The RAIN Newsletter
http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=182759
'Gaza cannot remain a prison camp'
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Jerusalem Post: Tuesday, July 27, 2010
In Turkey, UK's Cameron makes harsh comments against Israel.
ANKARA, Turkey - Israel's May 31 interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla
was "completely unacceptable," British Prime Minister David Cameron said
Tuesday during an address to Turkish businessmen.
In a reference to Israel's blockade of the Strip, he said: "Gaza cannot and
must not be allowed to remain a prison camp."
He also commented that the world needs Turkey's help in pushing Iran to
address international concerns about its suspected nuclear weapons program.
Cameron went on to declare that Britain was a staunch backer of Turkey's
troubled bid to join the European Union. His visit early in his term was a
measure of Britain's acknowledgment of Turkey as a critical ally in a
conflict-prone region, much as US President Barack Obama traveled to Turkey,
NATO's only Muslim member, in 2009 to boost a partnership despite
differences on key issues.
Cameron's strong reference to the flotilla was likely to please his Turkish
hosts, though he said an Israeli inquiry into the May 31 incident should be
swift and transparent. That comment differed from Turkey's public stance
that any inquiry should be international.
New EU and Canadian sanctions, targeting Iran's foreign trade, banking and
energy sectors, were taken Monday in an attempt to thwart Iran's nuclear
program. The EU's measures also blacklist Iran's shipping and air cargo
companies.
"New sanctions the EU announced yesterday are designed to persuade Iran to
give the international community confidence that its nuclear program really
is peaceful as Iran claimed," Cameron said.
***
From: Romi Elnagar
http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=52237
Women Prepare to Set Sail Past Israel
By Mona Alami and Samar Hajj
BEIRUT, Jul 22, 2010 (IPS) - The 'Maryam', an all-female Lebanese aid ship,
currently docked in the northern Lebanese port of Tripoli, is getting ready
to set sail for Gaza in the next few days. The ship, which aims to break
Israel's siege on the Palestinian territory, will carry about 50 aid
workers, including some U.S. nuns keen to deliver aid to the long-suffering
women and children of Gaza.
"We were all drawn to the project...united by a feeling of stark injustice,"
says Samar Hajj, one of the organisers of the Maryam, which is named
after the mother of Christ.
Israel's siege began in 2006 after Hamas militants won Palestinian
legislative elections, then led a cross-border raid and kidnapped an Israeli
soldier, Gilad Shalit. Its watertight blockade has been maintained with
Egypt's help, since Hamas sought control of the territory in 2007. It has
resulted in crippling shortages, making daily life difficult in Gaza.
On May 31, Israeli forces attacked Mavi Marmaris, a Turkish humanitarian aid
vessel bringing aid to Gaza, killing nine Turkish activists aboard. After
the
attack, which sparked a wave of global condemnation of Israel, Hajj gathered
to protest against Israel in downtown Beirut with 11 other friends. "We were
appalled at the violent images we saw on TV and wanted to take action."
The women later got in touch with Yasser Kashlak, a 36-year-old Syrian of
Palestinian origin, who heads the Free Palestine Movement. Kashlak had
contributed to the financing of other vessels that tried breaking the siege,
including the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and the Naji al Ali.
"After the Mavi Marmaris incident, one of the women hailed Mary during our
weekly meeting. Her exclamation came like a revelation, so we decided to
call our ship Maryam (Mary in Arabic). The name was perfect for a vessel
that comprised only women. Who could disparage the Virgin Mary, a
recognised saint in most religions?" says Hajj.
The ship is slated to make a stopover in a friendly port before heading to
Israel because of the palpable hostility between Lebanon and Israel. Last
month, the Cypriot government banned any vessel headed to Gaza from its
docks. But activists can still sail from a port in Turkish Cyprus.
"We have the option to sail from a number of friendly ports and are
completely aware of our obligation to transit through a foreign port to
avoid our trip being labeled an act of war," says Hajj.
Hajj estimates she has received about 500 applications for the trip, but t
he Maryam will transport only about 50 women, half of who are Lebanese
nationals, the rest being Arabs, Europeans and from the U.S. The organiser
explains that carrying Palestinians on the ship is not an option because of
the risk of arrests by Israelis.
"The ship will transport cancer medicine and other necessary items for
women and children. We will not carry any weapons or terrorists,
irrespective of what the Israeli army might say," says Hajj.
While they wait to set sail, the headquarters of the Maryam remains agog
with activity as women from different backgrounds, political affiliations,
nationalities and religious beliefs converse, argue and joke.
"All women travelling on the ship have taken on the name Maryam and are
distinguishable by a number, like Maryam 1, Maryam 2, etc. We prefer to keep
identities secret to avoid pressure from respective embassies," adds Hajj.
Maryam 1 is a middle aged Indian lawyer and the wife of an admiral. "I am a
follower of the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi who fought against every form
of oppression peacefully in the course of his life. He was also opposed to
the occupation of Palestine," she says.
The lawyer explains that before deciding to join the Maryam, she studied the
legal implications of the attack on the Free Gaza Flotilla, which she says
was illegitimate.
"What the Mavi Marmaris attack highlighted was that two sets of rules were
applied to humanity, depending on a people's colour, race and religion. But
what people fail to realise is that suffering is by nature indivisible."
Sitting across from her was Maryam 2, a former biologist of Lebanese-
Armenian descent. "I have been closely following the Palestinian issue and
have been moved by the blatant injustice that is practiced against
Palestinians by the Israelis," she says.
At the daily meetings, Maryam 2 bonded with other women from diverse
backgrounds, particularly a Turkish journalist. Turkey and Armenia have been
at odds since the Turkish massacre of Armenians in the early 19th century.
"The journalist, who barely speaks English told me I was a godsend when she
discovered I could speak some Turkish. Here at the Maryam headquarters,
nationality and religion dissolve behind the common resolve of breaking the
siege of Gaza," she says.
The sail date for both aid ships from Beirut has yet to be announced.
Lebanese Transport Minister Ghazi Aridi said the Naji Al-Ali is now docked
at the Lebanese port of Tripoli and can set sail once it is cleared by
port authorities. However, the pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat reported recently
that the sail of the two ships has been postponed until further notice,
particularly after Iran cancelled sending two aid ships to the area. The
report was denied by Saer Ghandour, the organiser of the Naji Al-Ali
sailing, who added that the ship's formalities were still in process.
Meanwhile, most Maryam passengers are impatient to set sail. "We will not
fight Israelis with weapons, stones or knives, but with our free will," says
Maryam 3, a single woman working in the Lebanese government. "And we will
not surrender."
In Israel, the army chief, Gabi Ashkenazi, told the Knesset's Foreign
Affairs and Defence Committee on Jul. 6 that every effort should be made
to ensure that no more flotillas set sail for Gaza.
"Now a Lebanese flotilla with women and parliament members is getting
organised. Israel is trying to prevent its departure in open and covert
ways."
(END)
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