The United States flotilla group, US to Gaza, reacting to Israeli threats of violence, sent a letter to President Barack Obama informing him that:
As U.S. citizens we expect our country and its leaders to help ensure the Flotilla’s safe passage to Gaza – as our country should support our humanitarian demand that the Gaza blockade be lifted. This should begin by notifying the Israeli government in clear and certain terms that it may not physically interfere with the upcoming Flotilla of which the U.S. boat—The Audacity of Hope — is part.
The group asks that people call the White House (202-456-1111) in order to express their support for the international nonviolent protest and to tell the President that they “expect [him] to take action to uphold the rights of peaceful citizens to safe passage on the seas.”
I have little hope that Mr. Obama would respond to a call to protect Americans from an Israeli assault. He has failed to do this in the past. But isn’t it a wonderful irony that the name of the U.S. boat is a phrase closely associated with the President? Although Obama is not on board, maybe there are groups and individuals who have not publicly supported the flotilla movement in the past that would, at least, demand strongly that the IDF refrain from using violence against citizens who are obviously peaceful demonstrators.
Isn’t nonviolent protest one of the tenets of activism for American liberals and progressives? So how about Americans for Peace Now, Netroots or JStreet? How about Peter Beinart or Rachel Maddow? Is anyone asking these groups and individuals to speak up?
Gideon Levy had a good piece in Ha’aretz today. He is in Stockholm speaking with Swedish participants and organizers of the upcoming Gaza flotilla. Levy says that he fears that the Israelis will violently attack the activists.
I told members of the group that Israel is determined to attack. One of them has already purchased a bulletproof vest. Israel well understands that these are people [who] are not threats, and that no weapons will be smuggled on the boats. Nonetheless, Israel makes threats, and the IDF naval commandos train for the flotilla’s arrival.
Also there is a report in Ha’aretz that in addition to the Mavi Marmara not participating in the flotilla, there will be fewer than the ten boats and 1000 protesters that had previously been announced. According to an unnamed source, the flotilla will be comprised of from five to eight boats and 300 participants.
The pressure flotilla organizers face has been enormous. Their perseverance is a testament to their dedication and resourcefulness. The Israelis have enlisted the help of various governments, the Secretary General of the United Nations, and have intimidated shipyards and boat sellers. The Israeli/U.S. pressure on the Turkish government to stop the Mavi Marmara from returning to Gaza was immense.
All those who are sailing to Gaza at the end of this month deserve our admiration, support and prayers for a safe journey. The attention that they have brought to the Israeli siege has already shown that the flotilla has been a great success.
Update: On Sunday, Israeli Admiral Eliezer Marom declared the participants on the Gaza aid boats to be part of a “hate flotilla” whose only goal is provocation.
The Navy has prevented and will continue to prevent the arrival of the ‘hate flotilla’ whose only goals are to clash with IDF soldiers, create media provocation and to delegitimize the State of Israel,” Marom cautioned, speaking during the Israel Navy Divers’ Course concluding ceremony.
