From Stuart Littlewood
To Henry Bellingham, MP
Dear Henry,
This horrifying personal account of how the unarmed mercy vessel Irene was seized will, I hope, open the eyes of the collaborators in our Foreign Office to Israel's cruelty and viciousness. Perhaps you would care to share it with those of your Parliamentary colleagues who so admire and defend the vile regime.
Note the Israeli navy's instruction that “You are entering an area which is under military blockade and is closed under international law.” I think it has been established that the blockade has no basis in international law and I am still waiting to hear HM Government's expert view of how maritime law views Israel's action stopping and seizing ships under British and other flags and abducting passengers and crew going about their lawful business outside Israel's territorial waters.
It is also interesting that the Israelis were concerned that the Irene was entering an area close to an oil rig. Would this be the Israeli rig that's suspected of slant-drilling into Gaza's marine gas field?
Kind regards,
Stuart Littlewood
Violent seizing of the Irene Gaza aid ship
Showing posts with label blockade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blockade. Show all posts
Friday, 1 October 2010
Saturday, 26 June 2010
Demolishing Israel's lies about Gaza Freedom Flotilla: interview with ex-US Marine Kenneth O'Keefe
Please spare a few minutes to watch the following three-part video – a recording of an interview with former US Marine Kenneth O'Keefe, to be broadcast on the BBC's "HARDtalk" programme on Monday 28 June 2010.
Kenneth O'Keefe was one of the peace activists abroad the Gaza-bound Turkish aid ship, Mavi Marmara, when it was attacked by Israeli commandos who murdered nine peace activists on the ship.
In the interview, Mr O'Keefe eloquently, politely and calmly demolishes all the Israeli lies and justifications for the murder of the peace activists.
You may watch a recording of the interview on the BBC iPlayer by clicking here. Alternatively, you may watch the interview in three parts below.
Part 2 of 3
Part 3 of 3
Kenneth O'Keefe was one of the peace activists abroad the Gaza-bound Turkish aid ship, Mavi Marmara, when it was attacked by Israeli commandos who murdered nine peace activists on the ship.
In the interview, Mr O'Keefe eloquently, politely and calmly demolishes all the Israeli lies and justifications for the murder of the peace activists.
You may watch a recording of the interview on the BBC iPlayer by clicking here. Alternatively, you may watch the interview in three parts below.
Part 1 of 3
Part 2 of 3
Part 3 of 3
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Israel’s new humanitarianism
From Neve Gordon:
Last week, Israel permitted the transport of jam, halva and shaving razors into Gaza. Since September 2007, goods entering Gaza had been limited to a ‘humanitarian minimum’ of approximately 70 items of foodstuffs and medicines (4000 items were allowed in before the blockade). During a visit to Gaza in February 2009, John Kerry discovered that Israel had banned pasta but not rice, because the latter was considered a necessity while the former was a luxury.
After the flotilla fiasco and the widespread international condemnation that followed, it appears that Israel’s policy is changing and that Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is actually willing to broaden its definition of humanitarianism to include jam and halva. It is even possible that pasta will soon be allowed into Gaza. Browsing through a partial list of banned items, provided by the Israeli human rights group Gisha, one can only speculate which items will be the next to be allowed to enter Gaza with the adoption of Israel’s new humanitarianism.
Banned items
Last week, Israel permitted the transport of jam, halva and shaving razors into Gaza. Since September 2007, goods entering Gaza had been limited to a ‘humanitarian minimum’ of approximately 70 items of foodstuffs and medicines (4000 items were allowed in before the blockade). During a visit to Gaza in February 2009, John Kerry discovered that Israel had banned pasta but not rice, because the latter was considered a necessity while the former was a luxury.
After the flotilla fiasco and the widespread international condemnation that followed, it appears that Israel’s policy is changing and that Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is actually willing to broaden its definition of humanitarianism to include jam and halva. It is even possible that pasta will soon be allowed into Gaza. Browsing through a partial list of banned items, provided by the Israeli human rights group Gisha, one can only speculate which items will be the next to be allowed to enter Gaza with the adoption of Israel’s new humanitarianism.
Banned items
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Free Gaza Movement – breaking the medieval siege
The Free Gaza Movement is a human rights group that in August 2008 sent the first international boats to land in the port of Gaza in 41 years. We want to break the siege of Gaza. We want to raise international awareness about the prison-like closure of the Gaza Strip and pressure the international community to review its sanctions policy and end its support for continued Israeli occupation.
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Free Gaza boats break Israel's medieval siege
Al-Jazeera TV Inside Story: Gaza Blockade – Part 1
Al-Jazeera TV Inside Story: Gaza Blockade – Part 2
Al-Jazeera TV Inside Story: Gaza Blockade – Part 2
Sunday, 16 December 2007
Disastrous humanitarian situation in Gaza
In view of the fact that five months passed since the start of the harsh siege imposed on Gaza strip, all life aspects are being exposed to humanitarian crisis. This siege affects the lives of tens of thousands of innocent civilians. It also destroyed the fragile economy of Gaza and afflicted humanitarian, environmental and health facets for more than 1.5 million peoples in Gaza Strip.
The disastrous outcomes of this siege are obvious violations of international charters, human rights conventions, the Fourth Geneva protocols and the international declaration of human rights. Additionally, its flagrant actions of human being freedom that adopted by the free civilized world!
Believing in your crucial role, we appeal to you to end this deadly siege. We call upon you to alleviate burdens and sufferings of innocent Gaza civilians. Certainly, the siege ramifications and sufferings of people affect the possibility of spreading peace and security in the region
We urge you due to your crucial position in the world to intervene to end the siege and to give the population in the Gaza Strip, hope of dignified life like the rest of the people around the world, through responding to the following humanitarian needs :
1- Now, in Gaza more than 1.5 thousand of seriously sick people exposed to the risk of death, because of inability to leave. More than 40 ill cases died by cold blood due to closure! Patients are in urgent need of immediate treatment outside the Gaza Strip. Yet, they are not allowed to leave Gaza, thus they are facing a slow death sentence! What's needed is, to allow them to travel for treatment and conveying medicine to Gazans!
2- Gaza Strip is suffering from severe shortages of medicines and supplies needed in the hospitals, as well as a shortage of food and basic materials, what is required is to allow the entrance of medical supplies and life basic requirements to relief people!
3- In Gaza Strip, thousands of students enrolled in universities abroad, thousands of humanitarian cases and workers prevented from leaving Gaza strip. What's needed, is to allow them leave to attend universities, colleges, works and join their families .
4- The siege halted housing projects for displaced families and water projects, being carried out by UNRWA and other international institutions of value of (250) million, which resulted in the suspension of more than (100000) labors from work, and caused serious humanitarian tragedies. What is strongly required, is to allow the entrance of construction roe materials needed for the resumption of these projects
5- Reduction of fuel amount has severe impact on all life aspects, and this impact will increase by the start of winter season. What is required is to allow the access of fuel to prevent further calamities.
6- A full breakdown hit the agricultural sector due to the inability of farmers to export their products and import seeds and necessary fertilizers. What is badly needed, is to save this sector by allowing to export agricultural products and access of requirements needed to save the agricultural sector.
7-All factories, workshops and laboratories amounted of 3500 utility stopped working. This obligatory stoppage is due to unavailability of roe materials. Consequently, 65.000 daily labors lost their jobs. What is just needed, is to save this vital sector and labors!
8- Palestinian goods trapped in Israeli seaports amounted of 100 million dollars. The goods and commodities are very important and basic needs required for the daily life. What is needed is to quickly secure an access!
The previously mentioned calamities caused by Israeli occupation and they are obvious violations of human law. Depriving people from food, medicines, freedom of movement and basic life requirements. We are fully hope that you intervene to alleviate sufferings of besieged people in Gaza Strip. We are no asking you to fight Israeli, yet oblige it to abide by all international charts! We aspire with you to end the comprehensive siege imposed in Gaza Strip.
With all respect,
Popular Committee Against Siege Chairman,
Independent Parliamentarian in Gaza Strip,
Jamal N. El Khoudary
The disastrous outcomes of this siege are obvious violations of international charters, human rights conventions, the Fourth Geneva protocols and the international declaration of human rights. Additionally, its flagrant actions of human being freedom that adopted by the free civilized world!
Believing in your crucial role, we appeal to you to end this deadly siege. We call upon you to alleviate burdens and sufferings of innocent Gaza civilians. Certainly, the siege ramifications and sufferings of people affect the possibility of spreading peace and security in the region
We urge you due to your crucial position in the world to intervene to end the siege and to give the population in the Gaza Strip, hope of dignified life like the rest of the people around the world, through responding to the following humanitarian needs :
1- Now, in Gaza more than 1.5 thousand of seriously sick people exposed to the risk of death, because of inability to leave. More than 40 ill cases died by cold blood due to closure! Patients are in urgent need of immediate treatment outside the Gaza Strip. Yet, they are not allowed to leave Gaza, thus they are facing a slow death sentence! What's needed is, to allow them to travel for treatment and conveying medicine to Gazans!
2- Gaza Strip is suffering from severe shortages of medicines and supplies needed in the hospitals, as well as a shortage of food and basic materials, what is required is to allow the entrance of medical supplies and life basic requirements to relief people!
3- In Gaza Strip, thousands of students enrolled in universities abroad, thousands of humanitarian cases and workers prevented from leaving Gaza strip. What's needed, is to allow them leave to attend universities, colleges, works and join their families .
4- The siege halted housing projects for displaced families and water projects, being carried out by UNRWA and other international institutions of value of (250) million, which resulted in the suspension of more than (100000) labors from work, and caused serious humanitarian tragedies. What is strongly required, is to allow the entrance of construction roe materials needed for the resumption of these projects
5- Reduction of fuel amount has severe impact on all life aspects, and this impact will increase by the start of winter season. What is required is to allow the access of fuel to prevent further calamities.
6- A full breakdown hit the agricultural sector due to the inability of farmers to export their products and import seeds and necessary fertilizers. What is badly needed, is to save this sector by allowing to export agricultural products and access of requirements needed to save the agricultural sector.
7-All factories, workshops and laboratories amounted of 3500 utility stopped working. This obligatory stoppage is due to unavailability of roe materials. Consequently, 65.000 daily labors lost their jobs. What is just needed, is to save this vital sector and labors!
8- Palestinian goods trapped in Israeli seaports amounted of 100 million dollars. The goods and commodities are very important and basic needs required for the daily life. What is needed is to quickly secure an access!
The previously mentioned calamities caused by Israeli occupation and they are obvious violations of human law. Depriving people from food, medicines, freedom of movement and basic life requirements. We are fully hope that you intervene to alleviate sufferings of besieged people in Gaza Strip. We are no asking you to fight Israeli, yet oblige it to abide by all international charts! We aspire with you to end the comprehensive siege imposed in Gaza Strip.
With all respect,
Popular Committee Against Siege Chairman,
Independent Parliamentarian in Gaza Strip,
Jamal N. El Khoudary
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
