international waters? Never mind, it's the Evil Rogue State of Israel, the one that no country has the balls to stand up to, except of course Iran, Lebanon, Turkey and Syria:)

IMPORTANT NOTE: For those interested in watching the live streaming off the IHH Insani Yardim Vakfi on Livestream right HERE albeit right now it can be a wee bit boring at times as they are on the open ocean, but once in a while activists appear to speak. More importantly, tuck this link away, because once they begin to near the Israeli pirates you might get a glimpse of the Evil Pirates kidnapping the passengers, or the Pirate Navy taking pot shots at civilians on board before kidnapping them and taking them to the "camp" for interrogation and such.

UPDATE 1

as reported from IPSC members: Flotilla participant and IPSC activist Fintan Lane reported that the Challenger 1, the ship on which he is travelling, has just been refused permission to pass through Cypriot waters.

The Challenger is now being followed and filmed by a Cypriot police helicopter

HELP THE GAZA FLOTILLA NOW

PLEASE LINK TO THIS AND SPREAD IT

Subject: SUPPORT URGENTLY REQUIRED - TEMPLATE LETTER AND EMAIL
As you may be aware that Israel has confirmed that they will stop the flotilla by any means necessary and news of temporary prision being set up for all individuals that are taking part to provide vital aid to the Palestinans.

Now we need your help urgently please send out letters, emails to all addresses below, the more people that are involved the more chance we will get noticed and possibly have a chance to influence someone whom is able to do so for a safe passage for all individuals on the convoy.

Template letter:

To whom it may concern:

I, (insert your name) am writing this letter to you to express my concern for the safety of the 750 passengers from 50 various countries on board the 9 ships who are sailing towards Gaza today.

Israel have issued several threats indicating that they will stop this flotilla by force, and arrest everyone onboard. This is an extremely worrying development, and these threats to civilians has to be taken very seriously.

I am appealing to you to do all in your power to ensure the safety of these brave individuals, and for the 15,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid onboard.

The situation in Gaza is the greatest humanitarian disaster in our time, and it is not only my duty, but the duty of every person worldwide to play their part in making sure the illegal siege on Gaza is lifted.

1.5 million people have been suffering daily due to the effects of this Israeli imposed siege, and the time has come for the world to stand up and say, “Enough Is Enough”.

Will you add your voice to this appeal, or will you sit idly by and allow Israel to not only attack and imprison this flotilla, but to continue the slow genocide of the Palestinian’s in Gaza?

Awaiting your response,

(insert your name )

JUST COPY AND PASTE THE ADDRESS BELOW you can E mail addresses in groups of 50 and please remember to keep the commas between each email:

UPDATE (Thanks to Gaby:),exclude these 3 mails which back rejected : info@brent-libdems.org.uk, info@solihullmeridenlibdems.org.uk, NickNorthDevon@hotmail.co.uk, david@davidheath.co.uk, cablev@parliament.uk. ALL THE REST BELOW ARE FINE, SO GET GOING!!

leader@libdems.org.uk,danny@highlandlibdems.org.uk, info@normanbaker.org.uk,info@berwicklibdems.org.uk,gordon.birtwistle.bly@gmail.com,info@middorsetlibdems.org.uk,office@tauntonlibdems.org.uk,info@malcolmbruce.org.uk,paul@paulburstow.org.uk,info@solihullmeridenlibdems.org.uk,info@vincentcable.org.uk,fife_office@mingcampbell.org.uk,alistair.for.the.isles@googlemail.com,mike_crockart@hotmail.com,edward@edwarddavey.co.uk,lynne@lynnefeatherstone.org,don@donfoster.co.uk,andrewgeorgeppc@live.co.uk,stephen@stephengilbert.org.uk,duncan@duncanhames.org.uk,email@mikehancock.co.uk,NickNorthDevon@hotmail.co.uk,david@davidheath.co.uk,john.hemming@jhc.co.uk, martin@martinhorwood.net,simon@simonhughes.org.uk,chris@chrishuhne.org.uk, info@cheadle-libdems.org.uk,

contact@julianhuppert.org.uk,charles@highlandlibdems.org.uk,norman@normanlamb.org.uk,enquiries@yeovil-libdems.org.uk,info@john-leech.org.uk,stephen@stephenlloyd.org.uk,
michaelmoorebrs2010@gmail.com,

info@gregmulholland.org,enquiries@andrewstunell.org.uk, info@brent-libdems.org.uk,steve@stevewebb.org.uk,info@jennywillott.org.uk,david.ward@fsmail.net,president@whitehouse.gov

Israeli e mail addresses:

INFO@NEWYORK.MFA.GOV.IL,INFO@WASHINGTON.MFA.GOV.IL,INFO@MONTREAL.MFA.GOV.IL,INFO@BRUSSELS.MFA.GOV.IL,PM_ENG2@pmo.gov.il,
pniot@mod.gov.il,sar@mfa.gov.il,info@education.gov.il,mancal@justice.gov.il,pniot@moh.health.gov.il,sar@moin.gov.il,lishka.sar@moital.gov.il,sar@mot.gov.il,

sar@mops.gov.il,info@moia.gov.il,info@ng.pmo.gov.il,pniot@mni.gov.il,pniot@sviva.gov.il,ministerts@most.gov.il,minister@most.gov.il,mankal@moag.gov.il,sar@moch.gov.il,dorital@molsa.gov.il,sar@tourism.gov.il,dovrut@moc.gov.il,ifat.aloni@pmo.gov.il

GUNS AND CONCENTRATION CAMPS AT THE READY

Israel is currently building a massive white tented concentration camp where they will forcibly take 800 people, from many countries, including Parliamentarians, off their humanitarian boats, sailing on International waters. Israel has 40 buses standing by for transport to the Concentration Camp. Those who refuse to board the trains to the Camps,


I mean the buses to the camps, will be jailed. The Zionists will take the Passengers to the "camp" for QUOTE "identification and medical attention."

And Chemical toilets have been set-up and tents housing immigration booths and areas for people to be searched.

But that's not all, Israel says it is QUOTE "prepared for a military confrontation if necessary" now theres a surprise! Israel using military force against civilians, imagine that!! Remember British Citizen Tom Herndall

link Israel set up three massive white tents at its main southern seaport on Thursday to hold hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists who hope to breach Israel's 3-year blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The activists are headed toward Gaza's waters on board a flotilla carrying 10,000 tons of supplies. Israel says it won't let the eight boats reach Gaza's shores, and that it will deport or imprison the activists aboard.

The military said it would divert the boats to the Israeli port at Ashdod, where the activists will be taken into the tents for identification and medical attention.

Officials said 40 buses will be on hand to ferry them to Israel's international airport for deportation or to a nearby prison if they refuse to be deported voluntarily.

"We want to do this as quick and efficiently as possible," said Maya Kadosh, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

Israeli authorities said they will make every effort to avoid using force, but they were prepared for a military confrontation if necessary.

Israel claims it no longer occupies Gaza, that it withdrew in 2005. Yet Israel controls all aspects and blocks international humanitarian aid from traveling to Gaza or entering Gaza via open international waters. Israeli Lies Exposed again!

FLOTILLA MOVING~ISRAEL PLANS ARRESTS

Few things to report today. First these most recent updates:

1. Following a Press Conference in Turkey this morning, the Flotilla will set sail in a few hours.


2. Freedom Flotilla is on the move, Challenger 1 & 2 left Crete this morning our MV Rachel Corrie is on her way, Turkish ships have left the port.

Next this:

link The Freedom Flotilla to Gaza, which includes 11 Irish people, expects to arrive at it's destination within 48 hours despite Israel's vow to block the mission from delivering much needed aid to the beleaguered coastal strip. A forum of seven senior Israeli ministers who met on Wednesday 26th May have decided that the Israeli Navy will enforce a twenty mile exclusion zone around Gaza and will arrest all 800 crew and passengers taking part in the Freedom Flotilla should they pursue their mission to break the ongoing siege of Gaza.

INFORMATION ON THE IRISH PARTICIPANTS

Denis Halliday was born in Dublin in 1941 and educated at Trinity College Dublin. He is a former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations. Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed him to the post of United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq as of 1 September 1997, at the Assistant Secretary-General level, and he served as such until the end of September 1998. He resigned from the post in Iraq and from the United Nations as a whole effective 31 October 1998 after serving the organisation since mid 1964 - some 34 years. He has been a strong opponent of the US/UK-led war in Iraq.

Mairead Maguire, Nobel peace prize laureate, was co-founder of the Community of Peace People for a peaceful resolution of the Northern Ireland conflict. She has been to Palestine several times defending the human rights. In April 2007, she was wounded by the Israeli army while non-violently protesting with Palestinians against the apartheid wall in the village of Bil'in. This will be her third trip to Gaza on board one of the Free Gaza boats.

Derek Graham is from Ballina in County Mayo. He has been a qualified electrician for 20 years. He was a member of the reserve defence forces in Ireland for 21 years and was the first member of the reserves to make the Army sailing team. He has been sailing all of his life and is a crew member on the MV Rachel Corrie. He has participated in many previous Free Gaza boat trips to Gaza and has been on four of the five voyages that landed in Gaza. He is married to Jenny, who is also on the MV Rachel Corrie.

Jenny Graham is from County Mayo and is a member of the Free Gaza Movement. She has participated in previous boat trips to Gaza and is a member of the crew of the MV Rachel Corrie. She is married to Derek Graham.

Shane Dillon is a Dublin-based Irish seafarer who has served as Chief Officer on Irish and British merchant ships. He has sailed on numerous leisure craft on transatlantic trips and in European waters. He is part of the crew of the MV Rachel Corrie.

Caoimhe Butterly (born 1978) is a Dublin-born Irish human rights activist, who has worked with AIDS victims in Zimbabwe, the homeless in New York, and with Zapatistas in Mexico as well as more recently in the Middle East and Haiti. In 2002, during an Israeli attack in Jenin, she was shot by an Israeli soldier. She spent 16 days inside the compound where Yasser Arafat was besieged in Ramallah. She was described by Time magazine as one of their Europeans of the Year in 2003. Butterly is a pacifist who is a member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), an organisation that seeks non-violent alternatives to armed intifada by mobilising international civil society. She is a coordinator with the Free Gaza Movement.

Fintan Lane is a writer and historian. He is a member of the National Committee of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Originally from Cork, he now lives in Chapelizod in Dublin. He graduated with a PhD in history from University College, Cork and is the author/editor of seven books on modern Irish history; he has also contributed many articles and reviews to academic history journals. He was the Editor of Saothar, the scholarly journal of Irish labour history, for several years.

Senator Mark Daly is a Fianna Fáil member of Senead Eireann from County Kerry. He was elected as one of the youngest members of the 23rd Senate in the 2007 election and has been active in community affairs and local politics since college. He was born in Kerry in 1973 and holds a Diploma in Property Valuation from Dublin Institute of Technology and a B.Sc. in Management from Greenwich University, London.

Chris Andrews TD (born 25 May 1964) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He is currently a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin South East constituency. He was first elected to the Dáil at the 2007 general election.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh Sinn Fein TD is a native Irish speaker who was born in Dublin in 1964. Aengus is married to Aisling and has three children. He was first elected in 2002 to the Dáil (Irish parliament) and re-elected in 2007. He is Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on social and family affairs, housing, justice and international affairs. He travelled by boat in November 2008 to Gaza which was (and still is) under siege by Israel.

Fiachra Ó Luain is from County Donegal. He is an Irish peace activist and was an independent candidate in the North-West constituency in the 2009 European elections. He was compelled to become a candidate upon watching the massacres of Israel’s ‘Operation Cast Lead’. He is a member of the Free Gaza Movement

EXCELLENT READ ON STATUS OF GAZA

And Israel's playing loose with propaganda and words are now exposed:

link What is Gaza's legal status?

Canadian-Palestinian lawyer Diana Buttu, a former legal adviser to the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, said Israel “confuses” occupation with colonisation

While Israel withdrew its troops and colonies from the Gaza Strip in September 2005, it has failed to convince the international community that its occupation of the tiny strip of territory has ended. Israel has vowed to stop the flotilla by any means necessary, but under what legal pretext it aims to do so is unclear.

Israel’s flags, tanks and colonists have ended their permanent presence on the strip, but Israel continues to control Gaza’s borders, airspace and territorial waters. The United Nations and the international community continue to consider the strip to be occupied by Israel, along with the West Bank and occupied Arab East Jerusalem.

And here's the million dollar question:

Why then does Israel insist that the occupation of Gaza has ended?

More:

Canadian-Palestinian lawyer Diana Buttu, a former legal adviser to the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, said Israel “confuses” occupation with colonisation. While the colonisation of Gaza, in the form of its military and settlement presence there, ended in 2005, its occupation continues, she said.

“After it pulled out [of Gaza], the Israeli government went to the Supreme Court to get an assessment as to whether Gaza was still occupied. The court determined that Gaza was no longer occupied,” she said.

On the contrary, she said, Israel’s occupation of Gaza has intensified, as it controls every aspect of life in Gaza, including the population registry and the issuance of identity documents.

Israel however is expected to face a dilemma in legally justifying any attempt to bar the Freedom Flotilla. If Gaza was indeed liberated territory, any Israeli action in its territorial waters would be considered as having taken place in the waters of another entity.

Israel, however, has a loophole. It has designated Gaza as a “hostile entity” and has reserved the right to protect itself from it. Buttu said that that is where Israel “traps itself”.

“Territory is either occupied or it’s not. There’s no shade in between. It’s like being half-pregnant,” she said.

She stressed, however, that as an occupying power, its laws hold little credibility, saying that international law, and specifically the Fourth Geneva Convention, should be the first reference. If all else fails, Israel could cite the security provisions in the Oslo Accords with the Palestinian Liberation Organisation of 1993, under which it has certain rights in a “security perimeter”.

Buttu argued, however, that those security perimeters were clearly defined in Oslo, but violated by Israel. Not only does Israel extend its activities to further than the defined perimeter, she said, it has also extracted natural gas off Gaza’s coastline, “which belongs to Gaza”.

“The caveat under Oslo is that in 2001 Israel declared Oslo dead… So it’s not really an argument any longer. They can’t say we want to maintain the security aspects of Oslo but we’re going to keep building colonies [in the West Bank] at the same time,” she said.

ISRAEL’S STRANGE BEHAVIOUR ON FLOTILLA TO GAZA

Amazing the odd tactics Israel has attempted in the last two weeks with regards to the Flotilla coming to Gaza. First they threaten the ministers of the various countries, Turkey, UK, Ireland, Sweden, etc. Telling them to call back their dignitaries. Then they suddenly allow some trucks into Gaza with a little humanitarian aid, to which 4 days later they are using as propaganda, telling the world there is no need for the flotilla because Israel allowed "some" aid into Gaza. Next they get creative, and build their own little flotilla of racist bigot boats, that were decorated pleasure boats with insulting signs, then sailed them past the flotilla in protest. I must admit, that one made me laugh. All the while telling the world the flotilla will not be allowed into Gaza, no way, no how.

Then Turkey enters the fray and tells Israel "if they touch the boats there will be reprisals" And just yesterday, Israel suddenly allows some cement and building supplies into Gaza for the FIRST time, but not really to help the people there. Because you see those supplies go directly to UNWRA and can only be used on UNWRA buildings, the ones Israel destroyed on purpose. But none of that small bit of supplies can be used to help rebuild any of the thousands of homes Israel also destroyed on purpose. But they made this move so that they can use the propaganda of allowing a bit of cement into Gaza in light of the Flotilla which has tons of cement which WILL be distributed to help people rebuild homes. And this brings us to today, the latest Israeli plan. To offer Turkey some deal to stop the flotilla. Not to worry, Turkey has told them to p-off. More after this:

link Turkey rejects Israeli deal on Gaza sail. Israel offers to take humanitarian aid into Strip in exchange for calling off of 'Break the Siege' sail

The state propositioned Turkey to transfer its humanitarian aid equipment to Ashdod, from where it would be taken by the UN and international organizations into the Strip, under Israel's supervision.

In exchange for transferring the equipment to Gaza, Israel asked that Turkey call off the sail to the Strip, however the latter rejected the offer.

Major General Eitan Dangot, coordinator of government activities in the (Palestinian) territories, suggested the deal to the Turkish ambassador recently, who said Turkey was not responsible for the sail.

One other thing to note, notice in that article above how Israel is trying to disassociate Turkey from the "blame" of this flotilla, interesting that. My take would be this; Israel is trying to "stroke" Turkey and say it's not your fault this evil flotilla is going to Gaza, just do as we ask and all will be fine. Trouble is, Turkey is one of the main organisers and that involvement comes from high levels within Turkey. But still this is Israel already publicly attempting to separate Turkey out, so that Israel will not create any diplomatic row with Turkey over the Flotilla, which I do find interesting indeed. As it tells me Israel won't go toe to toe with Turkey over this Flotilla, but rather plans to blame everyone else in order to protect whats left of it's diplomatic ties with Turkey in the region. This is very telling. Could it be that with all the enemies Israel has created it is now worried about creating more amongst the ones it still has some shakey ties to? And, if I remember correctly, Egypt came out in support of Turkey recently and was not going to be happy if Israel attacked the Turkish boats. So all of this makes me wonder if Israel will turn back all the boats but let the Turkish one though. Time will tell where this goes, but Israel's actions over this flotilla so far have certainly not been normal for Israel.

FLOTILLA BOUND FOR GAZA

link Three ships carrying Turkish activists have set off from Turkey to Gaza on Saturday, the biggest effort by international aid groups to break the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip.

The biggest of the nine ships from Istanbul is heading to the south western city of Antalya where two other Turkish ships will be waiting to join the convoy.

The seaport was overwhelmed by thousands of well-wishers, who had come to show their support for the people of Gaza.



The three ships will then travel to the waters off Athens and Crete to rendezvous with the other six, before making the four-day journey to Gaza.

The second ship to join the Freedom Flotilla en route to Gaza left Istanbul Saturday afternoon, joining eight other boats from three countries carrying 10,000 tons of aid for Gaza's residents, supplies embargoed by Israel.

A statement issued by the Freedom Flotilla's organizers said the latest ship is sponsored by the Turkish humanitarian organization or IHH and will carry 600 passengers to Gaza as part of the "blockade busting" flotilla.

Boats will meet in the Mediterranean, then turn toward Gaza to arrive at its beseiged slice of beachfront by the end of May.

Free Gaza Movement’s MV Rachel Corrie is already en route from Ireland and is presently off the coast of Portugal loaded with cement, paper and supplies for school children and medical equipment, the statement said. Rachel Corrie was a US peace activist who was killed by an Israeli army bulldozer in Gaza in 2003.

The convoy is from the UK, Ireland, Algeria, Kuwait, Greece and Turkey, and is comprised of people from 50 nationalities. It is made up of three cargo ships and five passengers boats.

Israeli violence?

But, news reports from Israel indicated that Tel Aviv will attempt to prevent the ships from reaching the blockaded coastal enclave.

A statement from Israel's foreign ministry said it had "no intention of allowing the flotilla into Gaza" but has not elaborated on what measures could be used to stop them.

Representatives from six organisations, including the European Campaign to End the Siege in Gaza (EGESG), said they were determined to enter the area regardless of pressure from Israel.


Israel should not be under any illusion whatsoever that their threats or intimidation will stop us or even that their violence against us will stop us," Huwaida Arraf, from the Free Gaza Movement, said.

Kahel Mazen, from EGESG, added: "If they choose to resort to destruction and death, our mission is to try to open a window of hope for the people of Gaza."

Earlier this month, UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees director John Ging called upon the international community to break the siege on the Gaza Strip by sending ships loaded with aid.

"We believe that Israel will not intercept these vessels because the sea is open and human rights organisations have been successful in similar previous operations, proving that breaking the siege of Gaza is possible," Mr Ging declared.

Gaza is still considered under Israeli occupation as Israel controls air, sea and land access to the Strip.

The Rafah crossing with Egypt, Gaza's sole border crossing that bypasses Israel, rarely opens as Egypt is under immense US and Israeli pressure to keep the crossing shut.