Secretary Clinton on the Flotilla

http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/06/166868.htm
Excerpt:
QUESTION: (Inaudible) flotilla (inaudible)?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, we do not believe that the flotilla is a necessary or useful effort to try to assist the people of Gaza. Just this week, the Israeli Government approved a significant commitment to housing in Gaza. There will be construction materials entering Gaza and we think that it’s not helpful for there to be flotillas that try to provoke actions by entering into Israeli waters and creating a situation in which the Israelis have the right to defend themselves.
MS. NULAND: The last question will be to (inaudible).
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, good afternoon. The armed forces of the Philippines needs, for once, or six, modern but affordable – and the operative word here is affordable – military hardware from the U.S. so you can have a credible response against external threats at home and the South China Sea. Do you support this, Madam, and can you give us your thoughts on the matter? Thank you.

http://electronicintifada.net/blog/ali-abunimah/hillary-clinton-gives-green-light-israeli-attack-gaza-flotilla
Excerpt:

Hillary Clinton gives green light for Israeli attack on Gaza flotilla

Submitted by Ali Abunimah on Fri, 06/24/2011 - 14:14

In comments yesterday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton seemed to lay the ground – indeed almost provide a green light – for an Israeli military attack on the upcoming Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which will include the US Boat to Gaza.

Among the passengers aboard the American boat will be 87-year old Kindertransport survivor Hedy Epstein, and author and poet Alice Walker. In all it is expected that about 10 ships, carrying 1000 people from over 20 countries will take part.

Here’s what Clinton said in remarks at the State Department on 23 June:

Well, we do not believe that the flotilla is a necessary or useful effort to try to assist the people of Gaza. Just this week, the Israeli Government approved a significant commitment to housing in Gaza. There will be construction materials entering Gaza and we think that it’s not helpful for there to be flotillas that try to provoke actions by entering into Israeli waters and creating a situation in which the Israelis have the right to defend themselves.

Clinton must know that Gaza is not part of what any country recognizes as “sovereign” Israeli territory, and therefore neither are Gaza’s territorial waters. Any boats entering Gaza’s waters would not in fact be entering “Israeli waters” as Clinton claimed. Clinton also, presuming she is properly briefed rather than misled, must also know that last year Israel attacked the Gaza Freedom Flotilla when it was in international waters and GPS data showed that it was actually heading away from Israel.

Rachel Corrie 5th grade speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrvMxeD7bz4

http://electronicintifada.net/tags/alice-walker
Excerpt:

Alice Walker

Israel army releases photographic proof of Flotilla "Threat to Israel"

Submitted by Ali Abunimah on Sun, 07/03/2011 - 16:08

In a move intended to convince skeptics to finally accept Israel’s claims that the Gaza Freedom Flotilla 2 poses a real danger, the Israeli military spokesperson’s office has issued photographic evidence in a blog post titled “Flotilla II Seeks Provocation, Poses Threat to Israel.”

Video: "The Audacity To Love" from U.S. Boat to Gaza

Submitted by Benjamin Doherty on Sat, 07/02/2011 - 12:53

The Electronic Intifada’s Ali Abunimah and other Palestinian and solidarity activists, scholars and artists appear in a newly released video from U.S. Boat to Gaza.

Hillary Clinton gives green light for Israeli attack on Gaza flotilla

Submitted by Ali Abunimah on Fri, 06/24/2011 - 14:14

In comments yesterday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton seemed to lay the ground – indeed almost provide a green light – for an Israeli military attack on the upcoming Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which will include the US Boat to Gaza.

 Walker on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and the struggle for justice

Ali Abunimah

17 June 2011

Celebrated American author and poet Alice Walker will be aboard the Audacity of Hope, part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, set sail this month. Ali Abunimah interviews for The Electronic Intifada.

• Read more about Interview: Alice Walker on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and the struggle for justice

US activists prepare to break Israel's blockade on Gaza

Alex Kane

10 June 2011

Final preparations are underway for the next big flotilla to Gaza, which is scheduled to occur in late June. The US Boat to Gaza will take part in the largest planned fleet yet, with an estimated 1,000 passengers from an array of countries collaborating to break Israel’s blockade.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_War
Excerpt:
The Gaza War, known as Operation Cast Lead (מבצע עופרת יצוקה‎) in Israel and as the Gaza Massacre (مجزرة غزة‎) in Gaza,^[36][37][38] was a three-week bombing and invasion of the Gaza Strip by Israel, and several rocket attacks on south of Israel which started on December 27, 2008 with a surprise air strike from Israel.^[39] Israel's stated aim was to stop rocket fire into Israel^[40] and arms import into the Gaza strip.^[41][42] Israeli forces attacked police stations and other Hamas government buildings in the opening assault, striking in the densely populated cities of Gaza, Khan Younis and Rafah.^[43]

http://roamingwithintent.wordpress.com/2011/03/02/myths-of-zionism/
Excerpt:

UNVEILING THE PAST Myths of Zionism by John Rose

March 2, 2011 by roamingwithintent

Papers from the Cario Geniza

There is little argument today against the idea that to be a Palestinian is to be oppressed on a daily basis. This is in sharp contrast with the once popular view on the left that the state of Israel could be seen in a socialist light due to the collectivist kibbutz settlements. There is, however, a profound need for clear theoretical analyses of the current situation and the history that led us to this bloody position.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/27/gaza-flotilla-reporter-ban-threat-review-israel-_n_885059.html
Excerpt:

Gaza Flotilla Journalist Ban Dropped By Israel

First Posted: 06/27/11 09:50 AM ET Updated: 06/27/11 10:25 AM ET

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The Israeli navy raided the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, which was part of a flotilla of aid ships bound for Gaza, last year.

JERUSALEM (AP) – The Israeli government on Monday dropped a threat to issue lengthy deportation orders against journalists aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla, in an attempt to scale back a crisis with the international media.
On Sunday, Israel's Government Press Office sent a letter warning that any journalist caught on board the flotilla would be violating Israeli entry laws and could face deportation and a 10-year ban from the country.
The warning sparked an outcry from foreign journalists and was fiercely debated in Israeli media.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that after the issue was brought to his attention he ordered authorities not to apply the regular measures taken against infiltrators and to find a formula for the reporters intending to take part in a flotilla that violates Israel's entry laws.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/04/gaza-flotilla-mv-rachel-corrie


http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2003/03/17/15838231.php
Excerpt:

Pictures of 23 year old ISM activist Rachel Corrie -- crushed by an Israeli bulldozer

by pictures
Monday Mar 17th, 2003 12:21 AM

Greg Schnabel, 28, from Chicago, said the protesters were in the house of Dr. Samir Masri.

"Rachel was alone in front of the house as we were trying to get them to stop," he said. "She waved for the bulldozer to stop and waved. She fell down and the bulldozer kept going. We yelled 'stop, stop,' and the bulldozer didn't stop at all. It had completely run over her and then it reversed and ran back over her."
-from Ha'aretz

23 Year old ISM activist Rachel Corrie


Rachel Corrie with fellow ISM members (Rachel is on the very right).




From this photo, there can be no doubt that the Israeli bulldozer driver could clearly see Rachel and that this was no accident.






Rachel's skull and rib cage were totally crushed by the US made and Israeli manned bulldozer (which is a US taxpayer's gift to Israel).


ISM activists mourn Rachel's death and show her US passport.


Candle light vigil for Rachel.

http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005260
Excerpt:

Passport issued to Gertrud Gerda Levy, who left Germany in August 1939 on a Children's Transport (Kindertransport) to Great Britain. Berlin, Germany, August 23, 1939.

— United States Holocaust Memorial Museum