flotilla Archives - Page 2 of 3

Confrontation Begins Before Gaza Flotilla Sets Sail

ATHENS — Activists are engaged in a harsh confrontation with Israeli authorities days before the international “Freedom Flotilla II — Stay Human” sets sail toward the Gaza strip in an attempt to break the naval blockade Israel has imposed since 2007. The flotilla will include 10 ships that have already reached Athens. Two are cargo … Continue reading

Staying Human: Preparing to Sail to Gaza

Last week, newly arrived in Athens as part of the U.S. Boat to Gaza project, our team of activists gathered for nonviolence training. We are here to sail to Gaza, in defiance of an Israeli naval blockade, in our ship, The Audacity of Hope. Our team and nine other ships’ crews from countries around the … Continue reading

Spirits of Justice Going to Gaza

For those who engage in the common struggle for Justice, an invaluable grace comes from getting to know new friends similarly engaged—and equally willing to speak with more than words. Thus, it has been a great grace to get to know folks like Alice Walker personally as well as through her writings—including some new ones. … Continue reading

Will Israel Kill Americans Again?

Stuffing my backpack before setting out to board The Audacity of Hope, the U.S. boat to Gaza, I got a familiar-sounding call from yet another puzzled friend, who said as gently as the words allow, “You know you can get killed, don’t you?” I recognize this caution as an expression of genuine concern from friends. … Continue reading

New Book Assembles Eyewitness Accounts from Mavi Marmara

A growing number of activists is contradicting the claims of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) regarding the Gaza Freedom Flotilla debacle in May, including a large faction of both Israeli and U.S. Jews. This faction was evidenced by the distinguished array of Jewish scholars, journalists and professionals who contributed to Moustafa Bayoumi’s new book, Midnight … Continue reading

A Flash of Lightning

Night. Utter darkness. Heavy rain. Visibility close to nil. And suddenly – a flash of lightning. For a fraction of a second, the landscape is lit up. For this split second, the terrain surrounding us can be seen. It is not the way it used to be. Our government’s action against the Gaza … Continue reading

Who Is Afraid of a Real Inquiry?

If a real commission of inquiry had been set up (instead of the pathetic excuse for a commission), here are some of the questions it should have addressed: What is the real aim of the Gaza Strip blockade?If the aim is to prevent the flow of arms into the Strip, why are only 100 products … Continue reading

Israeli MP Who Joined Flotilla Faces Witch Hunt

An Israeli parliamentary committee recommended stripping an Arab MP of her privileges yesterday in a move to prepare the ground for putting her on trial for participating last week in the Gaza-bound aid flotilla attacked by Israeli commandos. Haneen Zoubi, who has become a national hate figure since challenging Israel’s account of the confrontation, said … Continue reading

Free Gaza Leader: ‘We’ll Be Back – With Bigger Flotillas’

RAMALLAH – In an exclusive interview with IPS, Huwaida Arraf, the chairwoman of the Free Gaza (FG) movement, which tried to break Israel’s crippling blockade on Gaza, explains what happened on the night of May 31 when Israeli commandos raided the FG humanitarian flotilla, shooting nine people dead and injuring dozens more. Controversy surrounds the … Continue reading

IDF Beatings, Abuse, Doctored Evidence Emerge

RAMALLAH – Although Israel successfully controlled news of its deadly commando raid on the Free Gaza (FG) flotilla during the first crucial 48 hours of media coverage, emerging evidence from witnesses and survivors is challenging the Israeli government’s version of events. These include claims of medical treatment being withheld; beatings and abuse of passengers who … Continue reading