Today on NPR Martin Indyk told Scott Simon that during his last visit to Israel he saw Israelis feeling isolated by world opinion over the flotilla raid and wanting their government to respond to the criticism not with force. And Indyk concludes, lobbyistically, that the answer is for Obama to cultivate Netanyahu and the Israelis all the more. Why? when people are responding to savage conditions for Palestinians. The isolation of this conduct is the achievement of the grass roots. Here’s the Penn State petition, with signatories (many of the names Jewish, by the way). Excerpt:
-Since the intensification of the siege in June 2007, “the formal economy in Gaza has collapsed”. (Association of International Development Agencies-UN) ·
-“61% of people in the Gaza Strip are food insecure”, of whom “65% are children under 18 years”. (UN Food and Agriculture Organization)
· Since June 2007, “the number of Palestine refugees unable to access food and lacking the means to purchase even the most basic items, such as soap, school stationery and safe drinking water, has tripled.” (UN Relief and Works Agency)
Not only is the inhumanity and illegality of the siege appalling, but the animosity and suffering it creates in Gaza is a breeding ground for terrorism. It is exactly in these conditions that the more radical and violent sects of Palestinian society in Gaza gains sway. In this way, the siege is ultimately worsening the security of Israeli citizens.
Therefore, the undersigned would like to take this opportunity to stand in solidarity with the activists aboard the Freedom Flotilla as they attempt to peacefully enforce humanitarian law. Furthermore, we ask for an immediate, international investigation into the flotilla assault conducted by an independent UN-led body and cessation to the blockade of Gaza.
