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Gaza

We will return

(Cyprus, June 5, 2010) Today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the peaceful outcome to the operation when they seized our ship in international waters in direct violation of maritime law. Through his speech writer, he said:

“We saw today the difference between a ship of peace activists, with whom we don’t agree but respect their right to a different opinion from ours, and between a ship of hate organised by violent Turkish terror extremists,”

So we’d like to remind Mr. Netanyahu that the only hate evidenced on board all six boats on Monday morning came from the Israeli attackers. Israeli soldiers violently boarded the entire flotilla, beating, shooting and hooding passengers as though they were in Abu Ghraib

“People had been shot in the arms, legs, in the head – everywhere. We had so many injured. It was a bloodbath,” said Laura Stuart on board the Marmara, a British housewife and resue worker.

She described frantic attempts to treat the injured in a makeshift sick room on the ship, and failed attempts to resuscitate some of the dead. http://www.stuff.co.nz/s/L1BG

Therefore, we are putting Mr. Netanyahu on notice that we are returning in the next couple of months with another flotilla, that his actions and the actions of his soldiers have energized thousands of people who have stepped forward with offers to help and participate on the next voyage. We’d also like to remind Mr. Netanyahu that siezing our ship, the Rachel Corrie, is yet another violent act from a long series of violent acts against civilians that Israel has committed this week.

Contact: Greta Berlin 00 357 99 18 72 75
Mary Hughes 00 357 96 38 38 09

—
Greta Berlin, Co-Founder
+357 99 18 72 75
witnessgaza.com

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Turkish Warships to protect from israeli TERRORIST

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Translation of Knesset ‘debate’ (when MK Haneen came under attack)

Here are some extracts from the Knesset channel on TV, on YouTube.

Miri Weingarten translated the main things:

From podium:
– we need to vomit her from this Knesset, she’s here to represent Hamas, Jihad (MK Eli Aflalu, Kadima opposition)
voiceover: knesset security people escorted MK Zuabi before and after the debate in the Knesset for fear of someone trying to beat her

– the blood of those who died – you are the one who murdered them (MK Julia Shamalov-Berkowitz, Kadima opposition)
– I will say this in Arabic if I can: go to Gaza traitor (in Arabic), a traitor, that what she is, we don’t need traitors here in the knesset (MK Miri Regev, Likud coalition)
Voiceover: not only about the flotilla, also beneath the belt:

– one week in gaza we will see what will happen to you, a single 38-year-old woman woman in gaza we will see how they treat you (MK Yohanan Plessner Likud coalition)

Tall woman trying to attack Zuabi and evicted is Anastasia Michaeli of Israel Beiteinu (Lieberman’s party, coalition)

to camera:
-Anastasia Michaeli to camera: we should not let a traitor talk in the knesset. we are a democratic country but there is a limit and we must not let a traitor talk and present the position of the terrorist organisations

the people restrained and taken out of the knesset after this bit are Arab MKs Jamal Zakhalka (Balad) and Muhammad Barakeh (Hadash/socialists)
voiceover: today we reached a new climax in the Israel-Palestinian conflict: we almost came to blows in the knesset assembly.

next to be evicted Jewish MK Hasson of Kadima (later in the hall again)

more from podium:
– gilad shalit is in the hands of those you (plural) represent and you didn’t do a thing – bastards (MK Rotem of Israel Beiteinu)
– Jewish MK Ilan Gil’on of Left party Meretz against the right wing crowd: you are crazy you’ve gone out of your minds, irresponsible
voiceover: the Arab MKs defended Zuabi and the mood got even hotter

from podium
– Arab MK Zahalka: listen to me well: MK Zuabi deserves a (military) decoration for two reasons. one that she fulfilled her moral and political duty (interruption from jewish MK Ben Ari: she will get Hamas award) against the siege on Gaza. (interruption by jewish MK Shamalov-Berkowitz).

voiceover: when MK Zuabi got on the podium to talk, the MKs simply didn’t let her do so.
-Zuabi: I will say every word that I want to say.
-Rivlin, chair of knesset: from this moment no interjections. let her talk. the power of democracy is in our ability to hear. believe me, i have been in this house for longer than you. this is an emergency hour for the knesset. the knesset must be able to complete its debates.
voiceover: one after the other the MKs were evicted from the hall.
5 MKs evicted.
Rivlin: go outside, calm down, show them where the coffee is outside. take your time to calm down.

As Zuabi leaves the podium, calls: traitor, traitor.
voiceover: the debate was cut short. Zuabi, who kept her cool (‘facon’) throughout the debate, could even be seen to shed a small tear. a rift was torn between the Arab and Jewish MKs. it is doubtful if anyone will say hello in the corridors of the knesset when he next sees her.

From podium:
-Arieh Eldad (National Union): The blue and white flag is yours. You are in the Jewish state even if your bowels turn. the hatikva is your national anthem even if your heart twists/is aghast. And if you don’t like it – drink the sea of Gaza.

—
Miri Weingarten, Director
JNews
60 Farringdon Road
London EC1R 3GA
Tel. 0207 324 2575
Fax 0207 749 0566
Mob 0753 1719159
Skype: miri.weingarten

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MV Rachel Corrie avoided capture during flotilla raid but Israeli lieutenant says ‘we will be ready’

“Medical supplies being loaded into the MV Rachel Corrie, which was named after a 23-year-old American killed in Gaza in 2003. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA”

The final boat in the Gaza aid flotilla was sailing at full speed towards the territory’s coast tonight despite warnings that it would be intercepted by Israeli forces.

The MV Rachel Corrie, a 40-year-old cargo ship bought by the Irish arm of the Free Gaza Movement, was delayed and avoided capture during Monday night’s assault. Tonight it was still in international waters about two days from Gaza, carrying a consignment of aid and 19 activists and crew, among them five Irish nationals, the organisation said.

The Irish taoiseach, Brian Cowen, warned Israel tonight that he expected no violence against those on the Rachel Corrie.

“If any harm comes to any of our citizens it will have the most serious consequences,” he said, calling on Israel to guarantee the vessel safe passage through the military blockade of Gaza.

The ship, named after the 23-year-old American killed in Gaza in 2003 while trying to prevent an Israeli bulldozer demolishing a Palestinian home, had halted in the Mediterranean following the assault while those on board – among them the Nobel peace laureate Máiread Maguire and Denis Halliday, a retired senior UN diplomat – discussed whether they should continue.

It was now carrying as a “second wave” of the flotilla, said Niamh Moloughney, who organised the sailing in Ireland.

“I’d say the mood on board is resilient and steadfast. When people signed up to this they knew what might happen,” said Moloughney. “We expected we would be confronted and there would be a stand-off, but no one expected this. But there’s never really been a question of the boat turning back.”

As well as the Irish nationals, the 1,200-tonne boat is carrying six Malaysians and eight crew of varying nationalities.

All those on board had received training in non-violent resistance before the sailing and had pledged not to fight back if the boat was boarded, Moloughney added.

Speaking on the boat’s satellite phone, Maguire said she was determined the boat should continue on its course.

“We’re not frightened, no, we hope the Israeli government will allow us to go freely in and we know the international community are calling for our safe passage,” she said.

Halliday said he had spoken to Ireland’s foreign minister, Micheál Martin. “He was very reassuring that the government was behind us and he gave us a complete green light to do what we’re doing and he’ll protect us as much as he can,” Halliday said.

Martin himself told parliament: “We will be watching this situation very closely – as indeed will the world – and it is imperative that Israel avoid any action which leads to further bloodshed.”

It appeared clear, however, that Israel planned to stop the ship.

The country’s military was carrying out “professional investigations” into what happened in Monday’s raid, an Israeli marine lieutenant, who was not identified, told Israel’s Army Radio. He added: “And we will also be ready for the Rachel Corrie.”The boat, which was bought at auction by the Free Gaza Movement after being impounded a year before in Dundalk, is carrying a consignment including medical equipment, wheelchairs, school supplies and cement, according to the organisation.

source

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MV Rachel Corrie continues en route to Gaza

* MV Rachel Corrie continues en route to Gaza as all-party motion Dail motion calls for its safe passage

* Two Irish deported, three remain in detention, including one wounded

Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Press Release – 1st June 2010, 3pm

Yesterday’s Israeli attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in which up to 19 human rights activists were murdered in international waters has not deterred the Irish cargo ship the M.V. Rachel Corrie which is currently en route to Gaza and hopes to arrive this Saturday. Meanwhile the fall-out from the attack has pressured Egypt into opening the Rafah Crossing.

In the Dail, an all party motion which calls upon the government to ensure the safe passage of the MV Rachel Corrie and calls for the blockade of Gaza to be lifted is expected to be passed at around 7pm this evening. The IPSC welcomes this motion and hopes the Israeli government will heed it.

The Rachel Corrie was slightly behind the rest of the flotilla due to having to dock in Malta to undergo some engine repairs. The crew and passengers – which include 5 Irish people – made the decision to continue their journey to deliver supplies and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza despite further threats from the Israeli military. The Irish on board are Denis Halliday, Mariead Maguire, Fiona Hamilton, Derek and Jenny Graham (bios below).

Speaking in support of the mission, Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) spokesperson Freda Hughes said: “We commend this brave direct action taken by international activists, an action who’s significance has increased exponentially in both humanitarian and political terms since Israel committed yet another act of state terrorism by murdering 19 passengers on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and hijacking their aid flotilla, “

Ms Hughes continued: “The IPSC has been in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs urging them to take all measures necessary to ensure that Israel does not attack this ship and that it lets them bring their independently checked humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. The government of Ireland has a clear duty to protect Irish citizens, uphold international law and help bring an end to the siege of Gaza. We welcome the the all-party Dail motion calling for the Rachel Corrie’s safe passge.”

Meanwhile, Shane Dillion, the kidnapped first mate of the Challenger II is on his way home after being deported from Israel. He will arrive in Ireland later today, but his family are asking that the media do not go to the airport. According to family, he will hopefully be available for media interviews sometime tomorrow. Isam Bin Ali, a Libyan-Irish citizen is also due to be deported.

Al Mahdi Al Harati, a wounded Libyan-Irish citizen remains in Israeli detention, as do Dr Fintan Lane of the IPSC and Fiachra O Luain.

Mr Al Harati’s wife Eftaima Al Najar today said: “I lost all contact with my husband four days ago and have been telling my four that he is on holiday. I have just got news that he is in an Israeli detention centre but have no news on if and when he will be released. We are of course, all extremely worried.”

The Irish Ambassador to Israel was due to meet with all the detainees this afternoon.

Speaking yesterday, the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Michael Martin, said: “These people did not enter Israel illegally. They were essentially kidnapped from international waters, taken into Israel. And now they are being asked to sign a document almost confirming that they entered illegally. And we think that is unacceptable”.

Last night over 3,000 people attended a demonstration in Dublin against the unprovoked attacks by Israel where they heard from speakers Jack O’Connor (ICTU President), Aengus O Snodaigh TD, Chris Andrews TD, Senator Mark Daly, Lord Mayor of Dublin Emer Costello, Dr David Landy and Freda Hughes of the IPSC.

Addressing the rally at the Spire, Ms Hughes took Israel to task for its portrayal of events: “For the Israel PR machine to now attempt to brand a humanitarian mission to Gaza as an act of provocative violence is abhorrent. The irony is that for the Israeli state to sanction and carry out the murder of 19 international aid activists in international waters itself constitutes an act of state terrorism. This is not a conflict of equals and we must not believe the Israeli propaganda that would have us believe that the unarmed civilians on the Flotilla set out with the aim of attacking the fourth biggest military power in the world, namely Israel.”

Over the past two days there have been protests around the country in Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Sligo, Kilkenny and Galway and further protests will occur over the coming days in Dublin, Wexford, New Ross, Kilkenny and Castlebar.

Bios for Irish on Board Rachel Corrie

Mairead Maguire (66) [Belfast, Ireland]

A Nobel Peace Laureate (l976) and Co-founder of Peace People, Northern Ireland, She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work for peace and a nonviolent solution to the Ethnic/political conflict in Northern Ireland. Mairead has travelled many times to the occupied territories of Palestine to support the nonviolent peoples’ movement for Human Rights, International Law, and Self Determination of the Palestinian people. Maguire was shot with a plastic bullet whilst participating with Palestinians/Israelis/Internationals in a peaceful protest March to the Wall in Bilin, in April, 2007. Mairead went on the maiden Voyage of Dignity in October, 2008, the second successful voyage for the Free Gaza Movement. She was also on Board ‘Spirit’ when Israel hijacked the Boat in International Waters, taking all 2l humanitarian passengers to Israel, where they were arrested, detained for a week in an Israeli prison and then deported.

Denis Halliday [Manhattan, NYC and Connemara, Ireland]

UN Assistant Secretary-General from 1994-98. Appointed by SG Boutros Ghali, he served as ASG UN Human Resources Management in New York and in mid 1997 to end 1998 as Head, Humanitarian Programme in Iraq to support the Iraqi people struggling under the genocidal impact of UN Sanctions. Prior to that, as a development manager, Halliday served UNDP from 1964-94 in Iran, New York Hqts, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Samoa, New York again and finally as head of the UNDP Regional Office in Thailand. Since resigning from the UN in 1998, Halliday has delivered numerous parliamentary briefings, provided extensive media inputs and has given public/university lectures on Iraq, human rights, and the UN, in particular its reform. He was a visiting professor at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania and teaches/speaks at universities in Ireland, Canada, UK and USA. Halliday is a graduate of TCD, has an honorary PhD, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and was awarded the UK Gandhi Peace Prize.

Derek Graham [Ballina, County Mayo]

Derek 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 [County Mayo]

A member of the Free Gaza Movement, Jenny 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.

Fiona Thompson [ Dundalk] Film maker

ENDS

Contacts:

Family Members and MV Rachel Corrie passengers

Eftaima Al Najar (wife of Al Mahdi Al Harati): 087 9703605
Jim Lane (father of Fintan Lane): 087 2872374 / 021 4962993
Elanor Lamb (mother of Fiachra O Luain): 089 4185445
Denis Halliday (on board teh MV Rachel Corrie): 085 215 9477
Mairead Maguire (on board the MV Rachel Corrie): 0044 7736147713

IPSC Contacts

IPSC Office: 01 6770253
Freda Hughes (IPSC): 086 1260359
Kevin Squires (IPSC): 087 7413580
John Dorman (IPSC): 087 2208560
Mark McDonnell (IPSC): 086 841 6297

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Rachel Corrie

Following Israel’s criminal raid in international waters on May 31st, the Rachel Corrie MV continues to sail towards the Gaza coastline in defiance of Israeli threats.

In an act of tremendous courage, the Rachel Corrie MV is determined to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

At noon today, I received the following message from Christopher Chang and Ram Kardigasu, on behalf of the Malaysian and Irish peace activists, who are on board the Rachel Corrie:

RACHEL CORRIE: MV Rachel Corrie is now the sole ship on the international freedom flotilla moving towards Gaza.

The Malaysian and Irish peace and humanitarian activists aboard share their deepest grief and sense of lost with the loved ones of those killed and injured in the illegal action undertaken by Israel on Monday 31st May 2010 in the international waters of the Mediterranean.

In the names of our friends, we are more determined than ever to continue into Gaza with our humanitarian cargo and our support for the blockaded and suffering people of Gaza.

We expect Israel to respond to the international condemnation of its violence by not impeding by any means the safe passage of the Rachel Corrie.

We appeal to the international community and United Nations to continue to demand Israel our safe passage into Gaza.

Jointly issued by Malaysians and Irish on board the Rachel Corrie.

Sent on behalf of the humanitarian activists on aboard the Rachel Corrie – by PGPO land team (Ram Karthigasu and Christopher Chang)

In recent developments, the Netanyahu government is in crisis:

“Senior ministers [of the Netanyahu cabinet] have been sharply critical of the fact that the decision to seize control of the flotilla to Gaza was made after two meetings of the forum of seven senior ministers but without official deliberation by the inner cabinet, the body that has the authority to approve military actions of this scale.” (Haaretz.com headlines RSS

What this suggests is that the actual decision to conduct the raids in international waters bypassed the Cabinet.

The question remains: if the Israeli cabinet did not ratify the operation, who ordered the raids and through what procedure?

What were the respective roles of Israeli intelligence and the IDF in planning these raids?

What role was played by Rahm Emmanuel, Obama’s White House Chief of Staff, who had meetings with both Netanyahu and president Shimon Peres, respectively on May 26 and 27?

Did Rahm Emmanuel meet officials of Israel’s military and intelligence establishment?

Did the Obama administration give the Green Light?

It is important that this news gets out, with a view to ensuring that the Rachel Corrie MV safely reaches the coast of Gaza without encroachment, with a view to breaking Israel’s criminal embargo.

In this endeavor we shall prevail. Our hearts and minds are with those who continue to sail on board the Rachel Corrie MV.

It should be noted that Israel has not in any way modified its policy with regard to the Rachel Corrie MV: There are two more ships heading for Gaza including the Rachel Corrie MV. Israel has promised “to respond even more harshly”:

“Israel will use more aggressive force in the future to prevent ships from breaking the sea blockade on the Gaza Strip, a top Navy commander told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.

“We boarded the ship and were attacked as if it was a war,” the officer said. “That will mean that we will have to come prepared in the future as if it was a war.” (www.ynetnews.com)

The Rachel Corrie MV is in part supported by the Perdana Global Peace Organization under the helm of Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.

Global Research Director Michel Chossudovsky is a member of the Perdana Global Peace Organisation and of the Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Commission.

Global Research Articles by Michel Chossudovsky

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Rachel Corrie to Gaza

who will protect the Rachel Corrie?

As I write the Rachel Corrie, a 1200-ton cargo ship, delayed due to mechanical problems, is steaming towards Gaza. As I understand it they will pick up one or two of the ships that the IDF sabotaged en route. The passengers–a list of them is available here, and they include a number of extremely powerful Malaysian politicians–decided to continue on to Gaza. Amazing. Other reports suggest that the organizers may delay the ships’ arrival into Gaza until the beginning of next week. Or the ships’ attempt to arrive. Matan Vilnai, the Nazi who called for a Shoah to befall Gaza (hashoah is Hebrew for the Holocaust; shoah is just destruction), said on public radio that “We will not let any ships reach Gaza and supply what has become a terrorist base threatening the heart of Israel.” Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has promised to escort the next maritime convoys with Turkish warships. Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has demanded that the Israelis let the Rachel Corrie in. This set-piece battle is not over yet. And the role we on the outside will play–most importantly, in publicly mobilizing, secondarily, in disseminating information, and thirdly, creating a climate of opinion in which Israeli politicians and generals decide that it’s better to let the ship in that not let it in–is not over yet either. Israel has lost this battle, and we’ve won it. But we won the first half on their terms. Let’s win the second half on ours. An anonymous Israeli marine lieutenant told Israel’s army radio that his unit was prepared to block the Rachel Corrie. “We as a unit are studying, and we will carry out professional investigations to reach conclusions,” the lieutenant said, referring to yesterday’s massacre. “And we will also be ready for the Rachel Corrie ,”

from jewbonic

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Greek cargo crew beaten

A note from dear friend Sana Kassem

Today morning the 6 crew members of the Greek cargo ship arrived to Athens..they were deported..They have seen the Israeli soldiers beating up brutally four of our comrades in Ashdod (Jelle you remember Vangelis, he was beaten the most but also Yannis the film producer that you talked to him about our videos), when one of them refused to leave the ship they used electric guns and pulled him, another one was shot in the leg)..Now we received a msg from a friend she is still detained in Ashdod and thinks the other Greeks are taken to Jails..Knowing them they will refuse to sign any paper for their release..
Yesterday we had a protest at the Isreali embassy (Jelle I told you 2000) newspapers are talking about 10,000, 5 minutes after the beginning of the protest the police rained us with tear gases, the brutality of the Greek police was unprecedented (ta gourounia = the pigs). A big demonstration is planned for thursday at the ministry of foreign affairs: we want our people back..

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Ireland : Government officially condemns Israeli raid on aid ships

Tuesday, June 01, 2010 – 03:38 PM

The Government has officialy moved to condemn the Israeli assault yesterday on aid ships bound for Gaza during which nine people were killed.

Five Irish passport holders remain in a detention centre in Israel after their vessels were seized by commandos in international waters.

Its still not known if any received injuries during the incident.

Backed by the Government, Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin today issued a series of demands, which included the immediate and unconditional release of the Irish citizens.

The Minister’s proposals included:

* Condemn the actions by the Israeli military as completely unacceptable and disproportionate and stemming directly from the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza which the Minister and Government has repeatedly urged should be ended;

* Call for a full, independent and international enquiry into yesterday’s events, preferably under UN auspices;

* Call for the immediate and unconditional release of all the Irish citizens detained by Israel and for the Israeli government to respect its international obligations under the Vienna Convention and ensure full consular access by Irish Embassy officials to those detained;

* Call upon the Israeli government to allow the Irish owned vessel, the MV Rachel Corrie, to complete its humanitarian voyage to Gaza peacefully and without any attempt to impede its journey and to be allowed discharge its humanitarian cargo in Gaza upon arrival;

* Express its deep condolences to the Turkish government and to the families of all those killed in yesterday’s events as well as to those injured.

“The Government agreed fully with these points,” said the statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“It also agreed that the Minister for Foreign Affairs should continue to liaise closely with EU colleagues on the current situation and all necessary steps to achieve a peaceful resolution.”

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