update here
“Defense officials favor forcefully blocking two boats, which a group of U.S.-based activists plan to sail to Gaza ... A position paper by the Foreign Ministry's legal department says Israel has the right to use force against the demonstrators as part of the Oslo Accords ... the Foreign Ministry's paper means that security forces could detain the vessels upon entry to Gaza's territorial waters, arrest the passengers and haul the ship to Israel, where the detainees could be interrogated.”
Even a boat with humanitarian supplies is too much for the Israeli state - also, the above goes to show that the Oslo accords were not worth the paper they were written on. I recall Robert Fisk voicing his objections to Oslo - namely that it does not settle the issues of the right of return, halting the building of settlements, final borders or even control of coast or airspace
Monday 18 August 2008
Saturday 16 August 2008
The FreeGaza Boat
www.freegaza.org
A group of courageous individuals has decided to break the blockade of Gaza by boat. They consist of
"We are these human rights observers, aid workers, and journalists. We have years of experience volunteering in Gaza and the West Bank at the invitation of Palestinians. But now, because of the increasing stranglehold of Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine, many of us find it almost impossible to enter Gaza, and an increasing number have been refused entry to Israel and the West Bank as well. Despite the great need for our work, the Israeli Government will not allow us in to do it.
We are of all ages and backgrounds. Back home, we are teachers, doctors, nurses, engineers, truck drivers, youth workers, musicians, secretaries, parents, grandparents, lawyers, students, activists, actors, playwrights, politicians, web designers, authors, international training consultants, and we even include a former Hollywood film industry worker, a former Marine, an aviator, and an explorer. We are Italian, Irish, Canadian, Greek, Tunisian, German, Australian, American, English, Scottish, Danish, Israeli, and Palestinian."
Here is a memo from one of the crew, Lauren Booth (Tony Blair's sister-in-law, no less)
Setting Sail, 11am, 13th August
I am typing this bulletin from an internet cafe overlooking the Liberty and the Freegza. Preparations are in full flow to set sail from the harbour in Chania, the tiny port that has made the campaigners feel so welcome. More, so, all on board speak warmly of feeling protected from potentially malicious mischief by the vigilance of locals and visiting supporters. It was stated in several right wing Israeli newspapers last week that government sources there have been putting officials in Greece under pressure. Pressure to find a way to cripple, delay or stop this mission altogether. Regional contacts, (allies in Greece) confirm there is indeed a lot of pressure. However, the Greek people have shown solidarity with the aims of the Freegaza movement and the Greek government cannot ignore such a groundswell of support. The media coverage has all been extremely positive.
Both ships are buzzing with activity. It may be my imagination but the sea air seems filled with the intermingled scents of motor grease and cleaning products. Minor engine problems on the FreeGaza are being remedied by Matthew, the skipper, aided by all those with the technical ability. Stores for a voyage that due to uncertain weather in the stretch between the far end of Crete and Limosol mean this journey will take longer than predicted, are being stowed and refrigerated. I was on deck at five am to stand watch, others were still awake, laughing quietly together, enjoying the dawn. Once again our supporters in the nearby commune helped keep spirits high with guitar strumming (which kept poor Huwaida from getting a decent sleep on deck). Jeff Halper and I were bought coffees, a plate of welcome and delicious vegan food was enthusiastically passed from person to person.
Below decks conditions are being made as pleasant as possible, which explains the smell of cleaning fluid. The aged foam mattresses have sheets on, the fridges filled with essentials like chocolate. No really- this isn't a luxury but (happily) a recognized cure for sea sickness which may be a problem. A cure I will be enthusiastically testing.The new captain of the Liberty who joined yesterday is George, a jolly sailor of 38 from Crete. So will he go with the boats all the way to Gaza?Heading back to the engine room bathed in sweat from his efforts he shouts 'but add this. I think I like very much!' Several fond farewells, first of all from Crete. Goodbye to Marcus from Athens who has been instrumental, essential, to completing this part of the mission to break the siege.And au revoir (not goodbye) to Jeff Halper who looks forward to rejoining the voyage in Cyprus.In Cyprus the unfortunate delays mean that some friends will not be able to stay till the boats arrive in Nicosia. Everyone offers a huge thank you to Ren (US), Monir (US), Rachid (UK) and Michael (UK) return home.You will be missed.
A group of courageous individuals has decided to break the blockade of Gaza by boat. They consist of
"We are these human rights observers, aid workers, and journalists. We have years of experience volunteering in Gaza and the West Bank at the invitation of Palestinians. But now, because of the increasing stranglehold of Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine, many of us find it almost impossible to enter Gaza, and an increasing number have been refused entry to Israel and the West Bank as well. Despite the great need for our work, the Israeli Government will not allow us in to do it.
We are of all ages and backgrounds. Back home, we are teachers, doctors, nurses, engineers, truck drivers, youth workers, musicians, secretaries, parents, grandparents, lawyers, students, activists, actors, playwrights, politicians, web designers, authors, international training consultants, and we even include a former Hollywood film industry worker, a former Marine, an aviator, and an explorer. We are Italian, Irish, Canadian, Greek, Tunisian, German, Australian, American, English, Scottish, Danish, Israeli, and Palestinian."
Here is a memo from one of the crew, Lauren Booth (Tony Blair's sister-in-law, no less)
Setting Sail, 11am, 13th August
I am typing this bulletin from an internet cafe overlooking the Liberty and the Freegza. Preparations are in full flow to set sail from the harbour in Chania, the tiny port that has made the campaigners feel so welcome. More, so, all on board speak warmly of feeling protected from potentially malicious mischief by the vigilance of locals and visiting supporters. It was stated in several right wing Israeli newspapers last week that government sources there have been putting officials in Greece under pressure. Pressure to find a way to cripple, delay or stop this mission altogether. Regional contacts, (allies in Greece) confirm there is indeed a lot of pressure. However, the Greek people have shown solidarity with the aims of the Freegaza movement and the Greek government cannot ignore such a groundswell of support. The media coverage has all been extremely positive.
Both ships are buzzing with activity. It may be my imagination but the sea air seems filled with the intermingled scents of motor grease and cleaning products. Minor engine problems on the FreeGaza are being remedied by Matthew, the skipper, aided by all those with the technical ability. Stores for a voyage that due to uncertain weather in the stretch between the far end of Crete and Limosol mean this journey will take longer than predicted, are being stowed and refrigerated. I was on deck at five am to stand watch, others were still awake, laughing quietly together, enjoying the dawn. Once again our supporters in the nearby commune helped keep spirits high with guitar strumming (which kept poor Huwaida from getting a decent sleep on deck). Jeff Halper and I were bought coffees, a plate of welcome and delicious vegan food was enthusiastically passed from person to person.
Below decks conditions are being made as pleasant as possible, which explains the smell of cleaning fluid. The aged foam mattresses have sheets on, the fridges filled with essentials like chocolate. No really- this isn't a luxury but (happily) a recognized cure for sea sickness which may be a problem. A cure I will be enthusiastically testing.The new captain of the Liberty who joined yesterday is George, a jolly sailor of 38 from Crete. So will he go with the boats all the way to Gaza?Heading back to the engine room bathed in sweat from his efforts he shouts 'but add this. I think I like very much!' Several fond farewells, first of all from Crete. Goodbye to Marcus from Athens who has been instrumental, essential, to completing this part of the mission to break the siege.And au revoir (not goodbye) to Jeff Halper who looks forward to rejoining the voyage in Cyprus.In Cyprus the unfortunate delays mean that some friends will not be able to stay till the boats arrive in Nicosia. Everyone offers a huge thank you to Ren (US), Monir (US), Rachid (UK) and Michael (UK) return home.You will be missed.
Sunday 20 July 2008
How to Beat a Mining Company - By Jeffrey St. Clair
Link here
"For the time being, eastern Oregon remains free of gaping pits, cyanide ponds and 600-foot tall mounds of crushed rock. The Browns and Tuttle showed that determined opposition and a belief in attacking corporations head on can win the day, as they banished North America’s largest gold mining company from the state of Oregon."
"For the time being, eastern Oregon remains free of gaping pits, cyanide ponds and 600-foot tall mounds of crushed rock. The Browns and Tuttle showed that determined opposition and a belief in attacking corporations head on can win the day, as they banished North America’s largest gold mining company from the state of Oregon."
Sunday 13 July 2008
Choice and Responsibility
I've often wondered about those who willingly join their own national army, particularly in first-world countries. What motivates them exactly? A desire to "serve" their country, or perhaps because of poor job/economic prospects otherwise,or maybe because of a streak of violence or thuggery in their character, which would flourish in such a work environment.
There was a recent flurry of reports in the UK media mourning the death of the UK's first female soldier, on duty in Afghanistan, with various outlets glorifying her as a hero who had fallen while doing her duty for Queen and country. I wonder, do these soldiers really know what they are fighting for? Are they aware of the local complexities of the lands they are posted to? Are their goals clear in their minds?
Or maybe, perhaps, they are just following the orders of their superiors and hoping for the best, or attempting to put a positive spin on it, or at least convince themselves of the necessity of what they are doing?
If a young English teenager from a council estate enlists in the army, he could get sent to Afganistan. Would he be aware of the writings of a Greek historian, writing before the birth of Christ, that the inhabitants of what is now Afghanistan were " the bravest of all the peoples of the Indus"? Does he know that Alexander the Great got an arrow in his leg when attempting to cross the Khyber pass? Or of Genghis Khan's failure to capture this area? Or of the failure of Imperial
Britain to subjugate this area in the past?
If you are joining an army, you are basically involved in the business of killing people. You had better be sure that you are fighting in a good cause, otherwise you are basically a murderer. That may sound a tad simple, say if you are fighting against odious Taliban on the ground, but if fighting them is pointlessly
perpetuating strife and bloodshed in the surrounding area, then the result is the same (although aircraft pilots who jettison "smart bombs" and end up incinerating women and children at weddings could easily be classed as murderers).
The point is that if you have decided to become a soldier and are going to be engaged in actions with potentially
devastating consequences, on personal and national levels (be it families losing loved ones or a whole society facing
collapse), then you had better be well-informed. It is all very well mourning the dead soldiers, but at the end of the day, the soldiers have made their choice, and this choice carries consequences, whether the soldier is aware of them or
not. If you are engaged in actions which are causing great suffering and pain to others, don't be surprised if they fight back. Saying that you were only following orders is no excuse. Either way, you are harming others, nomatter how "nice" a person you may be outside of your line of work.
These soldiers are being sent out to fight and kill by their superiors in the army and government. For their cause to be just, their superiors' intentions have to be good, seeing as in modern armies, orders are followed to the letter. If an
army is sent abroad to another country merely to expand economic or political interests, by politicians who do not care how many innocents die in the process, then the soldiers of that army are no better than mercenaries. I would add that in many ways the nature of modern warfare itself is inherently immoral, but that is a point for another time.
(This applies to the armies of developing countries as well. The conduct of the Lebanese army in the destruction of Nahr Al-Bared springs to mind.)
There was a recent flurry of reports in the UK media mourning the death of the UK's first female soldier, on duty in Afghanistan, with various outlets glorifying her as a hero who had fallen while doing her duty for Queen and country. I wonder, do these soldiers really know what they are fighting for? Are they aware of the local complexities of the lands they are posted to? Are their goals clear in their minds?
Or maybe, perhaps, they are just following the orders of their superiors and hoping for the best, or attempting to put a positive spin on it, or at least convince themselves of the necessity of what they are doing?
If a young English teenager from a council estate enlists in the army, he could get sent to Afganistan. Would he be aware of the writings of a Greek historian, writing before the birth of Christ, that the inhabitants of what is now Afghanistan were " the bravest of all the peoples of the Indus"? Does he know that Alexander the Great got an arrow in his leg when attempting to cross the Khyber pass? Or of Genghis Khan's failure to capture this area? Or of the failure of Imperial
Britain to subjugate this area in the past?
If you are joining an army, you are basically involved in the business of killing people. You had better be sure that you are fighting in a good cause, otherwise you are basically a murderer. That may sound a tad simple, say if you are fighting against odious Taliban on the ground, but if fighting them is pointlessly
perpetuating strife and bloodshed in the surrounding area, then the result is the same (although aircraft pilots who jettison "smart bombs" and end up incinerating women and children at weddings could easily be classed as murderers).
The point is that if you have decided to become a soldier and are going to be engaged in actions with potentially
devastating consequences, on personal and national levels (be it families losing loved ones or a whole society facing
collapse), then you had better be well-informed. It is all very well mourning the dead soldiers, but at the end of the day, the soldiers have made their choice, and this choice carries consequences, whether the soldier is aware of them or
not. If you are engaged in actions which are causing great suffering and pain to others, don't be surprised if they fight back. Saying that you were only following orders is no excuse. Either way, you are harming others, nomatter how "nice" a person you may be outside of your line of work.
These soldiers are being sent out to fight and kill by their superiors in the army and government. For their cause to be just, their superiors' intentions have to be good, seeing as in modern armies, orders are followed to the letter. If an
army is sent abroad to another country merely to expand economic or political interests, by politicians who do not care how many innocents die in the process, then the soldiers of that army are no better than mercenaries. I would add that in many ways the nature of modern warfare itself is inherently immoral, but that is a point for another time.
(This applies to the armies of developing countries as well. The conduct of the Lebanese army in the destruction of Nahr Al-Bared springs to mind.)
Thursday 10 July 2008
'This is like apartheid': ANC veterans visit West Bank
Article here
"The daily indignity to which the Palestinian population is subjected far outstrips the apartheid regime. And the effectiveness with which the bureaucracy implements the repressive measures far exceed that of the apartheid regime."
"The daily indignity to which the Palestinian population is subjected far outstrips the apartheid regime. And the effectiveness with which the bureaucracy implements the repressive measures far exceed that of the apartheid regime."
Wednesday 9 July 2008
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