Freedom Flotilla II: Final Thoughts - by Stephen Lendman
Palestinian analyst/advocate/author and former journalist Nadia Hijab is right, saying "(i)t was never about aid."
In her article titled, "Freedom Flotilla II: No to a Kinder, Gentler Siege," she said like earlier and new initiatives to come, it's "a political act" against Israel's illegal occupation/Gaza blockade - forced isolation, in fact, since 1988 "permit system" terrorism was instituted.
In 1991, closures began, "institutionalized" in 1993, then a 1994 electronic wall, and continued repression by lawless incursions, air attacks, home demolitions, targeted assassinations, mass arrests, daily intimidation, Cast Lead, and virtually anything Israel can dream up to collectively punish 1.6 million people, guilty of being Arabs, not Jews.
Flotillas and other humanitarian efforts aren't about delivering "goods," said Hijab. They're about freedom, self-determination, and ending Israel's lawless chokehold, violating international laws, norms and principles grievously for decades, complicit with rogue partners against justice, shamelessly supporting crimes of war and against humanity.
Blocked but not defeated, Freedom Flotilla II endorsers sent a July 10 open letter to European Commission President Joseo Manuel Barroso, saying in part:
"Squeezed between Scylla and Charybdid (twin evils), the zionist state of Israel and the 'democratic' Greece, our nutshell JULIANO with" European citizens from Sweden, Greece and Austria "on board still tries to (fulfill) its mission of peace and solidarity with the Palestinian people."
Is isolating them behind "prison-walls" your choice, or is "freedom of the seas....freedom of expression, and the mandate of peace the (EU) constitutional treaty prescribed you to fulfill?"
It's shameful that EU nations and other Quartet members bow subserviently to Israel, complicit with "its constant violations of Human Rights against the population of Palestine."
"Don't forget that history....always....punish(es) those who have allied themselves with the oppressors. In the name of the same (EU) democratic order," global peace, and justice you and others endorse, "we therefore demand:
OUR RIGHT TO SAIL FREE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA WHEREVER WE WANT!"
On behalf of JULIANO participants, signed:
Dr. Leo Gabriel
International Council of the World Social Forum
Maria Pia Boethius
Swedish writer
