Help the Children of Gaza sail to Freedom on Nov. 30th

Support the mini-Ark project

"You can help brighten a dark path.  Lead the way and sail with the children of Gaza towards freedom." said Heba Hayek of Gaza, a member of Gaza's Ark committee.

These efforts to launch mini-Arks are to spotlight the inhumane conditions under which the Palestinians in Gaza, and particularly the children, live. In addition, groups all over the world, from North America to Europe will sail small boats on their lakes, rivers and swimming pools and stage supporting actions on the same day, November 30th.

We are asking you, without delay, to:

1)    Sponsor a Mini-Ark individually, in partnership or through a local organization. Share this sponsorship opportunity with others through word of mouth, Facebook, Twitter, your blog or any other social platform you have access to: http://www.gazaark.org/2013/10/26/sponsor-a-mini-ark-now/

2)    Create a Mini-Ark Action: Make your own Mini-Arks with your children and/or children in your community. Write a message of solidarity or write: "Gaza: End the silence! End the Blockade!" Take pictures/video, send it to us and we'll post it on online. We will share your images with the children of Gaza. This is a deeply symbolic act of hope that is sure to bring a smile to all involved!

Please also Like us on Facebook and ask others to like us too. Every person counts! Tell anybody and everybody: help us end the blockade and the silence: https://www.facebook.com/GazaArk; and Follow us on Twitter and ask your followers to follow us too. Tweet and re-tweet about the Gaza Mini-Ark project using "mini #GazaArk": https://twitter.com/GazaArk

Join the mini-Ark Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/172344456298624/
Stay tuned for our next announcement. We want everyone who reads this plea from the children of Gaza to help them ‘sail their boats to freedom.


The mini-Arks initiative is supported by a growing number of Palestinian organizations in Gaza, including:
Al Amal Institute for orphans - https://www.facebook.com/Alamal.for.orphans
El Wedad association - http://www.npaid.org/Our-work/Countries/Middle-East/Palestine/Partners-in-Palestine/El-Wedad
Atfaluna association - http://www.atfaluna.net/en/atfaluna_crafts/
Rehabilitation and development program for women - https://www.facebook.com/rdpwgaza
Dr. Haider abed el Shafi Center for Training - https://www.facebook.com/htcgaza
Society and Family development association - https://www.facebook.com/tanmia.pal
For Palestine children ( Atfal Palestine) - https://www.facebook.com/atfalpal
Al Qalaa center for training and development - https://www.facebook.com/alqlaa.CenterZahrat E-TfoolaKhwarzmi
National agency for family care

----

Greta Berlin, Co-Founder, the Free Gaza movement
Editor, Freedom Sailors
www.freedomsailors.com

Canadians face two months of incarceration in Israel without trial

Yesterday, Freedom Waves to Gaza activists detained in Israel - including Canadians David Heap and Ehab Lotayef - came before a judge and were told they could be held in prison for 2 months without charges or trial. To avoid this, the judge told them, they must sign a statement that they entered Israel 'voluntarily' and 'illegally' despite being violently kidnapped from international waters and taken to Israel against their will while trying to reach Gaza. While a handful of Freedom Waves to Gaza participants have been deported – including Canadian Karen DeVito – 18 activists and journalists have now been in Israeli prison for 5 days with no end in sight. DeVito is available for interviews. The Israeli military forcibly commandeered the boats Tahrir and MV Saoirse that journalists and activists were traveling on as part of the Freedom Waves initiative and brought them to Ashdod port in Israel. American journalist Jihan Hafiz was on the Canadian boat Tahrir, and was among those detained by Israel despite her press credentials. Israeli authorities ordered her and others not to talk about "anything negative or political" during their brief phone calls to home from Israeli detention. This censorship explains why some details are only just coming out now. She reported Tuesday about her experience during the Israeli takeover of the Irish and Canadian boats: "There were three warships [...] four Zodiacs, four water cannon boats, as well as four regular gunboats. All of the commandos on all of these boats were heavily armed. It looked like they were taking on an army of a foreign country." She added: "Two water cannons started to pour lots of water into the Irish boat, which flooded it, blew their sockets, and cut off all the electricity. And so, at that point, the Irish delegates I spoke to said they told the Israeli army, "We're taking on water. We're sinking. We're going to go down at sea if you continue with the water." Hafiz went on to describe the violent takeover during which guns were pointed at the heads of the boats' passengers, how they were roughed up, mistreated, strip-searched, and filmed naked. She also tells of how the journalists' equipment was confiscated, in a bid to silence any reporting that might contradict the sanitized Israeli account of what happened during the hijacking of the Tahrir and the MV Saoirse. For the full video interview and transcript, click here "Our friends have been assaulted, tasered, beaten, kidnapped, robbed, and imprisoned. Now Israel is threatening to illegally detain them for two months. What is it going to take for the Canadian government to actually do something about another country kidnapping Canadian citizens and refusing to let them go?" demands Wendy Goldsmith, an organizer with the Canadian Boat to Gaza. "We are disappointed, but not surprised, by the inaction of Baird and Harper," said Canadian Boat to Gaza organizer Dylan Penner. "In its failure to speak out against Israel's blockade of Gaza, the Canadian Government is condoning Israel's disregard for the human rights of the citizens of Gaza and giving it impunity for its refusal to comply with its international obligations. It is this silence that compels citizens of good conscience, like David and Ehab, to act where our Government has so consistently failed to do so." Organizers of the Canadian Boat to Gaza are demanding Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird step down for failing to do his job to stand up for the interests of Canadians.

Please help us continue our work.

www.freepalestinemovement.org

Canadian Boat to Gaza

For Immediate Release – Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Canadians detained in Israel arriving home tomorrow
 

Despite a threat from an Israeli judge that they could face 2 months in prison, Freedom Waves to Gaza activists David Heap and Ehab Lotayef are being released and deported back to Canada today. They will arrive on Thursday, November 10.

ARRIVAL

What: Heap and Lotayef will arrive in Toronto after 5 days in Israeli prison, following their abduction from international waters en route to Gaza to challenge Israel’s illegal blockade.

When: Scheduled flight arrival time is 6:40am, with likely disembarkation completed by 7:20, Thursday, November 10, 2011.

Where: Arrivals Gate, Pearson International Airport, Toronto

PRESS CONFERENCE

What: Heap and Lotayef will discuss their experiences on Freedom Waves to Gaza aboard the Canadian ship Tahrir and their time in Israeli prison.

When: 1pm, Thursday, November 10, 2011

Where: Charles Lynch Room, 130-S, Parliament Hill, Ottawa

The third Canadian who was aboard the Tahrir, Karen DeVito, has also been released and will be returning home to Vancouver next week. The remaining delegates from Ireland and Australia are also expected to arrive home by the end of the week, but the status of UK journalist Hassan Ghani is still unclear.

The reason why those who were detained undertook this journey in the first place was to show solidarity with the ordinary people of Gaza who have lost their basic freedoms as a result of a blockade imposed by the military forces of Israel, and to take action that would contribute to the end of that blockade.

Freedom Waves was never intended to focus attention on the 27 people aboard the MV Saoirse and the Tahrir, but on the 1.6 million people of Gaza – half of whom are children under the age of 16 – who continue to suffer collective punishment at the hands of the Israeli military. While Canadian and international citizens were languishing in prison in Israel for the “crime” of coming to their aid, the population of Gaza continues to languish in what is, in effect, the world’s largest open air prison.

This latest of eleven attempts to break the blockade of Gaza via the sea demonstrates once again that Israel is able to act with impunity when it comes to the welfare of the Palestinian people and anyone trying to help them. It is because of the continuing inaction of governments around the world, including the Canadian government, that ordinary people feel compelled to act.

The brave activists returning tomorrow will be available for press interviews upon arrival at Pearson International Airport.

-30-

For more information or to arrange interviews:

English inquiries:

Wendy Goldsmith, Canadian Boat to Gaza, 519-619-6766

Dylan Penner, Canadian Boat to Gaza, 613-859-6996

French inquiries:

Denis Kosseim, Canadian Boat to Gaza, 514-923-5594

Twitter (@CanadaBoatGaza and #freedomwaves), Facebook.com/CanadaBoatGaza, www.tahrir.ca<http://www.tahrir.ca> , www.ustogaza.org <http://www.ustogaza.org> , www.freegazaoz.org<http://www.freegazaoz.org> , and www.irishshiptogaza.org <http://www.irishshiptogaza.org> .

You have received this message from the Canadian Boat to Gaza.

www.canadaboatgaza.org
info@canadaboatgaza.org

UPDATE ON FREEDOM WAVES POLITICAL PRISONERS

Freedom Waves to GazaPalestine Office @PALWaves
7 November 2011 



[RAMALLAH] Of the 27 human rights defenders captured during Israel’s illegal takeover of the Freedom Waves to Gaza vessels on Friday, 4 November, 20 remain in Givon prison and the whereabouts of one is unknown.
Israeli officials have been claiming that all 27 people aboard the MV Tahrir and MV Saoirse have been released or are awaiting deportation. This is not true. Freedom Waves can confirm that six people have been released or deported. These are Majd Kayyal (Palestinian from Haifa), Lina Attalah (Journalist from Egypt), Casey James (Journalist from the US), Aimane Zoubir (Journalist from Morocco), Captain George Klontzas (Greece) and Captain Zacharias Stylianakis.
The whereabouts of British journalist, Hassan Ghani of PressTV is unknown. On Saturday prison authorities told lawyers that Hassan was not at the prison, yet we know that he has not yet been released. Freedom Waves organizers demand that the Israeli authorities reveal where Hassan Ghani is being held and that he be allowed access to a lawyer.
The Israeli authorities have tried to pressure the human rights defenders that remain in Israeli prison to sign a voluntary deportation agreement (waiver of right to see a judge) in order to be immediately deported. The activists refuse to sign, not because they want to come before an Israeli judge, but rather because the wavier states that they came to Israel voluntarily and entered the country illegally, which are patently untrue in light of the fact that Israeli naval ships violently seized the Tahrir and Saoirse, and forcibly transported them and all on board to Ashdod. Israeli authorities have ignored requests by the group’s lawyer to deport the activists immediately without having to sign this form that contains falsities meant to absolve Israel of responsibility for illegal abduction of foreign nationals in international waters.
Because they have refused to sign the waiver, according to Israeli law, they will be detained for 72 hours and then brought before an immigration judge, who will rubberstamp the deportation order. After this mock legal process, deportation will commence. For the first 24 hours of their abduction, none of the activists, crew, or journalists, were allowed to call a lawyer or family members. On Sunday, a few were able to make one one-minute phone call.
NOTE: Various accounts from prisoners have come out contradicting Israel's claim of a peaceful takeover of the boats. Some activists were tasered and beaten, and at least one of the captains abused during interrogation. For accounts that we have been able to obtain, please see: www.tahrir.ca andwww.irishtogaza.org  
For more information, please call:
+970-592-346-895 or
+970-598-336-215
 www.witnessgaza.com


--
Greta Berlin, Co-Founder
+33 607 374 512
witnessgaza.com
www.freegaza.org
http://www.flickr.com/photos/freegaza

[GazaFriends] Captured in international waters en route to Gaza: An eyewitness account

Soon after, the Israeli presence in the waters around us intensified. We counted at least 15 ships, four of which were warships, and the rest a mix of smaller boats and water cannons. From inside the smaller boats, dozens of Israeli soldiers pointed their machines guns at us. This is when our communications system was jammed and we lost contact with the world.
Our boat's captain started receiving radio messages from the Israeli navy, asking about the organizers and the destination of the trip. Ehab Lotayef, another organizer of the Tahrir boat to Gaza, communicated with the Israeli navy, telling them that our destination was Gaza and that any attempt to arrest us would be illegal. When the navy repeated over the radio, “Tahrir, what is your final destination?” Lotayef, who is a poet, responded, “the betterment of mankind.”


http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/512198

Lina Attalah, Al-Masry Al-Youm English's managing editor,
As Israeli naval vessels loomed around our boat, the Israelis made a proposition that they would send one person to inspect for weapons, and if he found nothing, they would let us pass. The proposition was met with skepticism among the activists, although some thought this could really be a way to get to Gaza. The Irish boat, which was sailing with us, staunchly refused the proposition.
Our boat's captain started receiving radio messages from the Israeli navy, asking about the organizers and the destination of the trip. Ehab Lotayef, another organizer of the Tahrir boat to Gaza, communicated with the Israeli navy, telling them that our destination was Gaza and that any attempt to arrest us would be illegal. When the navy repeated over the radio, “Tahrir, what is your final destination?” Lotayef, who is a poet, responded, “the betterment of mankind.”
As Israeli naval vessels loomed around our boat, the Israelis made a proposition that they would send one person to inspect for weapons, and if he found nothing, they would let us pass. The proposition was met with skepticism among the activists, although some thought this could really be a way to get to Gaza. The Irish boat, which was sailing with us, staunchly refused the proposition.

FREEDOM WAVES TO GAZA BOARDED BY ISRAELI MILITARY

Canadian and Irish ships sailing with Freedom Waves to Gaza have been illegally boarded by the Israeli military in international waters a short while ago. The Israeli military stated that “Upon arrival of the vessels at the Ashdod port, the activists will be transferred to the custody of the Israel Police and immigration authorities in the Ministry of Interior”. Freedom Waves to Gaza organizers have been unable to communicate with the ships since soon after the vessels were approached by Israeli warships earlier this afternoon. The Canadian boat ‘Tahrir’ (Liberation) confirmed that the Israeli navy had contacted them asking for their destination at around 13:00 (Gaza time) to which Ehab Lotayef, an activist on board the ship, replied ‘The conscience of humanity’. When the Israelis again demanded to know the destination of the ship Lotayef replied; ‘The betterment of mankind’. ’ Huwaida Arraf, spokesperson from Freedom Waves to Gaza, said “It’s clear that 27 civilians on two small boats, carrying only medicine, constituted no security threat to the Israeli state, and that the determination to keep them out is only a furtherance of Israel’s policy of collective punishment, a crime against humanity. Despite this Israeli aggression, we will keep coming, wave after wave, by air, sea, and land, to challenge Israel’s illegal policies towards Gaza and all of Palestine. Our movement will not stop or be stopped until Palestine is free.” The Israeli military reported that the navy has been ordered by IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz to board the ships after “attempts to contact them failed.” The Israeli military has offered to unload the boats’ supplies at Ashdod, Israel. Anatolia News Agency, Turkey, has reported that the boats were offered the choice to go to Egypt or return. At 13:00 both ships were around 51 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza in international waters. Israeli commandos boarded a previous Gaza Freedom Flotilla on 31 May 2010, killing nine Turkish activists and wounding many more. The Freedom Waves to Gaza initiative is a non-violent, civil society movement to challenge the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza Earlier this morning, activists aboard both ships were preparing for possible attack by the Israeli navy by training in nonviolent resistance tactics. The two ships, carrying a total of 27 passengers and $30,000 worth of medicine and supplies, set off from Turkey on November 2.

Please help us continue our work.

www.freepalestinemovement.org

From David Schermerhorn regarding the last voyage

Some comments I am sending out locally. David

     ISRAEL CONTINUES BLOCKADE OF SHIPS TO GAZA.

 

I have just returned from Turkey where I had hoped to join the Canadian boat Tahrir that together with the Irish vessel Saoirse would attempt to reach Gaza in an effort to break the 44-year blockade by Israel. Both ships were stopped, boarded and taken to Ashdod in international waters by Israeli naval forces.

 

In an unexplained reversal the Turkish authorities imposed a limit of 12 crew and passengers on each ship. As a result Kit Kittredge of Quilcene, WA was the only US citizen aboard. I had been on the Audacity of Hope with Kittredge in June when it was stopped and impounded by the Greek authorities.

 

The United States policy of support and justification for the blockade is deplorable and represents one more concession to the pro-Israeli lobby AIPAC. The Palestinians were filled with hope by Obama’s election that they would finally have an honest broker who would have the courage to pursue a fair and equitable solution to the decades old conflict. Their hopes were further bolstered by Obama’s memorable speech in Cairo that spoke to the Islamic world.

 

And then came a silence on the subject that was broken on rare occasions by timid admonishments for the continuing settlement construction. A continuation of an economic blockade that leaves 1.5 million with the barest necessities and the inability to develop a viable economy through a nearly total restriction on exports. Attacks on U.S. citizens and ships.

 

As the presidential election approaches we see even fewer attempts to restrain the settlement expansions or the daily assaults on the lives, the homes, the dignity of the Palestinian people. Instead Obama promises to veto any effort to achieve recognition of statehood at the UN’s Security Council. To withhold financial aid from the Palestinians if they should attain a limited status in the General Assembly. Most recently the State Department has warned American citizens participating in Flotillas of possible legal consequences for breaking U.S. and Israeli law. And meantime we appear to be about to condone and possibly assist an Israeli attack on Iran.

 

Obama’s willingness to grant Israel impunity for the most egregious actions highlights the irony of his early claim to The Audacity of Hope. That stirring battle cry has sadly been replaced by The Audacity of Political Cowardice and Expediency.

 

David K. Schermerhorn

Nov. 4, 2011

French boat Dignité of Freedom Flotilla II leaves Greece

16 July 2011
For Immediate Release

The French boat “Dignité/Karama” (Dignity) left the Greek island Kastellorizo around 8:30PM local time on Saturday July 16, 2011, heading south. The ten passengers onboard view themselves as representatives of the whole Freedom Flotilla II – Stay Human. The rest of the Flotilla’s ships have been detained in different Greek ports, through bureaucratic obstruction, sabotage, sudden restrictions and withdrawals of flags.
 
The Dignité, sailing under a French flag, left Corsica on June 25th, and has, over the past weeks, been in Greek waters.  It has now left– so far without being followed by the Greek coast guard or Navy.
Among the delegates on board is Jacqueline Le Corre, member of the French Communist Party, Jean Claude Lefort, former French Member of the European Parliament, as well as representatives of the Canadian, French, Greek and Swedish initiatives within Freedom Flotilla II. Onboard the Dignité are also renowned Israeli journalist Amira Hass, reporting for Haaretz, and a team from Al-Jazeera TV. (Full list of passengers below).
 
Kastellorizo, in the far east of the Greek archipelago, is only miles from Turkish mainland. A substantial part of Kastellorizo’s population fled during the Second World War to Gaza, where they stayed for years. The present mayor of the island, Paul Panigiris, was born in Gaza, and feels strongly, as do many other people from Kastellorizo, for a population that once hosted them and is now under siege.
 
The action of Dignité is not a mini-version of Freedom Flotilla 2, but a first wave that will be followed by others.  It is a message to the Israeli government, to the international community and to the besieged people of Gaza: The Free Gaza Movement and the coalition of Freedom Flotilla II are not giving up until the inhumane and illegitimate blockade of Gaza is lifted.
Gaza, we are coming!

www.freegaza.org

www.witnessgaza.com

www.freedomflotilla.eu

------

Passengers on the Dignité

Stéphan Corriveau, Coordinator of Canadian boat to Gaza

Dror Feiler, spokesperson of Ship to Gaza-Sweden, President of the European Jews for a Just Peace, artist, musician, composer

Jérôme Gleizes, France, Europe Ecologie Les Verts

Jacqueline Le Corre, France, Médecin-Collectif 14 de soutien au peuple palestinien, member of Parti communiste francais

Jean Claude Lefort, former MEP, French Communist Party –PCF

Claude Léostic, spokesperson of Un bateau français pour Gaza

Yamin Makri, France, Collectif 69 de soutien au peuple palestinien

Omeyya Naoufel Seddik, Tunisian, Fédération des Tunisiens pour une citoyenneté des deux rives (FTCR), and Ligue tunisienne des Droits de l'Homme (LTDH), Phd in Political Science

Thomas Sommer-Houdeville, spokesperson of Un bateau français pour Gaza, Researcher, Political Sciecnce, Middle East Studies, at the Institut francais du proche Orient

Vangelis Pissias, spokesperson of Ship to Gaza-Greece, Professor at Technical University of Athens

Amira Hass, Israeli journalist - Haaretz

Ayyache Derradji, Journalist from Al Jazeera

Stéphane Guida, Cameraman from Al Jazeera

Zacharia Stylianakis, Captain

Hilaire Folacci, Mariner

Yannick Voisin, Mariner

Jo Leguen, Navigator

The Flotilla Embodies the Arab Spring Spirit

The Palestine Center and US Boat to Gaza are coalition members of the US Campaign

by Yousef Munayyer, Palestine Center
July 5, 2011

Earlier this year we watched with amazement as hundreds of thousands of Arabs charged into the streets of their cities demanding reform. The uprisings led to the departure of several leaders who had ruled for decades and also tested (and continue to test) several others.

But what led to this outpouring is much the same as the motivation behind the flotilla initiative which seeks to challenge the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.

When fundamentally unjust situations are left unaddressed by states, the people must step in. That is precisely what happened in Tahrir square when hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Egyptians lost all faith in the government's ability to reform.

That is also precisely what drives the flotilla and the activists aboard it. They have watched as the collective punishment of 1.5 million civilians lingers with no objections coming from states that can change the situation. In fact, the siege of Gaza has been supported by Israel, the United States and Mubarak's Egypt (though post-Mubarak Egypt promises to be different).

The blockade of Gaza is just one part of a multilayered siege on the Gaza Strip. The layers include control of land entry and exit points for commercial and humanitarian goods, control over the amount of electricity and water available to the people of Gaza, control of the air and sea lanes, and so on.
ARTICLE CONTINUES

Gaza Freedom Flotilla actions

5 July, 2011

The passengers of the ten boats of the 2011 Gaza Freedom Flotilla continued pushing back against the restrictions of the Greek government today, joined by citizens of countries around the world whose governments’ policies stand in stark contrast to the will of their peoples. Here are today’s developments:

• The hearing of John Klusmire, captain of the U.S. passenger boat Audacity of Hope, was held at 12:00 noon at a courthouse in the port of Piraeus. The captain had been charged with attempting to pilot the ship out of the harbor without the proper clearances. In a rebuke to the government, the judge dismissed all charges and immediately released Klusmire. The move was interpreted as a victory for Palestine solidarity and for the Greek institution of protecting an independent judiciary.
• At 1:00 p.m. local time, the Greek Boat to Gaza group held a press conference at the Athens Press Club. Present were Dimitris Plionis, an organizer from the Greek group, Dr. Mattias Gardell of the partner group Swedish Boat to Gaza, Members of Parliament Tasos Kourakis and Theodoris Dritsas 2 MPs, and Green Party representative Iannis Tsironis. They denounced the government actions and policies forbidding ships of the Flotilla to leave Greek ports, effectively extending the Israeli siege of Gaza to Greek waters and outsourcing the siege of Gaza. Also attending in solidarity was MP Panagiotis Kouroublis, who had recently been expelled from the ruling PASOK Party for voting against the IMF austerity plan. He was given a standing ovation when he entered the hall.
• The owners and crew of the Greek/Swedish/Norwegian passenger boat Juliano went on board in the port of Perama near Piraeus, and attempted to take the boat to the port town of Fokia, approximately 10 km. away, where they were due to attend a welcome ceremony at the invitation of the Fokia mayor, honoring the passengers and crew. However, the port authorities prevented the boat from leaving, without citing any justification. In the meantime, two rented boats filled with journalists and supporters gathered at the port to cover the action and to demand release of the boat, and have been confronted by port police. At latest report, the standoff continues, and a crowd of people is gathering at the Perama Port Authority to demand the release of the boat.
• Passengers of the Spanish boat Guernica entered the Spanish embassy in Athens and staged a sit-in, demanding that the Spanish government intercede with Greece to release the boat. They hoisted the Palestinian flag and are currently refusing to leave until their boat is given permission to leave.
• Canadian citizen Sandra Ruch remains in custody in the port city of Aghios Nikolaos. She and one other Suha Kneen, Michael Coleman, Australian Canadian were charged with impeding coast guard authorities by placing themselves in kayaks in front of police boats attempting to stop the Canadian boat, Tahrir from leaving Greek waters. They have been charged with interfering with law enforcement.
• A small group of four Zionist demonstrators gathered at a Greek port where one of the French boats is berthed. They shouted “Free Gilad Shalit” and carried signs. When the port police was called, the demonstrators left.
• The other French passenger boat Karameh is again at sea in international waters, awaiting the other boats in the Flotilla. After leaving France, it proceeded to the eastern Mediterranean, where it sheltered in a safe port before returning to international waters.

-FPM
www.freepalestinemovement.org

British deportation an attack on free speech / Flotilla still trying to break US/EU/UN-backed siege/ Even prisoners have the right to receive visitors/

·        Britain 'more Israeli than the Israelis' in plan to deport Palestinian Islamleader Sheikh Raed Salah

·        The Canadian Boat to Gaza (CBG), the Tahrir, to set sail today as part of Freedom Flotilla II

·        Contact your MP to support the July 8th mass visit to Palestine

·        UN, EU, USA & Russia fight flotilla

·        2011 June 30: UK GOVERNMENT “SILENCING DISSENT” SAY PALESTINE GROUPS

·       

 Dear Friends,

·        I know many people have listened to the song Freedom for Palestine and so many people have been supportive. This is now the final week to get the track into the charts and get the song on the radio for the whole of the UK to hear.

·        So if you haven't bought the song, please please do this now.

·        If you have bought the song, please get five of your friends to buy it too.

·        Enjoying the song is great, but buying it is a political act. It is a way of making an audiable protest to the UK, a way of reaching new audiences, a way of demonstrating the weight of support for justice for Palestine and a way of showing solidarity with the people of Palestine. Already people in Gaza have sent a video asking people to buy the song.

·        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9vnxhhSDEg 

·        The song may be fluffy, but the message isn't. Getting the song into the charts is to make a political statement the whole of the UK can hear. (all profits go back to projects in Palestine).

·        HMV  http://tinyurl.com/5u3t227  - Just 79p!

·        Itunes http://tinyurl.com/65ngad8  - Just 79p!

·        Amazon http://tinyurl.com/6862xyq   - Just 69p!

·        “This is the anthem of our movement. Buying this single is more than just buying a track of music; it is contributing to a struggle. The people of Palestine need us to lobby our MPs, take to the streets and even get into boats to bring them aid. But just like the people of South Africa they need us to sing to them. Buy this single and sing along!” Benjamin Zephaniah

·        Archbishop Desmond Tutu even came out of retirement to tell people to buy the song! So be on the right side of history. Join musicians and artists such as Rogers Waters, Massive Attack, Lowkey, Mark Thomas, Julie Christie, Sami Yusuf, Ken Loach and Billy Bragg and get behind a historic challenge to the illegal Israeli occupation.

·        Please spread the word on this - send this message to friends and family and get them to show their support for Palestine. We only have 6 days left to go.

·        It's not just a song- It's a statement.

·        Be part of it.

·        www.freedomoneworld.com

Response to Greek Offer

On Sunday 3 July the Free Gaza movement and Freedom Flotilla 2 organizers learned from media sources of an offer by the Greek Government to deliver the humanitarian cargo we have collected to Gaza. Although reports indicate that this offer was made to flotilla organizers, we have not been contacted about this, either directly or through any third party.

The offer, as reported, is insufficient as it shows collusion with Israel’s blockade as well as a complete disregard for Palestinian human rights, reducing the issue of Gaza and Palestine as a whole to one of humanitarian aid. However, we are willing to discuss a counter proposal with the Greek government along the lines of earlier suggestions by the Greek and Cypriot governments for a direct sea route to Gaza from one of these countries.

The statement referencing the offer on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website affirms the Flotilla’s position that the blockade of Gaza needs to be lifted, and that international law must be upheld.  In this regard, and if the government of Greece is serious about being helpful and not simply trying to deflect criticism from itself, we look forward to hearing from them directly. Greek government officials certainly know where to find us.

http://www.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/Articles/en-US/030711_AH1545.htm

from GazaFriends

LATEST FLOTILLA UPDATES from the FPM Delegation in Athens July 3, 2011

Middle East Quartet discourages Gaza flotillas
NEW YORK - The Middle East diplomatic Quartet on Saturday discouraged new flotillas from sailing to Gaza to provide humanitarian aid, it said in a statement.

"The Quartet recognizes that Israel has legitimate security concerns that must continue to be safeguarded," said the group, representing the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations. 
more>>

Flotilla Press Conference | Athens, Greece | July 3, 2011

Leftist Greek MPs accuse government of caving to Israeli pressure
to stop Gaza flotilla
Eight ships in the Gaza-bound flotilla were barred from leaving the Greek ports where they are anchored in the wake of an order issued on Friday by the Greek government. Flotilla participants and members of the leftist opposition in Greece have accused the Socialist government of caving in to Israeli pressure - a claim rejected by Greek Foreign Minister Stavros Lambrinidis.
more>>

"Israel afraid of the truth"
Interview with Dr. Paul Larudee, Co-Founder of Free Palestine Movement in Greece

Press TV: Israel has threatened to take military action against the humanitarian aid flotilla, what is Tel Aviv afraid of in your opinion? 

Larudee: To put it in simple terms, they are afraid of the truth, because that is what a non-violent effort is about. Non-violent efforts tend to expose hypocrisy and human rights abuses and all this sort of things. 
video here >>

Gaza Mobilizes for Freedom Flotilla
An international flotilla of nine ships and hundreds of crew and passengers is a huge undertaking, in Gaza as much as anywhere. Mahmoud Elmadhoun knows this better than most. A member of Gaza’s Higher Government Committee, as well as the Governmental Committee for Breaking the Siege and Receiving Delegations (GCBS), which is tasked with welcoming solidarity missions to Gaza, he just finished hosting the Miles of Smiles convoy of 55 European dentists. Now he could face one of the most daunting challenges in the GCBS’ history: Freedom Flotilla – Stay Human.
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Israeli Orgs Statement of Support for the Gaza-Bound Freedom Flotilla
We, Israeli organizations, Palestinians and Jews, declare our support for the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla and its declared goals: to break the Israeli siege on Gaza – both on the sea and land – which represents part of the ongoing Israeli occupation. We denounce the slanderous campaign of the government of Israel against the flotilla and its participants, and warn against the government’s use of these lies as justification for additional violent actions against the participants of this legitimate political protest. The flotilla to Gaza is a brave act of political protest, which expresses solidarity with the Palestinian people and the opposition throughout the world to Israeli occupation policies, the ongoing siege on Gaza and the collective punishment of civilians. Today the Gaza Strip is a massive prison for its 1.5 million residents, for whom basic rights are denied. The right of the Palestinians in Gaza to maintain direct contact with the outside world, their right to open their port, their right to receive and send ships, their right to import and export goods and to develop their economy, precisely as for Israel these rights exist. The state of Israel must end its direct and indirect control over the Gaza Strip, as part of its obligations grounded in international law and to end its occupation regime over the Palestinian Territory and to permit the existence of an independent Palestinian state in the 1967 borders. We emphasise that in contrast to government declarations, the very act of the flotilla is a non-violent one, and in case of an attack by the army the activists are preparing for opposition that is also to be non-violent. In an announcement from one of the members of the international coordinating team of the flotilla, which was issued in response to claims of the security apparatus in Israel, it is explicitly noted that “there are no weapons on any of the ships, and on board all of them are tens of international journalists who can attest to this. The passengers undergo training in non-violence and sign a commitment not to use violence.” We denounce attempts of the government of Israel to create an atmosphere of fear of the flotilla and to discourage participation in it. The government of Israel wishes to create an unfounded atmosphere of fear through knowingly spreading lies about the so-called preparations for violent resistance to kill soldiers, and the intention of peace activists participating in the flotilla to bring weapons with them to Gaza; in parallel, it is exerting unprecedented pressure on international journalists, lest they join the flotilla in order to cover it. This media campaign, intended to sow fear and hatred in the Israeli public, further arouses suspicion that an additional goal is to justify the harsh and dangerous results which are liable to occur in case of a violent takeover of the ships and harm to their passengers. We call on the government and security forces to permit the ships to enter Gaza and unload their humanitarian cargo in peace, and hope the ships arrive safely to their destination. We call on the government of Israel to immediately end the siege of Gaza.

For additional details:
Adam Keller: 054-2340749.
Ya'akov Manor: 050 5733276

Alternative Information Center (AIC)
Coalition of Women for Peace
Combatants for Peace
Gush Shalom
Hithabrut-Tarabut
Israeli Committee against House Demolitions (ICAHD)
New Profile
Ta’ayush
Yesh Gvul

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LATEST FLOTILLA UPDATES from the FPM Delegation in Athens July 2, 2011

Greece Issues Statement on Flotilla Policy

"Prohibition of the departure of ships with Greek and foreign flags from Greek ports to the maritime area of Gaza today.

Pursuant to a decision by the Minister of Citizen Protection Mr. C. Papoutsis, the departure of ships with Greek and foreign flags from Greek ports to the maritime area of Gaza has been prohibited today. ..."  read more >>

Flotilla Organizers Hold Daily Press Conference

Each afternoon flotilla organizers meet with members of the press for updates on the unfolding events.
See video of yesterday's announcements here:

FPM Delegation Awaiting Departure

The FPM team continues to work closely with the flotilla organizers as events unfold in Athens.  Yesterday, the US flagged US Audacity of Hopeattempted to leave Greek waters in route to Gaza but were met by Greek authorities and ultimately returned to port.  CNN (and many other press organizations) was on board and is reporting on the story including inspiring interviews from passengers like Hedy Epstein and Alice Walker.

The International Ship on which the FPM delegation will sail is planning to depart within coming days.  Updates including streaming video and social media links are available on our website.

Help us with your Donations 

The delays in Athens are adding to FPM's expenses.  However, we feel that the flotilla effort is too powerful to turn back now, and we know that our delegation's participation will be critical in bringing the issue to US media.  We need your help in maintaining our presence in this worldwide effort.  Please consider visiting our donation page here.

Help us with your Donations

The delays in Athens are adding to FPM's expenses.  However, we feel that the flotilla effort is too powerful to turn back now, and we know that our delegation's participation will be critical in bringing the issue to US media.  We need your help in maintaining our presence in this worldwide effort.  Please consider visiting our donation page here.

LATEST FLOTILLA UPDATES from the FPM Delegation in Athens

Largest Passenger Boat Joins Flotilla

The Egyptian Gazette reports that a large passenger boat will join the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.  This is the boat that FPM helped to purchase, along with the other partners in the International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza, and which will be carrying the FPM delegation of U.S. citizens, along with participants from other nations.

Our contribution to the purchase has nearly depleted our account, and we have yet to purchase our satellite phone.  We also expect Israel to deport us to New York, in which case all of our delegates will need tickets home and reimbursement for loss of possessions.  We therefore appeal to you for donations to support these and other expenses.  Please click here to help.

For the full Egyptian Gazette article, click here.

Irish Boat Sabotaged

An Irish ship, the MV Saoirse, will not take part in the planned freedom flotilla which is preparing to sail to Gaza because it has been sabotaged, according to one of the ship's intended passengers.  Read More >>

Senator Wants US-Israeli Op Against Flotilla

June 29, 2011

Military.com|by Bryant Jordan

A U.S. senator wants U.S. special operations forces to help Israel halt a Gaza-bound international aid flotilla that includes a vessel carrying a number of American veterans, one of whom is a Sailor who served aboard the USS Liberty, the ship that Israel infamously attacked in 1967.  Read More >>

FPM Delegation News & Video

• June 28, 2011 - Ex-Ambassador Samuel Hart speaks to Press TV
  - Press TV

• June 26, 2011 - American Indian Movement's Jimbo Simmons on Gaza Freedom Flotilla Delegation
  - Censored News

• June 25, 2011 - Jacksonville resident Samuel Hart, a former U.S. ambassador, plans to participate in Gaza flotilla 
  - The Florida Times Union

• June 23, 2011 - KPFK interviews Paul Larudee on flotilla plans 
  - Pacifica Radio

• Interview: American Indian "Jimbo" Simmons

• Interview: US Ambassador Sam Hart

Help support our work here!  

Take Action: U.S. Boat to Gaza Stopped From Sailing

Dear Milena,

Above: U.S. Boat participants in the Athens port waving signs and U.S. flags. Click to enlarge and see more pictures.

A few hours ago, we found out from activists in our member group U.S. Boat to Gaza that the Greek coast guard has prevented the U.S.-flagged ship The Audacity of Hope from sailing to the Israeli-occupied and -blockaded Palestinian Gaza Strip as part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla II--"Stay Human."

Currently, the ship is returning to port and we need your help today and throughout this holiday weekend to put pressure on Greece and the United States to allow the U.S. Boat to Gaza to sail and fulfill its mission of delivering thousands of letters of solidarity from the United States to the people of Gaza.

Here's how you can help:

1. We urge you to immediately contact the Greek Embassy in Washington, DC, by phone at 202-939-1300 and by fax at 202-939-1324.  You can find contact information for your nearest Greek consulate here. Tell them to let The Audacity of Hope leave Athens safely and sail to Gaza.

2. Call the State Department at 202-647-6575 and demand that it retract its June 24 statement that the flotilla and the U.S. Boat to Gaza are "irresponsible and provocative actions."

Demand that the United States stop threatening U.S. citizensacting peacefully to break Israel's illegal and immoral blockade of Gaza that their actions "could violate U.S. civil and criminal statutes and could lead to fines and incarceration." 

Demand that the United States ensures safe passage for the flotilla and that it ends U.S. support for Israel’s illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Above: Click to download our double-sided flyer.

3. Take to the streets this holiday weekend to be visible and to educate our fellow citizens that as we celebrate our freedom, the United States is supporting Israel in denying freedom to Palestinians.  We've just prepared this downloadable flyer about the Gaza Freedom Flotilla II and U.S. support for Israel's illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Download, copy, and distribute the flyer at your community's 4th of July celebrations and throughout the holiday weekend.

4. Find emergency actions or events near you on the website of the U.S. Boat to Gaza.  Add your action or event to the calendar by sending it to ustogaza@gmail.com.

Thank you for taking action to change U.S. policy to support Palestinian freedom this 4th of July holiday weekend, and stay tuned for updates by visiting ustogaza.org

In solidarity,

US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation


PS: Your generous support provides us with the resources we need to respond quickly to crises like these.  Please make a tax-deductible donation to help us continue our work to change U.S. policy to support freedom for Palestinians!