Palestinian football returns home
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- Written by The Guardian, AP The Guardian, AP
- Published: 28 October 2008 28 October 2008
- Hits: 3582 3582
Free Gaza Movement: Israel Threatens to Forcibly Stop Us
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- Written by Greta Berlin, Greta Berlin,
- Published: 28 October 2008 28 October 2008
- Hits: 3583 3583
October 28, 2008
Contact: Greta Berlin, Cyprus: +357 99 08 17 67
Angela Godfrey Goldstein, Jerusalem: +972 547 366 393
Huwaida Arraf (on boat): +357 96 723 999 /SS Dignity: +357 967 80 329
Osama Qashoo, +447833381660
This morning, the Free Gaza Movement was informed through the media that the Israeli Navy is threatening to forcibly stop the SS Dignity from entering Gaza tomorrow morning. Israel has not bothered to inform us of a legitimate reason for preventing us from delivering medical supplies, doctors, lawyers, and prominent human rights advocates to the Gaza Strip. Indeed, Israel has not bothered to communicate with us at all.
We are returning to Gaza for exactly the same reasons we came in August: to deliver medical supplies, meet with civil society organizations, volunteer in hospitals, and visit Palestinians who have requested our presence.
According to Huwaida Arraf, Free Gaza spokesperson and law lecturer at al-Quds University in Jerusalem: "The SS Dignity is carrying 27 unarmed civilians, as well as a ton of urgently needed medical supplies. We will be sailing from Cypriot territorial waters to international waters, directly into Gaza territorial waters. We do not pose a 'security threat' to Israel, we will not be going anywhere near Israeli waters, and therefore, Israel does not have any legal right to violently disrupt our mission."
The Free Gaza Movement would like to make it clear that we do not wish nor do we seek any confrontation with Israel. We have already invited Israeli Foreign Minister Aharon Abramovitz and Defense Minister Ehud Barak to join us on our voyage as long as they remain nonviolent. In August, we invited Tsipi Livni to accompany us.
We would like to extend this invitation to any member of the Israel Knesset: "If you are legitimately concerned about our mission, or if you wish to educate yourself on the devastating effects of Israel's genocidal policies of collective punishment against the families of the Gaza Strip, join us in breaking this brutal siege, sail with us to Gaza, and learn first hand what Israeli violence has done to the civilian population of Gaza."
Mairead Maguire, the winner of the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize and one of the passengers aboard the SS Dignity, stated: "The people of Gaza are part of our human family. The Israeli government cannot cut off Gaza forever. We will come again and again until we reach our family. We go to visit our family, and the Israeli government has no right to stop us."
The 27 unarmed civilians sailing aboard the SS Dignity represent 13 different countries. We are doctors, lawyers, teachers, and human rights advocates. We are Christians, Muslims, Jews, and agnostics. It would be ignorant and outrageous for Israel to use violence against us, and we are reminded at this moment of a message from the Qur'an:
"And the servants of God most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, 'Peace!'"
Qur'an 25:63
--
Greta Berlin
Media Team
Free Gaza Movement
357 99 08 17 67
www.freegaza.org
www.anis-online.de/office/events/FreeGazaSong.htm
www.flickr.com/photos/29205195@N02/
The Palestine/ Israel Peace and Education Project Presents...Three Events November at Lewis & Clark
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- Written by The Palestine/ Israel Peace and Education Projec The Palestine/ Israel Peace and Education Projec
- Published: 25 October 2008 25 October 2008
- Hits: 2880 2880
Three events to raise awareness and foster understanding around the issue of Israel and Palestine at Lewis and Clark College.
Council Chambers is located on the 2nd floor in Templeton Student Center.
PEACE PANEL PROJECTS
Monday, 11/3
Council Chambers, 6PM
Introduction to the issue by Marlene Eid: Professor of Psychology at PCC.
Lee Gordon: Founder of Hand in Hand—co-education elementary schools for Palestinians and Israelis.
Cindy Corrie: The Rachel Corrie Foundation for education, humanitarian work and dialogue.
Joel Glick: The Jewish Alliance for Peace and Justice, grassroots advocacy and education.
CRITICAL FOCUS: GAZA
Wednesday, 11/5
Council Chambers, 6PM
With Speakers:
Paul Larudee: Arabic linguist and architect of the Gaza Boat Project.
Tom Nelson: Attorney and Co-Founder of Americans United For Palestinian Human Rights.
IN-SIGHT FILM FESTIVAL
Thursday, 11/6
Miller 105
EYES WIDE OPEN,12PM, a look at what Israel means to American Jews today. Discussion with Oren Kosansky, Anthropology.
THE DUPES, 3:30PM, the journey of three Palestinian refugees to find employment and a future. Paul Powers, Islamic Studies.
ANOTHER SIDE OF PEACE, 6PM, a support group for bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families. Sylvia Frankel, Jewish Studies.
There is a more in-depth itinerary attached.
Please forward to all you collegues, post on all calendars, tell your students, bring your friends!
Speaking of unspeakables
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- Written by GERSON ROBBOY, Op-Ed in The Jewish Review GERSON ROBBOY, Op-Ed in The Jewish Review
- Published: 24 October 2008 24 October 2008
- Hits: 3921 3921
In this age when stand-up comedians have run out of things to say that can embarrass us, when seemingly nothing is unsayable, there remains a deep, stifling, pervasive silence concerning a political belief.
I am a Jew and I do not believe in religious nationalism. I believe that the state of Israel has been a failure and that Israel and Palestine should be united into a secular, democratic, multi-ethnic state.
Another 'Free Gaza' boat to set sail
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- Written by Yael Levy Yael Levy
- Published: 23 October 2008 23 October 2008
- Hits: 4086 4086
International protesters say they are making a repeat voyage to Gaza to bring aid to Palestinians in defiance of Israel's blockade.
Free Gaza organizer Greta Berlin said 29 protesters will sail from Cyprus on October 28 for the estimated 24-hour trip to the Strip.
Berlin said Wednesday the group has converted a fishing boat to safely ferry the protesters and a symbolic shipment of medical aid to Gaza.
Passengers will include Irish Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead McGuire, Palestinian Legislative Council member Mustafa Barghouti and MK Jamal Zahalka (Balad).
Following the movement's announcement, Zahalka said, "I have received an offer to participate in the voyage. It's something I am seriously considering, but my final decision will only be ready tomorrow or the day after."
Berlin said the protestors would be sailing in a fishing boat equipped with a "symbolic package" containing medical equipment and other aid for Palestinians living under siege, similarly to the previous voyages.
The organizer added that the voyage had been scheduled for September, but was postponed because the protestors did not want to arrive during the Ramadan.
Most recently, protesters sailed to Gaza in August on two boats to protest Israel's yearlong blockade of Gaza imposed after Hamas seized control of the Strip. The voyage was attended by 44 activists from 17 countries, including an American Holocaust survivor. The boats docked without IDF interference.
However even if no trouble is forthcoming upon their entrance into Gaza, activists can expect certain problems to arise on their way out of the territory. Following the previous sail, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's sister-in-law remained trapped in Gaza when both Israel and Egypt prevented her from crossing the borders.
AP contributed to this report