Archive
ICC decides not to prosecute Israel for Mavi Marmara massacre
Another insult to justice was just published early morning today. International Court of Justice in the Hague prosecutor said, that even though there are basis to believe war crimes were committed in the Mavi Marmara in May 2010 when Israel commands aboarded the Gaza bound flotilla and killed 8 Turkish national and one American, the evidence is not “terrible enought” to prosecute Israel, The ICC prosecutor said.
Prosecutors found that while there was a “reasonable basis” to believe IDF soldiers had committed war crimes during the raid, the crimes in question were not of sufficient gravity to fall under the court’s jurisdiction.
Exclusive: Nine Turkish men on board Mavi Marmara were shot a total of 30 times, autopsy results reveal, says the Guardian at its June 30, 2010
On November 6, 2013, Anadolu Agency published an interview with
Retired Major General Amos Yadlin who was the chief of the military intelligence during the deadly raid in 2010 that killed nine Turkish citizens on board. “What happened with Mavi Marmara was a great mistake. Both Israel and Turkey made mistakes and I wish those incidents did not happen. ”
I’m terribly disappointed but not at all surprised!
The day of the massacre in the Mavi Marmara every news agency published the terrible facts, in subsequent days the surviving passangers, victims and witnesses gave their testimony to diverse human rights agencies abd when the blood was still fresh in the Mavi Marmara every person of conscience believed that war crimes were committed.
Hanan Zoabi the Palestinian member of the Knesset smuggled out one of the memory cards from a canera containing vusual evidence of what happened that day. Ken O’Keefe peace activist and humanitarian human shield witness and victim of the Israeli commands have given testimony of that day.
The videos, photos abd scars still exist of Israel war crimes and what was decided yesterday in the Hague can not be nothing but a charade, a travesty if justice.
Last year lawyers representing victims obtained authorization from Comoros, where the Mavi Marmara is registered, to file a lawsuit against Israel on its behalf. Subsequently the prosecutors of the ICC accepted the application and announced that the court would launch an investigation into the Mavi Marmara case.
Well this was last year, this year the ICC change their mind and say no to investigate Israel for war crimes.
We know that #IsraelWarCriminal committed war crimes and eventually will paid every affront to justice.
Keep the #boycott #BDSMovement will force Israel to its knees and eventually to oblivion, when it disappear from the face of the earth.
The Palestinian Solidarity Movement Stronger than Ever
The Union Make the Force – The people united will never be defeated
I was responding to a note posted on my tagline on facebook, and I though that was better to respond on a Note because long comments are tedious and I decided to complete my response with photos and links to the appropriate sites that are redundant to the article, so I do not have to write the same material.
Sorry Anna OLeary I have to do it this way to comment on the article you tagged me few days ago. I always write what I feel and what I understand, and this is my feeling and understanding of the issues at hand.
Anna O’Leary, I finished reading the article, I found to contains the same Greta Berlin issue that was played over and over on the internet while the Estelle was sailing toward Gaza.
I have insisted that Greta Berlin did not have nothing to apologize to no one.
I insisted that every one was giving too much importance to the Twitt that if left alone at the first instigation from National Post article by Tristan Hopper will dilute
When Ali Abuminah wrote his article on October 6, we saw it as an attempt to quiet Israel hurt sensitivities, to me the twitt and the video did not have importance at all, if all Palestinian activists should had ignored as an ignorant piece of journalism, and no less than that everything would have been fine. Because on all truth, there was nothing wrong with posting a video and a tag on a group or personal wall. We still have freedom of expression and if some people did not like it, that was their problem.
Some people in the Palestinian Solidarity Movement was acting as if they were to be more sensitive for Israel sensitives than for Palestinians Plight.
The apology of Greta Berlin or statement that she made public it made the things worse, because she was telling the world that she was wrong, when in reality she did nothing wrong.
The video of Erasmus Mullins, and the Title “Nazi Zionist Alliance (NA+ZI) to Create Israel Through Holocaust” are not Anti Semitic in nature. Israel in its history has re draw history to its convenience and every Scholar in the world that taught history has gone alone with the deception, except for few brave that resist to teach lies.
“Zionists are not the Jewish People, but a group using Zionism as a shield. The facade is to make you blame the Jews.
This video is NOT anti-Jewish. Please do not Flag out of ignorance”
You have to go beyond the Authorized Israel history to entertain other plausible possibilities, other buried stories, we should know that data was destroyed during the fall of Germany. The huge Anti German propaganda to win the war. We must put into perspective all those ingredients in the story, then we can have a more understanding of what the Video of Erasmus Mullins want to give us.
I have been writing about this issue since it came out on facebook, I have been posting in every ones wall, and all seems to ignore my opinion, Oh well!. You are tagging me on your Note and I take the liberty to express my opinion.
I wrote a long letter to Gilad Atzmon dressed as a comment and was ignored. I hope that I m not giving myself too much importance and thinking that he has to read what I have to say, he probably it is too busy to even read comments. Well I do not know, but I giving my opinion on the matter any way. He is my friend in facebook after all, so that give me the freedom to write in his wall when he post material that it is public.
This article that you are bringing here is just repetition of the same material already posted by Gilad and other sites, which I believe has made the matter worse for Greta Berlin or maybe she got to be in the News and the book Sailors sold more copies, and if that was the case I will say …well done, but for the Anti Semitic rhetoric, we all know is not truth…
Myself agree with much of the video, I do not blame “The Jews”, I blame the Zionists bankers, so I will never have to apologize for something I do believe could had happened.
Now regarding Trade Not Aid, I agree 100 percent on it, I doubts that will be successful, when we think about it, while Israel control the whole region surrounding Palestine, what assure us that the Trade will be permitted. Well unless is done thru the tunnels. I support Ken O’keefe with his Trade Not Aid for Gaza and spoke about it with him and I understand perfectly his idea. But the only way to know if will work, we have to try first. So I support Ken on that.
Regarding Anne Wright uninviting, I think due to the controversy on every Palestinian News, facebook wall, and Israel supporters outlet at the end I thought that The Estelle distancing from now from The Free Gaza Movement was a good political move, because after all The Free Gaza Movement which Greta Berlin Co- founded also published an Apology and distanced themselves also from Greta Berlin issue, so I think it was just a good move. Read the opinion of
Off course would have been good that none of this had happened, and that Anne Wright would have been in the Estelle, but it happened this way and there is nothing we can do to change the fact, except that we know more about the people involved in the Palestinian Movement.
This is my feeling and my opinion on the matter. There was no mistake from Greta Berlin, I do not see why we have to play into the “diplomatic” card with Israel. They deserve no respect, no apology.
Jews around the world by now, I hope they understand the farce play on their shoulders, they were victims of a twisted joke to create an entity that could be used as the center power of the world, using the Bible as a tool for the promise land.
And to end I will say that the Palestinian Solidarity movement is stronger than ever. Few people as important as they are, they are only part of the Palestinian Solidarity Movement but they are not all the Movement.
We are thousands around the world, maybe millions supporting Palestine in one way or another. If we are not in the cameras does not make us less important and subject to omission.
I do not think that the Palestine Movement is divided. But I think that some persons in the Movement are dividing the solidarity movement with their public statements. Those publications are indeed trying to force us to take sides, and that is the problem.
We all are important as long as we work for the Palestinian cause, for Justice, for Truth and Peace, but the moment that we as persons take the center stage then something is wrong with us, not with the Palestinian movement.
We need to put Palestine First, we are not important in this movement, we are just part of the Palestinian Solidarity Movement.
Rosa Schiano Stay Human, from Italy moved to Gaza to be witness of Israel atrocities.
Thousands of Palestinians supporters by now had been in West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza and are living witnesses for history regarding Israel occupation.
Nora Fernandez from Argentine right now in Gaza supporting the effort of Internationals to bring awareness to the world.
Rachel Corrie RIP was part of the International Solidarity Movement, and she put the cause first even in risk of her life.
Vittorio Arrigoni RIP was part of the Palestine Solidarity Movement and move to Gaza to fight for the cause .
Ken O’keefe moved to Gaza to be part help raise awareness of Gaza situation to the world.
Every day thousands of Palestinians and internationals risk their lives in front of IDF protesting the Wall, protecting the farmers, protecting the fishermen of Gaza, walking children to school.
Please no body tell me that the Palestinian Solidarity Movement is divided and weak.
I Think the Palestinian Solidarity Movement is stronger than ever.
Palestinian Activists
Palestinian Activists
With Palestinian Supporters and Activists
I chose this article because analyses all point of view, I invite you to read it first, then read the other articles if you deem pertinent to do so, this way you do not prejudge none of the activists.
Henry Norr calls the decision of the Estelle, the boat that is now making its way to Gaza to challenge the Israel siege, to disinvite Ann Wright, “sheer madness”, and “guilty by association”. This language is both wrong and false. I am not on or associated with the Estelle, and regardless of what I see as right, I support the autonomy of the people on the Estelle, given the nature of what they are doing, to refuse individual sail companions without having to justify it. Within reason and respect, we can speculate on or criticize their decisions and I will, but Norr’s article goes well outside of both reason and respect. To begin, howecer, some analysis of the fault lines on which people fall on this matter bear examinations. Estelle and the Freedom of Association by Gabriel Ash
On 30 September a tweet was made from the official Twitter account of the Free Gaza Movement (@freegazaorg) which stated “Zionists Ran the Holocaust and the Concentration Camps.”……Casting Doubt on Greta Berlin Statement
Last week, Ali Abunimah, editor of a blog called “Electronic Intafada” published a letter cosigned by a group of moderately to well known “activists” quite violently attacking Gilad Atzmon of Veterans Today. …..VT Exclusive: Atzmon-Palestinian Infighting Reveals Underbelly of Gutless Duplicity
And The Video that you must watch before you make any judgement to anything, and when you watch the video, you must go back in history and revise the official story of everything that was imprinted, because as we say, history is full of his-story, her-story, their-story, my- story and the truth.
I say there is a story behind history and we must find the truth. Official stories fit the establishment of the time.
All this article is for safe keeping, for my records only…
The following is the comments from persons on facebook.
Like · · Unfollow Post · Promote · Share
-
-
Alberto Smith Saravia shared -
Lynn Massyn Sharing with thanks Marivel. -
John Jones Marivel, you are correct in your comments about Greta Berlin having NO need to apologize. There was no reason. Everyone should know that she has more than proven herself as a sincere, dedicated and effective supporter of Palestine/Palestinians. You are correct, also, in your characterization of Ali Abunimah. Why is he so concerned about defending or protecting Zionazi Israel’s sensitivities??? What is the reasoning behind having to be respectful of or to an entity that has shown zero regard or respect for Palestinians (or for all non-Zionists for that matter). Abunimah may consider it politically correct (your term is the “political card”), but he doesn’t think or act for all supporters of Free Palestine. While it is, of course, possible to inadvertently damage a cause, I believe that sincere justice-seekers have no intentions to divide or harm efforts to help Palestinians. So, who the fuck is Abunimah to denigrate other legitimate activists?? His actions/comments against Greta (and demonstrated previously in his rally against Gilad Atzmon) are every bit as divisive and damaging as what he claims he opposes and what he complains about. Israel deserves no respect. Israel has it’s own trained army of apologists. No apologies need be given to Israel … or, for that matter, anyone who supports Israel. Every person that is concerned about the Palestinian struggle helps in their own way … even if it’s only to share a story or a bit of information that would be otherwise not presented in the Zionazi-controlled media. Please don’t tell Ali Abunimah that I say “Zionazis”, because he won’t like that I’m insulting or disrespecting Israel. -
Hani Siliman Salamah thank You Akashma Marivel Guzman for Amazing Article . shared ….I will inbox you as soon as possible -
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsRacists and bigots do not belong in Palestinian solidarity, they taint it and destroy its credibility, making it no better than zionists. When will O’Keefe disendorse white supremacist David Duke? Berlin has been discredited by her own acts, as has Atzmon. Wake up folks. Palestinian leaders have said they want no racism or bigotry in their movement. -
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friends122 leading Palestinians say “we call on people around the world to join us in a morally consistent stance that opposes racism and bigotry in all forms. An ethical struggle for justice and equal rights in any context entails zero tolerance for racial discrimination and racism anywhere.”
Get with the programme, and keep racist and bigoted opportunists away from Palestinian solidarity.
-
Robby Martin Label’s are created to discredit, from conspiracy theorists to Anti-Semite. When people speak out or oppose the ruling elite they get “labelled” to discredit them so as their opinions seem unworthy. The lines of Anti-Semitism are becoming increasingly blurred with the ADL now defining Anti-Semitism as including criticizing Israel and zionism. The pro Palestinian movement should not allow itself fall into this trap. Israel is a state not a race, zionism is an ideology not a race so criticizing either is not racist never mind Anti-Semitic. -
Gail Baker great message Marivel ! in solidarity for Palestine! simple as that! -
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsPeople who make racist or bigoted statements are racists or bigots. What’s so hard to understand?
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman Sylvia Posadas Hi dear!, I agree with the Statement you citing from from Ali Abumininah article, about the 122 leading Palestinians signing on it, but I do not agree that article linking this statement to an event that has nothing to do with bigotry, racism. I have followed the whole argument from A to Z, since the twitte and the video were posted, and I find the Video very enlighten. It is a sign of wisdom to entertain ideas without accepting them.
In the Palestinians Solidarity Movement we are interested to bring Justice and Peace to Palestine. In this equation Israel is the guilty side of the story. They are the criminals that are using the Jews as a shield to commit their crimes with impunity in the name of “Jew victim hood” …
Ali Abuminah has no right to call on other activists to sign on “his view of the event”, …We all have the right to post what we want, without having to give explanations to Israel and its supporters.
I like Abu Abuminah and his electronic intifada as long as he use it for the Palestine cause, not to apace Israel and its supporters. -
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsAntisemitic videos such as the one you like, Marivel, are unhelpful to the Palestinian cause. I’m defriending you now because you are taking the side of racists and bigots and not taking a firm stand in support of respected Palestinians.
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman I care less for your friendship when you taking the side of people that are more worry for Israel than for Palestinians..
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsI’m taking Palestinians’ side, Marivel, not racists who pretend to be in solidarity with them.
-
Karen MacRae · 27 mutual friendsWhat a giant wall of racist text. Who wrote this crap and why do they hate Palestinians? -
Akashma Marivel Guzman Well then you should revisit the whole Stupid twitt event…worthless piece of anything, that Ali Abuminah, make big big..siding with this with the zionists hasbaras that work for Israel..
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman and regarding the Video, I have researched thousands of microfilms in the Digital Library, and read almost 100 books on the subject of the Video, and I agree in almost 99 % of what Eustace Mullins Said….just because Israel supporters said that he is Anti Semite does not make him one..
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman Now days the people get sided with Other people without really searching on the matters themselves.. I for one do not side with people..I side with Palestine
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsNoting that Marivel is incapable of discerning Mullins’ antisemitism. No surprise.
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman And who say so..You or Israel?…
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsIt’s you who are doing the zionists’ work for them, Marivel, by granting quarter to racism and bigotry.
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman Are you repeating Israel rhetoric, or you read all the works of Eustace Mullins…and come to the conclusion that he is Anti Semite?…
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsI’m noting your familiarity with Mullins, Marivel, and your inability to deplore his bigotry.
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman Is that what you think of me, then go away from my wall…and do not come back…..
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsIt’s not like Mullins is ashamed of his antisemitism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eustace_Mullins
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman WOW Sylvia Posadas.. You are finding your answers in Wikipedia?..My dear, that is a Zio School of Though…
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman Here have some fun, read real information.. Not structured by Israel.
Section I. “The Constitution”
It has been urged that the expression “a national home for the Jewish people” offered a prospect that Palestine might in due course become a Jewish State or Commonwealth. His Majesty‘s Government do not wish to contest the view, which was expressed by the Royal Commission, that the Zionist leaders at the time of the issue of the Balfour Declaration recognized that an ultimate Jewish State was not precluded by the terms of the Declaration.
https://akashmanews.com/2012/07/27/british-white-paper-1939/akashmanews.com
The British White Paper aimed to bring a clear definition of the policy and obje…See More -
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsWikipedia is zionist now. The antisemitic conspiracists never cease to amaze.
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman “At the beginning of 1935, a passenger ship set sail from Bremerhaven, Germany, to Haifa in Palestine. The ship’s name—Tel Aviv—was painted in Hebrew letters on the starboard bow. Yet the flag fluttering over the vessel bore the Nazi swastika. There was a similar paradox regarding the ship’s
owners and its crew. The Tel Aviv’s owner was a German Jew, and a leading figure of Zionist movement in German lands. The captain, however, was a member of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazi Party).
Decades later, one of the passengers on that voyage would interpret the situation as a “metaphysical absurdity.” Yet the Nazi-radical Zionist collaboration symbolized by the Tel Aviv was no contradiction. On the contrary, the ship was just one small example of a reality that writers of the official history have taken great pains to conceal from us.” Harun Yahya – The Violence of the Holocaust -
Akashma Marivel Guzman Look for yourself Sylvia in your own Wiki
In May 2007, Hasbara Fellowships (co-sponsored by the Israeli Foreign Ministry) called for volunteers to counter a “dangerous trend” of Wikipedia entries portraying Israel in a “negative light”. Interested readers were encouraged to consider “joining a team of Wikipedians to make sure Israel is presented fairly and accurately”.[7][8]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasbara_Fellowships
en.wikipedia.org
Hasbara Fellowshipsis an organization that brings students to Israel and trains …See More -
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsThere’s a reasonable deconstruction of Mullins’ pathetic conspiracy theory on the Fed reserve here: http://www.publiceye.org/conspire/flaherty/flaherty5.html
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsOf course, O’Keefe shares this ridiculous conspiracist belief as well.
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman Read the originals documents that lead him to write his books,..mostly from the Library of Congress, where was researcher…and from documents from the digital library of any main library……..He was hunt by the government (bankers) for his revelations…
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman Read the British White paper that I m citing in Akashma..it is original document from 1939, there is also the British white paper of 1918…
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman There is the book I just cite to you previous, with testimonies from witnesses of the time, where documents were cross checked…They called conspiracy when they challenge the “official” story…eventually all the conspiracies has been proven truth…almost all of them so far..,
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsMarivel, you can’t sanitise Mullins’ bigotry by referring to other sources. Do the Palestinians a favour and get a clue. Reject antisemitism, it belongs to the zionist side.
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman Subscribe yourself to the library of congress, or too any University and you can also access most of the official documents that now are declassified, ..when he access those he had direct access because he was working there, he has friends..
What can I say, I have been researcher for few years now..once you start digging in history, you can not stop..you keep reading…
I m sorry, nobody is trying to make him Saint…I do not agree with some of the points of his works, Like blaming “Jews” as a group…and not just the Radical Political Zionism…but most of his works I agree with…..you get a clue…you belong to the Zionist Side…you do not even entertain the idea of finding the truth… -
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friends‘Like blaming “Jews” as a group.’ – yeah, that’s classical antisemitism. Mullins belongs to the zionist side, with all the other conspiracy nuts.
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman The only Anti Semitics are the Israeli and its supporters..
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman and you insist on defending the other side of the story…Israel side of the story…..Eustace Millins was on the other side,,and So am I…and I do not care if people call me Anti Semitic because I read authors that Israel branded Anti Semitcs…….
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsActually, there’s a lot of useful idjits who claim to be in solidarity with Palestinians who are rabid antisemites as well, and hover round the cause because they hate jews. They do the zionists’ work for them.
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman I know few of them…
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman and I stay away from themm
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsMarivel, it isn’t just Israel who defines antisemitism. When people are grouped in boxes all the better to throw rocks at them, as Mullins does, we learn that white supremacists define antisemitism as well.
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman I do not hate nobody….I do not care whose religion or race people is ….I do care for Palestine..and Justice ..and thats all..
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman and I will fight my way, until my children can go freely to Palestine without being interrogated for 14 hours in a room..
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman and It final Sylvia..My opinions matter to me..and I do not get to easy to them…..
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman So please if you insist in calling me Zionist worker, please go away from my wall…I do not need people to come to tell me how I m going to activate for Palestine……
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsThe more people admit racism and bigotry into Palestinian solidarity, the more sustenance they give to the zionists, who use it to discredit the movement. Conspiracy thinking, racism and bigotry have no part to play in human rights movements.
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman I really wish you have your own opinions and not Ali Abuminah wordings..
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsYou have a problem with people sharing the rational views of respected Palestinians, do you, Marivel? why is this so?
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman Please go away, I do not want you to come back to my wall..I ask you politely..Please do not come to my wall…I m not racist, and bigotry belong to people that do not know what they are fighting for, today they support the Palestinian cause, tomorrow they support an Activist…..my problem is people like you…that insist on forcing your opinion…what you believe to be the truth…it is you..and only you..and you can not come to tell me that I have to change my opinion because you say so……
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman Rational???? what you call rational respected Palestinians?…Respected Palestinians do not gang to attack others. like Ali is doing…I donot like his tactics..and you have no opinion on your own, but repeating what Ali Abuminah writes……..So please again, very politely ask you…Do not come back to my wall….Thanks for the conversation was very instructive >>>It is noted that you like baseless arguments as a defense….Good night Sylvia ..which by the way..it give me chills to see a Rat on my wall…….
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsIt seems to me, Marivel, that it is you who is rejecting the views of respected Palestinians and those who share their principled positions.
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman Those are their views, not mine..I do not like their views..Actually I do not think those 122 Respected Palestinians knew what they were signing….Ali Abuminah..have problems with other activists, as I seen it too often…I do not like the his tactic…and for respected Palestinian views, I have my own view…and They are respected Palestinian views also…they are different..sorry big world..
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman And I see you deleted me and you keep coming to my wall, that tells me that you like me…you like my conversation..OH well..nothing I can do…My wall is open for all opinions…ok..you can come back…
-
Karen MacRae · 27 mutual friendsit is indeed a big world. But I have no idea why a big world means you have to excuse obvious racism. Or what that has to do with anything. Obviously Ali Abunimah knew what he was signing. What an absolute ludicrous statement. He’s not an illiterate and obviously can spot a racist a mile away. So sad most of the commenters here seem to struggle with a very basic concept.
-
Karen MacRae · 27 mutual friendsAnyway, you just keep supporting this racist nonsense and when it’s all said and done, the history books won’t be good to you. And you’ll live with this the rest of your life as well as live with the public shame.
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friends“Actually I do not think those 122 Respected Palestinians knew what they were signing”
What an incredibly white supremacist, patronising point of view.
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman OH Bravo Sylvia ..you brought cheer leaders! …what a wonderful conversation…follow the leader, leader.. ladies …I need to go sleep..but if you come back tomorrow, we can discuss more white supremacist point of views, and more Anti Semitic Rhetoric..now..if you allow me…I need to rest…Good night..Karen and Sylvia…
-
Akashma Marivel Guzman And bring more people, we can make a party.
-
Ursula Keller · Friends with Yani Haigh and 17 othersThe discussion should ONLY be about the best way to reach a mutual goal…..and NOT about the “intentions of others”, as these can only be assumed. The discussions about Gilad, Greta and Ken are ridiculous, as all of them have proven to support the palestinian cause in the most serious way.Even, if one might not always agree on the “best way to succeed”, to label them as bigots, antisemites is stupid , unintelligent and unjustified . The fear about “how to be perceived by others” obviously in some people is much stronger than the feeling of loyality and solidarity.May this be “induced” or simply a trait of personal insecurity….it is counterproductive at a moment where even more courage and solidarity would be needed. -
Brian Curdy · Friends with John Jones and 12 othersEnd the blockade. End the occupation and apartheid. Abolish or abandon the racialist (zionist) notion of a “Jewish” (ethnocentric) state. Demilitarize the region. Cut US military aid to the illegitimate zionist entity that has been outside of international law for over 60 years. Remove illegal nuclear weapons and stop zionist nuclear weapons production under the supervision of the IAEA (Vienna), Restore the right of return to Palestinian refugee populations. FREE PALESTINE NOW !! -
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friends‘The discussions about Gilad, Greta and Ken are ridiculous’
Of course people who make excuses for racism and bigotry try to throw the discussion away from them. Sorry, no banana. People who embrace racism and bigotry have no part to play in human rights movements. No matter how their apologists whine and scream, they cannot sweep this simple fact under the carpet.
-
Ursula Keller · Friends with Yani Haigh and 17 othersSylvia…you are claiming the monopoly for deciding about the “racist” character of a person ? You are not even willing to change arguments,to take the whole range of people’s activities , past statements/actions into account ?.The whole “history” doesn’t matter anymore, if you find something, which sounds suspicious ? I would rather say, people with such simple views of other human beings are no valuable representatives for human rights movements.
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsUrsula, are you saying you are unable to understand what is racist and bigoted about Eustace Mullins, David Duke and Atzmoan’s drivel? those who give these a free pass on the backs of the Palestinian solidarity movement are contemptible.
-
Ursula Keller · Friends with Yani Haigh and 17 othersI cannot find any racism in Gilad’s publications (don’t know though, what drivel means ).His analysis is bright,totally logic and courageous. I deeply respect Greta for her long and effective engagement. ONE fault doesn’t change that…and it doesn’t make her a racist, or would it reveal any “long hidden racism” :)Concerning Ken, I would like to know more about HIS arguments…..so far…again,I cannot detect any racism in HIS work. One has to be careful, when judging others….and analyse with intellectual integrity.
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsSo, Ursula, you don’t find Atzmoan’s distaste for Jewishness as ‘racially supremacist’ problematic? you don’t find Greta’s embrace of Yani “jews suck” Haigh a problem either? and you don’t think Ken’s embrace of the white supremacist David Duke a problem?
-
Ursula Keller · Friends with Yani Haigh and 17 othersSylvia…you may argue with Gilad about his book. Look at his analysis and his arguments….tell him, you think, they are not logic…and prove it to him via argument. It is NOT enough to NOT like the outcome of an analysis. Whom Greta and Ken are “embracing” that is their business, as long, as they do not act in a racist way themselves. One can critically discuss these things in a movement, which exists of many complex personalities, but has no right to dismiss somebody with a long history of brave engagement for these kind of accusations.
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsUrsula, perhaps you don’t realise that who one endorses taints oneself. Atzmon has touted Holocaust deniers. You don’t find his view of ‘Jewishness’ as ‘racially supremacist’ problematic, so I doubt you are capable of working out why his pseudo-philosophy is racist in the first place. His system of black box bigotry, which attempts to disguise his antisemitic views by claiming he’s only impugning ‘jewishness’ is pathetic. If one says one dislikes ‘blackness’ and not ‘blacks’ do we really take such an individual at their word? Ken O’Keefe has brazenly endorsed white supremacist David Duke and follows the Mullins antisemitic blaming of the world’s woes on Rothschilds and the Fed Reserve conspiracies. Greta has called Ali Abunimah racist names which along with her several changing stories in her desperate attempt to cover up her posting of racist vids is revolting. We also know that her behaviour is far from unusual in the the groups she frequents, and in particular due to Bekah Wolf’s and others’ direct observations. I myself have witnessed her tolerating antisemitism on her wall, when Yani ‘Jews suck’ Haigh made the post which delivered his now famous epithet. If people lie down with fleas, they get up with them.
-
Gail Baker all this infighting, judging, attacking, is divisive and useless to the Palestinian cause. The whole post is about rising above divisions & differences of opinions. For my own part, I’m not going to judge any of these high profile people because I do not know for certain what the motives or intentions are. & at this point, it shouldn’t be the issue. Now more than ever it’s about support of Palestine, which at the pace Israel is going, will be wiped off the map soon. So focus on this. The movement & the cause is bigger than these few individuals named on the post.
-
Sylvia Posadas · 134 mutual friendsGail, those who wish to be in solidarity with Palestinians should put the principles which leading Palestinians embrace before attempting to cover up for vile individuals who leach off them. If racism, bigotry and deceit are not called out, if individuals who practise these are accepted as worthy leaders of Palestinian solidarity, then frankly, the movement becomes no better than the racist zionists who are opposed. No hypocrisy. Demand accountability.
-
Ursula Keller · Friends with Yani Haigh and 17 othersSylvia again…where some detect “racism, bigotry and deceit”…others don’t ….We here are not talking about the qualification for a political position, but simply about members of a broad movement, which contains the most different and complex personalities. And I honestly cannot see any qualification on your or Ali’s side to determine, who is “worth” to fight for the palestinian cause and who is not. Gail is 100% right, and I therefore will not discuss this any further.
-
Marivel Guzman This is informational videos for Israel supporters, Wake UP. to the Palestinian supporters siding with activists and blinding attacking other activists with out even giving a thought on the information given. Wake UP..you are dividing the Movement, not doing a favor to Palestine or to the world for that matter.
Before you yell Anti-Semitic, and supremacist, please take an hour of your time and watch the video..do not come to conclusions without watching the video, cross checking references, checking peoples works and behavior…Please do not assume you know everything because you watch one video….This is just one of hundred worth watching.
The person being interview is death now (Eustace Mullins RIP), when he was young and stupid he was ignorant and made few statements regarding the Jews, regarding women, and he grew up and dedicated his life to truth and Justice.. To bring us the truth covered by our governments.
The people that he bring out of their dents scream “Anti Semitic”, “Supremacist” …”Racist”…and those three words are used against his work to discredit his long life as historical researcher and eye opener.
************************************************
And I m sorry any comment after this video will be deleted, so I ask my friend not to make comments. This is my wall and reserve the rights to delete posted on it. Of course this video for most of the part reflect my own opinions, you do not have to agree with me or the video.
*************************************************
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nni9MIPTmfs&feature=related
The late Eustace Mullins and Randy Atkins with Daryl Bradford Smith, December 8, 2005. Dr. Henry Makow in ‘Illuminati, The Cult that Hijacked the World’ (p. …
The Activists of Palestine and the Hasbarist Machine
Posted on October 11, 2012 by Akashma Online News
The Mission is the Estelle Freedom Boat, sailing to Gaza! 🙂
Let me first tell you something that I have noticed in the world of activism, specially in facebook community.
There is jealousy, ego centrism, and love for audiences, specially the guys that are in the business of selling books, conferences and travels around the world activating for a cause.
In the case of Palestine, had been a fertile ground for writers and University Professors to make a name out of themselves discussing Palestine/Israeli Conflict. The aware knows that there is not about strategy, not about “Peace Talks”, we know the peace talks are conducted by the guilty party of the Conflict, and by the supporters of this Party, namely Israel.
The case of Finkelstain, Chomsky and others that are public figures, they are being using Palestine as trampoline, they may be sincere in their support for Palestine but lately I starting to doubt the end goal of this public support. I have to apology if I m wrong, specially in the case of Norman Finkelstain that it is known for 30 years to be a Palestinian supporter. Sometimes I think that these heavy weight Professors in their integrity as a humans being they have to support the cause because it is Just, but in their inner heart, the Noblezed idea of the chosen land for the Jews still permeates out and they can not really decide when it comes to radical positions in favor of Palestine. If they were put in the position to vote to dismantle Israel, would they be able to give that vote and walk away confident that they did the right thing? ..Sometimes I wonder the same for every Israeli Jew that support Palestine, but that came whose ancestry is from Europe or else where, Would they be able to vote for the dismantleling of Israel and go back to their original mother lands? I have asked myself these questions many times.
Now Palestinians; like Abu Abuminah, Omar Bargoutti and other important figures of the movement are being continuously attacked by other activists, and attacking each other as well. If they know that Unity is the key for a stronger movement, I asked them why do they engage in this back and forth attacking each other and dividing the International community with their arguments?…
Now, the latest controversy arises when Greta Berlin which it is a very respected activist, not only in the Palestinian Movement but also in other areas of peace, well she got publicly defended by Gilad Atmoz, which by the way it is kind of close supporter of Ken O’keefe, (which it is a key player in the Palestinian Solidarity) Movement.
Now let’s back up a little..Ali Abuminah wrote an article and got the support of almost hundreds schoolars and activists around the world against Gilad Atmoz..
Now…Gilad Atmoz has been activating for Palestine..but he has a flaw…his approach to the Jewish indentiry has created lots of revolt in the Zionist and Palestinian Movement…(controversial) I mot not sure if he is using that made up and purposely controversy to clime in the ranks of popularity and sell books and conferences , which it is very common these days..
On the other side Mr Atzmon also criticized Omar Bargoutti calling him Anti Semitic…By now I see that Mr Atmoz is being caught up in two instances of Palestinians Activist having to defend themselves instead to concentrating on the Palestinian issue..media attack, need to respond to media inquires, to make articles in response to the public attacks..
Also Mr Atzmon was in the need to ask media inquires, and make many articles defending his position when he was “attacked” by Ali Abuminah and the schoolars, that went to the extent to sign a letter of Disavowing Gilad Atzmon, which made headlines all over England and inside the Palestinian Solidarity Movement, which conveniently made Gilad Atzmon sell more books of his Title “The Wonderering Who” .
Now, we have 3 actors in scene, Gilad Atzmon, Ali Abuminah, Omar Bargoutti..
Then it came a heavy weight actor to the scene Prof Norman Finkelstain, making the argument that the BDS movement was a self cheer leading movements with shaky basis, using a no no go strategy that will have no support from the International organizations and Jews around the world.
At this point we have a mix of controversies all clashing each other..
So we have the enemies of the BDS against Omar Bargoutti, the supporters of Gilad Atzmon with internal conflict with Alu Abuminah supporters, Norman Finkelstain supporters against Omar Bargoutti supporters..so at this point we have a Chaos inside the Palestinian Solidarity Movement that have not help at all..Well good for the books writers that most probably saw their sales raised, and the Pubic speakers saw their conferences booked ..
Then we have this charismatic long time activist that is known to be integral part of the Palestinian Movement and more specially in the Gaza Flotillas Voyages, but here we have another controversy arising. Greta Berlin say few statements about Ken O’keefe when the Road to Hope got stranded in Libya for weeks and end up in the MV Strobes Greek boat kidnapped at sea.
Immediately the controversy started against Ken O’keefe, and the statements of Greta Berlin did not help at all, they made the rumors run wild in between the Palestinian activist community, not only her statements, there were other 2 statements, and a variety of rumors without facts that almost killed the mission.
So by now we have Gilad Atzmon, Ali Abuminah, Omar Bargoutti, Greta Berlin and Ken O’keefe all of them peace activists, some of them published authors, public speakers and Mr. O’keefe that have not published works but has been invited to dozens of TV and Radio shows to speak about Palestine-Israel Conflict..
Now, what happen last week it is unfortunately because again as it has been a trend now, every time that one of this controversies arises in the media, is when there is a Palestinian Mission in the making.
Now as I write this notes, The Estelle Freedom Boat is at sea in its mission to reach Gaza and break the illegal Israel Blockade..
So, how is this started, well nothing really important happened to start this show. But a video that has been controversial in nature is the center of this Media Frenzy.
Greta Berlin shared something in this lines that Zionist were to be blame for the holocaust in a tweeter, but in the National Post appears by Triten Hopper, “Gaza flotilla sponsor publishes tweet blaming Jews for Holocaust”, off course that was not what was tweeted that it is the “Catchy” Headlines that Mr Hopper used to make big fuzz and headlines and divert the attention of Greta Berlin’s Gaza Sailors Greta Berlin Talks About “Freedom Sailors” and the Story of the Free Gaza Movement and its tour promoting the book in Californian and her role behind the Gaza Flotillas, and the most important the Estella Freedom Boat Voyage.
WE know the hasbaras trick of the Israel Paid Media, they distorted anything that needs to be twisted to serve their propaganda..I saw it since the first article..but what made the thing worse at least in facebook was the article of Gilad Atzmon defending Greta Berlin, 3 days later Gilad Atzmon distributed his article “Abuminah Did It Again”, off course Gilad Atzmon enjoy of great readership in his blogs, and that was another started controversy that span wild in the internet. By now we have all the Israel Propaganda Machine making headlines of something without merit..The video that had so much horrorized the Israel supporters is ProffesorEustace Mullin RIP, a well respected Professor, journalist that dedicated his life
As far as Zionism is concerned, the founder of Zionism and apostate, Theodor Herzl, sought to intensify hatred of the Jew in order to enhance the cause of political Zionism and with this advance with the plan to transfer the great majority of Jew to Palestine. In essence this is what is stated in the video and that is not Anti semitic, but the uncover truth
Going back to Greta Berlin, according to Avi Mayer “discovery” on freegaza tweeter she saw this tweet: ““Zionists operated the concentration camps and helped murder millions of innocent Jews,” read a Tweet posted Sunday to @freegazaorg, the official Twitter feed of the group, which includes Canadian author Naomi Klein and Bishop Desmond Tutu on its board of advisers.
WOW, the end of the world, the world Jew and Zionists in the same statement rang the bells of the internet filters and in no time the whole Israel hasbara propaganda machine raise their antennas and started working round the clock..
I do not understand why the Free Gaza Movement had to publish an apology for what Greta Berlin tweeted, I believe that the video it is worth to be analyzed, and raising issues that we think could be possible than have happened is not a crime or reason to call any one Anti Semitic, Besides we all know that this is the hasbara way to operate why give them time and space and with this making bigger something that is not…besides Greta Berlin did not blame jews for the holocaust as the Headline title of Tristan Hopper advertised “Gaza flotilla sponsor publishes tweet blaming Jews for Holocaust” , I m not even going to cite the source of his article, because he did it with the purpose to inflame the Jews Community, and that it is wrong. So I refuse to send one reader to his publication.
1933 connection between Jews and Zionists to transfer the Jews to Palestine…The transfer Agreement the book.Edwin Black Author.
Now, we have another person Greta Berlin, Pro Palestinian, and according to Gilad Atzmon article Ali Abuminah did it again “Is it really possible that not a single Palestinian or Palestinian solidarity activist would stand for Greta Berlin, one of the founders of the Free Gaza Movement and its spokesperson for the last several years? Is it possible that not a single peace activist would rush to defend the person who was directly and physically involved in every naval attempt to break the siege on Gaza? Gilat Atzmon in its vendetta with Ali Abuminah again bring the sour wound that Ali Abuminah opened with that letter…Ay Ay Ay! this look like a soup opera of activist fighting for ratings..
So as you see in this Note, we have Gilad Atmzon against Ali Abuminah, and Omar bargoutti and at the same time against the BDS movement.
We have Greta Berlin against Ken O’keefe, but we have Gilat Atzom in the middle because Gilat Atzmon wrote an article defending Greta Berlin of the Israel Mad Machine of Hasbarists and none of the Palestinians and Palestinians Activists are coming in her defense. Well he deserve merit for defending Greta but at the moments when the Estelle is sailing alone without any exposure from the Media and absent from facebook walls, and people in facebook posting only about Greta Berlin being slandered, he completely took the attention away from the Gaza Flotilla Mission, and in doing this way, Gilad make mention of Ali Abuminah it looks illogical, I do not want to discredit Gilad Atzmon but he chosen the wrong issue, at the wrong time to try to get even with Abuminah.
Then we have Greta Berlin endorsing Gilad Atzmon book, ‘The Wondering Who”, but we know by now that Ken O’keefe have some resentment with Greta Berlin for her statements regarding Ken O’keefe during some Gaza missions that they were part activists.
Now when Ken O’keefe was cleaning his name after being slandered by some activists, and some hasbarists, the old scars surface again on the social networks whole thing seems as being purposely scripted to derail the mission of the Samouni Project that again is being revived, the Estelle Mission and The publication of Gaza Sailors of Greta Berlin.
So what this left us?, A triangle of three loving and hardworking Peace activists divided by the support and nonsupport of each other..
On the other hand, he have Gilad Atzmon and Omar Bargoutti defending their opinion of the BDS, which by the way needs to defense because the BDS Movement is so gigantic and have moved so well that at this pace the Israel boycott will be total in few years, and with this the dismantlement of the Apartheid State. And make sure not to twist these words, I did not say the destruction of the State of Israel, NO! Israel will self destruct very soon, not by the BDS or the global Palestinian Solidarity Movement, or the Palestinian Resistance inside and outside of Palestine, but own Israel hands, her arrogance have no name, and the leaders will have no other but to cut ties with Israel, and Israel with no International support and no free money is nothing but I bunch of guys yelling “Anti Semitic” …
Well I think I have summarized what it is going on in the Activist Community of the Palestinian Solidarity Movement.
Please remember all the blood spilled in Palestine, the thousands of ancients olive tress uprooted, the destruction of ancients Palestinian homes, the millions of Palestinians exiles in other countries, the millions living in refugee camps, the Palestinian children tortured in Israel Jails, the thousands in Israel Jail, the hunger strikers, the Besiege Gaza, All the Palestinian Martyrs. Remember Palestine is still occupied.
It is not about me, about you, is not about Ken O’keefe, Gilad Atzmon, Omar Bargoutti, Ali Abuminah, Greta Berlin, Norman Finkelstain, is not about selling books, about popularity, facebook buddy support, is not about selling conferences, is not about making money blogging, or selling the stories to the Big Media, is not about being on TV or Radio…is about PALESTINE, is about Free Palestine, about Justice, Fairness, Truth, and above all and all is about PEACE, not just in Palestine but in the whole world, because by this time many have come to the conclusion that unless Israel be brought to justice and in the road to justice Israel be completely disarmed, and stop creating conflict around the world, not before all that happen there won’t be World Peace.
Now I leave you with The Video that have Israel hasbarists fuming in the Internet. Please take the time to watch it and make your own mind. At the End the readers are the opinion makers.
And this little excerpt of Eustace Mullins Ideas on Israel and the Federal Reserve
Many of Mullins’ writings show a preoccupation with the idea that the Jews of the world are in a state of war with Christianity and Western civilization, and that Communism, Zionism, and International finance were Jewish tools to subjugate gentile populations. He also believed that in general the interaction between Jews and gentiles was parasitic. He believed that the Rockefellers were also parasitic, but that ultimately the World Order was controlled by Jews and that the end goal of this Jewish oligarchy is “World Zionism.”
Mullins believed that the French Revolution and the Congress of Vienna were key events in which Jews, via conspiratorial machinations, overpowered Gentile governments. He believed that other key moments in the establishment of Jewish power were the creation of the Federal Reserve, the Bolshevik Revolution, and the establishment of the state of Israel.
Ken O’keefe Back in Gaza with Max Igan & the Samouni Family
Posted on September 25, 2012 by Akashma Online News
Re-Blogged from Ken O’keefe Web Blog
By Ken O’keefe
When I came to Gaza in November 2011 I planned to stay for 2 months maximum, at least that was the deal I made with my pregnant wife. But as happens Palestine has a way of seducing you, and in my case the Egyptian authorities have a way of imprisoning you, so my stay lasted 6 months rather than 2. In turn I ended up missing the birth of our second child.
Although I planned to film 30 separate family profiles here in Gaza, to have these families tell their story directly to a western audience, I did not plan to meet the Samouni family as their story had been told many times before. Fate had other plans however and this meeting was arranged without my knowledge.
Back in Gaza with the Samouni kids
It is ironic how unplanned events often impact your life far more than those that are planned. Before you know it you are taken down a path of which the universe, God, some unknowable force is clearly in charge, we become but a passenger. Meeting the Samouni family has been like that, it has caused a chain reaction of events that has dominated my life for the last 18 months. In that time I have known the greatest of joy, the joy of receiving a child’s smile upon your return for instance. I cannot guess at the amount of smiles reciprocated with the Samouni kids and yet the joy it produces never diminishes.
What is a child’s smile worth?
In the last 18 months I have also known rage, primarily from the betrayal of those I trusted. To trust is to love, it is expose one’s underbelly in the interest of union. It is the cornerstone of partnership, it is essential for any significant progress in effecting a better world. Those that are afraid to trust, to love, will never know the joy of love, and my willingness to trust has been one of the greatest sources of the immense blessings I have known. I have no regrets, even with the betrayals.
Max Igan meets the Samouni kids
So the price one inevitably pays for misplaced trust is to be praised one day, and then slandered with the most filthy lies the next. This is the tactic of infiltration, get inside, develop trust, establish an apparently credible basis to defame the target, then attack. For me this extends not just about me, but of my wife, my mother and even my children who have been called “illegitimate”. I have even seen Palestinians create a Facebook page designed purely for the purpose of defaming me (a blatant violation of Facebook’s duplicitous, Israel slanted policies). I have been unlawfully arrested by the UK police, my family home has been violated and my property stolen by thieves in uniform. And yet I am grateful for it all because it is in these greatest of challenges, the injustices, that one finds the greatest opportunities to grow, to become wiser and stronger.
I am grateful because through the joy and through the hardship I have never lost sight of how blessed I am. When I look back at my life there is such richness in the stories I have accumulated and the friendships I have developed. I have thought with my heart more than with my head and in a world of collective insanity I realized long ago that popularity and approval is not what a content and honorable life generally provides, in fact it almost never does. The path of popularity is not for me, it is self-respect, service to life, commitment to truth and justice that I am committed to. The hardship, ridicule and slander is all part of the path and ultimately can only be overcome by steadfastness and love, love of truth, love of justice, and ultimately love of peace.
Indeed I have taken the path less traveled by and without doubt this has made all the difference. This path has lead me back to Gaza, and as potentially dangerous as this path is it doesn’t really matter, if my mortal life ends today I will leave behind an example of what blessings await those that “think” with their heart and more importantly, act in accord with their heart.
So I am back in Gaza, and I am back with the Samouni family. What we have shared is what we shared before, love. If the full truth be known about all that has been employed to tear or relationship apart it could be made into a movie. Even a prominent human rights organization has been advising the Samouni family to divorce themselves of me because I was all that I was accused of being by the slanderers. What makes this shocking is that this “human rights” organization indicted me based on one source and one source alone, Facebook!
This organization went even further to pressure the Samouni family to press charges against me. When the family asked for one simple thing, evidence, this organization refused. Indeed this has been the judge of me for many, Facebook. What does this say about some of the so-called “friends” of Palestine, that they are so incredibly stupid as to validate a known CIA/Zionist tool as a source to crucify one of Palestine’s most easily verified allies?
What I find myself saying more and more about the plight of the Palestinians is, “with friends like these, who needs enemies.”
Between the human rights organization and the corrupt UK police and court system and Zionist agents online and importantly, the idiots who give credence to all of the above, it is safe to say that the only thing that has truly protected me is integrity. And the only thing that will save the Samouni Project and the educational program it entails is steadfastness. And even if these poor, poor human beings who wish otherwise were to succeed, I will die with my integrity as it is not subject to the whims of a human society that is, literally, collectively insane to the point that we remain on the brink of the human caused end of the world as we know it.
But make no mistake at all, those who have instigated baseless slander against me, those that have stolen resources for the Samouni Project, Aloha Palestine, Trade Not Aid, those that have been stupid enough to propagate lies without any critical thought, have not attacked me primarily, they have attacked Palestine and in particular, the Samouni family. A massive amount of effort has been invested in destroying the trust between myself and the Samouni family, it has not worked. I remain a loved member of this family and I love this family as if they were my blood.
In the next few days prepare to feel the joy I am feeling with me, as something beautiful is about to happen here in Gaza.
*****************************************************************************************************************
Ken has amazing stories to share, the untold story about the ordeal of the Sammouni Project.
Recent Posts in Ken’s Blog
Vittorio Arrigoni: Gifts that are Given, and Those Taken From Us
Dec-25, 2011
Tim King -News.com
This Christmas remember our warrior for humanity, Vittorio ‘Vik’ Arrigoni.
 Vittorio ‘Vik’ Arrigoni
|
(SALEM) – When we first reported the death of Vittorio Arrigoni last April, we knew we were faced with the passing of a spirit larger than those that can be contained inside of any man, or activist; his death represented something far worse than the loss of any single person.
It left a barren hole that punched through Gaza, reverberated through Italy and all of the world, creating a huge void. The magnitude of Vik’s loss was tantamount to his presence on earth. Few people ever did more and he almost certainly was one of the most inspirational activists to ever live.
As we consider the gifted man whose vitality slipped away in the night, know that Vittorio, known by ‘Vik’ to his friends, wasn’t in it for himself. Every aspect of every story screams this. Vik cared about the people of Gaza, who live in a prison camp setting. He could not stand the way Israel attacks Gaza’s fishermen, or its loan teenage female captain. He accompanied them, he rolled tape, he wrote at length about their lives, their accomplishments, their deaths. Vik was shot and hurt once by the Israeli military while defending Gaza fishermen, and on another day they nearly drowned him.
He helped people in their effort to survive, as they were pummeled under the fascist fist of Israel’s political prejudice. Their apartheid system has different laws for people, one set for Jews and one for everyone else. There are even “Jewish Only” roads throughout Israel. Their political punishment of perceived enemies is unforgivable and Israel’s campaign against Palestine is one against the whole world.
Israel kills more than 1400 people in Gaza at a time, in a single operation, using illegal weapons and tactics; yet claims only their national security is at risk. Israel’s apologists constantly talk about rockets fired from Gaza, which are acts of futile resistance, that have killed a total of 29 Israelis in all time, ever. That is hardly a justified reason for apartheid, murder, genocide, and human abuse.
This, as Israel imprisons an entire population. Zionists and Nazi’s are very similar, very close. Vik’s grandparents, Italian resistance fighters in World War Two, fought the Nazi’s and the Fascists. However all the Israeli Defence Forces ever did was treat Vik with scorn, political abuse and violence.
For the brave and courageous men and women of this world like Vittorio Arrigoni, who oppose those who strike humanity from the conversation, Israel’s Zionists reserve special titles that imply that somehow all the good motives are bad.
The aggressive ones accuse the human activists of not hating the violence. They claim, and their views are repeated by the press and the networks, that opposing Zionism is actually a hatred of their Jewish faith. The first and largest problem with that utterly false accusation, is that Judaism and Zionism (the belief that God authorized Jews to kill Palestinians and steal their land) are like apples and oranges.
Judaism is ancient, Zionism is an idea given birth by a German in the 1890’s, Theodore Herzl.
Hating them over their religion? – these are words from a language most of us don’t even understand. Does a person or group need amazing ego just to make that claim, or what? In the end the term antisemitic technically means a person is against people of the ancient Semitic languages, this means Jews and Arabs, Ethiopians, or Assyrians.
Labeling those who defend Palestinians as ‘antisemitic’ is akin to claiming that those who oppose the woman-abusing Taliban are actually masking a hatred for Muslims, or inferring that abhorring the acts of the murderous Mexican drug cartels are actually bigotry toward Hispanic people. What nonsense, what rubbish.
As both Egidia Beretta Arrigoni, mother of Vittorio Arrigoni, and Ken O’Keefe, our fellow writer and close friend of Vik’s in Gaza, said: he is not dead. No such person ever truly goes away; Vik Arrigoni’s legacy is here to stay.
Watch the VIDEO below:
Story and pre-production by Tim King, Video post-production by Sean King.
__________________________________
End of the Road by Agron Belica
Dedicated to Vittorio Arrigoni
(Featuring Marka)
Produced by Kyle Hall
Co-Produced by Patrick Dreier, Tim King, Sean King and Agron Belica
_________________________________________________
<iframe src=”http://player.vimeo.com/video/23932754?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0″ width=”400″ height=”225″ frameborder=”0″ webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/23932754″>End of the Road – Tribute to Vik Arrigoni</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user4825625″>Tim King</a> on <a href=”http://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>
What I’m doin’ at the end of the road:
Pride in my words, and passion in my heart.
And ain’t a place that I’d rather start.
And if it comes down to what I’m doin’, What I’m doin’,
What I’m doin’, at the end of the road.
This path I chose you don’t see it, but believe it!
Just know that I’mma have a place to go, at the end of the road.
(Hook-Marka)
Life is sacred; it came from heaven up above;
A blessing from the Lord to be shared by everyone!
Freedom is God-given, something that we come to love;
It’s in the blood to defend it, yes! Our strongest passion!
The message goin’ out to those who transgress and violate,
When we’re overwhelmed, the Lord shakes the earth awake.
Everyone suffers; count the losses, check the death rate!
The ignorant surprised, as they watch the newsbreak.
The tears shed, man. for the ones that are sufferin’—
For the ones captive or dyin’ in the millions;
This one goes out to all my people in captivity:
Everyday we pray the Lord gives you all security!
Free you from the devil’s hand, those who oppress thee;
So you can enjoy your sacred life in the world free!
No one has the right to dictate your future, see?
The message goes out: mercy extends universally!
When it comes down to what I’m doin’, What I’m doin’,
What I’m doin’ at the end of the road:
Pride in my words, and passion in my heart.
And ain’t a place that I’d rather start.
And if it comes down to what I’m doin’,
What I’m doin’, What I’m doin’, at the end of the road.
This path I chose you don’t see it, but believe it!
Just know that I’mma have a place to go, at the end of the road.
(Hook-Marka)
____________________________________________
Most of us don’t want to take responsibility
Save a few brave hearts, inspired God-consciously
Not afraid to parade the doorsteps of authority;
Demand justice be served for the sake of humanity!
Going out to all the brave men and woman activists,
Who put their lives on the line to expose injustice;
Who exert their energy to see we live with dignity—
Your mission and your efforts are recorded in our history!
For all those who enjoin the good and forbid the evil:
Men, women, and children—everyone that is able;
Give a lending hand to stop all that are sinful;
Only with unity can we achieve and become forceful!
Those who left us never will be forgotten;
In our hearts you all will remain with lots of lovin’;
A place for you is set at the end of the road!
May the Lord give you peace and a heavenly abode!
When it comes down to what I’m doin’, What I’m doin’,
What I’m doin’ at the end of the road:
Pride in my words, and passion in my heart.
And ain’t a place that I’d rather start.
And if it comes down to what I’m doin’,
What I’m doin’, What I’m doin’, at the end of the road.
This path I chose you don’t see it, but believe it!
Just know that I’mma have a place to go, at the end of the road.
(Hook-Marka)
Articles regarding Vittorio’s loss
Apr-20-2011: Men Die, Lions Rise – Jonathan Azaziah Special to Salem-News.com
Apr-17-2011: Vittorio Never Was as Much Alive as he is Now – By Egidia Beretta Arrigoni, Mother of Vittorio Arrigoni
Apr-17-2011: I Do Not Believe That A Palestinian Killed Vittorio Arrigoni – Gilad Atzmon Salem-News.com
Apr-17-2011: Vittorio and Israel’s Attack on the Intellectual Intifada – Lauren Booth Salem-News.com
Apr-16-2011: Was Israel’s Shin Bet Behind Vittorio Arrigoni’s Brutal Murder? – Tim King Salem-News.com
Apr-15-2011: AMP expresses deep condolences to ISM and family of Vittorio Arrigoni – Salem-News.com
Apr-15-2011: We Mourn Another Friend… Vittorio Arrigoni – Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh Salem-News.com
Apr-14-2011: Hero of Gaza: Vittorio Arrigoni, Kidnapped and Murdered – Tim King and Bonnie King Salem-News.com
Apr-14-2011: Famed Activist Vittorio Arrigoni Kidnapped in Gaza – Feared Dead – Tim King Salem-News.com
Articles regarding the death of Juliano Mer Khamis:
April-05-2011: Losing Juliano – Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh Salem-News.com
April-04-2011: Filmmaker Juliano Mer-Khamis was Murdered Today in Jenin – Gilad Atzmon Salem-News.com
Articles by Vittorio on Salem-News.com:
Mar-23-2011: Israel’s Attack on Civilians: Two Children Killed – Vittorio Arrigoni Special to Salem-News.com
Mar-18-2011: Gaza’s Youth: Hopes Broken at 15 March End Of Division Demonstration – By Vittorio Arrigoni for Salem-News.com
Mar-04-2011: 15 March Palestine: End of Division – Vittorio Arrigoni for Salem-News.com
Nov-10-2010: The First Targeted US Killing in Gaza – Vittorio Arrigoni for Salem-News.com
Also:
Nov-30-2010: Israeli Soldiers Fire at Road to Hope Convoy Members – Tim King Salem-News.com
Advisory regarding comments: Comments on this story need to be of a respectful nature or they will not be approved.
Salem-News.com Writer/Author/Musician Agron Belica, faced many challenges growing up as a rootless street youth, situations so intense that they threatened to destroy him- that is until he rediscovered his Muslim roots a few years ago and turned his life around. In 2008, Agron Belica published his research article The Revival of the Prophet Yahya, and has caused quite a stir in scholarly circles. In 2009, a new theory was born, The Crucifixion: Mistaken Identity?> John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ. With no formal advanced education, he offers new interpretations of certain key words in the Quran along with his challenging theories about the role of John the Baptist in the Crucifixion and has attracted the attention of well-known scholars in the field of comparative religion, such as Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar, the first American woman to translate the Quran into English, the noted university professor, Dr. Mahmoud Ayoub, and the author and translator, Dr. Jay R. Crook.
You can write to Agron at this address: agronbelica@gmail.com
Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com’s Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines. Tim holds numerous awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), first place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Tim has several years of experience in network affiliate news TV stations, having worked as a reporter and photographer at NBC, ABC and FOX stations in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon.
You can send Tim an email at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com
Salem-News.com has some of the oldest and youngest working journalists in the nation. In 2006, at the age of 14, Sean became the youngest broadcast TV News reporter in the NW when he was selected as a Salem Correspondent by ATTN’s NW Teen News, which aired on Salem’s KWVT. He has been contributing to Salem-News.com and assisting with technical needs ever since. A graduate of the Media Arts Academy; a special high school that specializes in art, video and Internet production, Sean also has substantial time under his belt in the cable access world, where he has volunteered for years off and on, with Salem Oregon’s CCTV group. His show ran for several months in 2005 and was a hit with younger and older audiences. Literally raised in a TV news household, Sean is able to understand and report about many things with a fresh, undiluted perspective. Sean has several videos hosted on Youtube. One of which, entitled “Cradle of Filth- My Humps” with nearly a million views, is very popular among the YouTube community.
You can send an email to Sean at this address: dragonreign_75@hotmail.com
Those Who Make Peaceful Revolution Impossible, Make Violent Revolution Inevitable
These men do not make the mistakes, as they themselves are part of the same programs, they are disposable, usable and trash-able when they finish their mission.
We need to be vigilant of any actions that will come in the next few months, as the global awareness movement is taken new levels and so the Globalist Agenda. But as always We The People have the upper hand if we stay united.
There is nothing stronger than a United Family and in these volatile days we the “Human Family” needs to stay more united than ever to win the battle of the classes that has been waged against us.
And I m not talking in any socialist agenda or political agenda of any kind I m talking of the awareness that it is taking place in every block of society.
The main event during the period in which Murdoch asserted that the Arabs were trying to “overrun” Israel was the 1967 war. Zionism’s story of it, which the mainstream media still peddles to this day, is that Israel went to war either because the Arabs attacked first or were intending to attack. Both, the either and the or, are Zionist propaganda nonsense. It was a war of Israeli aggression. Opinion-Maker
“Muslims converts ” fueling the Muslim rage against the Jews. Cartoons enraging the Muslim religious faith.
The “Self Hater Jews” new term and its promoters working wonders in the social networks with their cheap hasbaras that can be smell miles away.
The invented wars that terrorized, murdered and put the last nail in the coffin of the middle east hard worked stability that devastated the region and inserted military opps all over the middle east.
All the Middle East Conflict Israel/Palestine used as convenience to keep the rage, the energies exhausted, to keep the people taking sides, while they are waging more wars, destroying our Earth, starving the world, wasting our natural resources. They are making us angry, they are steering our last fiber of patience, they are brewing the revolution that will put end to the American empire, they are making impossible the peaceful revolution, where we change the old world order for a new world order, where we all have fair share of our world, where we all enjoy Peace.
International Community of Activists-Heros? No! Just Humans Ken O’keefe
Outstanding Human Beings
Gaza Flotilla Survivor, witness and Peace Activist-Kenneth O’keefe-Palestinian Hero
by Marivel Guzman on Friday, June 25, 2010 at 11:54pm
Some times we rush to criticized some people’s actions, their motives, or goals, and we judge them wrong without even doing little research on their work.
We have in our disposal unimaginable wealth of information in the Net, but the same way with find good resources on a subject, issue or individual we encounter the mighty grasp of the big Paid Media, there is so much debunking information and distrust in the media outlets these days that we tend to disbelief even the most clear ” Truths” but the propaganda machine is so well structured and dress up that most of the time we take the Lie and throw the truth away.
For centuries the power of the word has been the most important assets that humanity has in his favor to give to the new generations the events that shook our world, but also we have a hidden hand that has been manipulating that printed word for centuries, we said that the winners get to right history, well that is absolutely true but also, they have been courageous individuals throughout our history that have risked their lives for us to know the truth.
Activism is an activity that is born from the heart, you can wake up one day and find yourself feeling sad for our world, that moment you find your truth self the compassionate being that we all are if we just wake up to our humanity.
We see our brother Kenneth O’keefe defending peace, human lives, marine life and lately defending Palestine rights and the right of the peace activists trapped in the Mavi Marmara trying to lend a hand to his brothers from the calculated and planned assault of a well trained commands with much passion that we immediately wonder if this person is an actor paid by the Propaganda machine, many have gone to the extremes to dedicate whole blogs to discredit Ken O’keefe, sad but truth.
Well facebook lovers, Peace lovers and Peace haters, this is not the case of our brother Kenneth O’keefe, he is one of those selflessly loving beings that sometimes born in our time, he is a truly a hero and compassionate being of light.
I usually do not use Wikipedia because is come to be a hasbara site, but some information is worth it to read, I know that lot of the wording is misleading, but I appeal to your wise mind to discern the truth, to strip the lies out and leave the facts intact.
I copied and pasted the entire article of Wikipedia of his latest activities as activist, justice seeker and peace lover, and I took the time to research the information found in Wikipedia and checked out if the article was recently created, Nope! pace haters and Israel blind lovers, he is being activist for more than 10 years,and a nature protector as well, the articles are being updated as he is accumulating points to his crusade for pace and protection of the environment. I think his volunteer work as a marine life protector is what he assigned himself to do as a marine soldier, fighter for marine life, but his soul evolved from animal protector to humanity soldier.
Kenneth O’Keefe born July 21, 1969, he is an USA/American born citizen who lawfully renounced to his US citizenship on March 1, 2001. He has since acquired Irish, Hawaiian and Palestinian citizenship.
He is a former U.S. Marine who served in the 1991 Gulf War who subsequently spoke out about the use of Depleted Uranium as a “Crime against Humanity” and the US Military using soldiers as “human guinea pigs” with experimental drugs that were directly linked to Gulf War syndrome.
He is also a social entrepreneur utilizing direct action marine conservation, but he is more widely known as a human rights activist who led the human shield action to Iraq and as a survivor of the Israeli attack on the MV Mavi Marmara who helped disarm two Israeli Commandos.
On January 7, 2004, Mr O’Keefe burned his U.S. passport in protest of “American Imperialism” and called for US troops to immediately withdrawal from Iraq.
He replaced his US passport with a World Passport in accordance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which protects the right to travel and self-determination. Subsequently he proclaimed himself a “Citizen of the World” with “ultimate allegiance to my entire human family and to planet Earth.”
In 1995 O’Keefe earned a scuba diving instructor certification and in 1996 he created a social enterprise ‘to protect and defend the marine environment we operate within”. To date his scuba diving operation has conducted 13 Ghost net recoveries and over 55 endangered Green Sea Turtle rescues of turtles wrapped in monofilament fishing line. O’Keefe pioneered these rescues with over 40 such rescues personally, but he also taught others his methods and ultimately led a campaign to create a Marine Sanctuary (Pupukea MLCD) on the North Shore of Oahu.
In 1998 and 2000 he crewed with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) in anti-whaling and sealing campaigns in which he was mentored by Captain Paul Watson, another great marine life soldier.
In 2000 he became the Regional Director for SSCS in Hawaii, earned a US Coast Guard Captains license and was branded the ‘ecopreneur’ by Skin Diver Magazine, the worlds largest selling scuba diving magazine.
During this time O’Keefe found himself mixing marine conservation more and more with human rights, eventually his involvement in the Hawaiian Independence Movement led to his renunciation of US citizenship and full time investment in the cause of human rights.
Involvement in Hawaiian independence
In 1999 O’Keefe became an active supporter of the Hawaiian Independence Movement and began the process of formally renouncing his US citizenship.
In November 2000 he naturalized as a Hawaiian citizen, served as the Election Commissioner for the Hawaiian Kingdom elections and professed his allegiance to the Kingdom of Hawaii/Reinstated Hawaiian Government.
On November 30, 2000, then Kenneth Nichols was issued with a bench warrant for his arrest in the amount of $11,000, court transcripts proved that this was unlawfully issued and O’Keefe posted the warrant as proof of being targeted by the US Government.
In January 2001 he produced ‘The United States of Hypocrisy’, a scathing indictment of American imperialism that charges current administrations of the United States with continuing fraud in the ongoing theft of Hawaiian national lands.
He also charged the US Government with carrying out an unstated policy of genocide in Hawaii by the measuring of “blood quantum”. In his film former President of the American Indian Movement, Russell Means, claims that only two other nations have used blood quantum to measure blood, “Nazi Germany to measure Jews and Gypsies” and the “Apartheid regime to identify black’s in South Africa”. O’Keefe’s charge in the film is that the US measuring of blood is intended to eliminate Hawaiian nationals by making citizenship status contingent upon a 50% blood quantum. Predictably he says, over time, the Hawaiian people (kanaka maoli) will have diminished blood quantum below 50% and the policy of genocide will be complete, allowing the US to take adverse possession of Hawaiian national lands.
In 2000 O’Keefe authored a resolution that was approved by the Hawaiian Legislature which bound the Hawaiian Government to non-violence (except in absolute self-defense). In 2006 he returned to Hawaii and served as a democratically elected Representative of District 6 in Oahu, serving one year in the Hawaiian Legislature. During that time he authored resolutions calling for the ratification of international human rights treaties in Hawaii, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He also authored and lobbied for a resolution that would outlaw weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Hawaii; that resolution was subsequently approved in June 2007.
[edit] Seeking Political Asylum in The Netherlands
In the aftermath of 9-11, in November of 2001, O’Keefe left his family and business in Hawaii to seek political asylum in the Netherlands, claiming increasing persecution from US agents over his political activities. While the asylum process in The Netherlands provides a process to expel fraudulent asylum seekers within 96 hours of filing their claim, O’Keefe’s claim was determined to require the longer procedure that typically takes several years for a final decision. While in the asylum procedure he lived in a refugee camp in the north of The Netherlands, in Stadskanaal. Initially he represented himself, but eventually he secured the pro bono services of one of the top Dutch asylum attorneys, Pieter Bogaers. Understanding that the process would take years and seeing the upcoming invasion of Iraq he removed himself from the asylum process and initiated the human shield action to Iraq in December 2002.
[edit] Human Shield Action to Iraq
The human shield action to Iraq intended to exploit the greater value put on western life and render the 2003 invasion of Iraq politically untenable by placing the western shields at locations that are legally protected by the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Critics of the human shields argued that their mission would only protect Saddam Hussein; O’Keefe however argued that the “people of Iraq” would suffer the most and publicly acknowledged Husein as a “violent dictator” and “mass-murderer”, unsurprisingly he was not greeted with open arms by the dictator when he later arrived in Iraq. At its height about 500 human shields were in Baghdad, but due to challenges internally, with the Iraqi government and O’Keefe’s deportation by order of Saddam, the numbers dwindled to approximately 100 at the beginning of ‘Operation Shock and Awe’.
Despite failing to achieve the primary objective of preventing the invasion, volunteers successfully protected all the sites to which they were deployed (Al Daura Electrical Plant, Baghdad South Electrical Plant, 7 April Water Treatment Plant, Al Daura Water Treatment Plant, Tejio Food Silo, Al Daura Oil Refinery and Al Mamun Telecommunications Facility).
[edit] P10K & International Observers in Palestine
In 2004 O’Keefe founded P10K and attempted to organise a group known as the “P10K Force”, a group of 10,000 Westerners intended to act as international observers in the Occupied Palestinian territories and help bring peace with Israel. In furtherance of that plan P10K secured endorsements from Noam Chomsky, the late President Yasser Arafat, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, the late Tanya Reinhart along with Israeli Refusniks and the overwhelming majority of the people of Palestine.
O’Keefe also sought meetings with leaders within the main resisting factions of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades in order to obtain an ‘Agreement in Principle’ that would effect a ceasefire in return for the arrival of the 10,000 international observers within the ‘P10K Force’. Having successfully met with leaders within Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, O’Keefe then managed to clandestinely pass through Eretz and Nisanit Settlement checkpoints on his way to meet with leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza. He was however halted by the Israel Defense Forces IDF at gunpoint in the security zone between Israeli settler and Palestinian Gaza.
Seemingly embarrassed by O’Keefe’s ability to breach Israeli security and enter Israeli settler Gaza, the IDF offered to release him if he signed an agreement stating that he would not attempt to re-enter Gaza; O’Keefe refused and spent 20 days in jail before being deported as a ‘security threat’ based on secret testimony by Israeli intelligence. While in Israeli custody he initiated a hunger strike due to being beaten and denied access to an attorney and use of a phone to call his family.
Free Gaza Movement
In 2007 O’Keefe joined the Free Gaza Movement and in July 2008 he arrived in Greece to serve as a captain and first mate in the transport of two boats to Gaza via Cyprus. The Free Gaza mission was an open challenge to the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Ultimately he was one of the 46 passengers who succeeded in reaching Gaza by sea despite Israeli threats all the way up to departure from Cyprus. The boats arrived in Gaza on August 23, 2008, this was the first time in 41 years that boats had sailed into Gaza, tens of thousands of Palestinians greeted them as they arrived. O’Keefe piloted one of the two boats, the ‘Free Gaza’, into the Port of Gaza.
Aloha Palestine
In the aftermath of the success of the Free Gaza Movement, O’Keefe and Lauren Booth co-founded Aloha Palestine, a social enterprise intending to conduct ‘SafeTrade’ with Palestinians in Gaza. Aloha and Palestine were joined according to O’Keefe’s history of work in both Hawaii and Palestine. The Aloha Palestine mission commits the enterprise to ‘SafeTrade’; defined as ‘The commercial exchange of non-hazardous items that pose no danger to society. Trade conducted transparently and fairly that develops prosperity while fostering stability and building security in the region where it is conducted. Among the supporters of Aloha Palestine are Noam Chomsky, Tony Benn, UK Member of Parliament Jeremy Corbyn, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet and John Pilger.
Gaza Freedom Flotilla involvement
In June 2010, O’Keefe was on board the MV Mavi Marmara as the Managing Director of Aloha Palestine CIC, a social enterprise intending to conduct SafeTrade with Palestinians in Gaza. In the ensuing Gaza flotilla raid, O’Keefe was among the defenders of the ship and the mission to deliver aid to Gaza. In the course of defending the ship O’Keefe was involved in providing initial first aid to a seriously wounded passenger and disarming two Israeli Commandos. He helped to disarm one commando of his assault rifle and himself took possession of a 9mm pistol from another commando. He removed the “real bullets” from the pistol, giving the bullets to others while hiding the weapon. It was his hope that the weapon could be used as evidence in any subsequent trial. O’Keefe said of the experience that it was like “combat but without combat weapons” and that “We had in our full possession, three completely disarmed and helpless commandos” who were “surrounded by at least 100 men”; “we could have done anything with them.” He said that “woman provided basic first aid, and ultimately they were released, battered and bruised for sure, but alive. Able to live another day.
According to fellow activist Fintan Lane, O’Keefe was severely beaten by security officials at Tel Aviv airport before boarding a plane on 3 June for deportation, and that his injuries were so bad that he had to be hospitalized in Tel Aviv. He later released a video apparently showing the extent of his injuries, which he claimed were sustained from beatings by Israeli officials.
On 6 June, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that O’Keefe was linked to terrorist organizations, that he was an “anti-Israel extremist” whose “goal was to reach Gaza in order to train and establish Hamas commando units. Mr O’Keefe publicly rejected the IDF’s allegations, pointing out “If they had a supposed terrorist in their possession, why the hell did they let me go?” He confirmed that he had held meetings with senior Hamas officials, but added that he had never carried arms for any group: “The only weapons I ever carried were while I was a US Marine serving in the Gulf War.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_O%27Keefe
Kenneth O’keefe Palestinian Hero
Outstanding Human Beings – Huwaida Arraf
Oustanding Human Being – Patrick Macmanus
Dale Farms
Dale Farm battle highlights funding black hole for new Traveller sites
Equality and Human Rights Commission says because Gypsy sites grant is not ring-fenced, money has been channelled away
Alexandra Topping and Hugh Muir · 28/09/2011 · guardian.co.uk
The Dale Farm attempted eviction has drawn attention to millions of pounds being channelled away from future site funding. Photograph: Andrew Winning/REUTERS
Millions of pounds intended for new Gypsy and Traveller sites have been diverted to other projects, a move described as shocking by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
The Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant, launched in 2008, had £97m available to “reduce the number of unauthorised sites” and “reduce the need for costly enforcement action”. But only £16.9m has been spent. A lack of ring-fencing has meant millions being channelled into affordable homes not intended for Gypsies.
The diversion of the public money emerged as an eviction at the Dale Farm Travellers’ site in Essex, estimated to cost Basildon council up to £18m, became stuck in a legal quagmire with a further high-court hearing on its fate due on Thursday.
“Given that the lack of Traveller sites is central to the Dale Farm problem, it is shocking that millions have been taken away that should have been used for site provision and other projects,” said Simon Woolley, a commissioner with responsibility for Travellers, at the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
The Homes and Communities Agency told the Guardian that £15m from the grant was allotted to “unfunded commitments in other programmes” within the National Affordable Homes Programme.
Ken O'keefe Photos from UK
Lord Eric Avebury, chair of the all-party parliamentary group for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers, said the effect of grandiose promises made to Travellers had been “pretty measly”. He added: “The government’s policy on Gypsies and Travellers is a shambles – if you are going to put a four-year programme in place then local authorities have to be aware of it and ready to use it. It is indicative of the total lack of willingness of successive governments to address the needs of Gypsies and Travellers.”
The grant programme, which had a stated aim of creating new, permanent, sites, to “tackle the inequalities experienced by Travellers … one of the most disadvantaged [groups] in the country” has led to building of just four new sites, with a total of 37 pitches; 62 new pitches were created on existing sites and 178 pitches were refurbished.
A lack of political will is responsible for the failure to provide the required 3,000 sites, according to the government’s annual caravan count, said the MP Andrew Slaughter, a member of the Gypsy, Roma and Travellers parliamentary group.
Slaughter said: “Local authorities are unwilling to take the grant often because of pressure from electors who say they do not want a site near them even it will solve local problems and cost nothing.”
The situation will be worsened by the localism bill, which scraps the requirement for local authorities to use a common method for assessing the needs of Gypsies and Travellers, and removes councils’ obligation to allocate sites, he added.
The coalition scrapped the Gypsy and Traveller sites grant in 2010-11, but reinstated a sum of £60m for 2011-15. That amount is about half of the yearly total previously available.
The Department for Communities and Local Government said the cut was made as part of its “contribution to reducing the national deficit”, and that targets had been abolished because “they did not work, alienated communities and did not always accurately reflect the need on the ground”.
Councils were being given more powers to address local housing and planning issues with “incentives” to provide appropriate sites, including a “duty to cooperate”, ensuring 
local authorities worked together. There was also the new homes bonus, whereby the government matches additional council tax raised by new homes.
But that bonus was rated by Slaughter as “a perverse incentive” since councils would draw significantly more council tax from luxury developments than Traveller sites.
The situation was likely to create more Dale Farms, the MP said: “The government has given in to pressure from backbenchers to give local authorities a device to veto construction of new sites. That will mean few if any new sites built even if money’s available, more expensive evictions, more conflict and the continuation of appalling life-indicators for Gypsies and Travellers.”
Candy Sheridan, who is a member of the Gypsy Council and a campaigner at Dale Farm, told the Guardian’s Focus podcast that the Gypsy community was being let down and ignored. “It’s appalling. We have not been catered for and we continue to be vilified,” she said. “There are councils everywhere who don’t want to deliver for us – they say we have enough Gypsy sites. Where do we fit in?”
Additional reporting by Peter Sale
“It was an honour to be with the residents and activists who repelled the eviction of over 80 families from Dale Farm. The planned eviction of the Dale Farm residents is a human rights issue that everyone who cares about justice should be aware of.
Come to Dale Farm and increase the power of the people to compel justice.” Ken O’keefe
Read More in Dale Farms…..
Truth & Lies – Why Dale Farm Matters – The Irish traveler community of Dale Farm in England are facing a forced eviction, they are also facing a racist system that falsely claims that the residents of Dale Farm are flouting the law
Dale Farm Solidarity -Dale Farm resident, Mary McCarthy, said “I can’t believe that Basildon Council are placing the rights of newts over the rights of our community to a home. The council is finding any excuse to drive us out of Basildon.”
Dale Farm supporter, Ali Saunders, added “Tony Ball’s leadership is becoming untenable. It has been shown in court that there are alternatives to a confrontational eviction strategy at huge human and financial cost. Tony Ball needs to resign or return to the negotiating table.”
Unity March 15 a date to remember
Posted on March 15, 2011 by Omar Karem, from Gaza, edited by Marivel Guzman
Opinion
Gaza City, photo by Omar Karem
Thanks to all Palestinians that turned out today for the great March 15 March that markes the beginning to demand for a united Palestine.
The protesters were oppressed by the government forces. Was a little set back but the battle is not lost.
The youth, the women, the men, came in big numbers to demand unity and they will come out again; tomorrow, next week, until unity is achieved.
Battles are not easy to win said Leila Khaled, the Palestinian heroine that fought with Yosef Arafat during the 70s. She will tell you is not easy.
Today was a great day for Palestine, no matter what the outcome, it is a change, for first time lots of women are taking charge of the affairs of their land. Thousands of women were mixed with the crowd of men.
They know they must not be afraid, they are all Palestinians. Hamas, AFLP,FATAH, every one no matter the party they follow, they are all Palestinians, we are all Palestinians.
One Palestine Nation united to fight against the common enemy, ‘The Occupier’, ‘The IOF’ ,’Zionism’,’Ignorance’,’Division,’ those are the real enemies of the people.
Gaza City, photo by Omar Karem
Today the turn of events are only a show of the government to exercise power over the people, “Intimidation won’t work with us,” said a Palestinian, “We are feed up with Israel, even without uniform we know them, they can beat us and incarcerated us, but we wont stop,” he said.
They (Palestinian police) need to stop and unite with us. This fight is not against our government, it is against the division.
The security forces of Gaza are shooting to the air, shooting to the feet of the crowd. The government is afraid, of course they are afraid. Every government should be afraid of its people not the other way around. They need to prove themselves worthy to stay in power and if they have not done it the people is speaking loudly and demonstrating in the street and demanding unity.
It is not going to be easy for Hamas or the PA to contain the discontent because now we know that the power is with ourselves. If tomorrow, we all come to the streets, they won’t be enough bullets, or sticks to scare us. Today we celebrate that we can gather together, I don’t see it as a defeat to the people, No..it is a lesson, for us, for the government, to take notice that the actions are all recorded in history in our land. We must continue to work together to bring us as one Nation, we won’t stop.
We Palestinians are resolved to bring Palestine Unity.
“To really respond to the practices of the occupation, there should be unity behind the leadership that can address the world with one voice, to once and for all end the occupation and establish a Palestinian State as a strategic option for peace” – Issam Samour-Coordinator of Christian Relieve in Gaza, Palestine
The day’s events both exposed Palestinian divisions and underscored the popular desire for political reconciliation between Gaza, controlled by Hamas, and the West Bank, controlled by the Palestinian Authority under Mahmoud Abbas amd his Fatah party. -The New York Times
Naji Shurrab, a political science professor at Al Azhar University in Gaza, which is unofficially affiliated with Fatah, said on Tuesday that ending the Fatah-Hamas split was beyond the capacity of the youths to correct. “The division is like cancer; the later you are in treating it, the more it spreads,” he said. –New York Times
The main stream media is ready to blame the set backs of the youth of Palestine on the people. They are mute when Israel is bombing our cities or killing us but as soon as the occasion arise they are ready to make headlines. We should ignore them all along, until they bring us the Truth.
We could feel the joy in the last few days in Palestine, all the videos that we shot in Palestine, people in the streets talking about March 15, Unity Day, Reconciliation day. It euphoria was overwhelming, the talks of a nation ready to emerge.
The people is what it make the nation not the leaders. Palestine is One, One land. The Holy Land is Only one. “We the People” make it.
Please stop the fights, come with us, all the fathers, and sons, that work for the respective governments, see us we are you, you are us. We are Palestine.
Palestinian youth at the Unity March photo by Omar Karem
Abu Yazan and other youth leaders, however, insist that unity is required to effectively resist the occupation and that political reform would significantly improve quality of life in the meantime. The slogan for the March 15 event is “End the division. One people against zionism.”
Ali Abdul Bari, a 24-year-old leader of Esha (Wake Up), a liberal, secular group devoted to promoting human rights, tells a story to illustrate just how deep the divide is. His group posted a sign demanding elections near the destroyed Palestinian Parliament building in downtown Gaza City. It was removed by Hamas 90 minutes later, despite the permit they had obtained. Later, many group members were interrogated or had their backgrounds checked. Pam Bailey
We must have high hopes that this movement wont stop, that today was a minor set back, but tomorrow a new day will come, bringing hopes. Specially that we will be commemorating Rachel Corrie day.
Come tomorrow March 16 to the streets to remember her memory, her martyrdom, we will celebrate her life, praise her memory for her sacrifice to our land.
Rachel Corrie
Please come with no banners, no flags, no colors, security forces please do not give bad image to the world. Do not copy the practices of Israel, we are tired of repression and oppression. Support us, in the new Palestine Nation that we all try to build.
Tomorrow is a new day, to rectify the errors, to take lessons of the past. Inshallah
Dear Susan Life is Not Fair
Posted in November 15, 2010 by Marivel Guzman
Dear Susan life is not fair, and has not been less unfair for Palestinians since the Zionist Movement started at the beginning of the century.
The situation in Gaza is deplorable worse than in the West Bank, and we know that everything that we people of the world wanted to happen for the good of Peace in the world, will only going to be possible if WE THE PEOPLE take the initiative and the lead in our world affairs.
Gaza Siege
The time has come when we must move the strings of power by the only way that is possible, Economic boycott of the diverse industries that finance Israel development and growth.
Hollywood Movie Industry, Knows for their support to Israel and their continuous subliminal messages against Palestine Rights to Resist the Occupation, Christian Non Profit Organizations, givers of astronomical donations to finance illegal settlements in West Bank and East Jerusalem, and every product that it is in the BDS list that give economical life to the Zionist Entity Israel.
The most important is keeping the pressure to our leaders in the US to stop the economic help to Israel. And to stop being the spoiler in the United Nations resolutions against Israel war crimes and pressure Israel to comply with the more of 350 resolutions put in place by this body.
Israel of 2009 is a spoiled country, arrogant and condescending, convinced that it deserves everything and that it has the power to make a fool of America and the world.
Raising awareness in our children about the prospects for peace in the world, educating them about the evil enterprise that is the War Complex Machine and their multi-billion dollars money deals they make with Israel.
Bodies with dead tissues and no apparent wounds; 'shrunken' corpses; civilians with heavy damage to lower limbs that require amputation, which is nevertheless followed by unstoppable necrosis and death; descriptions of extensive internal wounds with no trace of shrapnel, corpses blackened but not burnt, and others heavily wounded that did not bleed
The only way we will make our governments stop acting with impunity is showing them that we are united, that we are a uni-voice, a strong force growing every day, that we can not stay silence with the crimes they perpetrate and silently cover up, that we are awake and aware of the situation in Palestine, and elsewhere in the world.
That Israel is an entity that needs to disappear from the face of the Earth, because is causing great threat to World Peace, and was founded under false pretenses, deception, lies and deceit. And since the creation of this entity, the world has been in a constant battle to support it, against the will of the population of the government that finance her.
There is no secret any more that the Nazi regime so much vilified by the founders of Israel were in concord agreement with the Nazis to transfer as many Jews and their properties to Palestine. We know more about the deception played to world to created Israel. They did not stop at murder to cover up their lies in their way to the creation of Israel.
We have sons and daughters, they are our future educated them.
World peace is an ideal of freedom, peace, and happiness among and within all nations and/or peoples. World peace is a Utopian idea of planetary non-violence by which nations willingly cooperate, either voluntarily or by virtue of a system of governance that prevents warfare. Although the term is sometimes used to refer to a cessation of all hostility among all individuals, world peace more commonly refers to a permanent end to global and regional wars with future conflicts resolved through nonviolent means.
We have sons and daughters, they are our future educated them on the issue of Peace. Educate them on the horrors of war and their profiteers and financiers.
Israel is the biggest arm dealer in the world. And she profits every time there is a death somewhere in the world. BE WAR OR just a random shoot out.
Facebook is just one outlet to spread the truth, they are hundreds of this socials networks that we can use to change our world.
We can not just complain that nothing is happening, because is happening.
We are a force growing. Do not let us be just few raising our voices.
Be a peace activist too, reading is good because you are getting informed, then do your part, share the posts to other walls, export them to others blogs, others channels, other spaces.
Myspace, youtube,meta cafe,tweeter,digg this,blogerspot,wordpress.com. I can search the net and find maybe thousands of this social networks.
Soon the change will become our reality. Do not be discouraged by the tragic events, we all take lessons and must move on, we must make changes to our advantage, and ACT in our behalf, in the name of a brighter future, that for some parts of the world is just Future a temporary word.
They live in the situation of “Be Or Not To Be” where the fight for their life is an everyday affair.
We ALL are thinkers and able to share our concerns and give ideas of how to do better. How to participate in our political process and our world affairs.
Do not let no one dictate you what is good for you, if what you are witnessing is injustice and struggle and does not feel good for you, probably is not good for anybody else.
We can not move on as a society if we permit this tragic events pass in front of our News, and Television Sets and think and pretend that will never happen to us.
We can not move on as a society if we stay indifferent to the pain of other human beings, and look the other way pretending everything is right and there is nothing to change.
If There got to be Freedom in any society, Justice must be the base of the same. Human Rights is an inalienable right of every human being, being Gaza, US, Germany, Lebanon, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba(should not exist),Cuba, China, Iran, Mexico, Congo, Russia..or any place on Earth that humans co-habit under any authority of any type.
Take your future in your hands. If you do not do it, others will do for you.
Then you will have no face to complain or time to ACT.
ACT NOW for your future and for the change you want to see.
ACT NOW for betterment of our society.
STATEMENT FROM HOSTAGES ON BOARD STROPHADES IV…URGENT
Posted by Marivel Guzman
HOSTAGES ON BOARD STROPHADES IV…GREEK SHIP..
We have been kidnapped at the Libyan port of Derna, by the Captain and crew of the Straphades IV. The Captain and crew have since left and the Greek authorities are now holding us hostage on board the Strophades IV.Ten of us are being held …at gunpoint by a… Greek SWAT team, in a small room 8x8ft. We have been told if we move we will be shot. We have requested sleeping facilities, showering facilities, access to telephones/internet and consular assistance – all have been denied. In the last 48 hours we have had one tin of coke and one sandwich to eat. We have had no access to water other than that in the toilets. We have to ask permission to do anything, including using toilets. We have no status. We do not know the nature of the charges we are being held under and feel extremely vulnerable. We ask that everyone please put pressure on the Greek government and demand that they end this nightmare. We want the Greek authorities to release us and allow us safe passage to Libya, where we can join the remaining members of the Road to hope convoy and proceed with humanitarian aid to Palestine.
Message ends…..
ARE THE MASTERS of deceit playing with our intelligence? this is atrocious .ridiculous and non sense act of piracy.theatery and blatant abuse of power.What the people is waiting to yell your outrage.
Yesterday when finally few outlets News picked up the SOS from the hostages and the attention was in the hijacked ship, Israel f16 were bombarding Gaza and terrorizin the children with sonar bombs. Off course Zio-terrorist Israel and her puppets are behind this distracting tactical event.
The situation created by this twist of events with the Internationals peace activists was clearly planned and calculated by Israel Egypt Uk to disrupt the land convoys and knowing that all the activists are exhausted.
We only can do so much from our stand as International peace activists. Sharing the News raising awareness to the world, we must brake this block of indifference and impunity that keep us lethargic and divided, and showing to our governments that we are united and not be deterred by gimmicks.
Do not let them distract you, keep the pressure. Write to the diverse embassies of the governments involved in this outrageous incident, demonstrate in front of the embassies.
The activists Stranded in the Libyan/Egyptian border need our help.
Raise money to send them to finish the mission to deliver the humanitarian aid to Gaza…Thanks.
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Posted by Marivel Guzman on November 4, 2010
We are in an important moment, the world is awakening, we are taking responsibilities never before felt as a duty. The situation of Gaza has gone now for 5 years and we were asleep, in a lethargic state, pacified by the lies of the
Media. Now we are the Media, we are broadcasting directly from the ground. Our friends in Gaza send us the News every day, all day. Now our brothers that took the challenge of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza are Stranded in the border of Egypt, we have said that the convoys are non political movements, for that reason we need to participate, and help them in a non violent fashion way writing to the embassies, to your head of state to make the transfer of the Aid to Gaza. The activists are in a difficult situation they take enough money to travel but not
luxury is allowed. Please spread the message and do you part also. Maybe Bob Dylan and Eddie Vedder Explain it better with this message made song. Thanks to all
We seen more and more that that standoff of the
Road to Hope Convoy is awakening the ordinary citizens their humanitarian side, their voluntarism, it is so important the union, the show of great force of the people of the world, do not leave this courageous justice and peace seekers on their own. To Show our Governments that we can created a tremendous force. To all the peace activists in the world from all nationalities, to keep raising their voices in support of this noble cause.that we won’t stop to the effort to deliver the aid to Gaza. That the stubbornness of the Egyptian government needs to stop and cooperate with the humanitarian convoy and with their neighbors. Gaza.
5 days ago our brother Ken O’keefe important member of this delegation for peace speaks from the Libyan Border.
Road to Hope convoy stalled at Egyptian border
Posted by Marivel Guzman Via Ken O’keefe Blog
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Road to Hope convoy stalled at Egyptian border
Nov 3, 2010 5:41 PST
Ken O’Keefe
“Egypt has said that they will let us through by sea, the problem with that is the exorbitant expense. What the people of Gaza need is open borders and unhindered delivery of aid and ultimately trade. The R2H Convoy did not budget for an approx. £100,000 ship journey from Libya to Egypt, and why should we when a tourist can travel freely but aid cannot. This extra cost is reducing aid for the people in Gaza”.
Nov 2, 2010
Ken O’Keefe: “We are getting close to confrontation time. When tourists can travel by car freely through Egypt and a humanitarian aid convoy is blocked, it pretty much says it all. The blockade of Gaza is in a word, unacceptable”
The Road to Hope humanitarian aid convoy continues its role in the international community’s collective mission to break the illegal siege of Gaza and deliver desperately needed aid to the people of Palestine in Gaza. The convoy comprises 30 vehicles and 101 humanitarian aid workers. Among them are 8 survivors of the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla, 7 of them were aboard the Mavi Marmara, including Ken O’Keefe who was involved in disarming two Israeli commandos. The convoy has traveled four and a half thousand miles and is currently located at the Libyan / Egyptian border. As it stands the convoy finds itself at a standstill, with direct communication with the outside world being limited, and access to the internet very difficult.
It has always been a central aspect of the Road to Hope convoy that it acts in a non-political, non-confrontational manner. To work with and cooperate with every government in every country through which it traveled. Thus far this approach has rewarded it with exceptional receptions in every nation. All of the North African governments have been extremely accommodating and the people of each nation even more so. We must give special praise to the Libyan government for its constant support; when the convoy have had challenges, including breakdowns of vehicles, the authorities here have provided the means to repair those vehicles and continue our mission.
Ken O’Keefe: “Now we find ourselves in our third day at the Libyan / Egyptian border and we remain hopeful that the land route will be opened to us in the coming days”. The convoy departed from London with the understanding that the land crossing through Egypt had not been closed to it. Convoy leader, Kieran Turner: “One reason for our optimism that we will travel the land route is the fact that the Al Quds convoy, a Libyan convoy also delivering aid to Gaza, is set to travel the land route in the coming days. For several weeks we have hoped to join our convoys and travel together.” However, the convoy is awaiting permission from the Egyptian authorities to pass through Egypt in this way.
Mr. Turner understands that there is a possibility the Egyptian government will deny the convoy the land route, in which case they will have only two acceptable options —
1) To press on via the land border without permission, at which time our only chance of success will be by way of significant international pressure and a reversal of a policy which tacitly supports the illegal siege of Gaza.
2) If the land route is denied the only remaining option is to deliver our aid by sea. This option inherently requires significant increases in the cost of our mission, and importantly, to all subsequent aid missions. The end result of this policy is a reduction in the already limited resources that can be brought to bear for the people of Palestine.
The convoy leadership urge the Egyptian authorities to allow us safe passage to Gaza by land in the coming days, allow the convoy to join the Al Quds convoy, and ultimately increase the “easing” of the blockade which continues to collectively punish the people of Gaza.
Mr. Ken O’Keefe calls on all the supporters of Palestine “to support Road to Hope and the Al Quds convoys by spreading awareness of our missions and encouraging Egyptian cooperation”.
Contacts:
Primary contact: London – Eleanor Merton +44 777 037 6701
Libya / Egypt – Kieran Turner +44 779 22 66 111 (interviews in Libya available if the roaming costs are covered.)
Road to Hope convoy stalled at Egyptian border
Via <ahttp://kenokeefe.wordpress.com/Ken O'keefe Blog
Posted by Marivel Guzman on October 31, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Road to Hope convoy stalled at Egyptian border
The Road to Hope humanitarian aid convoy continues its role in the international community’s collective mission to break the illegal siege of Gaza and deliver desperately needed aid to the people of Palestine in Gaza. The convoy comprises 30 vehicles and 101 humanitarian aid workers. Among them are 8 survivors of the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla, 7 of them were aboard the Mavi Marmara, including Ken O’Keefe who was involved in disarming two Israeli commandos. The convoy has traveled four and a half thousand miles and is currently located at the Libyan / Egyptian border. As it stands the convoy finds itself at a standstill, with direct communication with the outside world being limited, and access to the internet very difficult.
It has always been a central aspect of the Road to Hope convoy that it acts in a non-political, non-confrontational manner. To work with and cooperate with every government in every country through which it traveled. Thus far this approach has rewarded it with exceptional receptions in every nation. All of the North African governments have been extremely accommodating and the people of each nation even more so. We must give special praise to the Libyan government for its constant support; when the convoy have had challenges, including breakdowns of vehicles, the authorities here have provided the means to repair those vehicles and continue our mission.
Ken O’Keefe: “Now we find ourselves in our third day at the Libyan / Egyptian border and we remain hopeful that the land route will be opened to us in the coming days”. The convoy departed from London with the understanding that the land crossing through Egypt had not been closed to it. Convoy leader, Kieran Turner: “One reason for our optimism that we will travel the land route is the fact that the Al Quds convoy, a Libyan convoy also delivering aid to Gaza, is set to travel the land route in the coming days. For several weeks we have hoped to join our convoys and travel together.” However, the convoy is awaiting permission from the Egyptian authorities to pass through Egypt in this way.
Mr. Turner understands that there is a possibility the Egyptian government will deny the convoy the land route, in which case they will have only two acceptable options —
1) To press on via the land border without permission, at which time our only chance of success will be by way of significant international pressure and a reversal of a policy which tacitly supports the illegal siege of Gaza.
2) If the land route is denied the only remaining option is to deliver our aid by sea. This option inherently requires significant increases in the cost of our mission, and importantly, to all subsequent aid missions. The end result of this policy is a reduction in the already limited resources that can be brought to bear for the people of Palestine.
The convoy leadership urge the Egyptian authorities to allow us safe passage to Gaza by land in the coming days, allow the convoy to join the Al Quds convoy, and ultimately increase the “easing” of the blockade which continues to collectively punish the people of Gaza.
Mr. Ken O’Keefe calls on all the supporters of Palestine “to support Road to Hope and the Al Quds convoys by spreading awareness of our missions and encouraging Egyptian Cooperation”.
Contacts:
Primary contact: London – Eleanor Merton +44 777 037 6701
Libya / Egypt – Kieran Turner +44 779 22 66 111 (interviews in Libya available if the roaming costs are covered.)
Akashma Online News 
