At a time when Israel's security officials should probably be focused on this week's extensive home front security drill, it seems that that most of their attention is being paid to the flotilla of ships on its way to the Gaza Strip, laden with humanitarian supplies. Frantic consultations between officials and the prime minister's top military chiefs of staff have taken place, an urgent meeting of a forum of senior government ministers was held, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has engaged in extensive activities, and an urgent press conference was held at the Erez border crossing. In particular, the Israeli government's public relations machine has been mobilized with the intent of persuading the public that there is no need for the flotilla, due to the fact that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is fine, the Strip's markets are abundant, and its gourmet restaurants are thriving.
Goods: Needs vs Supply 4/25/10-
5/25/10 (Source: Gisha)
Of course, an initial question comes to mind - if there is such prosperity, then how exactly is the closure policy promoting Israel's goal to weaken the Hamas government? But beyond that, the government's message is likely to be confusing to the layperson. For example, if the economic situation in Gaza is so magnificent, as stated in the cynical message distributed by the Government Press Office yesterday – why does another public statement by the State of Israel proudly declare that 738,000 tons of humanitarian aid were transferred to the Gaza Strip last year? How, the reader might also ask, are these statements of prosperity compatible with the contradictory information frequently released by international organizations (organizations with whom Israel proudly declares itself to be cooperating)?
Is it not true that 80% of Gaza's population is supported by international aid organizations? Is it not true that the unemployment rate in Gaza is around 35%? And, how is the decisive statement that "Israel has taken measures to support trade and commerce" consistent with the sweeping ban imposed by Israel for the past three years on the entry of raw materials to industrial plants and factories in the Gaza Strip? Indeed, the ban is perpetuating a situation in which over 90% of industrial establishments are closed or are operating at less than 10% of capacity. Does the fact that Israel prevents the entry of margarine in large containers designed for the production of foodstuffs in Gaza, while it allows the entry of margarine in small packages (made in Israel) promote the economy in Gaza?
But what really may confuse the naive layperson are Israel’s peremptory statements that there is no restriction on the entry of equipment into Gaza, except that which might be used by Hamas for terrorist activities. Based on this, the layperson may conclude that coriander, sage and children's toys constitute a security risk, given that Israel prohibits the transfer of these goods to Gaza. In addition, he or she might wonder whether shoes and clothes constituted a security threat for 2.5 years before having their status as a security threat recently removed. A layperson might further ask, if Israel’s policy on the restriction of goods really benefits the people of Gaza, then why does Israel insist on refusing to reveal the secret of her success, arguing that producing documents explaining its closure policy will harm national security?
All of this is confusing not just to the layperson but also to the passengers on the ships. Israel states repeatedly, time and again that the organizers of the flotilla should transfer the goods "in accordance with procedure". Yet how are they to know what these procedures are, if Israel refuses to disclose them?
Gisha is an Israeli not-for-profit organization, founded in 2005, whose goal is to protect the freedom of movement of Palestinians, especially Gaza residents.
Israel is the biggest loser in this.
The Palestinians win if the cargo gets directly through to Gaza port.
They also win if Israel does it’s usual jack-boot river dance and blocks it.
Over here in California, friends throwing bbq this weekend to support the flotilla. Great way to start the summer!
Me? Very happy to think eventhough the news is still roughshod rotten, I REALLY DO sense that with every passing day, Palestine is indeed coming closer to liberation: because finally world-consciousness is now beginning to embrace it’s narrative and tragedy with depth and understanding.
Thank you activists the world over – long live freedom: freedom from tyrany, from occupation and slavery!
Dear activists, be safe, be sound, be giants!
Thanks, Taxi. Plenty of room for cynicism, but at the end of the day, as Mahmoud Darwish put it, “We have on this earth what makes life worth living… a tyrant’s fear of songs.” And boats. And Chomsky.
Tyrants rarely last long. There are too many, as you put it, moral giants. Or to put it another way, normal human beings with their sense of right and wrong intact who are willing to challenge the tyrants’ preposterous posturing and blind violence, often at great personal risk.
Deep thanks and respect to the organizers and participants, and the people the world over (especially in Palestine, where Palestinians are dying and rotting in prison for daring to speak for their rights) who are challenging tyrants, and who will win in the end, hopefully sooner rather than later. What a joyous day that will be.
Pamela,
One day, when I have the time, I will contact you through your fab website, write to you about Mahmoud Darwish’s friendship with myself and my family, a dear friendship that lasted some thirty years till his death – R.I.P.
Long live Palestine, its humble soul, its courage and poetry.
Ahlan wa sahlan. :)
“Long live Palestine, its humble soul, its courage and poetry.”
Indeed. I think a big reason Palestine grabbed me is because it does so much for my faith in humanity. I really don’t know how they maintain their humble soul, courage, and poetry. But they do, long past when a cynical American like me would expect or (before I went over there) even quite believe. And words like ‘inspiration’ and ‘amazement’ sound vapid next to what it makes me feel. It makes me feel like if they can manage, the rest of us can, too. We have no excuse not to.
The Israelis must never try to explain more… they more they are apologetic they more the people think they have culpability, and guilty…
All they have to do is stand firm on the legalities of actions… the supreme power or justice lies on the law… They just have to wait till the flotilla arrives and arrest everyone there and send them to detention whenever there are basis…
In fact the greater concern here lies in the eventual distribution of goods and materials… not on the arrest of people involved!
I do not agree with the plan of sending these people back to their country immediately… They must be treated fairly like ordinary offenders… they have to pay their fare back after due legal proceedings… Otherwise having the grandeousness and excitement many more would come …
Israel must maintain its dignity as a nation… He must execute what is in the law!
They must be treated fairly like ordinary offenders
Nah. Off with their heads, I say.
With dignity, of course.
These people must feel transgressing one’s national integrity is a very serious matter…
The guillotine is purportedly the most humane and painless mode of execution, though firsthand comparisons of different methods are scarce.
Damn humaneness. National integrity is at stake here, man! Crucifixion? To the right, one cross each
[Damn humaneness. National integrity is at stake here, man! Crucifixion? To the right, one cross each]
Oh! I think this adventure is great, challenging, and exciting? Why are you having concerns with guillotine, or crucifixion?
All I just proposed was about the ‘execution’ of the appropriate laws to the fullest!
Really, zamaaz? Would you be OK with the “execution” of appropriate international laws to the fullest? Or only the laws of Israel, who insists on subjecting those laws upon millions of non-Israelis.
I REALLY DO sense that with every passing day, Palestine is indeed coming closer to liberation
me too taxi, in a very big way. i will see you @ the bbq this weekend if it’s the same one in calif i’m going to!
Look for me at the bbq, annie. I’ll be the one wearing a T-Shirt that says: FUCK ISRAEL. {Got it as a gift from a Brit musician friend :-)}
[I REALLY DO sense that with every passing day, Palestine is indeed coming closer to liberation]
See! With this sentiment, once the Israelis allowed this thing to pass over, he has opened the floodgates of violation of its national integrity… With this above sentiment, as this has significant connection to national security, if I were the government I will see to it; every culpability against the law must be charged to the violators at maximum…
zamaaz,
even your name suggests the image of a short man with stumped mustache and severe side-comb.
LOL! That picture of a man could only create an insignificant fuzz….
What’s a side-comb? Like a comb-over?
Severe ‘side’ parting of hair, as opposed to ‘middle’ parting of hair.
Gisha brilliantly exposes the inherently contradictory nonsense put out by the Israeli government. The siege is necessary to convince Gazans to rebel against Hamas rule, but it is at worst a minor inconvenience that causes no real suffering. It reminds me of the line “We don’t target civilians, but since Hamas hides behind civilians, we fire anyway, killing civilians we know are in the way in order to kill Hamas fighters.”
It would be natural to wonder how they get away with such inconsistencies that require a gullible public to suspend all critical faculties, but somehow it works. At least until now, we have seen US politicians falling over themselves to be first in line to regurgitate the Israeli propaganda line du jour. This time I’m not so sure. I’m anxious to see who acts as Israeli Foreign Ministry spokespeople, who tries to keep silent, and who are courageous enough to recognize snake oil as snake oil. It has been easy to ignore the Gaza siege until now, and I hope the flotilla will force the issue into prominence.
Kershner again, parroting the official Israeli line: link to nytimes.com
I think she must camp out in the Israeli press office, as she never seems to present opinion or information from any other source. Like, frinstance, the actual Free Gaza movement.
At least she helps make the enormity of the Israel position clear: Maj. Gen. Eitan Dangot, the Israeli military’s chief liaison with the Palestinian-controlled territories, said Israel’s policy was very clear…. “We will not allow ships to come to Gaza while Hamas is in control there.”
It’s not about “terrorism” or rockets or Gilad Shalit. It’s about destroying the democratically-elected government and collective punishment of the population that elected it.
There was absolutely nothing on the flotilla in this morning’s Washington Post. They had an AP article on line yesterday, 8 ships with aid, activists head for sealed Gaza, but I have seen nothing in their print edition, any day.
Now, they have a new AP article on line, but I very much doubt it will ever be in the print edition: Israeli commandos to block Gaza activists:
The only reports about the flotilla are Israeli, enumerating the various excuses for condemning the relief effort and detailing Israel’s plans to deal with the threat.
Not One Word from any rep of the Free Gaza movement.
[Not One Word from any rep of the Free Gaza movement]
Yes, perhaps because the know the logical terrain of this act…
It looks as though Israel is planning to hijack the ships on the high seas (what do we call it when Somalis do that?), kidnap the people, drag them to Israel (where they didn’t want or intend to go), and then accuse them of entering Israel illegally and deport of imprison them!
(Thanks, Michael Rivero)
And steal their cargo – that’s what pirates do.
The thing is, “Israel” is an infinitely flexible concept, given that the state has no official boundaries. Gaza isn’t Israel or under Israeli occupation, except when it is. Gaza’s territorial waters belong to Israel as far as Israel wants to call it, when it is convenient for Israel. So when the flotilla is in international waters on the way to Gaza, it’s in Israel, just as Spanish clowns and Jewish linguists going to the West Bank are in Israel.
Sshhh! Don’t say the “p’ word.
This is Israel morally and legally defending itself – reluctantly and with great humanitarian self-restraint – against the anti-Semitic horde of swarthy, unshaven, Jew-hating, fanatical Arab suicide olives.
All armed to the teeth with Iranian crayons.
Nookyoolar crayons.
gisha, there is an excellent post at the blog promise land i recalled it this morning while reading the israel governments twitter page jammed packed w/allegations israel gives gazans planty of food. it’s called gaza mathematics which lays it out.
This is right up there with the exsistential threat of children throwing rocks at heavily armored vehicles. If The Israeli military is ever faced with a real opponent they are going to get their asses handed to them.
According to Haaretz, the government of Cyprus has just announced that it will not allow the flotilla to dock in Cypriot ports or enter Cyrpriot waters.
Meanwhile, Israel is preparing to board the boats with dogs “to search for weapons and terrorists”, and has set up a logistics centre at the port of Ashdod, with the intention of immediately deporting those willing to be taken directly to Ben Gurion Airport, and holding those who refuse at the Beer Sheva prison.
Israeli propaganda has really gone all out this time, with every contradictory excuse in the book. The “hasbara war” is definitely on, but the troops are ill-prepared and there’s a problem with the “conception” (as the Agranat Commission determined with regard to the Yom Kippur War).
The Hasbara Offensive:
1. There is a blockade and it’s because of arms smuggling.
2. There is a blockade and it’s because of the rockets Hamas fires at Sderot.
3. There is a blockade and it’s because of Gilad Shalit.
4. There is a blockade and it’s because Hamas won’t recognise Israel.
5. There is a blockade and it’s because Hamas is an ally of Iran and Al Qaida.
6. There is a blockade and it’s to pressure Gazans to overthrow Hamas.
7. There is a blockade, but Israel lets in everything the Gazans need.
6. The humanitarian aid Israel allows in provides everything the Gazans need.
7. The tunnels provide everything the Gazans need.
8. Gazans enjoy luxury restaurants.
9. Gaza is no different from Tel-Aviv, London or Paris.
10. Gaza is no longer occupied.
11. Israel has a right to control its territorial waters.
Sorry about the numbering, but you get the idea.
“…but you get the idea.”
Yes, but I resent your usage of anti-Semitic Arabic numerals.
What, like these?
٠ ١ ٢ ٣ ٤ ٥ ٦ ٧ ٨ ٩
So help me, G-d! *shakes fist*
That’s the part of Cyprus which is part of the EU. The other part of Cyprus is in Turkish hands.