I read with interest the pro and anti comments, so many seem well informed with numbers for this and that. I lived in the and worked in Gaza and I can tell you first hand, the majority of palestinians just want to live in peace and respect. Both administration ignore this basic fact. If the occupied territories were opened up to allow for trade and employment the hardline anti Israeli rhetoric will lose it’s captive audience.

Mairead is a very brave woman who has spent many nights in Israeli prison cells when she could be making money on the after dinner circuit. Mad Gerald there are lots of Jews on the Flotilla this year and last year. So do they hate themselves. There is a big difference between Being a Jew and Being a Zionist. People like you want people to think that they are one and the same.

Safe journey to all those who are embarked upon this trip. Let us not forget the reason for such journeys – The highlight the ongoing injustice of an Israeli blockade – which has seen Israeli stop materials for building homes, and an array of various food supplies. Many Palestinians are forced to live in makeshift tents because of this. This is the reality of what’s happening on the ground – while Israel continues to expand their territory illegally.

If Israel harms one Irish civilian – We should expel all Israeli officials from Ireland. I’m sick of bending over for these troglodytes. Bring on September for the UN vote on Palestinian statehood.

While it is true that Israel is regularly under attack from militants in Palestine and under constant threat from most of the countries surrounding it, what can the oppression of innocent Palestinian people achieve, except to harden attitudes against Israel? It continues to arrogantly flout international law and abuse human rights, and thus contributes to the radicalisation of more and more Palestinians. I sympathise with the ordinary Israelis who have to deal with these terrorist attacks on a regular basis, but as the bigger nation in this conflict, oppression is not the answer. Israel must become a more responsible member of the international community.

U.S. State Department abandonment advisory to Americans on the Gaza Flotilla: Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back no more.
http://bit.ly/AbandonmentAdvisoryFromState

Syria is on the way – a real test

Colin, thanks for at least for expressing sympathy with Israelis who live in constant fear of missile attacks from Gaza. The militants in Gaza are continually extending their reach into Israel. They have struck targets over 30km from Gaza. That might not seem like much but in a tiny country like Israel – that’s a huge swathe of the national territory that’s now under continuous threat. Some reports say that Gaza militants have missiles with a reach of 80km.

I’m not here to demonise ordinary Gazans. I hope the time will come very soon when they can live normal, comfortable lives. I have to confess to being confused as to the actual nature of this humanitarian crisis. A senior Red Cross official has actually said there is no humanitarian crisis and there are numerous reports out there of well stocked markets and shops. Is this all lies?

I hate the one-sidedness of the anti-Israel folk there. There is no mention of or interest in the Israeli side of the story, no desire to hear what it must be like to live never knowing when the next missile will come whizzing over you. They don’t want to hear about the Egyptian blockade on Gaza which still has not really been lifted or of the Israeli offers to convey the goods via Ashdod. If these people were really interested in the plight of Gazans, they’d be challenging Egypt too.

Public stunt or what?

On behalf of Hamas (and Hizbuleh, and Syria, and Iran, and etc.,) we thank you for joining our fight against the rotten, nasty Israelis, who insist on trying to protect themselves against our friendly desire to eliminate them (humanistically, of course).
We hope one day that one day we shall be able to come and visit with you and, perhaps, stay a while and share with you the obvious benefits of our society such as our beautiful Shariah laws.
Keep up the good fight for us.

Will the flotilla do a mercy mission to Syria or is it just an anti-Jewish outing ?

Safe journey. ( the fella left of the front row is quite easy in the eye).

Paul. Thank you. Yes we all want to live peacefully and with respect but our religious and lay leaders ( Hamas and the PLO etc.,) tell us not to respect the jew “dogs and monkeys hiding behind the trees and the rocks” and we should fight and kill them till every last one has gone.
So how can we live in peace and with respect as long as the jews are there.
But you are coming to help us. Are you not?

:-$

Quoting
<>

Oooh, and were they cultural ambassadors for Ireland when they toured Russia and China? Presumably not since there was not a squawk of protest from Mister Deane and his ilk (or indeed anyone else).

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/06/166967.htm

Gaza “Anniversary” Flotilla

Press Statement
Victoria Nuland
Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
June 24, 2011
Last month marked the one-year anniversary of the confrontation between Israeli forces and activists when a flotilla attempted to break Israel’s maritime blockade of Gaza on May 31, 2010. The United States deeply regrets the tragic loss of life and injuries suffered among those involved in that incident aboard the Gaza bound ships.

We are concerned that a number of groups are organizing a one year “anniversary” flotilla to commemorate the incident by sailing from various European ports to Gaza in the near future. Groups that seek to break Israel’s maritime blockade of Gaza are taking irresponsible and provocative actions that risk the safety of their passengers. Established and efficient mechanisms exist to transfer humanitarian assistance to Gaza. For example, humanitarian assistance can be delivered at the Israeli port of Ashdod, where cargo can be offloaded, inspected, and transported to Gaza. We urge all those seeking to provide such assistance to the people of Gaza to use these mechanisms, and not to participate in actions like the planned flotilla.

Recent seizures by Israel and Egypt of advanced military systems, weapons, and ammunition bound for terrorist groups in Gaza, as well as periodic rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza against Israeli civilians, highlight the continuing problem of illicit arms smuggling to Gaza. These seizures underscore the vital importance to Israel’s security of ensuring that all cargo bound for Gaza is appropriately screened for illegal arms and dual-use materials.

The United States remains concerned by conditions in Gaza, but notes that the humanitarian situation has significantly improved over the last year, including a marked increase in the range and scope of goods and materials moving into Gaza, an increase in international project activity, and the gradual expansion of exports. The United States will continue to work with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, donors, and the international community to do more and ensure that the needs of the people of Gaza are being met.

We also continue to call on Hamas to play a constructive role by renouncing violence, recognizing Israel’s right to exist, and accepting past agreements. We underscore that delivering or attempting or conspiring to deliver material support or other resources to or for the benefit of a designated foreign terrorist organization, such as Hamas, could violate U.S. civil and criminal statutes and could lead to fines and incarceration.

Have any of the Flotillistas or their cheerleaders actually addressed the “Why Not Syria?” question? How are Palestinians treated there?