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Israel Attacks Humanitarian Aid Boat, Abducts Human Rights Workers, Confiscates Aid.

By: BorderExplorer

Gaza : Palestine | 5 months ago

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Footage from 2/29/09 launch of aid boat

Posted by: BorderExplorer

The SPIRIT OF HUMANITY Seized

Posted by: BorderExplorer

Free Gaza logo, altered by post author
Free Gaza Hope Fleet logo

Posted by: BorderExplorer

http://www.freegaza.org/en/home/hope-fleet-news

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Today the Israeli Navy attacked and boarded a Free Gaza Movement boat that defied the Israeli blockade to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, abducting 21 human rights workers from 11 countries. Passengers included Noble laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, according to information provided by the Free Gaza Movement. The boat, its passengers, crew and the aid were forcibly dragged to an Israeli port.

"This is an outrageous violation of international law against us. Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip," said Cynthia McKinney, a former U.S. Congresswoman and presidential candidate. "President Obama just told Israel to let in humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that's exactly what we tried to do. We're asking the international community to demand our release so we can resume our journey."

"The aid we were carrying is a symbol of hope for the people of Gaza, hope that the sea route would open for them, and they would be able to transport their own materials to begin to reconstruct the schools, hospitals and thousands of homes destroyed during the onslaught of "Cast Lead". Our mission is a gesture to the people of Gaza that we stand by them and that they are not alone," notes Mairead Maguire, winner of the 1976 Noble Peace Prize for her work in Northern Ireland.

Just before being seized by Israel, Huwaida Arraf, Free Gaza Movement chairperson and delegation co-coordinator on this voyage, stated: "No one could possibly believe that our small boat constitutes any sort of threat to Israel. We carry medical and reconstruction supplies, and children's toys. Our passengers include a Nobel peace prize laureate and a former U.S. congressperson. Our boat was searched and received a security clearance by Cypriot Port Authorities before we departed, and at no time did we ever approach Israeli waters."

Arraf continued, "Israel's deliberate and premeditated attack on our unarmed boat is a clear violation of international law and we demand our immediate and unconditional release."

The ship was flying a Greek flag, but no Greek citizens were aboard, according to an Associated Press story. A Greek government statement indicates that it has demanded Israel to release the ship, crew and passengers.

This is the fifth boat trip to Gaza that Free Gaza has organized since August 2008. The trips sail in opposition to the blockade Israel imposed when the political group Hamas was elected to power in Gaza in June 2007.

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Post a Comment Comments: 23

Posted By

FauziaSultana | 5 months ago

Shame on the Zionists for acting such bullies!The World Body ie.the United Nations should warn Israel and take an action against them.HOW could they possibly drag the AID ship with its crew to an Israeli port and confiscate the goods like medicines ,building materials and toys for the deprived Palestineans and their children?

Reply By

BorderExplorer | 5 months ago

A Palestinian human rights activist I know calls it "simple piracy." Thanks for your comment, FauziaSultana.

Posted By

Write4Life | 5 months ago

I actually agree with Fauzia! Bullying indeed - it will be interesting to see with the press how Israel rebuttals.

Posted By

Changez | 5 months ago

Typical.

Posted By

israelseen | 5 months ago

No matter how much you have an agenda to discredit Israel's existence you still need to be honest as a journalist. The heading implies some kind of military action. When in fact the navy warned them to turn back and when they refused boarded the ship and put it to port in Israel. Period.
Let us have at least some sense of truthfulness. It gives creditability to the anti-Israeli passion that you have such a need to express. I call it self-aggrandizement.

Reply By

BorderExplorer | 5 months ago

To clarify: I support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and do not "discredit Israel's existence."

The bulk of this report is composed of quotations provided by Free Gaza (as cited). It would be journalistically disingenuous to alter direct quotes. Greece's official reaction provided context. I rely on readers like you to supplement with commentary and additional information. This is a difficult conflict and emotions run high. Thanks for your input.

Posted By

israelseen | 5 months ago

By the way, Gaza is not a country and does not have any international waters as of yet. So all the waters around Israel are in fact the right of Israel to patrol and guard in its interest. No violation of any international laws. please be informed. Also, usually all the aid is given to the international NGO's for their distribution into Gaza.

Reply By

Changez | 5 months ago

If the boat is in international waters (that is 22 km away from the coast) then the act of stopping it is illegal. Further, ships are allowed 'innocent passage' across territorial waters without any hindrance. This ship is on a humanitarian mission and a check of the boat aside, Israeli authorities have no legal right to detain any of its crew or confiscate the boat. This is ostensibly a part of the Israeli strategy to turn Palestinians in Gaza people against Hamas whatever the human cost, which is a brutal and inhuman strategy. This is not a rant against Israel, simply a recognition of the fact that if Israel obeys international law and stops projecting a constant face of victimisation that is patently false, as you are doing right now, it would garner more international support and be better respected in the international community than it is now. This attitude only hurts the country in the long run.

Posted By

israelseen | 5 months ago

But Changez, the fact is that it is NOT against international law in spite of what you want to believe.

Also, just because the boat contains supplies for Gaza does not mean that it is okay to allow the boat free access. Israel/Jews have always been a lightening rod for all kinds of motives across religious boundaries. Nothing new here.

But just because the narrative you project has support does not mean it is true or honest but actually a very effective lie about what is actually taking place in Gaza and Hamas's desire to keep it that way. Every time there is a relaxing of the flow of material which by the way happens daily, Hamas tries to do something in order to create a scenario that will disrupt any kind of peace effort or outreach. In fact, many people that are genuinely concerned about the people of Gaza of which I am one, including many of my friends, nevertheless living here, well understand the complexity of the situation where propaganda has become the narrative and the duping of many outside of the area into believing that it is Israel's fault for the situation. That my friend is utter nonsense.

I have no need to be a victim. In fact, please do not confuse victimization for the attempt of a group of people to use the Palestinians as their personal cause in order to absolve themselves of their liberal guilt and self-hatred.

Reply By

BorderExplorer | 5 months ago

Call it what you will, Israelseen.

Here's the 7/1/2009 Update and press release from Free Gaza: http://dignity.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-latest-update-and-press

It states that none of the 21 detainees from the Spirit of Humanity have had the right to see an attorney even though attorneys came to the detention center to see them. They further allege: "Today, over 11,000 Palestinian political prisoners without benefit of due process, some never even charged - men, women, and children - endure torture and isolation in Israeli jails, outdoor prison camps, and secret black sites."

Posted By

israelseen | 5 months ago

BorderExplorer,

They can say anything they want. That doesn't mean it is the truth. BTW, McKinney is known in the States as a notorious anti-Semite and has said terrible things about Jews during her campaigns. So I think it a bit disingenuous to quote what I would call unreliable and outright liars when it comes to the truth.

You are committed to this group and you have an agenda. No complaints from me on that. But the rest of the readers must at least be conscious of the fact that just because you say it doesn't mean it is so.

Thanks,

Steve

Reply By

Changez | 5 months ago

I am afraid that you are the victim of the lie here. It is a simple matter as I said. According to international law a boat in international waters cannot be arrested. Whether or not you agree with it, that is the law. The least the authorities could have done was wait till it was in territorial waters. The collective punishment of not allowing supplies into Gaza on the flimsy evidence that they will be used by Hamas is also illegal. The simple fact is that Israel as a country is now used to carte blanche on its actions because of the patronage and protection of the United States. My point is simple; Israel is a powerful state and Hamas is a small organisation that is internationally boycotted. The propaganda that portrays Israel as a victim of Hamas terror is lopsided. The facts are facts; in operation molten lead, 1400 Palestinians died. 16 Israelis have died from Qassam rocket fire in the last year. These are Israeli government figures. What is the justification for this? Tell me I'm lying now.

Posted By

israelseen | 5 months ago

Let us just leave it all at that. The readers can decide for themselves.

You use the simple canard of US backing, etc. You also use the same tired rhetoric heard on other sites about Israel. Poor Hamas they just terrorize people with little rockets. etc. In the end you live in Pakistan a country I have visited years ago. I think that you need to come here and see for yourself how the "evil" Israel actually is and how it treats all of its citizens, including the Palestinians. If our Arab brothers in the Knesset/parliament would say the terrible things they say so freely here, anywhere else, they would have been killed by now or at the least in prison. Including in the United States where their language would have prompted their censure for sure.

Be Well and have a good day.

Reply By

Changez | 5 months ago

I do not disagree with you at all. Israel is definitely a very well run country internally, according to my sources. However, as many people in Israel will point out, the advances by Avigdor Lieberman with his policy of expelling or demanding aths of fealty from Arab citizens, the mistreatment of black Jews and Jews of non-European descent just argues for the fact that Israel is not a Jewish state but a European Jewish state. It's not a matter of internal policy but external. You should also relax and stop feeling persecuted. No one hates Israel, just it's actions.

Posted By

mona37 | 5 months ago

wow, this is exactly the thing that will never let us a human race progress. here we have a situation where crew members are held hostages and the issue is different while you guys typically turn it around to support your political views * bravo* but seriously let's go back to base !

Posted By

FauziaSultana | 5 months ago

The hostages should DEFINITELY be released!

Posted By

israelseen | 5 months ago

Changez, Please give up the old and tired nonsense about Israel is not a Jewish state. fully it functions as a Jewish State. The national holidays and the weekly Shabbath is all directed by Jewish tradition. It really is immaterial whether one is secular or not.

Also, this craziness about racist treatment of Jews within Israel based on color or country of origin is a red herring. Of course this is not a perfect place and much needs to be done in the process of building a young nation. But what a remarkable job so far.

I am no fan of Leiberman but he has never said before or after taking office that he wants to expel anyone. Much has been said about what he might have said years ago but in this current reality to use him as a defining point of Israeli policy is just not real.

Changez, in the course my life experiences the last feeling that surfaces is the feeling of being persecuted. I have never had that experience growing up in NYC. In fact, living in my homeland and feeling completely and utterly free and emancipated spiritually is a truly a blessing. Israel is about the most color blind place I have ever lived in the world. Not only color blind but sexual orientation and cultural diversity are honored and respected here. Way off track. You need better sources. I offer again for you to come and visit and I will be happy to show you around.

Steve

Reply By

Changez | 5 months ago

you forget, I can't visit. I will be arrested. You just don't get what I'm saying. As mona has kindly pointed out, the issue is not whether Israel is a good country, or a bad country or a good democracy or a progressive nation (my sources are Israeli btw, I tend to know a few). The issue is that actions like the one just taken are illegal under international law and hence wrong. Accusing a woman like Cynthia McKinney of being anti-semitic, or a Nobel peace laureate of being anti-semitic, is just a convenient way to scape-goat and sidetrack the issue. Please check out the law in the UN Convention on the laws of the sea articles 1, 3 and 18. Again, this is not a rant against Israel, though my patience is wearing thin; this is just an elucidation of fact that you can either choose to recognise, or to continue to support illegality by your own state simply because it is your own state and you like it, rather than owning up to its mistakes and problems and dealing with them sincerely and honestly. Anything else is frankly detrimental to the state you claim to love. And please don't argue that the UN is a sham body because if we go there then this is pointless.

Reply By

Changez | 5 months ago

you forget, I can't visit. I will be arrested. You just don't get what I'm saying. As mona has kindly pointed out, the issue is not whether Israel is a good country, or a bad country or a good democracy or a progressive nation (my sources are Israeli btw, I tend to know a few). The issue is that actions like the one just taken are illegal under international law and hence wrong. Accusing a woman like Cynthia McKinney of being anti-semitic, or a nobel peace laureate of being anti-semitic, is just a convenient way to scape-goat and sidetrack the issue. Please check out the law in the UN Convention on the laws of the sea articles 1 and 18. Again, this is not a rant against Israel, though my patience is wearing thin; this is just an elucidation of fact that you can either choose to recognise, or to continue to support illegality by your own state simply because it is your own state and you like it, rather than owning up to its mistakes and problems and dealing with them sincerely and honestly. Anything else is frankly detrimental to the state you claim to love. And please don't argue that the UN is a sham body because if we go there then this is pointless.

Posted By

israelseen | 5 months ago

Mona37, the crew members were not held hostage. That implies ransom. They were taken into custody and are being processed out of the country.

Posted By

BorderExplorer | 5 months ago

//Let us just leave it all at that. The readers can decide for themselves. //

I agree, israelseen.

My experiences have shaped my opinions, as I'm sure is the case with all of us. I spent a grad school term in Israel in the '80's.

I've enjoyed the exchange between you and Changez. You two are sharp! What I particularly appreciate is that by-and-large the conversation was civil. When emotions run high, that can be tough. Respectful dialogue is all-important. Truth is generally found in the middle of the conflict--no matter what the conflict is, I believe.

This story has rotated off the front page. While I'm not trying to cut off dialogue, I'm signaling that I'm ready to conclude also. I'm grateful to everyone who has contributed to this very lively discussion, particularly to you, israelseen, for being willing to express a dissenting voice and stay the course. It helps me to learn how a situation looks from other points of view.

Posted By

israelseen | 5 months ago

Thank You too.

Posted By

FauziaSultana | 4 months ago

A very good gesture on your part Billie.As long as there were no hard feelings.The discussion made all give their point of view and whether all agreed is another thing.Yet it is the patience to hear everyone's voice that matters when civilized and educated people who have open minds are carrying out a contradictary topic of discussion.