At roughly 4:00 a.m. on Monday morning Israeli navy and air force troops intercepted a convoy of six ships that attempted to deliver 10,000 tons of aid to the besieged Gaza strip. The convoy, known as the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, was inspected by several governments and was a highly publicized action. Israeli officials warned the ships they will not be allowed to reach Gaza’s shores, when the ships attempted to do so in order to break the siege on Gaza, the Israeli army attacked them, leaving 20 international activists dead and dozens injured. Hundreds are currently in Israeli jails. The Real News’ Lia Tarachansky investigates what Israeli officials and Israeli media have been reporting about this attack.
(Via The Real News Network)
On Monday, Israeli commandos boarded ships in the “Freedom Flotilla” attempting to bring humanitarian aid to residents of still-blockaded Gaza. The aggressive response by Israel turned deadly, with at least nine activists killed. The international community has reacted with shock and outrage; protests have erupted around the world outside Israeli embassies, with protesters even teargassed in Paris. Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled a long awaited meeting surrounding peace talks with President Obama and headed back to Israel to do damage control, and Turkey, from where the flotilla departed, has recalled its ambassador and issued a travel warning to its citizens.
Huwaida Arraf was on one of the ships; she joins us via phone from Ramallah, along with Norman Finkelstein, to tell us what happened to her and offer some analysis on the situation.
(Via GRITtv)
Israeli forces have attacked a flotilla of aid-carrying ships aiming to break the country’s siege on Gaza. More than 19 people were killed and dozens injured when troops intercepted the convoy of ships dubbed the Freedom Flotilla early on Monday. The Israeli Army Radio had earlier said that up to 16 people had been killed. With world wide condemnations after Israeli commando operation, is Israel already paying too high a price for enforcing the siege? What are the likely ramifications of this incident?
(Via Al Jazeera)
At least 19 peace activists killed as Israeli commandos attack the Freedom Flotilla en route to Gaza to break the siege, this and more, coming up, stay tuned.
(Via IMEMC)
While boats battle to get through the siege of Gaza, Gazans can eat out in fancy restaurants and have no need of aid. That’s what Israel has been telling journalists, at least. Sherine Tadros picks apart the media campaign.
(Via Al Jazeera)
Huwaida Harraf, Free Gaza Chair, talkes about the Freedom Flotilla, already on its way to Gaza. Track the progress of the boats at Witness Gaza.
(Via Free Gaza Movement)
George Galloway, long-term member of the British Parliament, and outspoken and well-recognized defender of human rights and supporter of Palestine, speaks in New York City.
Galloway called to action the world community to organize convoys to distribute aid, to highlight the inhumanity of the continued siege on the devastated area of Gaza, and amplify the shift in public policy and growing solidarity of people around the world towards greater support of the Palestinian struggle. Galloway speaks about the blockade and prepares for his latest mission to send a flotilla of boats to Gaza to break the blockade by sea.
This program was produced by Building Bridges for February 10, 2010.
For more information, visit:
http://www.buildingbridgesonline.org
Gaza Concert is an event bringing inspiration for many Gazan singers who are eager to speak out and tell their stories by singing and music. The event aims to bring upon musicians and singers from different parts of Palestine to sing for unity, peace and justice. In spite of all the sufferings, the hopeful event aims to revive the Palestinian spirit by music from Gaza to the whole world.
Sameh Habeeb is one of the organizers and he discusses discuss what the Gazan concert stands for, description of the performers, organizers, and sponsors, whether or not music is a powerful way to spread such messages and the disappointment in lack of Western coverage and frustration with stereotypes.
This program was produced by the Middle East Youth Podcast on November 29, 2008.
For more information, visit:
http://mideastyouth.com
A high-ranking Fatah official visited the Gaza Strip this week, as the Israeli siege and continued attacks claim the lives two Palestinians. These stories and more in this week’s update.
This program was produced by the International Middle East Media Center for February 5, 2010.
For more information, visit:
http://imemc.org
UNRWA says the ongoing blockade of Gaza’s borders has caused the private sector to collapse and unemployment and poverty to rise to unprecedented levels.
This program was produced by Voice Of America News for January 25, 2010.
For more information, visit:
http://voanews.com
http://www.unrwa.org