A DARTMOOR surgeon and charity worker has helped Cherie Blair's sister Lauren Booth in a bid to break the Gaza siege.
David Halpin, retired surgeon and founder of Palestinian charity the Dove and Dolphin, spent a week in Cyprus advising Free Gaza activists planning to sail into blockaded Gaza.
Lauren Booth is among 46 activists wanting to highlight the plight of 1.5 million Palestinians living with limited food and fuel supplies.
The convoy is due to make the 241 mile crossing from Cyprus in wooden boats, risking contact with Israeli patrol boats.
Others onboard include a Holocaust survivor and an 81-year-old retired nun from the United States.
Mr Halpin, accompanied by his wife Sue, gave a series of talks on the rigours of sailing into Gaza.
It follows his first Dove and Dolphin food aid mission to Gaza in 2003.
Mr Halpin most recently returned to Gaza in June as part of ongoing aid projects.
He said: "I had hoped to take part in the convoy myself but was concerned that when I got to Gaza I may be barred from ever returning and that would have put paid to the Dove and Dolphin mission.
"I was happy to advise the group on safety at sea and the importance of a positive frame of mind in going into situations like this.
"This is a very courageous mission and they will have to pass through Israeli lines even though the waters are Palestinian.
"The Israelis will not want to allow them in and it will be difficult. but these people are world citizens and want to be with their fellow citizens which is an admirable aim.
"They are sailing with great courage and they are sailing for humanity at a time when humanity is in bad shape".
Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza last year and allows limited supplies of food, fuel and aid into the territory.
A coalition of eight UK human rights groups said Gazans were living through their worst humanitarian crisis since the 1967 war.
Holocaust survivor Hedy Epstein will be onboard.
She described the trip as 'an opportunity to make a change for good, both for Palestinians and Israelis'.
She said: "We intend to open the port, fish with the fishermen, help in the clinics, and work in the schools. But we also intend to remind the world that we will not stand by and watch 1.5 million people suffer death by starvation and disease."
On 22nd September, 2008, I flew to Larnaca, Cyprus, at the invitation of the Free Gaza Movement to join them on a mission from Larnaca to Gaza. The purpose of the mission was to break the blockade of Gaza. In Larnaca, I joined a 22 person international delegation of doctors, parliamentarians, and human Rights workers in the hope of setting sail aboard the SS Hope for Gaza. This was to be the second mission into Gaza following upon the very successful sailing on 23rd August, 2008, of the SS Free Gaza and SS Liberty, when 42 International delegates broke the Siege and landed in Gaza, carrying Hearing aids for children. These were the first boats to dock in Gaza Port in over 40 years since the military occupation of Palestine by Israel. Over 40,000 Gazans welcomed the boats when they arrived last August, and we were assured that a warm welcome was being prepared for us by the people of Gaza. The fact that 10 Palestinians (5 medical doctors) were in our delegation added to the excitement of the Gazan people.
Unfortunately as things turned out, after a hold-up of some days, it was decided to delay the return to Gaza for a future date. The problem was that the two original boats were not suitable for another trip, so the Free Gaza Movement decided to buy or lease a sturdier boat. Every time they thought they had reached an agreement with a boat owner, it fell through (they believe due to outside pressure). The second problem was that strong winds on the seas meant we would have to wait for another week before we could even consider sailing. Hence the Free Gaza Movement decided wisely to temporarily delay our voyage................
...........So we will return to Gaza soon and we encourage people from around the world to join us in defying Israels blockage of Gaza. We also invite some country to be the first in the world to join us and send boats or Planes of medicines, sewage pipes, etc., to save the children of Gaza.
Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 18335 Location: St. Pauls, Bristol, England
Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 7:21 pm Post subject:
Michel: Gaza siege against international law
Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:12:26 GMT
The European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid expresses his increasing concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
"I am extremely concerned by the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza caused by the continued closure of the Gaza crossings. Since 4th November, only one crossing has been open for four days only, with limited quantities of humanitarian food supplies allowed through…
"The continued closure of Gaza crossings is a form of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians, which is a violation of International Humanitarian Law," the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel stated on Saturday in a press release.
Despite the international criticism of Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, the regime continues its siege and the area is on the verge of a humanitarian disaster, with more than 1.5 million Gaza residents left without basic supplies such as food, sanitary water and fuel.
The European Commission (EC) stated that Israel should end all obstacles to the freedom of movement of civilians and humanitarian workers as well as actions that can lead to increased numbers of internally displaced people.................
Rabbi Meir Hirsh, Neturei Karta Palestine
Neturei Karta of the Orthodox Jewry Or Palestine
11-28-8
How long will Jewish and non-Jewish leaders who claim the mantle of civilization and morality remain silent in the face of the ongoing state terrorism practiced by the Zionist state against the Palestinian People, most visibly today in Gaza, where the Zionists believe they can starve the Palestinians into submission in violation of all tenets of international law, all religious values in general, INCLUDING the values of the Jewish faith???!!
HOW LONG WILL THIS BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE??
WE URGENTLY PLEA TO THE WORLD COMMUNITY AND WORLD LEADERS TO PUT AN END TO ZIONIST STATE TERRORISM!! IN THE NAME OF G-D! IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY!
The terrorist regime of the State of Israel has been repressing, expelling and persecuting Palestinians for 60 years, and expects the Palestinians to simply sit with their arms folded while this goes on! Are the Palestinians supposed to be collaborators in their own destruction? Are they simply supposedly to surrender in order to compensate the Zionists for what happened during World War II thousands of miles away?
It is time for leaders with a sense of morality and courage to stand up and finally declare ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! The State of Israel must no long be granted a blank check to commit crimes! This wicked rogue ethnocratic state must be dismantled and the rights of the Palestinians restored!
We pray that our appeal will find its way into the hearts and minds of those who have the power to put an end to the madness unleashed by the State of Israel, which is armed to teeth with the most sophisticated weaponry used on the Palestinians, and held over the rest of the Middle East as the Zionists demand the entire world surrender to their agenda!
The Zionists know that their state is on the threshold of disintegration, and they are prepared to take millions of Jews and non-Jews down with them!! The world is in grave danger if the Zionists are not stopped!!
May G-d in Heaven hear our prayer!
Rabbi Meir Hirsh
Neturei Karta Palestine
P.O. Box 5053 JERUSALEM, PALESTINE
nkp@neto.bezeqint.net
Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today sent a letter urging Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to ensure that Israel ends the blockade of Gaza. The letter was sent in support of the U.N. High Commissioner of Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay’s call for the immediate end of the blockade.
“Israel has a right to defend itself and its citizens. This includes taking action against Hamas for its abominable mortar attacks into southern Israel. However that action should not and cannot amount to collective punishment against the Palestinian people, prohibited by Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva convention, as it does today,” wrote Kucinich in the letter.
The full text of the letter follows:
December 2, 2008
Dr. Condoleezza Rice
Secretary
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20520-0099
Dear Dr. Rice:
I am writing to urge you to ensure that Israel complies with international humanitarian law and end its blockade of Gaza. Last week, the U.N. High Commissioner of Human Rights, Navi Pillay, called for its immediate end. In response, Israel renewed the blockade and dismissed Ms. Pillay’s assessment for being “one-sided.” While there are many political considerations to be made in this volatile region, we can not tolerate the collective punishment of 1.5 million people. Moreover, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza undermines Israel’s political and security goals.
Israel has a right to defend itself and its citizens. This includes taking action against Hamas for its abominable mortar attacks into southern Israel. However that action should not and cannot amount to collective punishment against the Palestinian people, prohibited by Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, as it does today.
Israel’s debilitating blockade has halted the supply of UN food and medical aid to 750,000 Palestinians and forced Gaza’s sole power plant to shut down. Since its imposition the blockade has effectively resulted in the collapse of the economy and limited access to basic goods including wheat, flour, baby milk, rice, sanitized water, and other essential goods. It has also destroyed Gaza’s public service infrastructure. Due to Israel’s prohibition on the import of spare parts as well as its punitive restrictions on fuel and electricity, hospitals cannot operate lifesaving equipment and nearly 40-50 tons of sewage pours into the sea daily.
Such policies will not create the peace and security Israel so direly needs. Instead, children grades four through nine are demonstrating an 80 percent failure rate in schools. Those children that overcome their daunting circumstances and perform well in school, find that they have few job opportunities as adults. Consider that in June 2005, there were 3,900 factories in Gaza employing 35,000 people and today there are less than 195 left employing only 1,750 people. Consider also that the agriculture sector has been significantly hurt and nearly 40,000 workers who depend on cash crops no longer have an income. Today, 80 percent of Gazan families depend on humanitarian aid.
The Israeli government has made clear that it wants to avoid a humanitarian crisis, yet its continued blockade belies its best intentions. I recognize Israel’s decision to allow a limited number of trucks to enter Gaza on November 17th, but according to the High Commissioner, this is insufficient to alleviate the humanitarian crisis. Ms. Pillay asserts that “only a full lifting of the blockade followed by a strong humanitarian response will be adequate to relieve the massive humanitarian suffering evident in Gaza today.” Also of grave concern is the complete closure of Gaza to international media, an issue brought to light in a letter to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert from executives from the Associated Press, BBC, Reuters, New York Times and CNN. The work of journalists is imperative in assessing and documenting the effects of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Israel has responded to Ms. Pillay’s calls by laying blame for the humanitarian crisis on Hamas. While the current crisis may be exacerbated, instigated, even perpetuated by Hamas, the responsibility for beginning and ending the humanitarian crisis is certainly not Hamas’s. Pursuant to the Fourth Geneva Conventions, as an occupying power, Israel is responsible for the safety and well-being of the Palestinian civilians living in Gaza. Moreover, only Israel has the ability to resume the flow of basic goods and humanitarian supplies into, and out of, the Gaza Strip.
The Administration has the responsibility and the authority to ensure that Israel comply with international humanitarian law and alleviate a humanitarian crisis that has beset the Gaza Strip. I urge you to call on Israel to lift its blockade for the sake of a viable solution and for the sake of Palestinians and Israelis who deserve to live in peace.
Gaza families eat grass as Israel locks border
Marie Colvin
AS a convoy of blue-and-white United Nations trucks loaded with food waited last night for Israeli permission to enter Gaza, Jindiya Abu Amra and her 12-year-old daughter went scrounging for the wild grass their family now lives on.
"We had one meal today - khobbeizeh," said Abu Amra, 43, showing the leaves of a plant that grows along the streets of Gaza. "Every day, I wake up and start looking for wood and plastic to burn for fuel and I beg. When I find nothing, we eat this grass."
Abu Amra and her unemployed husband have seven daughters and a son. Their tiny breeze-block house has had no furniture since they burnt the last cupboard for heat.
"I can't remember seeing a fruit," said Rabab, 12, who goes with her mother most mornings to scavenge. She is dressed in a tracksuit top and holed jeans, and her feet are bare.
Conditions for most of the 1.5m Gazans have deteriorated dramatically in the past month, since a truce between Israel and Hamas, the ruling Islamist party, broke down.
Israel says it will open the borders again when Hamas stops launching rockets at southern Israel. Hamas says it will crack down on the rocket launchers when Israel opens the borders.
The fragile truce technically ends this Thursday, and there have been few signs it will be renewed. Nobody knows how to resolve the stalemate. Secret talks are under way through Egyptian intermediaries, although both sides deny any contact.
Israel controls the borders and allows in humanitarian supplies only sporadically. Families had electricity for six hours a day last week. Cooking gas was available only through the illegal tunnels that run into Egypt, and by last week had jumped in price from 80 shekels per canister (£14) to 380 shekels (£66).
The UN, which has responsibility for 1m refugees in Gaza, is in despair. "The economy has been crushed and there are no imports or exports," said John Ging, director of its relief and works agency.
"Two weeks ago, for the first time in 60 years, we ran out of food," he said. "We used to get 70 to 80 trucks per day, now we are getting 15 trucks a day, and only when the border opens. We're living hand to mouth."
He has four days of food in stock for distribution to the most desperate - and no idea whether Israel will reopen the border. The Abu Amra family may have to eat wild grass for the foreseeable future.
Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 18335 Location: St. Pauls, Bristol, England
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:57 pm Post subject:
Press TV crew hit by Israeli forces
Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:43:58 GMT
Press TV's West Bank correspondent Sari al-Khalil
Press TV's cameraman and correspondent have been injured in Nilin where Palestinians are protesting the Israeli apartheid wall.
Cameraman Mustafa Khabeesa was shot by Israeli soldiers with a rubber bullet, while correspondent Sari Al-Khalili was knocked unconscious by teargas on Friday............
Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 18335 Location: St. Pauls, Bristol, England
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:07 pm Post subject:
War Crimes evidence
Israel targets U.K. funding of group that exposed 'IDF crimes' in Gaza
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: EU, Israel News, U.K.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1103748.html
Israel continues to ratchet up diplomatic pressure against European Union funding of a group that exposed what it described as war crimes perpetrated by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza.
The deputy director-general of the Foreign Ministry, Rafi Barak, expressed "concern" last week over Britain's financial contributions to "Breaking the Silence," an organization founded by IDF veterans which collects testimonies from soldiers serving in the Palestinian territories.
Barak communicated Israel's dissatisfaction over Britain's funding of the group during a meeting with London's ambassador to Tel Aviv, Tom Phillips.
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Barak met with Phillips to discuss efforts by various British organizations to institute a boycott against Israel. During the meeting, Barak also raised the subject of funds which the British government channels to Breaking the Silence.
The organization recently became the subject of scrutiny after it published the testimonies of IDF soldiers who served in the military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip earlier this year.
Barak requested clarifications as to the reasons behind Britain's funding of the group and whether the money was used to fund the recent report on Operation Cast Lead.
According to information obtained by Barak, the British embassy in Tel Aviv received 40,000 pounds in 2008. Phillips told Barak that the money transfer to the group presents no problem since Breaking the Silence is a legal organization.
Phillips added that the money was meant to fund the group's trips and activities in Hebron, and that none of the money was used for compiling and publishing its report on the Gaza war.
The move is part of a continuing Foreign Ministry campaign to halt EU funding of the group's activities.
Last week, the Israeli ambassador to the Netherlands, Harry Knei-Tal, met with the director-general of the Dutch Foreign Ministry and complained about the Dutch embassy's funding of Breaking the Silence.
In the meeting last week between Knei-Tal and the director-general of the Dutch Foreign Ministry, the Israeli ambassador suggested that the Netherlands' funding of the organization should be terminated, according to a source.
"The Dutch taxpayer's money could be better used to promote peace and human rights," the source quoted Knei-Tal as saying.
In response, Breaking the Silence accused the Foreign Ministry of "endangering democracy" by engaging in a "witch hunt" against the organization.
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