Michael Riordon

While the non-violent peace and human rights advocates on the Freedom Flotilla put their bodies and personal safety on the line, out in the open, the agents of imperial power function as they always do, behind the scenes, under cover, in the shadows.

Further to my previous post, sketchy details are emerging about why/how the authorities are blocking the US boat to Gaza from departing.  This bulletin arrived today from Athens:

Passengers on the U.S. Boat to Gaza, The Audacity of Hope, are asking Greek government officials to clarify whether the boat they are leasing is being blocked from leaving Greece because of an anonymous request of a private citizen concerning the seaworthiness of the ship, or whether a political decision has been made by the Greek government in response to U.S. and Israeli government pressure.

They specifically want to know if the U.S. is using its leverage at the International Monetary Fund over the implementation of an ongoing bailout of European banks with massive Greek debts to compel the Greek government to block the U.S. Boat to Gaza from leaving Greece.

The passengers are wondering if Israel, which has extensive economic trade and investments in Greece, is using its clout to pressure the Greek government.  “Israel has said openly that it is pressuring governments to try to stop the flotilla, and clearly Greece is a key government since several of the boats plan to leave from Greece,” says passenger Medea Benajmin.  “It is unconscionable that Israel would take advantage of the economic hardship the Greek people are experiencing to try to stop our boat or the flotilla.”

[MR: On the other hand, for the agents of imperial power this would be a chance to kill two birds — a major participant in the Freedom Flotilla, and the people of Greece — with one stone, and thus cause for a promotion, or at the very least, a bonus.]

Given the very close relationship between Israel and the U.S., and the public efforts by Israel to denounce and try to stop the flotilla, the passengers on the U.S. boat want to know if the Obama Administration is using U.S. leverage at the IMF to compel the Greek authorities to stop the U.S. boat from leaving Greece.  Greece’s economic and political crisis is a result of extreme austerity measures imposed by the European Union and the largely U.S.-controlled International Monetary Fund.  Past U.S. governments have used their influence at the IMF to impose political conditions on indebted countries that have nothing to do with restoring economic growth.

“We are guests here,” said Robert Naiman, a passenger on the U.S. boat. “But we ask the Greek authorities to be honest with us.  What is the origin of this complaint?  Is the decision to stop our boat from leaving truly due to legitimate technical issues that can be resolved, or is it a sign that our boat will be stopped from leaving no matter what we do?  What is the role of the Israeli and U.S. governments in the Greek decision to stop our boat from leaving?”

“We have a right to protest the blockade of Gaza,” said Ann Wright, an organizer and passenger on the U.S. boat.  “To its credit, the Greek government, like the Red Cross, Amnesty International, and Oxfam, agrees with us that the blockade on Gaza must be lifted.  But for years, the only effective international action to challenge the illegal blockade has been freedom flotillas.  We call upon the Greek government, which agrees that our cause is just, not to stand in the way of our peaceful protest in pursuit of our shared goal of lifting the blockade.  The boat we are leasing for this journey, after its refitting for the voyage to Gaza, was surveyed by a professional surveyor and successfully completed its sea trials.  There is no reason for any further delays on this matter, we are ready to sail.”

For regular updates on the Audacity of Hope, go to Twitter,  or the US Boat to Gaza website.

Under heavy pressure from Israel, the government of Cyprus announced a few months ago that it would not allow any further humanitarian aid boats to embark to Gaza from its ports.

A couple of weeks ago, under heavy pressure from the US, the government of Turkey prevailed on the Turkish NGO Humanitarian Relief Organization to block the Mavi Marmara from sailing to Gaza.  This is the ship on which nine Turkish peace and human rights activists were murdered by Israeli commandoes in the first Freedom Flotilla a year ago.  After months of preparation, the official reason given for blocking the voyage is highly suspect: the ship still needs repairs.

Today in Athens, journalist Joseph Dana reported that a ‘private complaint’ had been filed by an anonymous party against one or more boats in the flotilla, declaring it or them not ’sea worthy,’ which would require further detailed inspection.  The harbor master in the port where the boat is docked has declared that until the complaint is resolved the boat is not permitted to leave.  Dana and lawyers associated with the flotilla are investigating.

At the same time, the US regime has gone even further than its Canadian counterpart in abdicating legal responsibility to protect its own citizens.  The State Department has actually threatened US citizens with “fines or incarceration” if they try to approach Gaza.  US officials also give implicit permission for Israel to “defend itself” — against non-violent Americans.

It is not Israel that’s threatened by the flotilla, it’s imperial power.

Today I watched a stunning documentary, The Nakba (part 1, and part 2).  It explores the forces that created the state of Israel, and the colonization of Palestine.  Though I consider myself reasonably well informed on the vital military, political and financial support that British and US governments have provided for the Zionist project, this meticulously researched documentary kept shocking me with one revelation after another about how the arrangement actually evolved.

From the beginning, Zionist leaders understood that Jews could only have a state of their own if they went directly to the top, in secret, and made an offer the imperial powers couldn’t refuse.

In the Our Way to Fight chapter on boycott, divestment and sanctions I wrote: “From the late nineteenth century to the present, the Zionist movement and the state it created have made themselves indispensable to western imperial power.  Never again would Jews be on the wrong side, the losing side of history.  In 1898, Zionist founder Theodor Herzl wrote in Der Judenstaat/The Jews’ State: ‘To Europe we would represent a part of the barrier against Asia; we would serve as the outpost of civilization against barbarism.’  Here was the offer that no self-respecting white supremacist empire could refuse.

“The same symbiotic arrangement is spectacularly evident today: the Obama regime drops all demands on Israel to stop the settlements, while handing over the next installment of US military aid; US and British authorities collaborate in blocking the Goldstone report on war crimes in the Gaza assault (having been reminded by Israeli officials that they too could face similar charges on Iraq and Afghanistan); the US and Europe impose sanctions to force Iran to quit developing nuclear power, while they continue to grant carte blanche to the Middle East’s only actual nuclear weapons holder, Israel.”  And now the US government threatens its own citizens on behalf of a foreign regime.

This is imperial power at work, top-down, a toxic brew of arrogance, deceit and brute force.  It is deeply, even mortally threatened by human endeavours like the Freedom Flotilla, in which people of conscience defy the status quo, think for themselves, and act with courage and compassion in the interests of humanity.

Preparing to embark on the Tahrir from a port in Greece, Robert Lovelace sent this update today:

“Well Friends, Saturday has come and gone here.  Today we worked through the last of the non-violence training.  Tomorrow we begin logistical preparations.  There is still not a final date for sailing but we are encouraged by the French boat leaving from France this morning.

“There are still threats and political coercion coming from Israel.  The official word from Israel is that the blockade will hold and the Israeli Defence Forces are training and on standby for an assault on Freedom Flotilla II.  We seem to be under regular surveillance here but spirits are strong and we are prepared to meet any boarding with peaceful resistance. Our delegates are a real cross section of men and women, young and old, from all walks of life.  We struggle away in five languages with respect for one another, laugh a lot, speak honestly and build on the “stay human” principles.

“The good news today was that the Danish Foreign Minister reversed his hard line and said that he hoped that “both sides would do the right thing”. If only Harper would recognize publicly that the blockade of Gaza is illegal or state that Israel will be held accountable for piracy, well I guess that is hoping too much.  Perhaps just to say that he was pleased to know that Canadian activists are working for peace and justice would be something.

“What is really important is that people of conscience, people in every part of Canada are supporting the Flotilla and day by day those numbers are growing.  People continue to tell me that they feel it is their obligation to get involved in the Peace process and that breaking the blockade of Gaza is the first step.  It is difficult for Palestinians to negotiate when they are held in the world’s largest concentration camp and the prison is only a remnant of their homeland.  It is much like Canada keeping Aboriginal people on reserves and refusing to recognize inherent indigenous relationships to the land.  We don’t have to wait for governments to get around to it.  It is something that we can do on our own if we work together for what we know is right.

More news tomorrow.  Take care, take notice, take action.

Bob Lovelace.”

Israeli journalist Amira Hass is also due to sail this week with the Canadian boat to Gaza.  Hear a fine interview with her on CBC Radio.

For an eloquent civil rights perspective, listen to writer Alice Walker explaining from Athens yesterday why she will be going to Gaza aboard the Audacity of Hope.

Retired chief of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, Robert Lovelace will be on the Tahrir, due to embark for occupied Gaza within the next few days.  This morning Robert published a message about his participation in the Freedom Flotilla.  It’s a compelling call from a long-time activist in anti-colonial struggles.

Robert lives with his family in the Algonquin highlands, traditional Ardoch territory.  In 2008 he was jailed for 3 ½ months, a political prisoner for his part in defending the Ardoch Algonquin homeland from uranium exploration and mining.  (I took part in a spirited demonstration at the prison gates, protesting his detention.)  Robert is also an adjunct lecturer at Queen’s University in the Department of Global Development Studies, focusing on Indigenous Studies, Sustainable Development and Aboriginal education.

Earlier this month Robert issued an appeal, which a friend sent on to me. (This blog post is not a funding request, by the way, just a report.)  “The invitation is voluntary,” Robert wrote, “and so is the cost for going.  The total cost of the trip will be somewhere between $2,500 and $3,500 when the flight and all of the ground travel is covered.  I am hoping that you and many of my other friends will help me, because frankly, I can’t afford to go by my own means.  Our commitment to decolonization has meant that Nicole and I are leading much simpler lives growing our own food and working toward sustainability.”  My partner and I were honoured to help.

Robert Lovelace’s message this morning concludes: “Even though the Canadian Boat will be fully inspected by a neutral third party there is a real potential that we will come under attack.  My hope is that you will think beyond the confines of our own colonial cage and counsel the Canadian government to ask for restraint, acceptance and peace from the Israeli government.  Think of joining with thoughtful human beings around the world who would rather share this beautiful creation than destroy it with war and exploitation.”

The full message is here.

John Greyson is one of 32 Canadian peace and human rights activists who’ll be on our boat to Gaza.  They will be joined on the Tahrir by a contingent from Australia, to embark from a port in Europe.

John reports that 12+ boats and 1000+ people from many countries will form the Freedom Flotilla, bound for besieged Gaza.

John Greyson is an internationally acclaimed film/video-maker (Zero Patience, Lilies, and Proteus among others), a teacher, and a queer activist.

This morning he completed work on a new video, Gaza Island.  You can see the world premiere:

On vimeo, here

Or on youtube, here.

Shortly before departure, John Greyson writes:

“Rest assured, despite all the hysteria and misinfo in the press, our boat is carrying nothing but medical aid, and we’re 100% committed to peaceful, non-violent action. Sure I’m nervous — we all remember what happened with the Mavi Marmara last year, when nine Turkish activists were killed by Israeli commandos  — but I feel very honoured (and safe), travelling with an incredible, diverse group of longtime peace activists from across the country — some of whom are featured in the video.

“I’ll be pretty hard to reach in the days and weeks to come — but there will be regular daily (sometimes hourly) updates on our website —  it’ll probably prove to be an indispensible counter-balance to the no-doubt hysterical and innaccurate info that’s gonna get published in the mainstream press.”

Bon voyage.

Following my previous post about threats to the Tahrir, the Canadian boat to Gaza, I wrote to New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton and the party’s foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar, demanding that the NDP take a principled stand in support of Canadian participation in the Freedom Flotilla, as their brave colleague Alex Atamenenko, NDP member of parliament, had already done.  I also wrote to Atamenenko, commending him for his courage and integrity.

From Jack Layton’s office came an automatic response, “…Please be assured your comments and views are valued…”  The usual.

From Paul Dewar’s office came a reply which I regard as semi-automatic: “…The NDP does not endorse the flotilla, but it is necessary to respect people’s right to peacefully protest and the protection and safety of all parties involved must be a priority.  We’ve echoed UN concerns about potential clashes between Israeli forces and activists and urge restraint.”

We urge restraint.  Nice.  Safe, comfortable, ineffectual.  Very NDP.

In the introduction to Our Way to Fight, I convey in short form my own sense of how good change happens:

“An Israeli friend speaks of two world-views, the macro and micro.  To me the macro view is an overview, from the war room, the cabinet room, the CEO’s suite.  The micro view is close up, on the street, on the wrong side of the wall, under the bombs.  [Now I would add, on the boat.]  It is the view of this book.

“Acts of resistance and solidarity are often so small, unless you look closely you may never see them.  At some point a person thinks, I can no longer remain silent.  She risks talking to others, and sometimes, something happens.”

When “something happens,” hardly ever is it due to pressure from above, but almost always from below, popular pressure, from the grassroots.  In a historic referendum this past week, Italian citizens defied all the establishment parties and the corporate media to refuse nuclear power and to ban the privatization of water.  The elites were stunned.  Even activists who’ve organized for years on these issues admitted they hadn’t really believed this outcome to be possible.

Meanwhile, from the plush comfort of Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the New Democrats urge “restraint,” equally, from both the Israeli forces and the activists.  The equation of the two is grotesque.  By nature and purpose, the Israeli military forces are about exactly that, force, unparalleled in the Middle East.  Israeli peace activists told me repeatedly that the only effective restraint on their government would be an effective end to the lavish flow of support from western regimes, which Israeli authorities consistently interpret as carte blanche to do as they wish.  True to form, the Israeli regime is now threatening to use even more aggressive force than it did against last year’s Freedom Flotilla, when Israeli commandos murdered nine activists.

The peace and human rights advocates on the Freedom Flotilla will go to Gaza unarmed, on small boats, and face the most powerful military force in the Middle East, fully backed by the most powerful, aggressive military force on the planet, and its faithful allies, including official Canada.

The last thing Flotilla participants need is more restraint.  They are restraint personified.

What they need is support.  They won’t get it from the elites that hold formal power in Europe and North America.  They won’t get it from the current Secretary General of the United Nations, who shamefully declared the Freedom Flotilla a provocation, thus granting implicit permission for Israeli military aggression.  And, sadly, it is clear now that no useful support can be expected from wannabe elites like the NDP.

That leaves us.

As in all campaigns for justice — women’s and civil rights, anti-apartheid, queer liberation, anti-war, pro-choice, environmental — pressure for justice and peace in Palestine-Israel springs from the ground (or water, in this case), from the grassroots, from us.

Since most of us can’t join the Freedom Flotilla in person, here is a practical way to support the Tahrir, due to sail within the next couple of weeks.

For people in other countries, very likely there is a boat that needs your support.  Check the list of Local Boat Initiatives here.

Please pass on this message or the link to this blog to others.