Tuesday June 30, 2009, 10:38 am
I love Cynthia McKinney. She & Dennis Kucinich are the Only true Liberals I know of! Thanks for the alert!

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 10:59 am
I pray for peace & justice for all, it's God-given right.... wish it would get more coverage in mainstream media...

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 11:07 am
Even the Nazis allowed Red Cross parcels into POW camps! Why do the participants in this conflict remain so intransigent and uncaring of the plight of the vulnerable?

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 11:29 am
An IDF Navy unit took over a ship that was en route to breaking the naval closure on the Gaza Strip, the IDF said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

After the Navy contacted the ship and realized it was headed to Gaza, the troops clarified that the Strip is under naval closure and that because of security concerns it will not be allowed to reach the beach of Gaza.

The ship, named Arion and referred to by the Free Gaza movement which sponsored its trip as the Spirit of Humanity, continued sailing to Gaza despite the Navy's warnings, and after refusing to heed consecutive calls not to sail to the Strip, Navy troops mounted the ship and navigated it to the Ashdod port.

The Arion's crew and passengers will be transferred over to relevant authorities, the military statement said.

The IDF added that any entity wishing to transfer humanitarian aid can do so through land crossings, after coordinating with the relevant Israeli authorities.

The Cypriot Embassy in Tel Aviv issued a statement following the incident, saying "The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Israel would like to inform that the "Spirit of Humanity" boat, sponsored by the Free Gaza Movement, that attempted in the early hours today to reach Gaza was given permission by the competent Authorities of the Republic of Cyprus to sail off the port of Larnaca in Cyprus on the basis of its declaration that its intended destination was the port of Port Said in Egypt."

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 11:55 am
We have just learned that a few hours ago, Israel illegally, in international waters, seized the 'Spirit of Humanity,' a boat carrying a cargo of humanitarian aid. The boat is being forcibly towed to an Israeli port.
Also seized with the boat are 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The boat holds medicine, toys, and other much needed humanitarian relief for the Palestinians living in Gaza under siege. Its cargo was searched and it received a security clearance by Cypriot Port Authorities before departure.

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 1:15 pm
Call Congress today: Let the Spirit of Humanity into Gaza

Jewish Voice for Peace
Dear Cheryl,



Call Congress today:

• Find your U.S. Senators' phones here.
• Find your U.S. Representative phone here.
• Don't know who is your U.S. Representative? Go here.

The Spirit of Humanity

We have just learned that a few hours ago, Israel illegally, in international waters, seized the 'Spirit of Humanity,' a boat carrying a cargo of humanitarian aid. The boat is being forcibly towed to an Israeli port.

Also seized with the boat are 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The boat holds medicine, toys, and other much needed humanitarian relief for the Palestinians living in Gaza under siege. Its cargo was searched and it received a security clearance by Cypriot Port Authorities before departure.

Call your Congressperson and your Senators today. Ask them to call the Israeli Embassy and to call the U.S. State Department demanding that the boat and its occupants be released, together with their humanitarian cargo, and that they be allowed to dock in Gaza.

Ask them what crime is being committed by giving the people in Gaza medicines, toys, and pencils?


http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 1:25 pm
It is inhuman , shame on Israel !!!

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 2:13 pm
You can take action there too: US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/641/t/2439/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27540

Tell Israel to Free Humanitarian Workers Aboard Free Gaza Boat!

On June 30th, the Israeli Navy attacked and captured the unarmed humanitarian aid boat The Spirit of Humanity. This is the second time that the Israeli navy has attacked a Free Gaza Movement boat while it was attempting to deliver medical supplies, building equipment, and children's toys to the Port of Gaza.

Take action below to demand the release of The Spirit of Humanity's crew and passengers!

Passengers and crew abducted from international waters by the Israeli navy include:

US Campaign Advisory Board member, Huwaida Arraf; Former U.S. Congresswoman, Cynthia McKinney, Irish Nobel Peace Laurate, Mairead Maguire; al-Jazeera journalists Othman Abufalah and Mansour Al-Abi; Khalad Abdelkader; Khaled Al-Shenoo; Fatima Al-Attawi; Juhaina Alqaed; Ishmahil Blagrove; Kaltham Ghloom; Derek Graham; Alex Harrison; Denis Healey; Fathi Jaouadi; Lubna Masarwa; Theresa McDermott; Adnan Mormesh; Adam Qvist; Adam Shapiro; Kathy Sheetz


--
Today we planned to tell you about the upcoming July 9th anniversaries of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling against Israel's apartheid wall and the Unified Palestinian Call for boycott, divestment and sanctions and how we plan to mark these anniversaries, but we want to draw your attention to an important development in Israel/Palestine. Today the Israeli navy attacked and kidnapped the passengers and crew of the Free Gaza boat, The Spirit of Humanity, including US Campaign Advisory Board member Huwaida Arraf.


The Free Gaza Movement, which has organized several humanitarian deliveries to the Port of Gaza via their fleet of Cypriot boats, had one ship, the Dignity, rammed by the Israeli navy in December. Now, the Spirit of Humanity is being towed to Israel, where the crew and passengers expect to be handed over to the Israeli border patrol. Take action to have these humanitarian aid workers released.


The July 9th anniversaries are even more important in light of the capture of the Spirit of Humanity. The ICJ ruling makes clear that Palestinians do have rights to their land and to freedom from life in the sort of open-air prison that the Gaza strip has become. While Free Gaza boats represent a form of direct engagement to support human rights in Palestinian territory, boycott and divestment act as the other side of the coin, nonviolently pressuring Israel to live up to its responsibilities under international law.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take Action

Click here to send an email to the Israeli Prime Minister's office, the Israeli Defense Ministry, the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, and your Members of Congress demanding that The Spirit of Humanity's passengers and crew are released!


You can also use our website to find out how to get involved in July 9th activities in your area. Click here to take action for boycott and divestment online. Click here to learn more about how you can get the global boycott and divestment movement into the media. Click here to find out about July 9th events in your area or click here to find out how to join the US Campaign at our two Washington, D.C. anniversary events.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Learn More

You can learn more about the Spirit of Humanity's saga by following the Free Gaza Movement on Twitter or by visiting their website, here.


Israel's kidnapping of international humanitarian workers in international waters is exactly the kind of state failure to abide by international law that the Palestinian Unified Call intends to end. Boycott and divestment actions offer a nonviolent, direct tactic for citizens to pressure offensive governments and stand in solidarity with those whose rights are being violated.


We urge all of our member groups and individual supporters to plan or participate in a local action marking the July 9th anniversaries. Click here to find out about events in your area. For more information on the anniversaries of the ICJ ruling against Israel's apartheid wall and the Unified Palestinian Call for boycott and divestment please visit our July 9th Day of Action web section by clicking here. Start following us on Twitter or join our Facebook group now to take part in our July 9th online actions! Our Twitter and Facebook actions are both part of a campaign to educate the public about boycott and divestment and to call Caterpillar and Motorola to account for their support of Israel's military occupation and apartheid practices.

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 3:35 pm
"The IDF added that any entity wishing to transfer humanitarian aid can do so through land crossings, after coordinating with the relevant Israeli authorities. " - - this makes perfect sense to ensure Hamas is not getting any ammunition so easily.

Those "activists" lied to Cyprus authorities about their destination, they could lie again about the content of their cargo.

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 3:47 pm
Rodger, if Israel took over a ship from Cyprus in international waters, let Cyprus protest it first. Otherwise, it defending Hamas supporters will not look right.

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 5:00 pm
Kidnapping, violations of rights, humanitarian aid...regrettable, but not anymore so than the holding of an Israeli soldier, Shalit, by Hamas without outside visitors including the Red Cross for over three years. The tough taste of ypocrisy isn't easy to take, is it. Those of you wo so easily defend human rights on one side and not the other in the Mideast cannot possibly stand for human rights at all, because those rights either exist for everyone, or for no one. Shame on you!

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 6:56 pm
Home News Advice for people in USA from Donna Baranski-Walker
Advice for people in USA from Donna Baranski-Walker
News

Tuesday, 30 June 2009 22:03
Written by Free Gaza Team

For those of you in the U.S., the information below is really important and may be very helpful. What we know now is that the boat is being towed to Ashdod. That is all we know. Greta

Dear Friends,


Within the past hour the Free Gaza boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, was boarded by the Israeli Navy, and according to Free Gaza's Tweet, http://twitter.com/freegazaorg, the Israeli military has issued a statement saying they have taken over the boat.


My contact at the U.S. State Department returned my call 40 minutes ago to say that they are in touch with the Israeli government and have been since the boat was surrounded some 6 hours ago. Overall, our State Department seeks to assure the safety of all on board and would like to see the boat get through as it is carrying humanitarian relief and cement to the people of Gaza, specifically aiding non-governmental organizations.


This is the right time to call your Senators and Representative to ask their senior staffer for foreign policy to place 2 urgent calls on your behalf. Ask them to call the Israeli Embassy and to call the U.S. State Department - and to call you back with what they learn.


Your Senators and Representatives, as strong supporters of Israel, are best positioned to urge the Israeli government to assure the safety of the crew (with four Americans on board, including former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, Free Gaza Movement chairperson attorney Huwaida Arraf, International Solidarity Movement co-founder and filmmaker Adam Shapiro, and nurse / filmmaker Kathy Sheetz) and allow passage of the boats, crew, and humanitarian relief cargo to Gaza. They can express concern and counsel restraint. They can make their calls in private, no problem, and their calls are the ones that always get a response. Please note that when Senate and Congressional staffers call the U.S. State Department, it strengthens the State Department's hand in negotiations with the Israeli government.


Do your best to connect with each senior staffer for foreign policy, but if you cannot get through to that key person just let the receptionist know your concern for the Free Gaza boat. Numbers matter now - so please ask your friends to call their Senators and Congresspersons too.


If you need help or coaching for these calls, please give me a call at 650 325 4663 - or send email to Contact@RebuildingAlliance.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we'll do our best to respond.


In Rebuilding Peace,
Donna Baranski-Walker
Executive Director
The Rebuilding Alliance

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 7:07 pm
One soldier compared to thousands of Palestinian prisoners...men, women and children!!!!? Operation Genocide!? And deliberate starvation of Gazan men, women and children,constant harrassment by shooting, wounding ,killing etc ... the list goes on and on, Plus the selling of stolen Palestinian homes. Their Owners now refugees in their own land.

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 8:15 pm

I will defend human rights on ANY SIDE! Don't give a crap whose! NEITHER side NOR ANY government in the world has the right to treat ANY human in this manner.If It is wrong for one it is wrong for ALL I will contact those who need to be contacted regarding this and the measly excuses people use to justify harming another and acting as badly if not worse,saying BUT they did this or that so that is the reason we are going to act like Brat children and do worse to them mentality is Stupid Childish immature and pathetic! It's a lame pathetic excuse to behave in a barbaric way -Are we sure the leaders of the world are over 10 years old? They act no better than that or perhaps Teenagers unrestrained.

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 11:34 pm
Faith, the title of the article is simply a lie - Israel did not attack the ship brining supplies to Hamas in Gaza: they impounded the ship. People will be sent home and supplies they brought will be passed to Gaza after inspection that there are no ammunition, parts for bombs, etc. Israel must be careful what Hamas gets - Hamas bombed Israel for 8 years!

Hamas is a SPIRIT OF TERRORISM, not humanity.

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 12:12 am
i wonder when the what so called "UN" will awak from its slumber!

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 12:51 am
Thanks Cheryl and noted. I wish I could say I was surprised but nothing the IDf Nazis do surprises me anymore! I am glad I had my eyes opened several months ago or I would probably still be one of those stepford Israeli supporters! But my curiosity and habit of always trying to look at both sides of anything won and my eyes were opened! I will always support people of the Jewish faith but never the IDF/Mossad again! Never again!

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 2:13 am
letters sent this is outragious

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 4:23 am
why do you all think it was boarded??? because many times in the past WEAPONS were hidden on HUMANATARIAN aid ships..this is nothing new ..if you were israel you would have done the same thing to prevent another suicide/rocket attack on civillians...pretty easy to understand

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 6:21 am
Rodger, you can call me and others Israeli counter information 'agents' and consider CARE2 being "anti-Israeli site" - we have a right for free speech here in the West.

Just remember, that there are many more reasons to call you, Rodger, and a bunch of others around here, to be Hamas/Hezbolla propagandists, considering your efforts to find all sorts of questionable or outright lying sources tuned to those entities, the and misleading and appealing art, done by professionals that you employ.

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 7:17 am
Thanks Cheryl. this is still happening?????

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 7:57 am
Pete u referrin to Joshsco's multiple fake profiles care2 has a hard time keeping up wiht and deleting they deleted another yesteday, JUST FLAG THEM Joek, And Dan Jones,

OTHERWISE YES.



Kidnapped Passengers from the Spirit of Humanity include:

Khalad Abdelkader, Bahrain
Khalad is an engineer representing the Islamic Charitable Association of Bahrain.

Othman Abufalah, Jordan
Othman is a world-renowned journalist with al-Jazeera TV.

Khaled Al-Shenoo, Bahrain
Khaled is a lecturer with the University of Bahrain.

Mansour Al-Abi, Yemen
Mansour is a cameraman with Al-Jazeera TV.

Fatima Al-Attawi, Bahrain
Fatima is a relief worker and community activist from Bahrain.

Juhaina Alqaed, Bahrain
Juhaina is a journalist & human rights activist.

Huwaida Arraf, US
Huwaida is the Chair of the Free Gaza Movement and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage.

Ishmahil Blagrove, UK
Ishmahil is a Jamaican-born journalist, documentary film maker and founder of the Rice & Peas film production company. His documentaries focus on international struggles for social justice.

Kaltham Ghloom, Bahrain
Kaltham is a community activist.

Derek Graham, Ireland
Derek Graham is an electrician, Free Gaza organizer, and first mate aboard the Spirit of Humanity.

Alex Harrison, UK
Alex is a solidarity worker from Britain. She is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.

Denis Healey, UK
Denis is Captain of the Spirit of Humanity. This will be his fifth voyage to Gaza.

Fathi Jaouadi, UK
Fathi is a British journalist, Free Gaza organizer, and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage.

Mairead Maguire, Ireland
Mairead is a Nobel laureate and renowned peace activist.

Lubna Masarwa, Palestine/Israel
Lubna is a Palestinian human rights activist and Free Gaza organizer.

Theresa McDermott, Scotland
Theresa is a solidarity worker from Scotland. She is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.

Cynthia McKinney, US
Cynthia McKinney is an outspoken advocate for human rights and social justice issues, as well as a former U.S. congressperson and presidential candidate.

Adnan Mormesh, UK
Adnan is a solidarity worker from Britain. He is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.

Adam Qvist, Denmark
Adam is a solidarity worker from Denmark. He is traveling to Gaza to do human rights monitoring.

Adam Shapiro, US
Adam is an American documentary film maker and human rights activist.

Kathy Sheetz, US
Kathy is a nurse and film maker, traveling to Gaza to do human rights monitoring.
July 1/09 from Gazafriends


gazafriends
...
gazafriends
...

updates on passengers detention
...
updates on passengers detention
No word where passengers are. Only a few text messages. Call the Israeli authorities and insist they be released. Outrageous.
about 1 hour ago from web
Passengers are fine but outraged. Will know more today. Most want to get back on boat and go to Gaza. We will not stop trying to come.
about 4 hours ago from web
Thanks to all who have called, emailed, texted your outrage. Thousands contacted Israeli officials, hundreds contacted local government.
about 4 hours ago from web
Spoke to Shlomo Dror who likes to scream. He insisted that Israel has right to inspect
Waiting to hear from attorneys about kidnapped passengers. Boat going to Ashdod. Israel continuing to commit war crimes, now against us.
about 17 hours ago from web

thank you

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 8:19 am
THEY WERE IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS, THE ISRAEL TERRORISTS WERE JAMMING THEIR FREQUENCIES AS WELL. Israel does not OWN GAZA or the WATERS AROUND IT or PALESTINE/WEST BANK. But they sure want the water UNDER IT & the Gas offshore off GAZA.

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 8:27 am
Marty, I have Jewish friends, all those Jewish to not support Israel or are Israeli. I subscribe to jewish voices for peace and peace now - the latter is a real turn off & I've talked to their communications rep, who couldn;t evenrespond approproately to questions put forth to him, , however Jewish Voices for peace, much more active and sincere for the Palestinians, however, truely the Palestinian org's have the best intent for Palestinians. And Nazi's is right many in Israeli refer to their country acting in the same way as the Nazi's and are ashamed as well as worldwide and are protesting but being jailed, they are burning the israeli flag, it's not enough. someone in israel said, if there wasnt so much fear there could be civil war between Israeli factions, the left and right.

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 8:34 am
I am aware Hamas is being a nasty brat child- I am also aware Israel is also- all Israel has done with these kinds of actions is insure that Hamas has plenty of people growing up right now that will become terrorist with these tactics they are playing into Hamas hands- While insuring all stuff on boat is legit -that is good -One would think they would wait till it was no longer in International waters before Boarding and one would think that a simple call to inspect boat would have been enough- and one would think there was no need to remove passengers and supplies from boat - all would be well with the supplies once inspection had been done- and if Israel actually delivered the supplies which it has not been doing many times there would be no Cynthia McKinney on the boat. She would have made an awesome prez. so this whole story smacks of something sneaky and non legit and I do not believe for one second Israel or Hamas have any intention of being peaceful and I have said it before I will say it again- The children and the women are the ones who are suffering while those madmen play war games and power crap games at their expence and for what ever the excuse is this time here is the end results-Babies and children will go to bed this night just like any other night without food medicine or basic human needs -not because of any other cause but a large dose of failure to have any thing other than hatred and self preservartion with an overlarge dose of pride rather than a large dose of humanity- Bottom line this is all about My God is bigger than your God and therefore I get to kill U because I am chosen U are not God gave it to me not U- That is what started this whole mess and it has escalated with both sides doing tit for tat with big boy toys that leave Blood and night mares in their wake.Now they are all so paronoid and can't stop till somewhere someone has the guts to reach beyond what has been done and walk the hardest road forgiveness and acceptance of us all as members of the five fingured race-no matter what the other side is doing. they would have to put aside their hatred and do what is best-put aside their power mad selves and their fears and walk strong in heart and neither side has the guts to do it and when it is tried Both activily stamp on it to destroy it.- I am way beyond tired of excuses that bring nothing but the mentality of a hamster on a wheel.

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 8:51 am
Joe K. U said
Hamas is a SPIRIT OF TERRORISM, not humanity.
My reply
And that justifies being as bad in a different way as the people you are worried about HOW?
They have stared so long in the mirror they have become what they fought against. Now both sides are equal in their cruelty Like I said hamster on a wheel mentality

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 9:02 am
Oh and Hamas is Not Palestine children.
Hamas is a political doctrine that has the voices of megalomaniac males and so does Israel government. Both sides claim they are for the people I can see that clearly can't You ? NOT!If the leaders want to fight then they should be put in an arena or on a Island far far away and they can fight and while they are killing each other I bet the people would get along much better with out them and their propaganda spewing fear mongering hate spreading garbage.

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 9:23 am
Cheri, dear, nice to see you coming back to your previous capacity, I remember you managed to place 15 posts in 1 hour the other day, with advertized limit of one post in 15 min! Still, don't get too excited, even if your Hamas support mission is in jeopardy, because everyone has to follow discussion rules specified in Care2 and not to insult other members.

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 9:39 am
Faith, Israel is not like Hamas: Israelis don't teach in school to kill Arabs, they keep Arabic as an offician language together with Hebrew, they gave Arab citizen the same rights as the one given to the Jews, and they don't kill Jews selling land to Arabs. Hamas does NOT do anything similar, there is no ground to equate them. There is nothing in Israel similar to child cartoons in PA, where Jews and Israelis represented by vicious monsters-killers.

For many years, Israel tried to be nice and avoid the war. There was no mirror, it was a window with Hamas terrorism was watching through. For eight years Hamas was bombing civilians without getting bombed back. But at some point even the nicest guy decides to fight back, because otherwise it becomes stupid and criminal for the Israeli government to ignore sugffering of its own people for the same of people living under Hamas.

I agree with you that children are not Hamas. Well-being of children is foremost responsibility of their parents. When those adults voted for Hamas with clearly militant agenda, they knew the war could be coming and made that choice. Israeli civilians don't have to lose their lives to Hamas rockets because of somebody may help Hamas to smuggle a rocket, or two.

Israel offered Arabs peace a number of times, always to be rejected. Including the recent government elected from rightist parties. Arabs don't want to recognized Israel as a Jewish state, i.e. accept their Arab brothern held as refugees in Syria and Lebanon without rights, and this is the main part while the war is going on.

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 10:05 am
Hey Joe K. why don't you have any "friends" on Care2, why no photo? why no info on your page, why no activity?- because you are an israeli info bug. At least tell the truth about something! If you want documentation about Israel not being the all suffering, all good victim of Hamas check out my group: ISRAELI ABUSE/DISCRIMINATION TO PALESTINIANS/ARABS. or check out the many fair wesites documenting the conflict between Israel and Palestine. But please, we want balanced discussion- not propganda!

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 10:35 am
Rodger, I do have friends on Care2. I respect my privacy as well.

Hamas supporters talk about "Jewish voices for peace". You play show ISRAELI ABUSE/DISCRIMINATION TO PALESTINIANS/ARABS and call them "balanced discussions". Am I among stand-up comedians?

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 10:38 am
Yes, I do. I suppose you can't say that there is racism and discrimination in Israel against Arabs. Yes or No?

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 11:05 am
Israel is a racist state born and founded on racism. Joe k is a fake profile and has had a load of them ongoing problem with care2 since the gaza masscre. any friends joshco & his 10 at least profiles may have that I know of are of 3 prior on c2 . It's best to ignore and just flag, that is what care2 has told us to do, this has been brought up repeatedly in care2 suggestions and feedback and with care2 staff themsevles, adn that is what they say to do. He was not banned for other reasons than that he claims/ he/she, joscho/sascho./alex/roger/nadya/don/Joe.

I will add COWARD if it is a care2 member and not joshco who is a standing membet to post with their own profile pic

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 11:39 am
PETITION PLEASE Sign, share, forward, post to ur profiles, Israel kidnapped what 21 human rights activists on the Spirit going to gaza in International Waters & are still detained, they jammed their radio frequencies as well THEY ARE TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL AS USUAL please forward the petition, thank YOU

http://www.care2.com/news/member/760164053/1181630

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 12:53 pm
The situation can be summed up in one word: GENOCIDE.


Last Updated: Monday, June 29, 2009, 10:30

Gaza 'sliding deeper into despair'

Six months after Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip, 1.5 million Palestinians remain trapped in rising poverty, unable to rebuild their lives, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said today.

Stringent import restrictions imposed by Israel are crippling reconstruction efforts by donors who have pledged $4.5 billion, it said. Basic medicines are in short supply and the water and sanitation system is on the brink of collapse.

The humanitarian agency called on Israeli authorities to lift the restrictions and allow spare parts, water pipes and building materials into the Hamas-ruled coastal territory devastated by the December 27th-January 18th offensive.

"Gaza neighbourhoods particularly hard hit by the Israeli strikes will continue to look like the epicentre of a massive earthquake unless vast quantities of cement, steel and other building materials are allowed into the territory for reconstruction," the ICRC said in a report.

Israeli forces bombed and then invaded Gaza to root out militants firing rockets into southern Israel. According to a Palestinian rights group, 1,417 people including 926 civilians were killed, along with 10 Israeli soldiers and 3 civilians.

Many Gazans are "sliding ever deeper into despair", with thousands whose homes and belongings were destroyed still lacking adequate shelter, the Geneva-based ICRC said. Hospitals are run down, with much of their equipment unreliable and in need of repair after daily power cuts.

"Gaza's health-care system cannot provide the treatment that many patients suffering from serious illness require. Tragically, a number of them are not allowed to leave the Strip in time to seek health care elsewhere," it said.

Some 100-150 people who lost limbs in the military operation are waiting to be fitted with artificial limbs, according to the ICRC which runs a physical rehabilitation centre in Gaza. "The fact that water and sanitation services could collapse at any moment raises the spectre of a major public health crisis," the ICRC added.

Each day, 69 million litres of partially treated or completely untreated sewage - the equivalent of 28 Olympic-size swimming pools -- are pumped directly into the Mediterranean because they cannot be treated, it said.

The collapse of Gaza's economy due to the closure led to 44 per cent unemployment in April and a "dramatic increase in poverty". More than 70 per cent of Gazans live in poverty, with income of less than $250 a month for a family of up to nine.

"The declining living standards will have a negative effect on the health and wellbeing of the population in the long term. Worst affected are the children, who make up more than half of Gaza's population," said Antoine Grand, head of its 109-strong delegation deployed in Gaza.

Reuters
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0629/breaking27.htm

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 5:11 pm
Cheri, my darling, only a person with VERY sick imagination can call Israel a racist country, especially,when talking about ME. Keep pressing Care2 to delete accounts everyone who disagrees with your Hamas agenda. Looks like you are very successfull: people started dropping Care2 because they get tired of answering all idiocies posted here.

You learnt from the Iranians, right - just hang up 6 protesting guys, and protests will wind down by themselves. Quickly and efficiently. Then nobody bothers you to critisize Israel as much as you wish.

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 5:17 pm
Rodger, there is no racism in Israel against Arabs - Jews and Arabs belong to the same race.

I am not aware of official policy of discrimination agains Arab citizen. There are Arab ministers, generals, professionals, etc. There could be inidividuals both Jews and Arabs hating each other, and discrinating against each other. Fair enough?

Please forgive me if I can't answer your posts for some time, because Cheri and other open Hamas supporters press Care2 to delete accounts Israeli supporters. If you noticed, quite a few of them are gone now. You can try for yourself - create something pro-Israel and see how fast you will be kicked out of here.

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 5:23 pm
Give me a break. this is the Warsaw Ghetto revisited, except this time it's Arabs and Jews are the oppressors.The only thing Israel has asked for, and continues to ask for in order to end the state of war with the Palestinians and its Arab neighbours, is that all recognise its right to be a racist state that discriminates by law against Palestinians and other Arabs and grants differential legal rights and privileges to its own Jewish citizens and to all other Jews anywhere. The resistance that the Palestinian people and other Arabs have launched against Israel's right to be a racist state is what continues to stand between Israel and the peace for which it has struggled and to which it has been committed for decades. Indeed, this resistance is nothing less than the "New anti- Semitism".
Israel is willing to do anything to convince Palestinians and other Arabs of why it needs and deserves to have the right to be racist. Even at the level of theory, and before it began to realise itself on the ground, the Zionist colonial project sought different means by which it could convince the people whose lands it wanted to steal and against whom it wanted to discriminate to accept as understandable its need to be racist. All it required was that the Palestinians "recognise its right to exist" as a racist state. Military methods were by no means the only persuasive tools available; there were others, including economic and cultural incentives. Zionism from the start offered some Palestinians financial benefits if they would accede to its demand that it should have the right to be racist. Indeed, the State of Israel still does. Many Palestinian officials in the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organisation have been offered and have accepted numerous financial incentives to recognise this crucial Israeli need. Those among the Palestinians who regrettably continue to resist are being penalised for their intransigence by economic choking and starvation, supplemented by regular bombardment and raids, as well as international isolation. These persuasive methods, Israel hopes, will finally convince a recalcitrant population to recognise the dire need of Israel to be a racist state. After all, Israeli racism only manifests in its flag, its national anthem, and a bunch of laws that are necessary to safeguard Jewish privilege, including the Law of Return (1950), the Law of Absentee Property (1950), the Law of the State's Property (1951), the Law of Citizenship (1952), the Status Law (1952), the Israel Lands Administration Law (1960), the Construction and Building Law (1965), and the 2002 temporary law banning marriage between Israelis and Palestinians of the occupied territories.

Let us start with why Israel and Zionism need to ensure that Israel remains a racist state by law and why it deserves to have that right. The rationale is primarily threefold and is based on the following claims."
Read the rest and weep:
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article6679.shtml

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 11:48 pm
Judy Cross, why do you call Israel racist? Do Israelis treat its Arab citizen as dhimmies? Do they condemn to death Jews selling land to Arabs? Don't they have Arabic language as an official state language together with Hebrew? Do they blow up synagogues of those with different denomination? Calling Israel "racist" is just insult to readers' intelligence.

Don't you want Judy to look at the mirror from time to time, and see how Arab countries treat Jews, Christians, Bahai and other numerous minorities? How come all the "NOBLE" anger it focused on Israel, and not on countires with real racist laws?

Future Arab country in Palestine will have right of return for Arabs. Israel has a right of return to Jews. Greece has such right for Greeks. India for Indians. What is your point here, if any?

Thursday July 2, 2009, 1:10 am
If little trolls had a brain they would understand that the "situation" which "can be summed up in one word: GENOCIDE." was a short intro to the article posted below."Gaza 'sliding deeper into despair' "

This despair and desperate situation is caused by Israel - ON PURPOSE.

And the Spirit of Humanity is not just a beautiful and desperate attempt to bring some relief to the Palestinian People, it is also a SYMBOL of humanity and international SOLIDARITY. (But how could a troll know what these words mean?) Humanity and solidarity are the only things that can save a nation in despair due to oppression and constant attacks by a mini super power run by a racist and fascist government.

The spirit of Humanity has litterally been attacked. But make no mistake, Humanity and free spirits will die only with the last man on woman on earth. The fight goes on, with international support!

Thursday July 2, 2009, 8:55 am
Hamas has beaten Israel at the propaganda game. Israel has played into the hands of Terrorist by their actions of response regarding.
Lets look at war.
The goals of war/armed conflict- the end results are these-To conquer,take over,silence, get rid of,an opposition party. War by it's nature is not a respecter of age,gender,or religion.
I grew up watching the people of Israel being bombed by suicide bombers on the evening news.The people who did the attacking did not care if the victims were children or old people. It was a horrific scene. Now Israel is doing what Hamas has done- Now near as I can tell Hamas often takes the supplies from the Palestinian People and doles them out or goes and gets supplies and hands them to the people. The whole time saying to the people by words and deeds -we care about U the rest of the world does not. so when it comes time for "elections" -if U can call them that- in Palestine the people vote for the ones who have fed their children,brought food, and any other life necessity and odds are women do not have a vote or will do what hubby says.
All that most Palestinian people know is that their children are dying, they are isolated from the world, they have no needed supplies, and many are uneducated so all the experience they have is who their benefactors are and what the benefactors tell them. When Hamas uses their propaganda on Children teaching them who the "enemy" is at a young age a new generation of terrorist is born and the hamster on the wheel mentality continues.Israel by it's act of protecting itself from Terrorist acts from Hamas goes into a defencive mode,returning mass destruction for acts of terrorism as a message saying we will destroy U unless U stop-I am aware of the long history on both sides and will presume that all here are aware of it as well so we will not recite who did what when and where first nor am I going to discuss the moral right and wrongs.What I would like people to think about here is the fact that wars/armed conflict does not work in a holistic way as a real long term solution -Peace comes in war when one of several options are completed-Genocide -where one side is obliterated or almost gone to where their culture is destroyed and the "stronger" side wins. Another way wars end is by negotiation where both sides agree to peace by "compromise" It is clear no side in this war is willing to concede to the others ideas. Another ways wars are won is by absorption of the population of one side or another effectively blending one culture with another. This also does not seem to be feasible here. The two state solution seems to be the only choice left- If I was Israel I would counter Hamas propaganda by bringing supplies to the people of Palestine like we did back in the world wars we dropped supplies out of airplanes to people who could get them no other way. Israel could drop leaflets stating things like this--- Israel wants peace with the Palestinian People but Hamas will not let U live in peace and drop needed supplies to the Palestinian people so that Hamas and their non peace loving "friends" are not the only supplier of needed supplies to the blockaded Palestinian people. By allowing Humanitarian aid into the Palestinian people shows good faith from Israel- once ships were inspected to Israels satisfaction in a open honest way would send a clear message that says to the people of Palestine that we just want the killing to stop-we are not against the people of Palestine but against those who would manipulate U into war.
It is clear that what is going on right now and the way this has been going on is not a solution -War has only three outcomes-annihilation,assimilation or compromise-There is no other solution to war. Now since I have said this three times in different ways hopefully those that are trying to make this a good guy verses bad guy,one side right ,other side wrong,we did this because they did it first mentality, will have a moment to consider- this question. What is the outcome of the present situation in the manner it is and what would be a better idea?Then how does one apply it in a realistic way? For me I would stop being a puppet scapegoat for Hamas political agenda. I would show not only with words but deeds without becoming vulnerable to attack from those who clearly have an agenda of hate from both sides but can only operate if they have support from the people. Take away the Palestinian peoples support for Hamas and U take away the propaganda used to create a thought alliance of destruction of Israel-There is to much to go into in this space - It is hoped this gets the wheels of creativity going for a real solution, The first thing Israel has to stop doing is any action that shows they are trying to destroy a race of people. The solution will take International pressure has we are doing because all the current solutions that have been offered in the past are not working and every time Peace gets close some power mad insane religious zealot war mongering,fear merchandising, megalomaniac starts it again.Either from Israel or from Hamas
Here is a quote folks can consider that applies-Love without strength produces a weakling and makes one vulnerable and strength with out Love produces the Brute. Right now most people who rule the world governments have is the strength with out Love part calling this a way to stay safe and protect it's interest and culture-NEWS FLASH-NEVER HAS THIS WORKED LONG TERM THROUGH OUT HISTORY NOT ONCE NOWHERE!IT IS NOT GOING TO START TODAY !
WAR IS NOT NOW NOR EVER HAS BEEN A SOLUTION BY ITSELF AND IT IS TIME FOR PEOPLE OF THIS PLANET TO BE DONE WITH THIS AS A OPTION OR THIS PLANET IN THE WAY WE KNOW IT WILL CEASE TO EXCIST AND WE ALL LOSE!

Sunday July 5, 2009, 4:00 pm
Why is Israel blatantly breaking U.S. rule on settlements?

Sunday July 5, 2009, 7:08 pm
, BECAUSE THERE ARE WATER RESERVOIRS, LARGES ONES UNDER THE WEST BANK AND THEY WANT THE FRIGGEN LAND AS WELL AS THE WATER, AND THE GAS FIELDS OFF GAZA which belong to GAZA/PALESTINE and is WHY THE DENSITY GOT RAMMED and THE SPIRIT GOT BOARDED INTERNATIONAL WATERS, they SAW THEM PUMPING THE GAS! And because the USA IS BEHIND THEM ALL THE FRIGGEN WAY! YES I A M YELLING I AM SOOOO FED UP WITH ISRAEL. They PLANNED TO HAVE ALL OF PALESTINE BEFORE THE ZIONISTS GOT THERE, ALL OF IT!

and

I am too sick for this and them.

I just checked my messages here, I not on here alot for a bit. Someone has your ADVATAR BLUE and is posting as you with an extra "u: in the name, pretty awful stuff in awful places like CHARLES MEMORIAL THREAD,

excuse e I have to go back to BED. ; Oh and then there is the USA stinkin their noses and control into 1/2 the countries of the WORLD. ISRAEL TERRIORIST STATE.

Monday July 13, 2009, 4:10 pm
3quarksdaily: The Israeli thought-police is here

The Foreign Ministry unveiled a new plan this week: Paying talkbackers to post pro-Israel responses on websites worldwide. A total of NIS 600,000 (roughly $150,000) will be earmarked to the establishment of an “Internet warfare” squad.

The Foreign Ministry intends to hire young people who speak at least one language and who study communication, political science, or law – or alternately, Israelis with military experience gained at units dealing with information analysis.

Beyond the fact that these job requirements reveal a basic lack of understanding in respect to the dynamics of the online discourse – the project’s manager argued that “adults don’t know how to blog” – they are not too relevant either. An effective talkbacker does not need a law degree or military experience. He merely needs to care about the subject he writes about.

The sad truth is that had Israeli citizens believed that their State is doing the right thing, they would have made sure to explain it out of their own accord. Without being paid.

Foreign Ministry officials are fighting what they see as a terrible and scary monster: the Palestinian public relations monster. Yet nothing can be done to defeat it, regardless of how many foolish inventions will be introduced and how many bright communication students will be hired.

The reason is that good PR cannot make the reality in the occupied territories prettier. Children are being killed, homes are being bombed, and families are starved.

More here.