“The Jewish boat to Gaza is sailing soon”

June 7, 2010

Just hours ago, the Free Gaza activists challenging Israel’s blockade of Gaza sent out an email to supporters.  An exciting excerpt:

In an undisclosed harbor in the Mediterranean, a small vessel is waiting for a special mission. She will be sailing to Gaza.  “Israel will have a great chance to show the world that there is another way, a way of courage not fear, a way of hope not hate,” says Edith Lutz, one of the organizers and passenger on the “Jewish boat.”

…The Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in the Near East, along with her friends of EJJP (European Jews for a Just Peace in the Near East) and Jews for Justice For Palestinians (UK) are sending a call to the leaders of the world to help Israel find her way back to reason, a sense of humanity and a life without fear.

You can read the full email below:

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Gaza Update: The MV Rachel Corrie

June 5, 2010

The Israeli government has stopped the MV Rachel Corrie, the latest ship to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza.  The crew was unharmed.

However, the damage to the Gaza blockade has been done.

A chorus of international voices — including prominent world leaders — are now calling for an end to the current blockade.  It is a triumph of international solidarity and civil disobedience against a deeply immoral policy.  Even more ships are expected to challenge the Israeli blockade in the days ahead.

The real question now is what the future holds for Gaza.

Will Gaza Palestinians be allowed live normal lives, in an economy that facilitates employment, opportunity, and freedom?  Or will they be forced by Israel and Egypt to continue to live on humanitarian aid from the international community — under a repackaged blockade that is still just as offensive to the human spirit?

In the days ahead, Freedom Forward will continue our efforts to advocate for a meaningful peace that is fair to all of the people of the region — including Gaza.  We will need your support and involvement.  Thank you for joining us in this campaign.

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Get on board the MV Rachel Corrie

June 4, 2010

The activist challenge to the Israeli blockade of Gaza is not over yet. At least one more ship is expected to reach Gaza waters by Saturday. The crew is transporting humanitarian aid — medical equipment, cement, and supplies.

The ship, the MV Rachel Corrie, is named after an American activist who was killed in 2003 when she was crushed by an Israeli bulldozer. The crewmembers include former UN Assistant Secretary-General Denis Halliday and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire, an Irish peace activist.

They deserve our support, because it is through their efforts that a lasting peace is made possible.

2010-06-03-Free_Gaza_MV_Rachel_Corrie3500pixels.jpg The Israeli blockade of Gaza has denied 1.4 million Palestinians access to everything from basic food to crayons. It is difficult to imagine a long-term regional peace so long as so many people continue to suffer.

That’s why the efforts of these humanitarian activists are so important. Thanks to their work, diplomats, government officials, and leading newspapers are now calling for an end to the Israeli blockade.

I will confess a certain level of personal investment in the safe passage of the MV Rachel Corrie. I have had the privilege of briefly collaborating with former UN Assistant Secretary-General Denis Halliday, an above-mentioned crew member on the ship.

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The next ships to Gaza.

June 2, 2010

The Israeli blockade of Gaza has denied 1.4 million Palestinians access to everything from basic food to crayons.  It is difficult to imagine a long-term regional peace so long as so many people continue to suffer.

That’s why brave activists are challenging the Israeli blockade by bringing humanitarian supplies to Gaza by sea.

Will you show your support?

Two more ships are expected to cross the Israeli blockade at any moment.   One of these ships is the MV Rachel Corrie.

The ship is named after an American activist who was killed in 2003 when she was crushed by an Israeli bulldozer that was about to demolish a Palestinian home.

The ship’s crewmembers include former UN Assistant Secretary-General Denis Halliday and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire, an Irish peace activist.

Will you join them?  Will you stand in solidarity with the MV Rachel Corrie?

Click here to publicly show your support.

This is a rare moment in international politics.  Diplomats, government officials, and leading newspapers are now calling for an end to the Israeli blockade.

Meanwhile, 1.4 million Palestinians in Gaza continue to suffer under extreme hardship.

One year ago, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said the following:

“I understand even paper and crayons are treated as “security hazards” and not permitted to enter Gaza. I sought an explanation for this policy in Israel, but did not receive a satisfactory answer – because there is none.”

One month ago, the Israeli reporter Amira Hass revealed even more details of Israel’s blockade:

“Israel prohibits the import into the Gaza Strip of items such as cilantro, sage, jam, chocolate, french fries, dried fruit, fabrics, notebooks, empty flowerpots, and toys.”

It is time to end this blockade and begin the path to peace.   Please show your support for the MV Rachel Corrie.

Sign the Statement of Solidarity.

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Posted by Freedom Forward

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