A CALL TO ACT, FREEDOM FLOTILLA 2 NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW

DO IT FOR PALESTINE, DO IT FOR IRELAND DO IT FOR FREEDOM, BUT DO IT NOW!!

The I4P writers group rarely ask for help, but we are asking all our supporters, readers and fellow blog friends for urgent help today.

As many of you are aware, Ireland took part on the last Freedom Flotilla to Gaza which came under attack from Israeli Commando Pirates and resulted in the deaths of nine Humanitarian aid workers. Several Irish people were injured,one fairly seriously.

There is another flotilla going to Gaza in early October, organised by the European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza, they were co-organisers of the last flotilla.

You may have noticed we have been posting less on the blog lately. The reason is that several members of our blog are helping to raise money for the Irish Ship to Gaza and some friends will be going on one of the boats in the flotilla. As always, this blog will keep you up to date as the flotilla prepares to break the siege. If Ireland is to be represented on this next flotilla then we need the support of everyone sympathetic to Ireland or Palestine to help us get there.

If you can organise a fundraising event in your area of the world and donate the proceeds to our cause GREAT, we love you and hereby proclaim you as an Honorary Irishmen no matter where you live! If you can’t do fundraising or donate then please re-post this page to your own blog or website along with our wee Irish Ship to Gaza button (code below to copy and paste) so that your readers and supporters can help us. We want Ireland to help brake the siege so help us make it happen! The more boats the flotilla have, the better chance we have of ending this terrible siege.

Listen folks, the reality is that the only place the siege has NOT been broken since the invasion is by sea. Gaza’s seaport remains closed to the world and under siege by Israel. Several convoys have been successful in entering Gaza since the invasion with some aid, the most recent one just weeks ago. Since the flotilla attack on May 31st Rafah has been open more often. However, the amount of aid taken in by convoys may appear large to us, but the fact that Gaza’s population is 1.5 million means that it’s only a wee tiny drop in the bucket and really offers little long term help because it keeps Gazan’s dependant on aid from convoys, humanitarian orgs and the UN. They don’t want to live this way!!

What is needed now is to break the siege by sea, open Gaza’s seaport, so that people in Gaza can get back to work and export their goods and wares to the world, and import building supplies by cargo ships from the world. This will not only ease the humanitarian suffering but will put Gaza people back to work and help their economy become self sufficient so people there can live normal lives like the rest of the free world.

We need everyone to spread the word and help us with this. So, DO IT for Ireland, DO IT for Palestine, DO IT for FREEDOM and DO IT for an end to the Siege!


PLEASE POST THE FOLLOWING CODE INTO YOUR BLOG OR WEBSITE'S SIDEBAR, JUST COPY AND PASTE THIS CODE BELOW:

<a href="http://irishshiptogaza.org/?page_id=10" target="_blank">
<img src=" http://irishshiptogaza.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/istglogo21.jpg" width="119" height="94" border="0" alt="Irish Ship to Gaza"</a>

And Wa La, you will get this lovely wee button below complete with a link to where people can donate to help us:)




FOR BLOGGER BLOGS:For blogger, use the “add text” gadget in “design” mode, then click the top right and make sure it says “rich text” then paste the code into the box, after that go back and click the “rich text” link again and go to html mode and the button with link should appear in the box and also when you click save it will appear on your blog’s sidebar.

FOR WORDPRESS BLOGS: do a text/html widget and copy the code into it then click save.

Go on, click it, it works!! and Whilst you are there get the bank info and send a donation by cheque, wire transfer (c'mon all you rich Irish Americans out there!! Help your fellow Irishmen!), in Europe you can do a bank transfer, in Ireland cold hard cash is also accepted, or if yur in England or Ireland you can do a weekly standing order or transfer or cheque deposit!! There now that's all covered, no excuses now;-)

HELP IRELAND BREAK THE SIEGE
FREEDOM FLOTILLA 2
IRISH SHIP TO GAZA


THANK YOU!!

APPEAL FOR HELP~OPEN RAFAH

From our friends at Desertpeace: Ayman Quadar is a frequent contributor to this Blog. Read the following and please sign it afterwards. Together we can make a difference for Ayman, together we can make a difference for Palestine.

OPEN RAFAH FOR AYMAN

Together we can make a difference for Ayman,together we can make a difference for Palestine
Ayman Talal E. Quader is a Palestinian that was born on July 19, 1986 in Gaza and has lived in Gaza City for his entire life. As a young Palestinian student who truly loves his homeland and has always dreamed of freedom for his people, Ayman has worked very hard to achieve one of his most important goals in life; earning a scholarship for a Masters program in Europe.

Ayman was recently accepted to an academic scholarship program at the Universitat Jaume I (UJI) in Castellón, Spain for the International Masters in Peace, Conflict and Development Studies (PEACE Master). Ayman was also successfully granted a Spanish student visa in order to complete his academic program that begins February 2010 and runs all the way through to May of 2012.

“All I want is my basic rights to learn and study; rights that are supposed to be guaranteed and recommended by all the international resolutions and the United Nations.”

“I am not asking for a miracle, it is my reserved right. I am handling all my documents, visa, acceptance letter from my university and supporting documents. Why I am being prevented from leaving Gaza and prevented access to Spain?”

“The issue of the borders is politically extremely complicated,” Ayman said in an interview. “Since Hamas was elected as the leadership of the Palestinian people in 2006, the Israeli government has declared and relentlessly implemented a total siege on the Gaza Strip.”

The conditions of the borders have become extremely complex, making it almost impossible for Palestinians living in Gaza to leave under any circumstances, including for medical treatment, to visit relatives or on academic scholarship to study abroad. The borders, including the Rafah border – the only throughway between Gaza and Egypt – are all controlled by Israeli Security Forces, although Israel’s control of the Rafah border is more indirect than the borders leading out of Gaza and into “Israel Proper” (as defined by the 1967 armistice lines; see UN Resolution 242). The Egyptian authorities have been complicit with the Israeli government in the collective punishment of a civilian population, contrary to article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Conventions (1949), by neglecting much needed humanitarian aid and building supplies into the strip, pre and post Operation Cast Lead. The result is thousand of homeless and starving Gazans left with nowhere to turn but the international community.

Maan News agency reported earlier this month that throughout the entire year of 2009, the Gaza borders were only opened 33 times. This is truly a crime against humanity.

Israel AND Egypt are both in direct breach of international laws and conventions that guarantee fair access to education for Ayman as declared in the spirit of the United Nations Declaration of Universal Human Rights, Article 28, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR, 1966).

The purpose of this manifesto is to send a swift and authoritative message to the Egyptian and Israeli governments, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! This is a call to lawyers, politicians, journalists and all activists for human rights to join the fight for Ayman and his right to the education that he has always dreamed of. Together we can make a difference for Ayman, together we can make a difference for Palestine, one step at a time.
Sincerely,

CLICK HERE TO SIGN

View Current Signatures
—————————————————————————–

SINN FEIN CONCERN FOR DERRY FIVE VIVA CONVOY

McCartney expresses concern for Derry men on 'Viva Plaestina' convoy

Derry Sinn Féin MLA, Raymond McCartney, has expressed concern for the safety of five young Derry men travelling on the ‘Viva Palestina’ medical aid convoy to Gaza which is currently detained in the port of El Arish on the Egypt / Gaza border.

Raymond McCartney said:

“Sinn Féin has been in contact with family members of the Derry men involved in the medical aid for Gaza ‘Viva Palestina’ Convoy. The families are obviously very concerned about the circumstances pertaining in El Arish where there are unconfirmed reports of confrontation between the participants of the convoy and riot police. We share in that concern. Sinn Féin has been informed by family members that they have spoken to their relatives on the convoy and that although none of them have been injured there are injuries among some of the convoy participants.

“The five young Derry men are part of the ‘Viva Plaestina’ Convoy travelling to Gaza in an attempt to deliver much needed medical aid to the area which is presently under an Israeli imposed blockade. It is a humanitarian relief effort which deserves our support.

“Whatever tensions may have arisen between the convoy and the authorities in El Arish it is essential that we focus our attention on the innocent victims in Gaza who urgently need this medical aid. Leaders of the convoy and the authorities should seek to resolve any difficulties in a peaceful manner and one which respects the human rights of those Palestinians living under siege in Gaza.

“I will be keeping in close contact with the relatives of the convoymembers and will support efforts to ensure the men’s safety and well-being. Sinn Féin at the highest level will also be in touch with the Irish government urging their intervention with the authorities in El Arish calling for respect for the humanitarian nature of this convoy.”

ENDS

VIVA PALESTINA~LAST UPDATE FOR TODAY 3RD JANUARY

(new photos after post) I expect this will be the last update for today, unless something urgent happens. I hope they all get a good nights rest for the next battle in Egypt at Al Arish with Egyptian Security and "customs", which is always a severe headache. I remember what the Hope Convoy went through for days at the port. It's imperative the Viva convoy gets through quickly in order to make it to Rafah before Egypt closes the gate in two more days.

Update of definite news “mucks” (short for Mo Chara, which means friends in Irish) -flights r delayed till 4PM 2morrow. We were waiting for security clearance and got it. One plane will start taking 3 loads 2morrow at 4PM. That’s it for now.

The 5 Boys

Here are a few more photos to enjoy from the trip so far:
Sleeping area whilst they were stranded and waiting CLICK TO ENLARGE:


HUGE SUPPORT ALONG THE WAY (4 photos)

CLICK TO ENLARGE:

CLICK TO ENLARGE:

CLICK TO ENLARGE:

CLICK TO ENLARGE:

CLICK TO ENLARGE:
in the meantime you can follow the boat live HERE Check back for more updates tomorrow from the Derry to Gaza Viva Palestina team.

URGENT~VIVA PALESTINA NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW

DANGEROUS DAYS AHEAD FOR CONVOY
NOTE I'm reposting this because it is an urgent situation

We have friends on both the Code Pink Gaza Freedom March (stranded and protesting in Egypt) and also on the Viva Palestina Convoy waiting for boats to go to Al Arish. Because of the volatile situation in Egypt we have devoted more time to monitoring that situation than reporting on our Irish boys from Derry. So we plan to do some catching up on the Viva Palestina convoy now because they are about to face a trying and dangerous time. More one that in a minute.

So let us introduce the “Derry to Gaza” team; Danny Doyle, Edward McBride, Derek McChrystal, Eanna O'Donaghaile and Jonathan Crockett:


Jonathan “JJ” Crockett, (pictured in the centre of the photo above) is a teacher at St Brigid's College in Derry. He and the team are delivering an ambulance filled with medical aid donated by Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry. Also, students at St. Brigid’s College have donated a lot of educational supplies which can be given to children there. Yesterday JJ had this to say:

" Thank you to the people at home in Derry and further afield for your support on this all important humanitarian mission; your support is the fuel which keeps us going.

" We returned the 500 kms to Damascus which was forced upon us, and now we are going to make our way to the nearby port of Latakia. "We hope to get the ferry to Egypt which takes 20 hours, and arrive into El Arish, only 25 km from Gaza.

"The Turkish government is paying for our ferry to go to Egypt and fair play to them, although the Egyptian government remains hostile to our mission.

"If we are turned away at the Bay of Egypt, or even worse, if we can't get on the ferry, then we will have to face more serious challenges put in our way... of delivering this life saving aid. Either way the next few days are crucial."

UPDATE: We are just in from a vigil for the victims in Gaza and a rally in support of the “Derry to Gaza” lads. As you well know the convoy is facing great obstacles at the moment. At the rally today Marty Crockett, brother of JJ Crockett, one of the drivers, read out an update he’d received from JJ today. The rally had a great turnout and it was grand to hear from our boys who are in Syria via text messages, calls and emails. IMPORTANT INFO AFTER THIS:
Marty Crockett reading message from Convoy

Sinn Fein Clr and former Deputy Leader of the "Hope Convoy" to Gaza in May 2009, Gerry MacLochlainn, reading out names of children murdered by Israel.


SDLP Clr Colum Eastwood reading names of children murdered by Israel

Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney with Steve Crockett in support of the "Derry to Gaza" five.
After the rally ended, we were speaking to Steve Crockett, also JJ's brother, who gave us the latest on the convoy. They have now arrived in Syria and are currently waiting for the boat to take the vehicles to Al Arish. Another problem they have faced is the cargo ship cannot take the people, only the aid and vehicles. The convoy personnel do not want to leave their vehicles, but are forced to do so and were expected to take other boats to Al Arish which would leave the cargo alone for some time at the Egyptian port. This was immediately deemed as unacceptable and turned down. They then decided the best option was to fly the convoy members into Egypt on charter planes so as to quickly get back to their vehicles. Another problem, how to pay for this. Thankfully the Great and Good Government of Turkey has offered to pay for the cargo ship to Egypt. Turkey is to be commended for this humanitarian act of kindness to the convoy and the people of Gaza who will receive the aid. BUT THEY NEED DONATIONS FOR THE CHARTER PLANES TO EGYPT, link to donate at end of post. MORE:

So, where it stands now is they are in the process of having the vehicles go by boat and the people by plane. Should all things go according to “plan” the convoy should arrive in Gaza in 4-7 days. However, what worries me is one dangerous situation looms in the distance, and that danger is Israel. For the Israeli pirates who only a few months back boarded, seized and confiscated a boat of dignitaries bound for Gaza, then jailed Mairead Corrigan, Cynthia McKinney and many others, could make an attempt to seize the cargo boat.

To all our readers: We have made arrangements to be in contact with the “Derry to Gaza” team and will post personal updates here as we get them, along with any photos as well.

And to the “Derry to Gaza” Team, if you see this post, your families all say “We are so proud of you, best of luck” and the whole of Derry support you!!
URGENT VIVA PALESTINA APPEAL BELOW:
On 6th December 2009 the third Viva Palestina international aid convoy set off from London. Over the next few weeks it traveled almost three thousand miles through 9 countries gaining support as it went. By 24th December, Christmas Eve, when it reached the post of Aqaba in Jordan it had grown to almost 500 people in 250 vehicles - carrying much needed medical aid for the besieged people of Gaza.

And there it's journey could have come to an end. The convoy was refused passage across the Red Sea to the Sinai by the Egyptian authorities - gatekeepers of the Rafah crossing into Gaza. The convoy would only be allowed to enter Gaza if it landed at the port of Al-Arish on the Mediterranean coast.

The convoy was forced to turn around and head back through Jordan and Syria to take ship from there to Egypt. But this solution, imposed by the Egyptian authorities, has come at a cost. Viva Palestina and our partners will need to charter three ferries and a plane to move our vehicles and convoy members from Syria to Egypt. And we need to raise the money to pay for this.

So we are asking our friends and supporters to dig deep in their pockets and make an emergency donation towards the costs now facing the convoy. With your help we will once more deliver aid to the people of Gaza - and once more demand the end to this in human siege.

Thanks you for your support and may we wish everyone a Happy New Year.

Viva Palestina

Please forward this email to your friends, family and contacts

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


You can donate below by credit or debit card in a variety of currencies - please follow the links below or visit the website at http://www.vivapalestina.org/emergency.htm

If you have a paypal account you can send directly to use using the 'send money' option to our email address at donations@vivapalestina.org
USE THESE LINKS TO HELP THEM NOW:

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URGENT UPDATE~VIVA PALESTINA~DERRY TO GAZA

DANGEROUS DAYS AHEAD FOR CONVOY

We have been in a bit of a situation on this blog. We have friends on both the Code Pink Gaza Freedom March (stranded and protesting in Egypt) and also on the Viva Palestina Convoy waiting for boats to go to Al Arish from Syria. Because of the volatile situation in Egypt we have devoted more time to monitoring that situation than reporting on our Irish boys from Derry. So we plan to do some catching up on the Viva Palestina convoy now because they are about to face a trying and dangerous time.

So let us introduce the “Derry to Gaza” team; Danny Doyle, Edward McBride, Derek McChrystal, Eanna O'Donaghaile and Jonathan Crockett:


Jonathan “JJ” Crockett, (pictured in the centre of the photo above) is a teacher at St Brigid's College in Derry. He and the team are delivering an ambulance filled with medical aid donated by Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry. Also, students at St. Brigid’s College have donated a lot of educational supplies which can be given to children there. Yesterday JJ had this to say:

" Thank you to the people at home in Derry and further afield for your support on this all important humanitarian mission; your support is the fuel which keeps us going.

" We returned the 500 kms to Damascus which was forced upon us, and now we are going to make our way to the nearby port of Latakia. "We hope to get the ferry to Egypt which takes 20 hours, and arrive into El Arish, only 25 km from Gaza.

"The Turkish government is paying for our ferry to go to Egypt and fair play to them, although the Egyptian government remains hostile to our mission.

"If we are turned away at the Bay of Egypt, or even worse, if we can't get on the ferry, then we will have to face more serious challenges put in our way... of delivering this life saving aid. Either way the next few days are crucial."

UPDATE: We are just in from a vigil for the victims in Gaza and a rally in support of the “Derry to Gaza” lads. As you well know the convoy is facing great obstacles at the moment. At the rally today Marty Crockett, brother of JJ Crockett, one of the drivers, read out an update he’d received from JJ today. The rally had a great turnout and it was grand to hear from our boys who are in Syria via text messages, calls and emails. IMPORTANT INFO AFTER THIS:
Marty Crockett reading message from Convoy

Sinn Fein Clr and former Deputy Leader of the "Hope Convoy" to Gaza in May 2009, Gerry MacLochlainn, reading out names of children murdered by Israel.


SDLP Clr Colum Eastwood reading names of children murdered by Israel

Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney with Steve Crockett in support of the "Derry to Gaza" five.
After the rally ended, we were speaking to Steve Crockett, also JJ's brother, who gave us the latest on the convoy. They have now arrived in Syria and are currently waiting for the boat to take the vehicles to Al Arish. Another problem they have faced is the cargo ship cannot take the people, only the aid and vehicles. The convoy personnel do not want to leave their vehicles, but are forced to do so and were expected to take other boats to Al Arish which would leave the cargo alone for some time at the Egyptian port. This was immediately deemed as unacceptable and turned down. They then decided the best option was to fly the convoy members into Egypt on charter planes so as to quickly get back to their vehicles. Another problem, how to pay for this. Thankfully the Great and Good Government of Turkey has offered to pay for the cargo ship to Egypt. Turkey is to be commended for this humanitarian act of kindness to the convoy and the people of Gaza who will receive the aid. BUT THEY NEED DONATIONS FOR THE CHARTER PLANES TO EGYPT, link to donate at end of post. MORE:

So, where it stands now is they are in the process of having the vehicles go by boat and the people by plane. Should all things go according to “plan” the convoy should arrive in Gaza in 4-7 days. However, what worries me is one dangerous situation looms in the distance, and that danger is Israel. For the Israeli pirates who only a few months back boarded, seized and confiscated a boat of dignitaries bound for Gaza, then jailed Mairead Corrigan, Cynthia McKinney and many others, could make an attempt to seize the cargo boat.

To all our readers: We have made arrangements to be in contact with the “Derry to Gaza” team and will post personal updates here as we get them, along with any photos as well.

And to the “Derry to Gaza” Team, if you see this post, your families all say “We are so proud of you, best of luck” and the whole of Derry support you!!
URGENT VIVA PALESTINA APPEAL BELOW:
On 6th December 2009 the third Viva Palestina international aid convoy set off from London. Over the next few weeks it traveled almost three thousand miles through 9 countries gaining support as it went. By 24th December, Christmas Eve, when it reached the post of Aqaba in Jordan it had grown to almost 500 people in 250 vehicles - carrying much needed medical aid for the besieged people of Gaza.

And there it's journey could have come to an end. The convoy was refused passage across the Red Sea to the Sinai by the Egyptian authorities - gatekeepers of the Rafah crossing into Gaza. The convoy would only be allowed to enter Gaza if it landed at the port of Al-Arish on the Mediterranean coast.

The convoy was forced to turn around and head back through Jordan and Syria to take ship from there to Egypt. But this solution, imposed by the Egyptian authorities, has come at a cost. Viva Palestina and our partners will need to charter three ferries and a plane to move our vehicles and convoy members from Syria to Egypt. And we need to raise the money to pay for this.

So we are asking our friends and supporters to dig deep in their pockets and make an emergency donation towards the costs now facing the convoy. With your help we will once more deliver aid to the people of Gaza - and once more demand the end to this in human siege.

Thanks you for your support and may we wish everyone a Happy New Year.

Viva Palestina

Please forward this email to your friends, family and contacts

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


You can donate below by credit or debit card in a variety of currencies - please follow the links below or visit the website at http://www.vivapalestina.org/emergency.htm

If you have a paypal account you can send directly to use using the 'send money' option to our email address at donations@vivapalestina.org .


Pounds Sterling

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=10848433

US Dollars

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=10848493

Canadian Dollars

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=10848510

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https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=10848549

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https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=10848596

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https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=10848626

Norwegian Krone

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=10848648

Australian Dollars

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=10848662

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Swiss Francs

EGYPT TO CLOSE BORDER TO MARCHERS

We are determined to break the siege
We all will continue to do whatever we can to make it happen

Using the pretext of escalating tensions on the Gaza-Egypt border, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry informed us yesterday that the Rafah border will be closed over the coming weeks, into January. We responded that there is always tension at the border because of the siege, that we do not feel threatened, and that if there are any risks, they are risks we are willing to take. We also said that it was too late for over 1,300 delegates coming from over 42 countries to change their plans now. We both agreed to continue our exchanges.

Although we consider this as a setback, it is something we've encountered-and overcome--before. No delegation, large or small, that entered Gaza over the past 12 months has ever received a final OK before arriving at the Rafah border. Most delegations were discouraged from even heading out of Cairo to Rafah. Some had their buses stopped on the way. Some have been told outright that they could not go into Gaza. But after public and political pressure, the Egyptian government changed its position and let them pass.

Our efforts and plans will not be altered at this point. We have set out to break the siege of Gaza and march on December 31 against the Israeli blockade. We are continuing in the same direction.

Egyptian embassies and missions all over the world must hear from our supporters (by phone, fax and email)** over the coming crucial days, with a clear message: Let the international delegation enter Gaza and let the Gaza Freedom March proceed.

Contact your local consulate here:
http://www.mfa.gov.eg/MFA_Portal/en-GB/mfa_websits/

Contact the Palestine Division in Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cairo
Ahmed Azzam, tel +202-25749682 Email: ahmed.azzam@mfa.gov.eg

If you are in the U.S., contact the Egyptian Embassy, 202-895-5400 and ask for Omar Youssef or email omaryoussef@hotmail.com

You signed on to support the the Gaza Freedom March, that was the first step. Now call the Egyptian embassy and ask your elected official to call on your behalf. Then, hit the streets and join a solidarity action in your community: www.gazafreedommarch.org/solidarity



Thank you for being part of a global movement.


The Gaza Freedomo March Steering Committee


* * Sample text


I am writing/calling to express my full support for the December 31, 2009 Gaza Freedom March. I urge the Egyptian government to allow the 1,300 international delegates to enter the Gaza Strip through Egypt.


The aim of the march is to call on Israel to lift the siege. The delegates will also take in badly needed medical aid, as well as school supplies and winter jackets for the children of Gaza.


Please, let this historic March proceed.


Thank you.

Israel Commits Act of War on Greek Vessel

Update on the Free Gaza Boat to Gaza and a shout out to Chet over at JUSTICE blog ;-)

Israel has boarded and stopped a Greek Vessel from sailing to its intended location which was Palestine. Israel has no right to inhibit international vessels from sailing to any country of its choosing. This is an act of war.

Israeli navy commandeers Gaza aid boat

The Associated Press
Tuesday, June 30, 2009; 9:46 AM

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- The Israeli navy intercepted a ship carrying foreign peace activists trying to break a blockade of Gaza on Tuesday and forced it to sail to an Israeli port, the military said.

A statement said the Greek-registered freighter Arion ignored a radio message from the Israeli military saying it would not be allowed to enter Gaza waters and ordering it to turn back.

The statement said naval personnel boarded the small vessel without any shots being fired.

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 source

HELP NOW~Israel Taking Aim At Free Gaza Boat

this just in from the Free Gaza Movement, they need YOUR help:

Tuesday, 30 June 2009 13:23 Written by Free Gaza Team

Dear Friends,

We've just received word from the Spirit of Humanity. They are 24 miles off the coast of Gaza, and are still surrounded by Israeli warships. Israeli Occupying Forces have threatened to take violent action against the small boat unless it turns around. They will not turn around.

Our people on the boat have slowed their speed significantly and are telling the Israelis that they must not fire on unarmed human rights workers and journalists, including Nobel peace prize laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. Regardless of Israeli threats, they will not turn around. They continue, slowly, sailing toward Gaza.

PLEASE immediately call Israeli Occupying Forces and demand that they STOP threatening the Spirit of Humanity.

CALL & FAX the Israeli Navy at:
tel: +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242
fax: +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175

CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
+972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il

CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
+972 33697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod.gov.il

TAKE ONE MINUTE AND CALL THESE TERRORISTS NOW
DEMAND THEY BACK OFF

Israeli Agents Will Open Rafah for 3 Days

Gaza's sole border with Egypt will open next week for three days. Awe, how nice of Israel to “allow” Palestinians to travel in and out of their country.

In a statement received, the staff member said that the Rafah crossing will open on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (27-29 June). Travel will be allowed for people who have been registered with the de facto Palestinian Interior Ministry in Gaza, in addition to coordination tables received from the Egyptian side.

(Translation: Those who have registered with Israel’s agents)

The sources added that the border staff have coordinated with the de facto Interior Ministry to facilitate the processing of traveling citizens, affirming their concern for applying regulations so as to ensure transparency and impartiality.

Traveling Palestinians will be taken through assembly points and busses only, and it will not be permitted for anyone to gather at the Rafah crossing itself, the statement noted.

"We have kept contact with the Egyptian side during the previous period to ensure the travel of all people who are recorded in the formal tables and to facilitate the process of reaching Egypt, within mechanisms that ensure a speedy entry of busses," it added.

Israel and Egypt have maintained a near-total blockade of the Gaza Strip by land and sea since June 2007, and the quantities and types of goods allowed into Gaza are subject to tight restrictions. According to the UN and aid agencies, some items, such as construction materials needed to rebuild from the recent war, are completely banned. Exports are also prohibited, and Gaza’s 1.5 million residents are banned from travelling. source

Israel's Offer To Palestine~Right Back At Ya

Israel’s offer:

PALESTINIAN STATE:
The key condition is that the Palestinians recognise in a clear and public manner that Israel is the state of the Jewish people.

(Translation, a racist state for only one people, all others “get out”)

If we have guarantees on demilitarisation and if the Palestinians recognise Israel as a state of the Jewish people, then we arrive at a solution based on a demilitarised Palestinian state alongside Israel.

(Yeah, that’s fair and equal)

Each will have its flag, each will have its anthem. The Palestinian territory will be without arms, will not control airspace, will not be able to have arms.

(Seriously, you have GOT to be joking here. Palestinians get a fecking Flag and an Anthem, Israel gets armies and everyone’s airspace LOL)

TALKS
I call on you, our Palestinian neighbours, and to the leadership of the Palestinian Authority - let us begin peace negotiations immediately, without preconditions.

(Um, you just laid out multiple preconditions above and below. Someone should help Netanyahu, his memory is failing him)

Israel is committed to international agreements and expects all the other parties to fulfil their obligations as well.

(Um, does that include the agreements on settlements you continue to break? And what about all those UN resolutions)

SETTLEMENTS
We have no intention of building new settlements or of expropriating land for new settlements. But there is a need to allow settlers to lead normal lives, to allow mothers and fathers to raise their children like all families around the world.

(What settlements is he talking about the real ones they are building daily, or the in the future imagined ones?)

REFUGEES
The refugee problem must be solved outside of Israeli borders. Their return goes against the principle of Israel as a Jewish state. I believe that with goodwill, and international investment, this humanitarian problem can be solved once and for all.

(Translation: Send all those who we stole the land and homes from to someone Else's country to live in exile. Hey Israel? Have you forgotten you have already done that, you silly Rogue state you!)

TERRITORIAL HANDOVERS BY ISRAEL
Many a worthy person has told us that withdrawal is the key to peace between us and the Palestinians... but the fact is that every withdrawal has been accompanied by rockets and suicide attacks.

( The Palestinians and the rest of the world must have missed the time where you totally withdrew from all Palestinian land, and also lifted your siege)

JERUSALEM
Israel needs defensible borders and Israel's capital, Jerusalem, will remain united.

(The only thing to say here is this: “ROTFLMAO”)

PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY PRESIDENT ABBAS V HAMAS
They must decide between the way of peace and the way of Hamas. The Palestinian Authority must impose law and order... and overcome Hamas. Israel will not negotiate with terrorists trying to destroy it.

(Translation: We will only deal with those guys who roll over and give us everything we want for nothing in return. The other guys should be overthrown, we don’t like them, even if they were legally elected)

Ok, now here is the Palestinians offer to Israel:

The key condition is that the Zionist Entity must recognise in a clear and public manner that Palestine is the state of the Palestinian people.

If we have guarantees on demilitarisation and if the Zionists recognise Palestine as a state of the Palestinian people, then we arrive at a solution based on a demilitarised Zionist state alongside Palestine.

Each will have its flag, each will have its anthem. The Zionist Entity will be without arms, will not control airspace, will not be able to have arms.

Palestine needs defensible borders and the Palestinian capital, Jerusalem, will remain united within Palestine.

Many a worthy person has told us that withdrawal is the key to peace between us and the Zionist Entity... but the fact is that every withdrawal has been only a partial withdrawal with continued building of other larger settlements under an occupying siege. Rocket attacks will cease when Israel leaves our country, our entire country.

The refugee problem must be solved inside of Palestinian borders. Zionists return is an important principle of Palestine as a Palestinian state. I believe that with goodwill, and international pressure on the Zionist Entity, this humanitarian problem can be solved once and for all. Palestine is willing to assist Zionists to relocate to other countries outside of Palestine.

There, that's more like it:)

Gaza Siege To Be Lifted???

Could it really be possible? I was just reading the news online and tucked away inside another story on Mitchell's visit to Israel, I found this quite important little bit that seems to have been glossed over. It states that the Zionist government will discuss lifting restrictions this Wednesday, including export out of Gaza as well:

Another matter expected to top the agenda during the meetings is the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu and Barak will brief Mitchell about Wednesday's scheduled special cabinet meeting on the subject, expected to result in a decision to lift restrictions on importing foodstuffs and other goods into the Strip. The cabinet is also expected to lift the ban on exports. source

Maybe they want to avoid another "scene" with Galloway standing at the Rafah Border LOL:) But seriously, if the Israelis do this, lift the siege, it will be a crumb thrown at Obama, in lieu of stopping settlements, rest assured........UPDATE they met and have now linked lifting the siege to progress on the release of Gilad Shalit, see below:

JERUSALEM, June 11 (UPI) -- The easing of restrictions in Gaza will largely depend on progress toward the release of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, the Israeli Cabinet ruled. link

Huge Delegation of EU Parliamentarians Come to Gaza

The largest European parliamentary delegation to arrive Gaza

The governmental Committee to break the blockade declared that the largest European Parliament delegation will arrive in the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing on Tuesday.

Hamdi Shaath, the Chairman of the Committee, said in a press statement issued by the Information Office of the Commission, on Monday: "The delegation includes 41 European parliamentarians, including a number of heads of European parliaments, and it comes from 15 European countries, pointing out that the Vice-President of the European Parliament," Luisa Morgantini" heads of the delegation.

He explained that the delegation would look into the areas destroyed by the occupation during the last war in Gaza.

Shaath explained that the Commission has provided all the necessary preparations in order to facilitate the task of the delegation in its visit to the Gaza Strip.

Shaath called on the delegations which come to Gaza to transfer the whole truth to the outside world and to expose the continued Zionist practices against the Palestinians in the strip, in addition to the disclosure of the damage caused by the continuation of the strict Zionist blockade for more than three years. link

#6 HOPE CONVOY-Meets Gaza Government

http://irish4palestine.blogspot.com/

"HOPE" convoy delegation meets the Government officials and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya in the Government Buildings.

From the Shifah hospital we travelled to the remains of the parliament building destroyed by the Israelis during the invasion. Here we were greeted by a number of MP’s

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As the Israelis bombed the building, we were greeted in a tent attached to the buildings remains which was dedicated to a minister who was assassinated by the Israelis during the invasion. We were also told of the numbers of elected MP’s including the Speaker of the parliament, who were rounded up and taken to Israeli gaols at the same time.

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That evening our group was invited to meet the cabinet and we were joined by Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, his first public appearance in the Government Buildings since the Israeli invasion. The delegation was given gifts of thanks from the Government for delivering aid to the people of Palestine.

Italian Senator Fernando Rossi, the Delegation Leader prepares to recieve gift from Prime Minister Ismail Haniya
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Below, the Prime Minister signs Palestinian scarves for the delegation. Each scarf was signed and stamped with the Palestinian stamp.
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Convoy Organiser recieves his scarf from the Prime Minister

Prime Minister Ismail Haniya welcomed us on behalf of the Gazan people and expressed his hope that we would attest to what we had seen and heard and intervene with our governments to get them to support the removal of the blockade.The following report is from the Italian website translated by Google

Haniyah praised the host delegation, composed of European parliamentarians and personalities from different European countries, and added that the international mission confirmed that the Palestinian people "are not alone and that this siege will be broken."

He expressed his gratitude to the delegation, saying that you have followed the path from the beginning, and expressed confidence in the possibility that the parliamentary and political work to bring the Israeli leaders before a tribunal for war crimes.

The delegation, in turn, praised the good host, confirming the solidarity with the Palestinian people and respect for election results.

Parliamentarians have also criticized the inclusion of Hamas among the international terrorist organizations from various European countries, including Italy, adding that it turned to revoke such an inclusion in the black-list drawn up by the U.S. and Israel.

The delegation condemned the policy of occupation and crimes against the people of Gaza, in particular the recent attack and the unjust siege, confirming the right to support the Palestinian people and free elections.link Irish Report resumes below:

Sinn Fein's Gerry MacLochlainn, the convoy deputy leader, recieves his gifts from the Prime Minister below:

Haniya then explained his movement’s desire for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Palestine and that he had made it clear that his government would honour treaties and was committed to a realistic settlement recognising realities on the ground. He was committed to achieving Palestinian reconciliation and was approaching the ongoing talks with a serious commitment to achieving a positive outcome.

Gerry MacLochlainn of Sinn Fein, said "Ireland’s common experiences with the Palestinian people, sharing a common history of invasion and domination by foreign powers and referring to Britain’s negative role in both our countries. Ireland has an almost unique position in Europe having been a colony and so we have a deep and abiding empathy with other nations suffering under foreign aggression and domination."

"As an Irish Republican and representing the Republican people of Ireland I express my support for Palestine’s right to freedom, equality and justice in this world and pledge Sinn Fein support to the Palestinian nation until not just this siege is broken but Palestine itself is free. I am confident in that victory and look forward to celebrating that freedom with you at the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem."ENDS

#5 HOPE DIARIES~UNRWA School for Blind

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Written by http://irish4palestine.blogspot.com/
We had another meeting with UNWRA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) and delivered some £40,000 worth of software to their school for the visually impaired.

Delegation arrives at the school to deliver aid and software:
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Headmistress of school receives the delegation and accepts the aid:
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The staff at this school explained how this software will allow blind people to use computers and help children with visual impairment attend school and possibly even transfer into mainstream schools and go on to live as complete lives as possible.

A Demonstration of the equipment was given by the head mistress. She explained how important the word done by the School was to the many blind people who attend.

#4 HOPE CONVOY DIARIES~WAITING TO DIE

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Click the picture and look at this boy's face.

Then ask yourself this question: Does he deserve to die because Israel will not open the border to allow him outside so he can be helped? Look at him, he did nothing to Israel. His only crime was to be born a Palestinian in an occupied country. His only crime is to be born next to a rogue state that practices ethnic cleansing and views all Palestinians as expendable. And he is a Palestinian, therefore this is his crime, and for that, he must die like 400 other Palestinian children. All of whom have died at the hands of Israel since December 2008.

Convoy Report:

Our final visit was the most horrific for me, as I saw both sides of humanity in the starkest contrast. Just 200 m from the Israeli border we visited the main rehabilitation hospital which seeks to treat patients suffering from coma or serious disabling conditions.

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This man in the neck brace and wheelchair is a headmaster of a school in Gaza, rather, that was what he used to be, before Israel came to town. He suffered a back injury and as the hospitals are functioning without many supplies and proper medications, there was a surgical complication and he is now a quadriplegic and may now die. He may stand a chance if he can be allowed outside Gaza for treatment. Although he will never regain the use of his limbs, his life possibly could be saved, if only he could get out for help, if only. But Israel will not allow him help. This is only one case of a great many more.

I saw patients with incredible courage facing almost impossible conditions, doctors and nurses struggling to treat patients without the most basic materials in absolutely appalling conditions.

This hospital, just 200m from the Israeli border, was itself shelled by Israeli troops despite being clearly marked as a hospital, and under constant Israeli surveillance.

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One of the wards I stood in – a huge hole in the external wall and above the bed where were a patient was lying. A rocket had been fired directly into an occupied ward in an operational hospital.

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But this was not the first time this hospital was attacked by Israel. It has been a pattern. I looked at the next ward where two nurses were killed carrying a post operative patient when the rocket came through the wall and killed them all. Their photos are kept above the nurses station in remembrance.(Pictured below)

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In December 2008 during the most recent invasion, the Israelis again hit the hospital. This time they shelled the newly completed wing (below) that was only due to open in January 2009, a mere 30 days later – destroying it before a single patient could avail of its facilities. Now they have to start all over again, all the specialized equipment is destroyed.

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HE IS WAITING TO DIE

Then I met a young boy of about 10 years who had been dragged from the rubble of his home where all of his family had been killed. I held this young boy in my arms, as my heart ached for his tragedy and loss. He had only just come out of a coma, but only to some extent, and he still had massive chest and body injuries. I spoke to him as I held him, stroking his head as I spoke to him. I thought for a moment that I saw a small flicker in his eyes, I looked again for some sign of response, I saw none.

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If you notice the plastic splints on his little deformed arms, even those are not allowed in by the Israelis. The splints you see on this boy have been recycled, cut and reshaped as much as humanly possible, look closely at them. This is how it is in Gaza hospitals, you have to watch people suffer and die because Israel is allowed to impose a blockade. As such, this trauma hospital did not have the material required to treat him and due to the Israeli siege, he was not allowed out of Gaza for treatment elsewhere. The doctor said to me as I stroked his face – “We cannot do anymore – he is waiting to die”.

Next we visited the area where critically brain injured children are treated using various stimulation. All of the new equipment was lost when the new unit that was schedule to open was shelled by Israel. What you see in the photo below is all they have left to treat children with. A handful of regular toys, no specialized equipment, this is a disgrace.

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This blockade is a crime against humanity and the world cannot stand by and allow this to go on. We have to send as much medical aid as we can to Gaza, and Egypt has to co-operate with the aid convoys in order to alleviate the suffering there. But more than that, we have to force the Israeli’s to lift the blockade and allow the people of Gaza to import its needs and allow its people to travel in out of their homeland.

The "Hope for Gaza convoy" delivered some "hope" but people need more than "hope."

The next diary #5 in this series will be the visit to the UN school for the blind. Where the convoy delivered thousands of dollars worth of special software to help the blind with computer skills and learning. Check back tomorrow for that diary and others. UPDATE JANUARY 201O: we are just back from Gaza and met with the little boys Doctor for an update on his condition which can be found at the end of this post HERE

#3 HOPE CONVOY DIARIES~Khan Younis, Nasser

We next visited, Khan Younis, a town south of Gaza city. Here we visited Nasser Hospital, the main one for the south of Gaza Strip to deliver more medical materials.

Convoy Delegation tours hospital with Doctor, Pictured below are Italian Senator Fernando Rossi and Monia Benini and others:
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Monia Benini delivers water purification device from Italy
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Here we saw advanced medical equipment that cannot be used because the Israelis will not allow spare parts in to bring them back online. We saw patients receiving dialysis who could only get 2 hours sessions at a time which was not enough to clean their systems and so they never felt well and did not benefit as they should.

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The doctor said to me “It is the best we can do we have to share the access but we need to give them 4 hour sessions at least – we are only slowing the poison”.

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So, these people have to live their lives being permanently poisoned with toxins, because the dialysis machines cannot be repaired, Israel will not allow the parts into Gaza.

The mammography machines are inoperative because parts have failed and replacements are not allowed in by the Israeli blockade. The CT scanner’s tube is operating at twice its recommended life and they are hoping and praying every time they use that it will last a little bit longer. When it fails – there will be no scanner unless the Israeli siege is lifted.

Doctor pictured with Fernando Rossi and Gerry MacLochlainn. Photo taken looking through the scanner. This scanner will stop working any moment now. Once that happens there will be no way to treat people. This is a criminal act by Israel.



We then continued our tour followed by an award ceremony for a very special Doctor, also we were each presented with a special Palestinian scarf as a "Thank You" from the Doctors and the Hospital Staff for bringing much needed aid to the suffering people.

Photos of Awards Ceremony and Scarf Presentation:

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While the aid we delivered was very much needed, it is truly only a drop in the bucket. We finished with a press conference, pictured below:

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End of Nasser Hospital Diary. I should have HOPE DIARY #4 up later today where the convoy visited the main Rehabilitation Trauma center. This is truly a heart breaking story and will have many photos. This hospital was bombed by the Israelis, not once, but twice! A young boy waits to die because he cannot get treatment, thanks to the siege on Gaza. Another war crime.