The Israeli lies combined with media blackout on anything but their own version were apparently prepared long in advance of their planned massacre. Claiming they found weapons but all they could show is kitchen knives and construction tools (wrenches, water pipes etc). All cargo was listed on the ships’ manifesto that the Israeli ‘intelligence’ agencies could easily acquire and were freely available and meticulously documented by the organizers. The Israeli spin machine also claimed they were first trying to use non-lethal weapons including, and this is no joke, paint ball guns (funny that we did not see evidence of passengers with pained shirts but only blood soaked shirts). The respected media watch group FAIR detailed how some Western media (mis)reported of the attack on the humanitarian aid ships ‘Reporting Israeli Assault Through Israel’s Eyes: Attack on humanitarian flotilla prompts little media skepticism’ http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=4081
Reporters Without Borders urges the Israeli authorities to release a list of the journalists who were arrested during yesterday’s raid on the humanitarian flotilla and to say where they are being held. There were at least 15 foreign journalists travelling with the flotilla who still cannot be reached directly. These are the names of the journalists known to have been aboard the flotilla: http://en.rsf.org/israel-israeli-military-prevents-media-31-05-2010,37630.html
Some Western Media did a balanced job. Here is Democracy Now with excellent coverage http://www.democracynow.org/2010/6/1/global_condemnation_of_israeli_armed_attack
And while some western media dutifully reported Israeli government words of being sorry for the deaths and their verbal attack on the ships’ passengers (calling them terrorists or terrorist sympathizers), no media reported on Israeli fascists celebrating the massacre
in front of the Turkish embassy in Tel Aviv
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=6a3_1275348204
And also a video at Ben Gurion University and other universities.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB9GYd3jq_E
(According to the person who sent this ‘It is important to mention that in principle all political activity on this campus is forbidden, and that leftist activists demonstrating outside of the campus during the war on Gaza last year were arrested. This demonstration was held with collaboration of the University authorities and contrary to these same authorities regulations.”)
Most abducted passengers will be released and deported but four have been brought before ‘judges’ and will be tried by the apartheid state: Lubna Masarwa (Free Gaza Movement board director), Sheikh Raed Salah (leader of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel/1948 Palestine), Mohammed Zeidan (Director of International Advocacy Program for the Arab Association for Human Rights), and Hamed abu Dabis (human rights advocate from Lebanon). It is to try to scare others in the future. But the Rachel Corrie ship is already on its way to Gaza from Ireland in defiance of the Israeli terror tactics and plans for new fleets are already being implemented. Unfortunately, the US administration took the decision yet again to shield Israel from International law and make a mockery of the UN by refusing to demand a lifting of the siege (contrary to position of all other countries). So much for the change that those who voted for Obama had expected.
Caoimhe Butterly recorded a message before she was kidnapped. She is still unaccounted for
http://www.qumsiyeh.org/ofcowardicedignityandsolidarity/
Survivors of the massacre who are released tell their stories
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/02/gaza-flotilla-raid-gunfire-ship-blood
Sample Videos from demonstrations little reported in supine western media:
Bethlehem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOnsBKZknrc
New York http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BMxw1LnT50
San Francisco http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-ijKBugff8
Gaza aid flotilla: Israeli sabotage suspected
Israel’s military may have sabotaged two boats carrying Free Gaza activists after both malfunctioned at the same time in the same way prior to the raid
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/01/israel-gaza-flotilla-sabotage-suspected
The Elders group of past and present world leaders, including former South African president Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, on Monday condemned as “completely inexcusable” the deadly Israeli attack on a flotilla carrying aid for Gaza.
http://beta.thehindu.com/news/international/article442925.ece
Meanwhile the colonization activities in the occupied West Bank continue fast and furious. Bulldozers are tearing up the land all around us. Our friends at the Tent of Nations had demolition orders served for the few structures and renovated caves they maintain on the farm that also acts as a peace center (see http://www.tentofnations.org ). Our friends in Wad Rahhal are threatened with total eviction (if you are in Palestine, join us for a demonstration this Friday at 12:30 PM). The stories are endless in the land of apartheid. But resistance from brave souls continue (and our hearts and minds are with our friend Emily, a US visual art student who was targeted by the Israeli fascist forces and lost her left eye).
ACTIONS
Petition: call for independent investigation, accountability, and lifting the siege on Gaza
http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_flotilla/98.php?CLICKTF
Translate you anger into action. Other ways to help:
http://endtheoccupation.org/article.php?list=type&type=345
Mazin Qumsiyeh, PhD
A Bedouin in Cyberspace, a villager at home
http://www.qumsiyeh.org
Professor, Bethlehem and Birzeit Universities
Chairman of the Board, Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Between People, http://www.pcr.ps
