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Amazing

Israel embarked on a war against the good conscious and morality of humans around the world. Everyone can now see what is going on in Gaza. I hope the truthfulness of the cause has reached some media outlets. Several say that the flotilla was 'provocative', citing our own governments words, but hundred more said FREE GAZA! I have seen the pictures, the videos, horror stories from people and its overwhelming. I congratulate these men and women from sacrificing their time, energy and even freedom for some-  to help spread the word. Its unfortunate that Israel and the US have gone hand in hand with this; suppressing the truth and trying to eliminate a whole civilization.

Still yet, we need to continue to contact our US government officials. 

Don't stop calling, emailing, sending letters, walking into their offices,  banding together and spreading the word -
We cannot give up and we will not give up!

http://www.ustogaza.org

Held In Greece

An email was sent out from my beloved friend to everyone on the ustogaza.org list serve...letting us know that they were eating, waiting on porta potties to be delivered as they are being held, in solidarity with their imprisoned captain  - docked at port in Greece. I picture her smiling face, her whole face lights up when she does, its a comforting sight for me to see. I'm grateful that I can see her face aboard the flotilla, hand waving high, excited to go to Gaza.

But they are not going to Gaza today. Perhaps not tomorrow either. Not until our government gives in to the ideas and values that founded this country: FREEDOM was one of those ideas. Now the Audacity stays at port. Waiting for it's Captain to return, as he is imprisoned for leaving port against Greece's edict. His intentions were genuine and needs to be reprieved. A Swedish ship, Juliano docked at a Greek port was damaged - sabotaged to be exact. As well as the Irish ship Saoirse incurred engine damage while at port. Attacks are being wrought upon humanitarians and instead of assistance and help they are being slandered and the entire Mediterranean is now on lock down.

 So why not FREEDOM for PALESTINE?! Our government needs to relinquish its comfort with Israel and make a stand against their bff. This siege goes against everything that the US is supposed to stand for, yet we fund it. Every hard working citizen of this country is paying for the imprisonment of Gaza.

Some of the citizens of the United States have been molded to want justice and human rights, for the entire world. We have witnessed injustice committed in our own counties and steadily have been trying to abolish it. But racism, feelings of supremacy still plague the conscious of many. Our country has been through slavery, the Jim Crow Laws and  yet democracy prevailed, hope did too.

What do we have now? It is not a democracy when activists are arrested for peaceful humanitarian actions. Greece needs to free the Captain of the ship. Would the postman be jailed in Gaza for delivering these letters? Then why should the humanitarians delivering it be any different? These letters couldn't make it there any other way regardless. Israel and the US say that there are proper channels to bring aid into Gaza. They do not want aid, they want INDEPENDENCE!

 This is an injustice and a shameful part of our history as the US is the primary supplier to Israeli military programs that continue the siege on Gaza. 

 Please read this article by Joseph Dana, a journalist on the Audacity: The Battle Over the Gaza Flotilla

Article Links:

•  Stuck in Dock, Flotilla Activists See the Hand of Israel 
  
•  A Conservative Estimate of Total Direct U.S. Aid to Israel: Almost $114 Billion
•  Sabotage to Irish Ship Saoirse
  
•  Cost of Israel
  
•  Sabotaging Freedom Flotilla II
  
•  Scandinavian Activists Say Ship Sabotaged in Greece 
  
•  Gaza flotilla ship 'sabotaged by divers'
• Organizers: Gaza flotilla era may be over 
• Greece halts flotilla bound for Gaza 

NATIONAL EVENT - LET THE FLOTILLA SET SAIL!

I believe that since there is so much pressure on Greece to not let the Flotilla sail and our own government disapproving these humanitarian actions.  I would really love to see a national -  perhaps international event with everyone at the same date/time going to our US Officials, Israeli Consulates, etc....whoever is by our homes.

How in the world do we start a movement like this if that is the direction we want to go? I believe in the power of the people, but we need to be in numbers. What will our government be left to do if we all show up demanding that they support the Flotilla...will they continue to be a barrier or will they succumb to doing their duties, which is protecting our citizens.

Please share your thoughts...

Media Outlets / Sewage Pipes

I had no idea that the Jewish community, the Holocaust survivor, the Hispanics, LGBTQ, and several other groups aboard the Flotilla all have “ hate for Israel” which is why they are going? News to me; this is the garbage that is being spewed in Israel. The propaganda that is being floated through every media stream looks quite pathetic at this point. Here is the link if you want to give yourself a laugh:

http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=227277

 

Furthermore in the Jereseulum Post they continue to quote people in political power all saying that the “flotilla is a bad idea”, that it is “provacative” and that everyone should have learned a lesson from last year. Why in the world does that exclude Israel if they murdered activists in cold executionary styles???

http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=227243

 

PLEASE readers, I implore you to seek out information instead reading one article, agreeing with it and becoming brainwashed. Think for yourselves.

Aside from the media propaganda. The Irish ship has evidence, images showing the sabotage to their ship the Saoirse. The damage is so intense and was not intended to render the ship powerless to set sail. But rather head off to to the high seas and then the damage to the propellers and other components would have had a drastic effect: SINKING. This is a conspiracy to commit murder charge in my book. I am grateful that the damage was spotted before the Flotilla set sail. 

Today there will be a press conference in Dublin to discuss the sabotage of the Irish ship Saoirse. You can read more about this at:http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4089360,00.html

Nonetheless, the FLOTILLA WILL SET SAIL. Remember this isn't about just brining much needed aid. I personally don't care about proper channels to deliver that aid. The press is missing the important idea.

 WE NEED TO END THE SIEGE ON GAZA!

CAREFUL WHAT YOU READ:

Israel has gone to extreme steps to discourage the Flotilla and its supporters. First, it threatens death and imprisonment to the passengers, 10 year ban for all journalists and media, and lets not forget the economic pressure Greece now faces due to having the Flotilla waiting patiently to set sail at their ports.

Israel has claimed that there are accessible routes to provide aid to Gaza. What Israel and the international community at large is missing, is that Gaza does not want aid. The want/require independence so they can achieve economic growth; rebuild their demolished city, educate their youth, care for their sick, etc etc.

Here is the erroneous allegations Israel is trying to brainwash its constituents [also the constituents of the USA, since they are our best friend]:

• http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/idf-chief-israel-is-prepared-for-challenges-such-as-the-gaza-flotilla-1.370106
• http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=226885
• http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4088082,00.html

To read the response by the Flotilla please click here: http://ustogaza.org/latest-posts/

You can hear the hate in the peoples words as you read the comments on these articles. Some say 'Sink the ship to the bottom', 'These are warships and should be treated as such'. I hope that by reading this you have some belief in the goal here to end the siege on Gaza, let them have their own independence. Our activists are not terrorists, rather the perpetrator of suppressing the Palestinians are the terrorists. One culture cannot control another culture. That is simple basic human rights law. The USA has learned it's lesson with slavery, you would think that the Jewish community, especially those in charge, have learned from the Holocaust. There is a Holocaust survivor on the Audacity of Hope, is she suspect to having bags of unknown chemicals to kill the IDF? Let me guess all of our letters to Gaza is also a ploy and they all contain Anthrax....I can come up with many sci-fi scenarios. The truth is, Israel has our citizens in their hands unfortunately. I just really wish we lived in a country where the righteous were right and praised for it. May God Bless America, and steer this country right.

Beautiful to see the solidarity in Greece:

Democracy Now has made a report from Athens, Greece about the Flotilla.

It was wonderful to see the smiling face of my dear friend.

You must watch this video to appreciate what these people are doing:

Audacity Questions Greece Delaying Flotilla

Read More: http://ustogaza.org/latest/greek-officials-attempt-to-block-u-s-boat-to-gaza-from-leaving-greek-port-passengers-suspect-israelus-economic-pressure-on-beleaguered-greek-government/

Greek Officials Attempt to Block Flotilla from Leaving Port

For Immediate Release: June 26, 2011  GREEK OFFICIALS ATTEMPT TO BLOCK U.S. BOAT TO GAZA FROM LEAVING GREEK PORT PASSENGERS SUSPECT ISRAEL/US ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON BELEAGUERED GREEK GOVERNMENT Athens - Passengers on the U.S. Boat to Gaza, The Audacity of Hope, are asking Greek government officials to clarify whether the boat they are leasing is being blocked from leaving Greece because of an anonymous request of a private citizen concerning the seaworthiness of the ship or whether a political decision has been made by the Greek government in response to U.S. and Israeli government pressure. They specifically want to know if the U.S. is using its leverage at the International Monetary Fund over the implementation of an ongoing bailout of European banks with massive Greek debts to compel the Greek government to block the U.S. Boat to Gaza from leaving Greece. On the morning of June 23, the American passengers learned that a "private complaint" had been filed against the U.S. Boat to Gaza, which is part of an international flotilla scheduled to sail to Gaza in the next few days. This complaint, its origin still unknown to the Americans, claimed that the boat is "not seaworthy" and therefore requires a detailed inspection. On June 25 a police order declared that until the complaint is resolved the boat will not be permitted to leave. The passengers are wondering if Israel, which has extensive economic trade and investments in Greece, is using its clout to pressure the Greek government. "Israel has said openly that it is pressuring governments to try to stop the flotilla, and clearly Greece is a key government since several of the boats plan to leave from Greece," says passenger Medea Benajmin. "It is unconscionable that Israel would take advantage of the economic hardship the Greek people are experiencing to try to stop our boat or the flotilla." Given the very close relationship between Israel and the U.S., and the public efforts by Israel to denounce and try to stop the flotilla, the passengers on the U.S. boat want to know if the Obama Administration is using U.S. leverage at the IMF to compel the Greek authorities to stop the U.S. boat from leaving Greece. Greece's economic and political crisis is a result of extreme austerity measures imposed by the European Union and the largely U.S.-controlled International Monetary Fund. Past U.S. governments have used their influence at the IMF to impose political conditions on indebted countries that have nothing to do with restoring economic growth. Mark Weisbrot, Co-Director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington, said: "Greece is not going to be able to meet the targets that it is pledging to the IMF and the European authorities. In this situation the IMF and therefore the U.S. government will have enormous leverage because the Fund and EU authorities will decide what will be acceptable benchmarks for Greece to receive future tranches of IMF/EU funding." "We are guests here," said Robert Naiman, a passenger on the U.S. boat. "But we ask the Greek authorities to be honest with us. What is the origin of this complaint? Is the decision to stop our boat from leaving truly due to legitimate technical issues that can be resolved, or is it a sign that our boat will be stopped from leaving no matter what we do? What is the role of the Israeli and U.S. governments in the Greek decision to stop our boat from leaving?" "We have a right to protest the blockade of Gaza," said Ann Wright, an organizer and passenger on the U.S. boat. "To its credit, the Greek government, like the Red Cross, Amnesty International, and Oxfam, agrees with us that the blockade on Gaza must be lifted. But for years, the only effective international action to challenge the illegal blockade has been freedom flotillas. We call upon the Greek government, which agrees that our cause is just, not to stand in the way of our peaceful protest in pursuit of our shared goal of lifting the blockade. The boat we are leasing for this journey, after its refitting for the voyage to Gaza, was surveyed by a professional surveyor and successfully completed its sea trials. There is no reason for any further delays on this matter, we are ready to sail." ### For regular updates follow the US Boat to Gaza on Twitter: http://twitter.com/usboattogaza and visit the US Boat to Gaza website. GET ON BOARD THE U.S. TO GAZA CAMPAIGN VISIT WWW.USTOGAZA.ORG TO ENDORSE AND CONTRIBUTE Thank you for your support Please distribute widely

State Department Warns Flotilla & Passengers

Amazing how going abroad in free international waters means that you have to fear for your life. Bringing aid is 'provocative' and the appropriate channels are blocked and controlled by Israel....and the State Department agrees that 'Israel has a right to protect its self' - from humanitarians (including a holocaust survivor). Victoria Nuland basically says that the freedom of rights for Palestinians and Saudi Arabian women right to drive are not equally important. The human rights of Palestinians are not as important as women driving??????? Huh????? Did someone spike my morning coffee? Or is this a new sci-fi show I woke up to this morning? The proper channels into Gaza are controlled by Israel, if aid and freedom of oppression could be delivered by those channels I am sure these activists would have went that route. Unfortunately, using those proper channels is a fable, which is why the Flotilla exists because you cannot bring freedom and aid through those 'proper channels'.

You can watch the video here (if her insensitive smile is too nauseating, I suggest you read the conference further below):

Tell them to let our people go

To all: By now you’ve no doubt heard the news about Hillary’s people defining the about to take off Gaza flotilla as a “provacative act”! Could Obama be getting a bit nervous that he might have to take a stand? He may be nervous but not as much as the Israeli government that is throwing everything in the book at them to prevent them from even leaving the shores. Below is a partial dialogue from the State Dept. press conference where Matt Lee of the AP was a bit persistent in his questioning. I’m sure he’ll pay for it in some way but good on him as Molly used to say.

Reporters hector State: Is the blockade legal? What right does Israel have to ‘defend itself’ from humanitarian aid? 
by Philip Weiss on June 25, 2011

Matt Lee of AP is on fire. Be like Matt Lee, you docile bovine seven-stomached beasts of the mainstream media, grow a pair. And it looks like other State Department reporters are emulating him. Here's the video . And here's an extended excerpt from the briefing, below. Gaza is just about the first order of business. And listen to Lee's genius question toward the end about Saudi Arabian women driving and breaking the law. "It seems to me that's a pretty provocative act," too, but Hillary Clinton defends them. I have to believe stuff is shaking. Oh brave flotilla, be safe and make it to Gaza!!!!

QUESTION: This morning, Victoria, you put out a statement – or a statement went out in your name – about the flotilla. This is the  third warning in three days from this building or people in this  building about this. What is the big concern here? Are you – is there a  worry that this is going – that this may upend your efforts to get the  peace talks restarted?

MS. [Victoria] NULAND: I think this just continues a year of diplomacy  and public statements that we’ve had making clear that we don’t want to  see a repeat of the very dangerous situation that occurred last year. So  we thought it was timely to put out all in one place our views on this  issue, and I do commend to all of you the very detailed statement that  we put out earlier in the day.

QUESTION: Right. But is there a concern that this may have  broader – if it goes ahead, that there may be broader implications for  the effort?

MS. NULAND: We have seen some warming in relations between Turkey  and Israel, as we talked about I think it was on Tuesday. We want to  see that effort continue. We want to see those who want to aid  humanitarian situation in Gaza use the appropriate channels. There has  been some progress, as the statement makes clear, in opening the way for  more humanitarian aid. More humanitarian aid is getting in through  legitimate channels. So we’d like to see that process continue and not  have a repeat of the dangerous situation we had last summer.

QUESTION: Okay. Well, one of the things that the Secretary  said yesterday in – when – in her comments to this was that attempts to  go into Israeli waters were provocative and irresponsible. And it’s my  understanding that the flotilla organizers do not intend to go into  Israeli waters but in – they will stay in international waters. Is that  your understanding or is that not your understanding per what the  Secretary said yesterday?

MS. NULAND: I can’t speak to the intentions of those involved  in the flotilla. I think the Secretary was clear it was in response to a question yesterday --

QUESTION: Correct.

MS. NULAND: -- as you remember, so that also speaks to the  fact that publicly this issue is out there, that we do not want to see  the bad situation of last year repeated. We do believe that channels  exist for providing humanitarian aid to Gaza in a safe and secure way  and that that situation is improving. And we urge all NGOs who want to  participate in that to use those channels.

QUESTION: But does a flotilla sitting in international waters off the Gaza – off the coast of Gaza, is that a problem for the U.S.?

MS. NULAND: Again, I don’t want to get into the Law of the Sea issues here. I simply want to say that we don’t want to see a conflict at sea, on land. We want to see appropriate legitimate channels used for  the --

QUESTION: I understand, but in the briefing that just preceded this --

MS. NULAND: Yes.

QUESTION: -- you talked about wanting to – in another  instance, in the South China Sea, the U.S. has been very concerned about the freedom of navigation.

MS. NULAND: Yeah.

QUESTION: And so I’m not quite sure what the U.S. problem  would be with a flotilla that stays in international waters, whether  it’s off the coast of Gaza or off the coast of the Philippines.

MS. NULAND: I think we’re not talking about a freedom of  navigation issue. We’re talking about appropriate and safe and agreed  mechanisms for delivering aid to the people of Gaza.

QUESTION: So it’s --

MS. NULAND: So I think the statement speaks for it --

QUESTION: Well, but you believe that Israel is within its  rights to defend itself to take on or to prevent ships from going into  international waters?

MS. NULAND: Again, I’m not going to speak to international  waters, territorial waters. I’m simply saying that we are encouraging  those who want to aid the people of Gaza to use the channels that have  been established.

QUESTION: All right. And then was – on the flotilla – this is  on the Middle East – I just want to know, wondering if there’s any  update on the Quartet meeting in Brussels?

MS. NULAND: Simply that they had a good meeting today, they  did begin a conversation about when they’re going to meet next, and  they’re looking to do that in the next few weeks. But I don’t have any  specific announcements out of the Quartet today.

QUESTION: Is there – is the thought that the next meeting  would be at the principals level or is it going to be, again, at the –  at an envoy level?

MS. NULAND: I think decisions have not been made on that subject.

Yes.

QUESTION: To follow up on --

QUESTION: Just to – this is a follow-up.

MS. NULAND: Are we on flotilla too or are we --

QUESTION: We’re on flotilla. Just to make sure, does the U.S. consider that blockade legal?

MS. NULAND: I think the main point that we were trying to make in the statement was that we’ve got to use the channels that are safe, the channels that are going to guarantee that the aid get where it needs  to go to the people it’s intended for, and to discourage, in strongest  terms, any actions on the high seas that could result in a conflict.

QUESTION: Right, but again, that doesn’t answer the question  of the legality or the – whether the U.S. perceives that blockade as  legal or not.

MS. NULAND: I don’t have anything for you on legality here. We can take a stronger look at that if you’d like, but again, the reason  that the Secretary spoke to this yesterday when she was asked, the  reason that we’ve put out this very fulsome statement that points people in the correct direction, is because we want to avoid the problems of  last year, and we do believe that there are good and reliable channels  for getting assistance to the people of Gaza.

QUESTION: And just one more. I’m sorry. The people who are  putting this together have a rather elaborate website, and they say that – on that that the U.S. should be protecting the rights of American  citizens, protecting their safety abroad. So that is the argument that  they are making. They’re very disappointed and shocked that the State  Department would be warning people off. What do you say to that?

MS. NULAND: It is in the interest of protecting both Americans and other citizens from around the world who might be thinking about  engaging in provocative moves like this that we were putting out these  warnings so strongly in the same season where we had this problem last  year. We don’t want to see a repeat, and we do believe that those who  want to aid Gaza can do so and need to do so in the correct manner.

Please.

QUESTION: You kept repeating that they have available to them --

MS. NULAND: Yes.

QUESTION: -- proper channels and so on. What – could you share with us some of these proper channels?

MS. NULAND: Well, the Rafah Crossing, as you know, is open  again, and we have seen an uptick in the humanitarian aid that is going  through there. There are also channels through Israel, and we’ve been  relatively encouraged that the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza  through these appropriate channels is improving.

QUESTION: But the Rafah Crossing was only recently opened. I  mean, until then, it was completely closed. So that’s one issue. And  another: Could you clarify for us whether, in fact, the Gaza waters or  crossing through the Gaza waters, is that legal or illegal under the  Laws of the Seas and so on? Could you clarify that, please?

MS. NULAND: I think that’s the same question that Jill was  asking. And I will admit to you I’m not a Law of the Sea expert here,  but let me take the question.

QUESTION: Okay. And a quick follow-up on the Quartet: You said that it was a good meeting. Now what constitutes a good meeting? How  was the, let’s say, the meeting today different or improved the  situation from, let’s say, 24 hours ago?

MS. NULAND: Well, as you saw and as we’ve been discussing here for the course of the last week, David Hale has been involved very  intensively with the parties, with the regional states. For the members  of the Quartet, I think it was a chance to compare notes on diplomacy  that we’ve been doing, on diplomacy that other members of the Quartet  have been doing in our shared effort to get these parties back to the  table. So, from that perspective, there was a lot to discuss and then to take stock of where to go next.

Please.

QUESTION: Can I do a follow-up on the flotilla?

MS. NULAND: Please, yeah.

QUESTION: My understanding is that there were a number of the  Americans who planned to participate and went into your – I believe in  your Embassy in Athens and sought some advice. Can you tell us what the message to them in person was today?

MS. NULAND: I’m sure that the message to them in person was  identical to the statement that we’ve put out today, that we would ask  them to use established and reliable channels and to refrain from action that could lead to the kind of difficulty that we saw last year.

QUESTION: When you say that you want – you don’t want a repeat of last year, you want people to refrain from action that could lead to  the kind of difficulty that you saw last year, does that only apply to  the flotilla organizers or does that also apply to Israel?

MS. NULAND: We’ve been urging all sides, whether it’s the NGOs or whether it’s governments involved, that we not have a repeat of what  happened last year.

QUESTION: Right. Well --

MS. NULAND: And I think this speaks to the fact that the  neighboring states that – to Gaza have worked hard to establish  legitimate mechanisms, efficient mechanisms to get aid in so that people have a way to do this other than to risk provocative action.

Please, Jill.

QUESTION: Another subject?

MS. NULAND: Anybody – anything else on this? Lachlan?

QUESTION: Just one more on this. Yeah. I don’t think you said  it, but people at the State Department have said Israel has a right to  defend itself against these flotillas. What exactly would it be  defending against, though? That’s what’s not clear to me.

MS. NULAND: Like all states, Israel has a right of national  self-defense. Again, I don’t want to get into where the boat might be  and Law of the Sea and all this kind of stuff. We are simply saying this is the wrong way to get aid to Gaza. The correct way to get aid to Gaza  is through the established mechanisms which are improving, which are  open, and which can get aid to the people that it’s intended for.

QUESTION: But it’s just humanitarian aid, so I don’t see why  it would be – Israel would have to defend itself if it’s just  humanitarian aid coming in.

MS. NULAND: It’s the matter of all states to provide coastal  defense, but I’m – again, I’m not going to get into the Law of the Sea  issues here. We’re simply trying to make the point that we want this  done in a way that not only is going to get the aid where it’s intended, but is going to ensure that we don’t have dangerous incidents.

QUESTION: In general, would you say that the Administration, the U.S. Government, is – would advise anyone against provocative acts?

MS. NULAND: I think that’s a fair point.

QUESTION: It is. Okay. So you don’t see, when the Secretary  comes out in support of women who want to drive in Saudi Arabia,  deliberately violating Saudi laws and regulations, that – her support of that is – doesn’t mean that you’re not – I mean, I don’t understand  where you – if you’re coming out against all provocative acts, it seems  to me that that’s a pretty provocative act, and yet she’s supporting  that.

MS. NULAND: The Secretary was supporting the right of not only Saudi women, women around the world, to live as men do. She wasn’t  encouraging any particular course of action one way or the other. She  was simply making a strong public statement of empathy and support for  the campaign that these women are on to have these laws changed.

QUESTION: Okay. So a provocative act in support of the Palestinians in Gaza is not okay, though?

MS. NULAND: I don’t think we are supporting provocative acts  of any kind. I think you can’t equate these two issues. The Secretary  was simply speaking to the aspirations of Saudi women to have the laws  of their country changed. She wasn’t encouraging any particular course  of action for that.

QUESTION: Okay. Let me try and put it a different way, then.  You believe that because there are established – already established  means, the Israeli port where things are inspected and the Rafah  Crossing, that in this case, being provocative is unnecessary and unwise because it’s just not needed; there are other ways to do it? Is that – that’s the bottom line?

MS. NULAND: That’s certainly the case, and we don’t want further incidents. It’s not in anybody’s interest.

QUESTION: Is the regular blockade a provocative act?

MS. NULAND: I think we’ve gone as far as we’re going to go on this subject.

QUESTION: I’ll ask again. Is the naval blockade a provocative action?

MS. NULAND: We would consider it provocative and it would be dangerous to have a repeat of the situation that we saw last year.

QUESTION: But the current existing blockade, the naval blockade of Gaza, is that provocative action or is it not?

MS. NULAND: As I said, we believe that there are legitimate  and efficient ways to get assistance into Gaza and that those mechanisms are working and that we’re seeing, as a result of them, an improvement in the humanitarian situation.

Jill, are we moving on now? Yeah. Thanks. Please, go ahead.

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

Delays for the Audacity

Its a concern when one country can bully others with no consequence. Israel is using economic pressure on Greece to not allow the Flotilla to leave port. The ship has been surveyed and inspected and there is no reason for the delays.

Please visit this site to sign a petition to allow the Audacity and the Flotilla to set sail at:

http://codepink.salsalabs.com/o/424/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=7080

 

Thank you!

Thank you the support given by the Veterans for Peace and LEPOCO at today's demonstration. It was wonderful meeting each and every one of you!!!

The Nation: covering the Audacity of Hope

Joseph Dana is a reporter on the Audacity of Hope,  he mentions that the Flotilla as being "Israel’s Achilles heel". There is a holocaust survivor on board, 86 years old, as well as other people of Jewish descent. Israel cannot use violence against a holocaust survivor, and they will not. That's how hopeful, naive, and positive I am. Here is a link to his most recent article about the Flotilla and the new barriers they face, as Israel places pressure on Greece to not let the Flotilla leave port.

http://www.thenation.com/article/161633/gaza-aid-flotilla

You can also follow him on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/ibnezra

Calling all Pennsylvanians!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shortly, the Audacity of Hope is setting sail to Gaza. The boat contains 50 precious Americans, one who is a retired Social Worker in NYC who is my most dear friend.

I am requesting help from my neighbors in the Lehigh Valley to protest against any Israeli attack upon the Flotilla, whether they board or open fire we need do something if our Government will not. The US and Israel need to hear our shouts to allow safe passage of the Flotilla into Gaza.

I ask that we converge on 7th & Hamilton in Allentown, PA TODAY (June 25th) at 3PM.

*Sorry for the inconvenience but I had no idea I needed a permit and since we do not have one, PD asked that we abide 2 rules: 1) do not bring any signs that have sticks on them, or anything that can be used as a weapon. Just regular signs will do. 2)do not block pedestrian walkways.

This is the best website to read more about the cause and why I am doing this.

http://ustogaza.org/latest/u-s-boat-to-gaza-emergency-response-plans/

More information can be found at:

www.ustogaza.org

http://www.witnessgaza.com/

http://us2gaza.blogspot.com [more updates avail. here on my blog]

Please help me organize this as I am one citizen acting alone and am in desperate need of other supporters.

U.S. Boat to Gaza Responds to State Dept. Warning

State Department Officials Have an Obligation to Speak Out Against Israeli Threats to Attack U.S. Boat to Gaza     Athens, June 24, 2011 - U.S. peace activists preparing to set sail on the U.S. Boat to Gaza, The Audacity of Hope, expressed profound disappointment over a statement issued by the U.S. State Department on Wednesday, June 22, 2011. Instead of calling on the Israeli government to let a flotilla of unarmed civilians sail to Gaza, the United States government is pressuring its own citizens to refrain from legal acts.   On Wednesday, the State Department sent out a "travel advisory" urging Americans not to participate in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. According to the statement, U.S. citizens are advised against traveling to Gaza by any means, including via sea, noting that previous attempts to enter Gaza by sea "have been stopped by Israeli naval vessels and resulted in the injury, death, arrest, and deportation of U.S. citizens."   "Apparently, the State Department subscribes to the view that Israel's anticipated violence against unarmed protesters is an immutable act of nature," said Hagit Borer, a professor of Linguistics at the University of Southern California and a passenger on the U.S. boat. "This is a remarkable attitude, coming from a government that provides the Israeli government with billions of dollars in military aid and routinely uses its veto to protect the Israeli government from censure of its occupation policies by the UN Security Council."   Passengers on the boat noted that the U.S. State Department has a legal obligation to act to protect U.S. citizens when they are traveling abroad. "So far, U.S. government officials have failed to use their influence to discourage Israeli authorities from ordering a physical assault on us," said Just Foreign Policy policy director Robert Naiman, another passenger on the U.S. boat. "Of course, State Department officials have an obligation to speak out against threats to attack us. It is deeply disappointing that they have so far failed to do so."   Below is a copy of a letter the passengers of The Audacity of Hope sent of June 14, 2011 to President Obama, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and other high-ranking government officials. There has yet to be a response to the letter.   ### 14 June 2011   The President The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500   Dear Mr. Obama:   We are writing to inform you that 50 unarmed Americans will soon be sailing in a U.S. flagged ship called The Audacity of Hope as part of an international flotilla to Gaza.   Our peaceful demonstration will challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza, which has effectively imprisoned 1.6 million civilians, almost half of whom are under the age of 16. The blockade has impoverished the people of Gaza, deprived them of needed materials and supplies to rebuild their lives after the Israeli attack of late 2008 - early 2009, impeded those who are ill or infirm from seeking outside medical aid, and prevented students from seeking education outside of Gaza. 45% of the working age population is unemployed.   In addition to 36 passengers, 4 crew, and 10 members of the press, our boat will carry thousands of letters of support and friendship from people throughout the U.S. to the women, children and men of Gaza. There will be no weapons of any sort on board. We will carry no goods of any kind for delivery in Gaza. Our mission is from American civil society to the civil society of Gaza. We do not serve the agenda of any political leadership, government or group. We are engaged solely in non-violent action in support of the Palestinian people and their human rights.   In our country's great tradition of citizen activists taking nonviolent action to stand up to injustice, we sail in the hope that our voyage will show the people in Gaza that they are not alone, and that it will call attention to the morally and legally indefensible collective punishment of a population of civilians.   Mr. President, you have noted the unsustainability of the Gaza blockade. And your administration has spoken boldly in support of peaceful demonstrations throughout this "Arab Spring."   As U.S. citizens we expect our country and its leaders to help ensure the Flotilla's safe passage to Gaza - as our country should support our humanitarian demand that the Gaza blockade be lifted. This should begin by notifying the Israeli government in clear and certain terms that it may not physically interfere with the upcoming Flotilla of which the U.S. boat-The Audacity of Hope -- is part. We-authors, builders, firefighters, lawyers, social workers, retirees, Holocaust survivors, former government employees and more-expect no less from our President and your administration.   Our boat will sail from the eastern Mediterranean in the last week of June. We shall be grateful to you for acting promptly and decisively to uphold the rights of civilians to safe passage on the seas. Sincerely, The passengers of The Audacity of Hope Nic Abramson, Johnny Barber, Medea Benjamin, Greta Berlin, Hagit Borer, Regina Carey, Gale Courey Toensing, Erin DeRamus, Linda Durham, Debra Ellis, Hedy Epstein, Steve Fake, Ridgely Fuller, Megan Horan,Kathy Kelly, Kit Kittredge, Libor Koznar, Melissa Lane, G. Kaleo Larson, Richard Levy, Richard Lopez, Ken Mayers, Ray McGovern, Gail Miller, Carol Murry, Robert Naiman, Henry Norr, Ann Petter, Gabe Schivone, Kathy Sheetz, Max Suchan, Brad Taylor, Len Tsou, Alice Walker, Paki Wieland, Ann Wright     cc: The Honorable Ban Ki-moon, U.N. Secretary General The Honorable Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State The Honorable Jeffrey Feltman, Assistant Secretary of State The Honorable Susan E. Rice, Permanent U.S. Representative to the United Nations The Honorable James B. Cunningham, U.S. Ambassador to Israel The Honorable John F. Kerry, Chairman U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee The Honorable Richard G. Lugar, Ranking Member U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee The Honorable Robert P. Casey, Chairman Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs The Honorable James E. Rish, Ranking Member Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs The Honorable Howard L. Berman, Ranking Member U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs The Honorable Steve Chabot, Chairman Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia The Honorable Gary L. Ackerman, Ranking Member Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia        --- For regular updates follow the US Boat to Gaza on Twitter: http://twitter.com/usboattogaza and visit the US Boat to Gaza website.   GET ON BOARD THE U.S. TO GAZA CAMPAIGN VISIT WWW.USTOGAZA.ORG TO ENDORSE AND CONTRIBUTE Thank you for your support Please distribute widely

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Alice Walker on CNN and other news in Gaza

Please click here to read: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/06/21/alice.walker.gaza/index.html

I must be in agreement when Alice Walker says "I see children, all children, as humanity's most precious resource". 

For the children of Gaza there are no commercials, there are no mailings asking for food, clean water, they are suffering in silence as the world watches. We cannot even witness what is going on because the media does not show it. That's only in this country. Other countries who do not have strong ties to Israel and are not frightened to show the life in Gaza for what is is share this information. I ask that you take a look at the following sites:

• http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/06/13/weekinreview/13gaza-ss-3.htm
• http://justiceforgaza.com/ 
• http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE75L1ET20110622 
• http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/en/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd%2fF7pkgJUE53N3pZngd29EpuDjRoQtpyqSDTzJgpdHEzxrQ3Z6wbEUpeJM0LcJTeW1wTNgdEbAZAhOR2YD9Us4X

Here in Israel, the passengers on the Flotilla are depicted as terrorists, please pray for my friend, the passengers on board as the Israels are already practicing tactics on preventing the Flotilla from going to Gaza. (In case you did not know the Mediterranean Sea belongs to no one- and it is illegal to "seize control" of those waters since its supposed to be free, so what is Israel doing?????)

http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=226043

Freedom Flotilla II - Stay Human will sail to Gaza

Freedom Flotilla II - Stay Human will sail to Gaza

EFFECTS OF THE SIEGE

These statistics are sad enough, pleading to all countries to support the end of this siege.

• Hospitals experience power cuts lasting for 8-12 hours a day. (OXFAM)

• 95% of industrial operations have ceased due to the lack of electricity, production materials, and the ability to export their goods. (OXFAM)

• 25-30% of households do not receive running water. (OXFAM)

• 80% of the water supply falls below World Health Organization standards.

•  Nearly half of all children under the age of two have anemia and 70% have Vitamin A deficiency. (UNICEF)

• 80% of 4th to 9th graders are failing academically. (OXFAM)

• More than 80% of Palestinian children in Gaza reported being depressed in a study by the United Nations Development Program.

• Every day, 69 million liters of partially or completely untreated sewage--the equivalent of 28 Olympic-sized swimming pools--are pumped directly into the Mediterranean because it cannot be treated. (Red Cross)

• At least 30% of the arable land in Gaza lies within the buffer zone created when Israel built a wall around the territory. Palestinians are shot at when they attempt to farm this land. (Red Cross)

• In 2007, 18.5% of patients seeking emergency medical treatment outside of Gaza were refused permits to leave by Israel. (OXFAM) 

*Read more and go to http://ustogaza.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/GazaFactSheetfinal.pdf.

Freedom Flotilla 2: Message in a Bottle.mp4