Sunday July 5, 2009, 2:36 pm

This is shameful!

Thanks for keeping this in the news, Markie!

Sunday July 5, 2009, 3:11 pm
Israel's "cruel" blockade of the entire Palestinian population of Gaza" in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.""

""Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney who just prior to her kidnapping remarked, "This is an outrageous violation of international law against us. Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip.""

What is Israel doing these days... Israel is sinking into new depths of deprivations towards the people in Gaza. By refusing humanitarian aid for the people in Gaza, Israel has lowered their standing in the eyes of the World.

TY, Just "C" for the forward and Markie for the article.

Sunday July 5, 2009, 3:17 pm

So true, Jim --

but WHY IS THIS BEING IGNORED BY AMERICAN MSM???

Sunday July 5, 2009, 3:28 pm
thank you very much Markie, and Just "C"! things like this should not be ignored!!....bless yOu...Cathi

Sunday July 5, 2009, 3:30 pm
This is outrageous. There must surely be a diplomatic solution to this.

Sunday July 5, 2009, 3:42 pm
Thanks Markie!

For those who, like me, can´t enter pages through tinyurl:

At around noon on July 5, EST, a phone call, from a verifiable source, was received by a member of former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney's camp indicating that the American prisoners in Israel have been moved to a detainment facility closer to the Ben Gurion Airport.

McKinney's imprisonment has shed additional light upon the plight of Gaza – which is one of two possible results of her trip – the other one being that supplies and a little joy for the children might have actually been delivered.

Either way, it's a step toward healing Gaza. And the Palestinians, observing the commitment of the humanitarians to delivering aid, see that some of the world cares.

None of McKinney's Congressional colleagues, nor those compatriots with
whom she was involved in the presidential race, have made a public
statement on her behalf since her capture on June 30.

These events have brought to light just how much help an American citizen - whether a former public servant or not - incarcerated in Israel, under very suspicious circumstances, can expect from their government.

According to the Reuters article "UN expert says Israeli seizure of aid ship a crime" (on OEN), a U.N. human rights investigator called Israel's seizure of the ship carrying relief aid for the Gaza Strip "unlawful" and said its blockade of the territory constituted a "continuing crime against humanity".

The article went on to say that "Richard Falk, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, said the move was part of Israel's "cruel blockade of the entire Palestinian population of Gaza" in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Richard Falk, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, said the move was part of Israel's "cruel blockade of the entire Palestinian population of Gaza" in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention."

Other countries have addressed the illegal seizure of their nationals.

Bahrain sent a plane to rescue their detained nationals: click here

"Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin today called for the swift release of two Irish nationals currently detained in Israel following the June 30 seizure of a boat en route to Gaza with humanitarian aid... "My immediate priority is ensuring the safety and welfare of Ms. Maguire and Mr. Graham and securing their release as soon as possible," the minister said... " I would also call upon the Israeli Government to ensure that the humanitarian supplies for the people of Gaza being transported on The Spirit of Humanity are made available as soon as possible to the Palestinian authorities for distribution." (see "Ireland Calls for Release of Kidnapped Nationals Held in Israel" on OEN)

In the article "The Spirit of HUMANITY's 21 and the Spirit that Preceded it," the Palestine Telegraph says, "Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney who just prior to her kidnapping remarked, "This is an outrageous violation of international law against us. Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip."

McKinney said,

"President Obama just told Israel to let in humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that's exactly what we tried to do."


The Independence Day timing of these incidents is stunningly appropriate, since these kinds of radical steps by passionate revolutionaries in a quest for a better world are exactly how this nation birthed itself.

Related article:

On OEN: Former POTUS candidate celebrates Independence Day in Israeli Prison click here



www.merylannbutler.com

Sunday July 5, 2009, 3:43 pm
WOW, what in the heck is going on???!!! Very odd too, reading this on C2, and not on the news for her release from prison. WTH?? TY, Markie, and Carole for FW. Keep us posted...

Sunday July 5, 2009, 4:10 pm
I'm with gran, what the hell. I only heard about this on Care2. This makes me soooooo mad.

Sunday July 5, 2009, 4:29 pm
C2 replaces CNN. This is an example that "secrecy" is still alive and well in the good ole USA. This is BS and needs to be addressed by the mainstream news(?) if there is truly one out there.

Sunday July 5, 2009, 4:38 pm
That this information has such a small circulation speaks volumes about who has power in this government !

If the Palestinians were holding her, you wouldn't be able to run from the story....

May all from this voyage of the Spirit of Humanity be well !

Sunday July 5, 2009, 4:41 pm

So true, Pamylle!

Although I do not consider myself to be naive, I am still constantly shocked by the blatant propaganda and manipulation of information perpetrated by this "land of the free."

*gagging*

Sunday July 5, 2009, 5:59 pm
Cynthia McKinley, from Georgia, made a lot of enemies along the way and thats why no one is speaking out for her, she hit a cop among other things. She made her bed, and now she's got to lie in it sadly to say.

Sunday July 5, 2009, 6:03 pm
Noted and pretty fed up with United States media.
I gave up long ago trying to get whats going on thru American sources when instead it is more enlightening to read all media outside the U.S.
Pretty sad that none of the media in the U.S. has the guts to tell the truth on anything.
Shame on them all.

Sunday July 5, 2009, 6:10 pm
Leigh....one does not allow another country to illegally apprehend and detain its citizens......if you are right and the powers that be are abandoning her, our country bares much shame. Bahrain knew what to do and did it promptly:

Bahraini officials arrive in Israel to take five Bahraini nationals back home
author Saturday July 04, 2009 10:24author by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News Report this post to the editors

Israeli sources reported that senior officials of Bahrain arrived in Israel to take five Bahraini nationals back to the country after they were detained by the Israeli Navy following its attack against the Free Gaza Movement ship.

Image by Free Gaza Movement
Image by Free Gaza Movement

The visit itself is the first of its kind, but Israel said that it does not hold any diplomatic significance.

The sources added that the Bahraini officials arrived in Israel on Friday to collect he five Bahraini national as Israel was deporting them.

The delegation was officially dispatched by the Bahraini Foreign Ministry. Israeli Interior Ministry said that although this is the first time Bahrainis visit the country, the sole propose of the visit was to take the detained Bahraini citizens back home.

The Israeli Navy pirated the Free Gaza Movement ship last Wednesday despite the fact that it did not enter Israeli territorial water, and kidnapped the activists onboard.

21 activists were onboard the ship ‘Spirit of Humanity’, including former US Congresswoman, Cynthia McKinney, and Nobel Prize winner, Mairead Maguire.

The ship was loaded with medical and humanitarian supplies to Gaza.

Sunday July 5, 2009, 6:14 pm

Does the term "sacrificial lamb" come to mind to anyone but me?

If Cynthia were the child of a well-placed politician, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN NAUSEATINGLY COVERED NEWS!

Sunday July 5, 2009, 6:18 pm

Release Cynthia McKinney Gaza Aid Ship SPIRIT OF HUMANITY

Sunday July 5, 2009, 6:18 pm
Cynthia McKinney has been in the newspapers lately. Here, the SF Chronicle has had 3 articles in it since last week. In their order of appearances: Links:

Israeli navy commandeers Gaza aid boat
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/06/30/international/i024734D59.DTL

Gaza aid boat passengers still in Israeli custody
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/07/03/international/i032345D14.DTL

Some activists still in custody in Israel
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/04/MN2D18IPDA.DTL


"...the planned deportation of the activists may have been delayed by their refusal to sign legal documents in Hebrew, which they do not understand."

"Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said that those who signed an undertaking to return home voluntarily could be released immediately and repatriated on the first available flight."

.

Sunday July 5, 2009, 6:21 pm

Thanks, Jim -- But I can't help but wonder if U.S. government reactions wouldn't have been different if it were any other country BUT Israel!

Sunday July 5, 2009, 6:25 pm

PULEEZ, the hypocrisy is suffocating.

U.S. Gov't Position: Loud protest (if from a perceived enemy): "It's VERY WRONG!"

Otherwise, [quiet voice, stifling the press] "unless it's done by an ally".

Sunday July 5, 2009, 6:27 pm
Petition signed to release Cynthia McKinney Gaza Aid Ship SPIRIT OF HUMANITY

RELEASE THE SPIRIT OF HUMANITY AND ALL ITS PASSENGERS IMMEDIATELY AND ALLOW ITS HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO GAZA TO PROCEED! END THE SIEGE OF GAZA NOW!

http://www.iacenter.org/palestine/gazashippetition/

click live link above or copy & paste.

Sunday July 5, 2009, 6:46 pm
For those of you who do not know Cynthia McKinney, please read:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynthia_McKinney
__________

Cynthia McKinney wrote these articles for impeachment before Dennis Kucinich.

On Monday June 9, 2008 Kucinich presented 35 Articles of Impeachment against George W. Bush to the House of Representatives, among these articles were three concerning the events of 9/11...

Cynthia McKinney:
Articles of impeachment introduced
At the end of the 2006 legislative session, McKinney introduced articles of impeachment against President George W. Bush as (H Res 1106), which made three charges against Bush:[50]
Failure to uphold the constitution, specifically that "George Walker Bush … in preparing the invasion of Iraq, did withhold intelligence from the Congress, by refusing to provide Congress with the full intelligence picture that he was being given, by redacting information … and actively manipulating the intelligence on Iraq’s alleged weapons programs by pressuring the Central Intelligence Agency and other intelligence agencies.
Abuse of office and executive privilege, "obstructing and hindering the work of Congressional investigative bodies and by seeking to expand the scope of the powers of his office."
Failure to ensure that laws are faithfully executed, specifically by a program of illegal domestic spying and circumvention of the FISA Act.
The second article also made charges against Vice President Dick Cheney alleging he manipulated intelligence in order to justify the Iraq War, and against Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice alleging that she knowingly made false statements concerning Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program.[50]
As with most other Presidential impeachment bills, it failed to clear the House Committee on the Judiciary, and has since been abandoned.[51]


Both Dennis and Cynthia were, more or less, ignored.

Sunday July 5, 2009, 6:49 pm

Got that right, Jim!

"You cannot currently send a star to Jim because you have done so within the last week."

Sunday July 5, 2009, 7:17 pm
Some of the UK FreeGaza 21 detainees likely to be deported Monday, should arrive to Heathrow 13.30 Monday.

We have just heard that at least 3 of the 6 British FreeGaza detainees are being put on a flight to London in the morning, due to arrive at Heathrow at 13.30 p.m.

Because it is a Sunday and we have only just heard this news, we are trying to spread the word as well as we can - so we'd be really really grateful if you could forward this email to your contacts. Some relatives and supporters will be there to meet them - but we ask anyone in the London area who is able to go to the airport to meet them to do so.

We are currently unable to make contact with the group, who have been moved to cells at Ben Gurion airport detention center. Once we have confirmation that they are on the morning flight, we will post to our website: www.freegaza.org

If you live in the London area, please try and make it down to Heathrow to meet them. We expect to have journalists at the airport to report on their deportation, and we are trying to arrange for a press conference in London for later in the afternoon.

More to follow! ...

www.freegaza.org

Sunday July 5, 2009, 7:18 pm
The Israeli prison guards are denying the right for Mairead to access her medicine. Continue to email and call Mark Regev and Shlomo Dror and express your outrage over the treatment of the FreeGaza21 while they are imprisoned. The women have no access to their luggage or their clothing.

Mairead is fasting, not just for her friends incarcerated along with her, but for the 11,000 Palestinians also thrown into jail, many without benefit of trial.

Hear her eloquent interview with Al Jazeera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v558kjFaYGQ&feature=player_profilepage

Sunday July 5, 2009, 7:19 pm
U.S. Department of State Middle East Digest 01 Jul 2009 briefing on the kidnapped passengers (with the U.S. State Department). The sheer stupidity of the answer boggles your mind.

QUESTION: Erin Connors from Press TV. Former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and members of the Free Gaza Movement were intercepted by the Israeli army when they were on a humanitarian mission over there. What's being done about that? Are they on their way home? Will they be deported? What's the next step there, and will their supplies ever get to where they're going?

IAN KELLY: On that last question, I don't know the answer, actually. I think I have to refer you to the Government of Israel. We can confirm that the Israeli navy did arrest those on board this - the ship which is known as Spirit. We can't comment on any of the individuals or the number of individual American citizens on board because of Privacy Act concern.


Can you *imagine* what would happen if Iran intercepted a vessel and/or incarcerated a former congressperson and Nobel Prize winner?



--
Greta Berlin
Free Gaza Movement
357 99 284 102
www.freegaza.org
www.flickr.com/photos/29205195@N02/

Sunday July 5, 2009, 8:49 pm
800 underground tunnels bring all goods Gaza needs - duty free. Whatever this ship could bring - could be there 1001 times already. All this rubbish about that ship has only one goal - to make the world talk to Hamas, and as such this action was treated accordingly by all the parties involved. Even Cyprus did not protest.

It is stupid to expect that a person can take his luggage into his cell and conduct her/his business as usual. Soon Israel will let her out, together with her buddies, and the goods, except for ammunition, if any, will be checked and transfered to Gaza anyway, whole lots of humanitarian stuff goes there through Israel every day.

Cynthia McKinney gives interviews to everyone who wants to talk to her. Israeli solder Shalit is held by Hamas for 3 years without any contact with his family. But he is just a Jew, so who would care.

Sunday July 5, 2009, 9:00 pm
OMG! This is freaking ridiculous!!! Is there a petition some where for the release of McKinney?


I tried to find info about McKinney not long ago and her web site had not been updated for a long time. I see why now, she is very busy and our govt. doesn't give crap about her, the bastards!!!!

Sunday July 5, 2009, 10:07 pm
Per Haaretz, Noble Peace Prize winner and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney was released today, after being taken into custody by Israeli forces. She was detained after being on board a humanitarian ship heading to Gaza from Cyprus.

McKinney and 20 others faced charges of attempting to sail through a navy blockade, which the group has repeated denied, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Not much has been reported about this in the media -- big shock. Our media is not news but corporate mouth pieces. Even the news about Iran has begun to dry up, not because nothing is happening but because these folks feed on current HOT topics that can be given a "left" or "right" voice. At least 20 reporters are currently being held under arrest in Iran, in times gone by this would have made the media crazy and stories of a Congress person or fellow reporter would have been discussed and at least once a day. Thanks Carole.

Monday July 6, 2009, 12:47 am
Hard to believe anything the media puts out they are all bought and sold but this should have made some headlines. Glad she is no longer detained but no matter what she is an American Citizen and a congresswoman if our government will not support her who will?
By rights the US should have demanded her release or cut off aid after all she pays taxes right? Got to love how our gov cares for and takes care of us huh!

Monday July 6, 2009, 1:26 am
Contrary to what at least one commenter wrote, the article DOES NOT SAY that she was "released from prison". It says she was moved from one place of imprisonment to another place of imprisonment. Please read more carefully, and don't write such lackadaisical things that mislead people.

Monday July 6, 2009, 4:31 am
Well I do hope Cynthia is released unharmed but not with out growth in wisdom and understanding. We must remember all those who suffer like Cherele has commented on. We can't just freak on the few -I don't support Cynthia politically -but I am pretty darn sure she does not want to be singled out like an elitest -now her compassion has even a deeper meaning to her work -her task has just become more urgent. May God bless her and all those who face persecution in the name of humanitarism. Her experience will bring us truth first hand -I can't wait to hear it from her -although -that could land her in prison here or a disappearance -ah the land of free. That reminds me -think about the American Natives -we sit in judgement of ethics in other countries -wasn't it us that brutally murdered by the thousands to literally steal our own false pride and ficticious ownership of land we ourselves did not create? Keep Cynthia humble -I'm sure she would appreciate it -I don't think she is being tortured like she would here in the U.S. -if we erect one persons suffering above the rest -we've missed the mark completely.)

Monday July 6, 2009, 6:03 am
The whole situation is unbelievable. Thanks to Just C and Jim P. for the petition site. The US MSM and our govt. should be ashamed for not addressing this.

Monday July 6, 2009, 6:42 am
Israeli News:

Interior Ministry authorities said on Monday they are deporting a Nobel peace laureate and former US congresswoman who tried to break the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip last week.

Nobel winner Mairead Corrigan Maguire and former Rep. Cynthia McKinney are among eight international activists who remain in Israeli custody after their boat "Spirit of Humanity" was seized trying to reach Gaza.

The Interior Ministry said the activists will be deported later Monday.

In the Free Gaza movement's most recent attempt to enter the Strip, 21 activists set sail from Cyprus on a ship laden with humanitarian aid.

The Navy intercepted the ship Tuesday after it ignored repeated messages saying it would not be allowed to enter Gaza waters and ordering it to turn back.

Monday July 6, 2009, 7:05 am
Thank you for making me aware of what is going on

Monday July 6, 2009, 11:15 am
Another term for the media is propaganda. It is getting really bad around the world. The media or the news and government seem to say what they want you to hear or what they want you to think. Some times it makes me wonder who to believe when it comes to either. That is why I always liked Care2. It is world wide thoughts, ideas, and people who can make things real. I was not aware also, and thanks so much for the updates. I get more news on Care2 and all the people that make a differance than I ever will on the news that is limited to only what they want you to know.

Monday July 6, 2009, 1:33 pm
OMG, I think this is worse than shameful. What really breaks my heart is that so many Jewish people believe she's anti-semitic and deserves what she gets. As a Jew myself, this attitude has been very distressing to me. I have met Cynthia McKinney. I was wearing one of my largest Star of David's at the time, complete with garnets in it. There was NO WAY should could have missed the fact that I was wearing it and therefor could not have missed the fact that I am Jewish. She is one of the LOVELIEST, HONEST AND OUTSPOKEN people I have ever met. She could not have been more kind towards me. So despite all the articles written, all the claims made that she is anti-semitic, in my heart of hearts I believe all of it is lies and propaganda that has been spread in order to assassinate her character and ruin her political career because she speaks truth to power. WHO else had the GUTS to get in Donald Rumsfelds face before God, congress and everyone over the missing 2.3 trillion dollars? She is a threat to the PTB and this is just one more example of the PTB being willing to pull out all the stops to get EVEN with those who DARE CONFRONT THEM AND THEIR AGENDA and speak TRUTH in PUBLICl I've found it nearly impossible to get those who believe she is anti-semitic to see the OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY where the TRUTH lies. Ths has been very disconcerting to me, especially since Cynthia McKinney NEEDS everyone POSSIBLE to stand up for her NOW!!!!!!!!!!

Monday July 6, 2009, 1:41 pm
Oh and as far as the story of her hitting a cop, THERE IS another side to THAT STORY TOO!!!!!!! When will people see PAST all the LIES and propaganda and DECIDE to educate themselves about the TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH????!!!!!!!!

Monday July 6, 2009, 1:54 pm
Is this young woman home now ? If Not She should be!!
Why isnt the USA Goverment doing something!

Monday July 6, 2009, 2:44 pm
Its Not Just Our 21 Kidnapped Passengers.:

By Free Gaza

The kidnapping of 21 international human rights workers attempting to deliver needed aid to a besieged people is an outrage, but it is hardly an isolated one.
http://informationclearinghouse.info/article22990.htm

Monday July 6, 2009, 4:53 pm
noted thank you

Monday July 6, 2009, 6:02 pm
Holy Mother of God..what if it was you or me or our kids grandkids....

Monday July 6, 2009, 6:33 pm
Gaza is a very complex issue. You have innocent civilians and Hamas mixed in together. Humanitarian groups give aid to Gaza and it gets delivered every day - through Israel. Israel provided millions of gallons of gasoline and power into Gaza. Ambulances have been sent in to Gaza. Hamas has converted at least 46 ambulances to troop and bomb carriers. Hamas uses the aid for its soldiers and then either passes it on to the Gaza civilians or sells it to them. Last month, Hamas loaded suicide horses with explosives and then took them over to a fence, in the early morning fog, in an attempt to kill Israeli soldiers. That failed. I never heard whether they detonated the explosives and the horses died.

This is not a cut and dried situation. If it was, I would be writing the same kind of comments as I see above.

I'm trying to find more information.

According to Israel and the State Department, their ship was in Israeli waters. McKinney says they were in International waters. Without seeing what the coordinates were, we have no way of knowing. The State Department hasn't issued any more statements since July 1st. My guess is they were advised not to go and decided to go anyway, so that puts them on their own. Thats the beauty of freedom, you can do whatever you please, but if you ignore security advice, and you get into trouble, then you are on your own, unless your life is in danger. You can't break international law or the laws of another country. This may be the reason the State Department isn't making a lot of noise about this. They are probably working in the background, negotiating on it - isn't that what you want to happen - or are you suggesting the George Bush plan - go in with both barrels blazing.

Monday July 6, 2009, 7:41 pm
Alan, they got caught near Ashdod - that's Israeli waters. They were told to move away, and they refused. Israelis are no fools to do something illegal knowing that everyone is watching over this ship.

Tuesday July 7, 2009, 4:37 am
I agree Alan G, that I would have to see the coordinates to see who is telling the truth. It is always good to know the truth. But I do not trust the IDF in any way shape or form!

Tuesday July 7, 2009, 4:47 am
They saw the GAS FIELDS, GAZAS gas fields that ISRAEL IS PUMPING, just like it wants the waters UNDER the West Bank

Whomever says get information from ISRAEL is very niave or stupid. Israel does not own the waters around gaza or the air above it. they are NOT INTERESTED in peace as much as they claim to be they are interested in LAND AND RESOURCES AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN PRIOR TO THE ZIONISTS GETTING THERE.

Tuesday July 7, 2009, 4:50 am
I posted word of McKinneys release yesterday, her mom found out, 14 notes... go figure. There are still more that haven't been released.

http://www.care2.com/news/member/956805373/1186066

Tuesday July 7, 2009, 4:51 am
if you want the real news re this, sign up at www.freegaza.org, they are also on youtube as "gazafriends", and on facebook

Tuesday July 7, 2009, 10:03 am
Cheryl I did note your story. I don't often watch the world news, more here for the animals. Peace!

Tuesday July 7, 2009, 10:09 am
Simon Wood, your comment to Kit B. is really uncalled for! She was relocated with the intent to deport her, which means the intent is to 'release' her, albeit it not with a nod and a kiss at the front door. Also see Cheryl's comment two above mine! Why do some people here at Care2 lose their manners the instant they log onto Care2? Eeeeeessssshhhh!!!!!

Tuesday July 7, 2009, 6:27 pm
Simon Wood was correct in his statement, nor was he rude, no personal attacks, making a clear and correct statement, I too on another site made the same mistake saying she had been let out when she hadn't yet. I can put a string of url's from Kit B, with personal attacks to me, but it would be a waste of time, so I will just leave one

http://www.care2.com/news/member/956805373/1102243

the topic is somewhat related.

Wednesday July 8, 2009, 11:50 pm
I agree with Eureka re Simon's comment - It sounded rude to me, too! Whether Kit's info was right or wrong is immaterial - it's THE WAY of disagreeing that does not take people's feelings into account that is the problem.

Democracy Now! July 8 - Former Congressmember Cynthia McKinney Back in U.S. After Being Detained and Deported from Israel
Former Congressmember Cynthia McKinney arrived back in the United States Tuesday following her deportation from Israel. McKinney was one of 21 activists seized by the Israeli military in international waters last week as they tried to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

You can watch and listen to McKiney, as well as Adam Shapiro, documentary filmmaker, human rights activist & Palestinian rights activist, a co-founder of the ISM in Palestine, who was filming the voyage of the Arion for the Free Gaza Movement last week and was detained & deported as well.[includes rush transcript]

Thursday July 9, 2009, 12:10 am


Previously, on 'Democracy Now!'s July 2nd show, Amy Goodman had spoken with Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire From Her Israeli Jail Cell After Arrest on Boat Delivering Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

She says: "...we are only the seventh ship to get in to the port of Gaza that tried to break the siege. And as we do that, it’s very interesting, we pass the gas fields of Gaza. You know, Gaza has huge gas deposits, which Israel is now beginning to use. So it’s very important that there is the issue of who owns the gas in the Gazan Strip. And also farmers—fishermen, who try to go out without—in about twelve miles to fish for their families, are shot up and have been killed by the Israeli navy in that area."


Mairead Maguire, as well as Huwaida Arraf, the founder of the Free Gaza movement, who was also on board & joins in the discussion, both say that they were in international waters when the Israelis intercepted them, boared their ship and took over piloting - they were forcibly taken to Israel, against their will!

(McKinney lost an 'n' up there in my comment, sorry Cynthia!)

Thursday July 9, 2009, 12:38 am
This is a statement by Israeli human rights activist Ezra Nawi, which The Nation has published & which is being linked to & excerpted all over Internet.

It is relevant to this discussion in that we are trying to determine who is telling the truth about whether or not the 'Spirit of Humanity' activists' ship was in international waters when they were intercepted.

Nawi says that a "culture of deceit ... has taken over all official discourse relating to the Occupied Palestinian Territories." He was convicted of assaulting Israeli police & will undoubtedly be sent to prison for this, despite his claim that "Of course the policemen who accused me of assaulting them are lying. Indeed, lying has become common within the Israeli police force, military and among the Jewish settlers."

His complete statement :

My name is Ezra Nawi. I am a Jewish citizen of Israel.

I will be sentenced on the first of July after being found guilty of assaulting two police officers in 2007 while struggling against the demolition of a Palestinian house in Um El Hir, located in the southern part of the West Bank.

Of course the policemen who accused me of assaulting them are lying. Indeed, lying has become common within the Israeli police force, military and among the Jewish settlers.

After close to 140,000 letters were sent to Israeli officials in support of my activities in the occupied West Bank, the Ministry of Justice responded that I "provoke local residents."

This response reflects the culture of deceit that has taken over all official discourse relating to the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

After all, was I the one who poisoned and destroyed Palestinian water wells?

Was I the one who beat young Palestinian children?

Did I hit the elderly?

Did I poison the Palestinian residents' sheep?

Did I demolish homes and destroy tractors?

Did I block roads and restrict movement?

Was I the one who prevented people from connecting their homes to running water and electricity?

Did I forbid Palestinians from building homes?

Over the past eight years, I have seen with my own two eyes hundreds of abuses such as these and exposed them to the public--therefore I am considered a provocateur. I can only say that I am proud to be a provoker.

Because I am a provoker, the police together with their allies have threatened me, beaten me and arrested me on numerous occasions. And when I continued to "provoke" them, they did not hesitate to out me as a gay man; indeed, they spread rumors among the Palestinians with whom I work that I have AIDS.

One of the reasons I have been singled out has to do with who I am. It is difficult to explain, but as a Mizrahi Jew (descended from Jewish communities in the Arab and Muslim world), a gay man and a plumber, I do not belong to the elite of Israeli society and do not fit the stereotype of the Israeli peacenik --namely, an intellectual Jew of Ashkenazi decent. Actually, the police officers who constantly arrest me and I are part of the same social strata. I was programmed like them, have a similar accent, know their jargon and our historical background is comparable. And yet, in their eyes I am on and for the other side, the Palestinian side.

This simple fact seems to disturb them so much that they have to vilify me; that is the only way their worldview will continue making sense. I threaten them precisely because I undermine the categories and stereotypes through which they understand the world.

But the policemen are only actors on this stage. The military, civil administration and the judicial system are all working with the police, and all of them together follow the commands of their masters, the Jewish settlers.

This unholy alliance is extremely dangerous, because for them the end--gaining full control of the Land of Israel--justifies the means. In order to advance this end they dehumanize the Palestinians; and because the Palestinians in their eyes are not human, everything is permitted. They can steal their land, demolish their homes, steal their water, imprison them for no reason and at times even kill them. In Hebrew we say damam mutar, taking their blood is permissible.

It is important to keep in mind, however, that the evil I confront every day in the West Bank could not have been carried out without the Israeli court system. Judge Eilata Ziskind not only mistakenly found me guilty but she instructed the court to invite a translator for the sentencing, as if I do not speak Hebrew; in her mind I, a Mizrahi Jew, am a Palestinian Arab--and Arabs are, almost by definition, guilty. My case is merely part of a pattern. All the crimes committed by the state and its proxies in the territories over the past four decades were made kosher by the Israeli courts. Therefore, the courts are just as much to blame for the ongoing cruelty.

Because I am a provoker the state subjects me to continuing harassment, and yet I have remained persistent. What strengthens me and gives me energy is the widespread and constant support I have always received from political allies. When I was beaten by settlers, when my car was stolen, when I was arrested, I never felt alone. I know that thousands of people, both in Israel and abroad, support what we in Ta'ayush (Jewish-Arab Partnership) are doing against the occupation.

"Ezra" in Hebrew means help, and I know that in times of trouble I can rely on my friends for help.


Join Naomi Klein, Neve Gordon, Noam Chomsky & thousands of others and tell Israel not to jail Ezra Nawi, one of Israel’s most courageous human rights activists: Watch the remarkable video of Nawi trying to stop the home demolition and his subsequent arrest, which is on the same page as the petition. The New York Times has taken notice and written a profile of Nawi and his activism, which can be linked to from the petition page.

Thursday July 9, 2009, 12:41 am
Here's the link-- Join Naomi Klein, Neve Gordon, Noam Chomsky & thousands of others and tell Israel not to jail Ezra Nawi, one of Israel’s most courageous human rights activists: Watch the remarkable video of Nawi trying to stop the home demolition and his subsequent arrest, which is on the same page as the petition. The New York Times has taken notice and written a profile of Nawi and his activism, which can be linked to from the petition page.

Saturday July 11, 2009, 8:35 am
Will take notice Alba Nuova! Thank you.

Monday July 20, 2009, 6:34 pm
is it because she is a woman or is there an underlying issue? Thanks for the story.