Obama's stated position is that the blockade of Gaza must be eased. Currently Israel is severely restricting humanitarian aid to over 1 million people that puts many at risk for malnutrition. This has been documented by a many human rights groups and humanitarian organizations, as well as health groups.
President Jimmy Carter:
- Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are being "treated more like animals than human beings," former U.S. president Jimmy Carter said on Tuesday.
......
"I understand that even paper and crayons are treated as a security hazard," he told Gazans at a local United Nations office. "I sought an explanation of this when I met with Israeli officials and I received none, because there is no explanation."
Today from Cyprus a boat, "The Spirit of Humanity", laden with humanitarian aid (including crayons!) and reconstruction supplies has set sail directly to Gaza.
Will the boat reach its destination or will it be blocked (or worse) by the Israeli authorities? Will the Obama administration say anything to the Israeli authorities about protecting this humanitarian mission?
From the Press Release of the Free Gaza Movement:
The Free Gaza boat the "Spirit of Humanity" departed Cyprus at 7:30am on Monday, 29 July. Twenty-one human rights and solidarity workers representing eleven different countries were aboard. The passengers include Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The ship also carries three tons of medical aid, children's toys, and rehabilitation and reconstruction kits for twenty family homes.
Over 2,400 homes were destroyed in Gaza during the Israeli massacre in December/January, 490 of them by F-16 airstrikes, as well as 30 mosques, 29 educational institutions, 29 medical centers, 10 charitable organizations, and 5 cement factories.
Each kit carries a small amount of supplies for a single family, representing sectors of civil society currently being blockaded by Israel: Agriculture, Building & Reconstruction, Education, Electricity, Health, and Water & Sanitation. Although over 4 billion dollars in aid was promised to Gaza in the aftermath of the Israeli onslaught, little humanitarian aid and no reconstruction supplies have been allowed in.
Photos of leaving this morning here.
Quotes:
Mairead Maguire, co-winner of the 1977 Nobel Peace prize for her work in Northern Ireland:
"[The Palestinians of Gaza] must know that we have not and will not forget them."
Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney:
"[T]he U.S. should send a message to Israel reiterating the reported White House position that the blockade of Gaza should be eased, and that medical supplies and building materials, including cement, should be allowed in ... Will [President Obama] stand by his own words and allow us to provide relief for Gaza or will he back down?"
Huwaida Arraf, Chairperson of the Free Gaza Movement:
"Israel’s closure policy is a blatant violation of international law. We call upon our governments to take action to uphold their obligations under the Fourth Geneva Conventions. Until they do, we will act.
This voyage, like the ones that proceeded it, are examples of nonviolent direct action initiated by civil society to the injustice of governments lack of response to the crisis in Gaza. When governments do not take action we must take action. We should not wait for official sanction of governments. There has long been the case, and examples abound of such things in US history. An example of this is when abolitionists worked an "underground railroad" to free slaves from their oppression... they did not wait for government approval, but instead risked government sanctions.
From the Red Cross:
Red Cross: Israel trapping 1.5m Gazans in despair
By Haaretz Service
The Red Cross released a damning report Monday on the effects of the Israel-led blockade on the Gaza Strip, describing the 2-year-old measure as having trapped the coastal territory's 1.5 million residents "in despair."
The international humanitarian organization lamented the fact that the blockade, imposed after Hamas seized control of Gaza two years ago, was impeding reconstruction efforts after Israel's offensive in the Strip at the beginning of the year.
"Gaza neighborhoods particularly hard hit by the Israeli strikes will continue to look like the epicenter of a massive earthquake unless vast quantities of cement, steel and other building materials are allowed into the territory for reconstruction," the report said.
According to the Red Cross, Gaza's poverty is directly linked to the blockade that is "strangling" the local economy.
this cannot be tolerated. It is worth recounting the initial imposition of the siege on Gaza, as reported by Gideon Levy:
The Hamas team had not laughed so much in a long time. The team, headed by the prime minister's advisor Dov Weissglas and including the Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, the director of the Shin Bet and senior generals and officials, convened for a discussion with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on ways to respond to the Hamas election victory. Everyone agreed on the need to impose an economic siege on the Palestinian Authority, and Weissglas, as usual, provided the punch line: "It's like an appointment with a dietician. The Palestinians will get a lot thinner, but won't die," the advisor joked, and the participants reportedly rolled with laughter. And, indeed, why not break into laughter and relax when hearing such a successful joke? If Weissglas tells the joke to his friend Condoleezza Rice, she would surely laugh too.
But Weissglas' wisecrack was in particularly poor taste. Like the thunder of laughter it elicited, it again revealed the extent to which Israel's intoxication with power drives it crazy and completely distorts its morality. With a single joke, the successful attorney and hedonist from Lilenblum Street, Tel Aviv demonstrated the chilling heartlessness that has spread throughout the top echelon of Israel's society and politics. While masses of Palestinians are living in inhumane conditions, with horrifying levels of unemployment and poverty that are unknown in Israel, humiliated and incarcerated under our responsibility and culpability, the top military and political brass share a hearty laugh a moment before deciding to impose an economic siege that will be even more brutal than the one until now.
In the last few weeks, many politicians have been quick to praise grassroots citizens who take to the streets in nonviolent protest, and have rightfully condemned the brutal violence of a government against unarmed protesters in the streets of Tehran and elsewhere in Iran. Nonviolence action... it is right in Iran, it is right in Gaza. The people of Gaza have invited these people into their homeland. We must make sure that the Israeli military does not interfere with the right of Gazans to humanitarian aid.
You can follow the latest on this mission supporting basic human rights here. Please also consider calling your congressperson to support this mission and tell them to insure its safety of the boat and its crew.
you can also call or fax the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and demand that Israel not harm the boat, the passengers or the cargo. Their numbers are listed below. The more of you who do that, the safer the mission.
Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tel +972-2-530-3111
Fax +972-2-530-3367
UPDATE Halfway there! From Ramzi Kysia:
We've just heard from everyone on board the Spirit of Humanity. They are
almost halfway to Gaza, a little over 100 kilometers off the coast of the
Lebanon/Israel border. They're a bit tired, but everyone is in good
spirits and determined to reach Gaza. So far they have not seen any
Israeli warships or had any radio contact with the IDF. You can see their
latest position by clicking on the link below.
From aboard the Spirit, Free Gaza organizer Lubna Masarwa stated that,
"We're intent and unworried - we're sailing on. We will go to Gaza, in
solidarity with the people. We want to break the Israeli siege in a
practical way, and not just with words. Our message to Gaza - from all the
Palestinians in '48 and in the West Bank, and from all the good people in
the world is - You are not alone!"
their location as of just before noon california time. (if you see nothing but blue on the map, adjust the map so it pulls out some.
UPDATE: Israeli Navy Is On the Attack Oppose This Piracy!
Tuesday, 30 June 2009 01:15 Written by Free Gaza Team
We just spoke to the passengers. Everyone is OK, but the situation is still very tense. They continue to be surrounded by Israeli warships which are threatening to open fire. The Israeli Navy is actively jamming all navigation systems in violation of international maritime law, endangering the people on board.
Former U.S. Congresswoman, Cynthia McKinney, speaking from on board the SPIRIT, stated, "I am extremely angry. We demand that the Israeli government call off their attack dogs. We are unarmed civilians aboard an unarmed boat delivering medical and reconstruction aid to other human beings in Gaza. Why in God's name would Israel want to attack us and threaten our safety and welfare. I call on President Obama and the international community to intervene now to prevent this situation from escalating with potentially drastic results to the civilians on board."
Since the boat's navigation equipment is being jammed, it has turned westward in order to stay in international waters.The Captain and crew are working from the most ancient of navigation equipment...the compass to stay clear of Israeli waters.
CALL or FAX Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy at:
Tel + 972 5 781 86248 or +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242
Fax +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175
CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
Tel +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il
CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
Tel +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod.gov.il