An update and wrap-up from the Tahrir, the Canadian boat to Gaza.

It’s followed by an insightful article, in which Adam Shapiro argues that, contrary to official propaganda that the Gaza flotillas have failed, in fact they have had a powerful, enduring impact.  Shapiro is an organiser with the Free Gaza Movement.  Currently in Greece, he’s working to overturn travel restrictions on the Freedom Flotilla.

First, a message from the Tahrir, July 8, Agios Nilolaos, Crete:

“The Canadian Boat to Gaza, the Tahrir, is still trying to gain permission from Greek authorities to sail. We continue to demand that the Greek authorities allow us to leave. We have broken no laws and our boat is seaworthy. This is not the end but rather another chapter in our ongoing effort to end the brutal blockade of Gaza and will be followed by others.

Many of our delegates, and those representing other countries involved in Freedom Flotilla II, have had to return* to their busy lives in Canada and elsewhere, but they do so with a strengthened resolve to work tirelessly towards an end to Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza and for a free Palestine.  [* MR: Bob Lovelace returned home earlier this week.]

While we know there is still much work to be done, the support and encouragement we are receiving indicates we are succeeding towards our goal to end the blockade of Gaza and we are determined to move ahead.  For weeks, we, a group of volunteers from all walks of life, have had and continue to have the attention of Israel, the world’s fourth largest military, as they conspire with other countries to do everything in their power to stop us.  Despite these blatant attempts to block our legal actions, we have fully exposed the complicity of governments around the world with the illegal and human rights abusive actions of Israel.  We intend to hold Greece accountable for clear violations of international law.

In terms of our organizing in Canada, we have successfully engaged people and communities from coast to coast to coast.  As our government actively ignores the will of the people, the people’s voice grows stronger, more cohesive and more clear.  We will not stop organizing until every single person in Gaza is able to exercise their full human right to self-determination along with all people of Palestine.

We have also been reaching diverse Canadian citizens through media and social networking.  Many people who had not been aware of the situation in Gaza and Palestine are taking notice and have joined our struggle.  This is evidenced by the hundreds of groups and individuals who have endorsed our project, and the many more who have given generously to financially support it.  The popular movement is growing and will not be stopped.

In this struggle, we continue to take inspiration from the steadfast Palestinian people and from the efforts of solidarity movements around the world, as well as from the uprisings which continue throughout the Middle East and North Africa, including the mass protest in Egypt’s Tahrir Square taking place today.  We are building, growing, and evolving our strategies to help bring about change and to contribute to bringing Tahrir (liberation) to the long suffering people of Palestine.

Together, we will reach Gaza.  Together, we will end the blockade.  Stay human.”

[MR: Despite the sometimes over-ripe rhetoric, these are substantial, dedicated peace and human rights activists.  They mean what they say.

In case you’re wondering, “Stay human” was the guiding motto of Vittorio Arrigoni, an Italian reporter, writer, pacifist and activist who worked with the International Solidarity Movement and the people of Gaza from 2008 until his death in April 2011.  He was murdered, allegedly by members of a fundamentalist group opposed to Hamas.  Vittorio Arrigoni’s motto, Stay human, made an apt theme for the current Freedom Flotilla.]

…..

Gaza flotillas have made a difference

By Adam Shapiro, Gulf News, July 6, 2011

As ships continue preparing to depart for Gaza from Greece and as the Greek government continues to serve as the Israeli ‘call centre’ for outsourcing the blockade of 1.6 million Palestinians in Gaza, the myth continues to perpetuate that ‘established channels’ should be used to reach Gaza.

Governments remain comfortable and unchallenged in maintaining a position that the situation in Gaza is untenable, that the blockade must end and that the blockade is illegal on the one hand and that by pursuing these established channels these same governments serve only to reinforce and legitimise the blockade.

It seems only the Palestinian people in Gaza must seek their freedom through established humanitarian channels that rely on the whim of their oppressor and the occasional glance of attention from the international community.  Being born in Gaza is being born into a life sentence of living in a virtual cage, without fundamental human rights.

The flotilla effort, initiated by the Free Gaza Movement in 2008 when it sailed small fishing ships to Gaza and successfully reached the port of Gaza, is not about humanitarian aid.  It is about Palestinian freedom and their rights to access the world as any other people.

And despite the chorus of “the flotilla is not necessary”, reality on the ground shows that it non-violent direct action that has been the only effective power to make change in the lives of Palestinians.

The pressure applied by the flotilla effort has led to three main changes — in terms of the policy of the siege applied by Israel to Gaza; in terms of the media coverage and public attention to the crime scene that is Gaza; and in terms of compelling governments and institutions to take a position on the blockade….

Read the whole article here.

A fascinating report from Vancouver.  Not surprising, but still, shocking.  The report begins:

“It has been widely reported and speculated that the reason for Greece’s participation in the suppression of Freedom Flotilla Two may be found in its own economic situation — that the government of Prime Minister George Papandreou, pushing a devastating IMF/EU austerity plan on the Greek people against their will, is so desperate for international financial and economic support that it is willing to serve as the enforcement arm for Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza.

“Yesterday, in Vancouver, Canada, a Greek consular official, Georgios Ayfantis, confirmed that this is indeed the case….”

The full story is here.

Updates: Three participants arrested from the Tahrir have now been released, but face trials over various charges related to their attempt to get free of the Greek government’s blockade.  Greek lawyers are working with the Tahrir participants. Their boat remains in port under Greek military guard.  The other participants remain aboard; legal advice has suggested that they may face charges if they disembark.  The activists report much support from Greek people in the port town.  Some Greek coast guard members told people on the Tahrir, ‘We don’t want to do this, but we are under orders’.

More detail, including video of the Coast Guard capture of the Tahrir, here.

The captain of the US boat has also been released.   The charges against him have not been dropped, but for the time being he is free without bail or any apparent restrictions.

Spanish activists, whose boat is also imp0unded by the Greek regime, have non-violently ‘occupied’ the Spanish embassy in Athens, demanding that their government intercede to allow their boat to go to Gaza.

A French boat, the Dignite-El Karama, appears to have reached international waters enroute to Gaza.

Also see two new journal entries from Bob Lovelace, below, after this update from Toronto Star reporter Jim Rankin, aboard the Tahrir:

Monday July 4, from Agios Nikolaos on the island of Crete

Flotilla plans changed over night.

In a briefing aboard the Canadian boat this morning, delegates learned that not all of the flotilla ships will attempt to move today, as previously planned.

That is not the case with the Canadian boat Tahrir. All delegates, including contingents from Australia, Belgium Denmark and Turkey, and media have moved on board this morning.

“Read my lips,” said Stephan Corriveau, a member of the steering committee told delegates. “This boat will sail today.”

“With or without legal permission,” added fellow organizer David Heap, a professor of linguistics and French at the University of Western Ontario.

The 25-metre ship is under the constant watch of the Greek coast guard. A coast guard vessel is tied up 10 metres from the stern of the Tahrir. The boat is stuck here, forbidden from leaving port by a Greek edict that was issued Friday forbidding the departure of flotilla ships to Gaza.

There is also red tape with the port authority involving on board requirements, including bed sizes (there are none, only benches and hammocks). Organizers hope to clear those hurdles today.

Bob Lovelace’s Journal 9 – July 2, 2011

My plan had been to be home on July 2, but here I am with other Candians, Belgians, Danish, Turks, an American and a German. Together we make up a wonderful team.

You all know by now that Greece is finding itself in the first stages of colonialism.  Agio Nicolaos the harbour we are in has become an Israeli port. In fact, the State of Israel, the IMF and the US have began to determine Greek internal policy. These are my own observations but this is also what we hear from the Greek people. In the words of a Greek man coming out of the Port Authority offices last night (protectd by officers with flack jackets and machine guns) “Greece is now nothing more than a colony.” Today the people of Agio Nicolaos are being leafleted by local politicians with a letter that says that the Greek govenment had stolen their dignity.

Our team began to resist the take over of the Tahrir yeasterday afternoon. The Greek Minister of Public Saftey has issued a blanket statement that restricts boats under Greek or International flags destined for Gaza from leaving Greek harbours. In addition the Port Authority has been instructed to do inspection after inspection, making up new conditions and final demanded the ships papers. We had a short peaceful protest on the dock and boat and they were unable to take the papers. However the Coast Guard blocked the entrance to the harbour. Today we are sitting idle waiting for international lawyers to haggle through negotiations.

This afternoon one of the Ausies and I got a kayak* and paddled out of the harbour with a box of medicine toward Gaza. It was an opportunity to test the Harbour police and Coast guard and give the press something to do. There was almost no reaction from the Harbour police but lots of photos for the international press. It is really important for people in Canada and the world to protest the delay of the the Freedom Flotilla.

I hear there is a demonstration of support in Toronto this afternoon. Everyone here is thankful for the support we are getting from home.

Most of now are checked out of the hotels and staying on the Tahrir.  Now we are eating our own “home cooked food”.  What a relief!

[MR: * A photo of the inspired kayak voyage is here. (http://images.scribblelive.com/2011/7/2/423d7bb9-b9d3-40bb-9141-be35677a2bf6_500.jpg)

Journal 10, July 3, 2011

The news today is that we will make an effort to leave for Gaza tomorrow. At present the Greek Coast Gard is parked next to the Tahrir at the mouth of the Agio Nikolaos harbour. The latest Israeli spin is that everyone is giving up and going home but this is not the case or any where else on the Flotilla. While we miss home we remain committed to the mission.

Almost everyone slept on board last night. It was a beautiful clear night with a slight breeze. I slept on the top deck underneith the stars.

The visible support here continues to grow. Many Greeks have told me that they would like a free Mediteranian where all people can access there coasts and ports. Support for the Israeli blockade of Gaza does not exist here.

One of the reasons for our delay is that the Captain is Greek and well respected in this port. He has run the Blockade before and is fearless in this matter. His concern is that he must comply with Greek maritime laws. He lives here and his livelihood depends upon his good relations. He is personal friends are members of the Harbour.

The crew is also Greek. They are wonderfully helpful, supportive and brave. I will be sending pictures through the day to day.

Take care, take notice, take action,

Bob Lovelace

MR: 11:18 AM Eastern Standard Time, Monday July 4, Toronto Star reporter Jim Rankin reports that kayakers blocked the Coast Guard momentarily while the Tahrir set out from the harbour, heading for Gaza, with the Coast Guard in close pursuit.

Follow Rankin’s live reports here (http://livenews.thestar.com/Event/Aboard_the_Gaza_flotilla.)

From the Canadian boat Tahrir, July 1, 2011:

Greek coast guard officers are now on board the Tahrir attempting to arrest Sandra Rush, Jewish Canadian member of the Canada boat to Gaza Steering Committee, who is refusing to surrender the boat’s registration papers.

Efforts to stop Freedom Flotilla 2 from sailing have included diplomatic pressure and manipulation, economic blackmail, bureaucratic obstacles, baseless and slanderous allegations against the flotilla and the delegates, and sabotage of at least two vessels.

“The world watched as an intensive campaign to prevent the Tahrir and the entire Freedom flotilla II from sailing was underway.  We have been unjustly and duplicitously treated,” said Irene MacInnes of the Tahrir organizing committee. “The government of Israel, shamefully with the tacit support of the Harper government, is doing everything in its power to maintain the blockade.  Today, as a result of the concerted efforts of the 4th largest military power in the world and its backers, we have been prevented from sailing to Gaza.  Yet we will persevere in our attempts till the blockade is lifted.”

“Israel has in effect extended the illegal blockade of Gaza to Greek ports, using Greece’s economic difficulties to influence the government’s position”, said David Heap of the organizing committee.

“We remain absolutely clear that the Canadian Boat to Gaza has not been, is not, and has no intention of, breaking any laws.  It is the blockade of Gaza that is illegal under international law.  We have a legal and moral obligation to challenge the blockade, given the failure of the international community to act”, said Dylan Penner of the organizing committee. “This is why we must continue our attempts to sail to Gaza: to challenge the illegal and immoral blockade and to equally challenge the Canadian federal government’s support for it.”

Meanwhile the US boat to Gaza, The Audacity of Hope, is at a standoff with Greek Navy boats, refusing their orders to return to shore.

Sadly for the people of Greece, Canada and the United States, current governing elites serve as accomplices to the Israeli regime in its illegal occupation of Palestine.  The blockade of the Freedom Flotilla is a spectacular demonstration of their power.

By contrast, the Canadian boat Tahrir and the international Freedom Flotilla embody a courageous popular resistance, and ultimately a viable path to a just peace. They need our continuing support, in whatever form that might take.

In the longer term, for citizens who share the objectives of the Freedom Flotilla, to break the illegal siege of Gaza and ultimately to end the illegal occupation, I would contend that the growing international campaign for BDS — boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel continues to be the most effective long-term tool available to us.

For exactly that reason, this week the Israeli Knesset (parliament) passed a law to criminalize BDS.  Clearly the campaign is having an impact.

The fight goes on.

Sabotage of M.V. Saoirse an ‘act of international terrorism‘

30 June 2011, from the Free Gaza Team:

The Irish ship MV Saoirse has been sabotaged in the port of Göcek, Turkey, where it has been at berth for the past few weeks, preparing to join Freedom Flotilla 2.

Photographs and video footage of the undership sabotage, carried out by divers, are available from the Irish Ship to Gaza campaign.

The saboteurs cut, gouged or filed a piece off the propeller shaft.  This has weakened the integrity of the shaft, causing it to bend when put in use.  The sabotage was very similar to that caused to the Juliano, another flotilla ship, in Greece. The consequent damage would have occurred gradually as the ship was sailing and could have led to a dangerous breach of the hull.

The Irish Ship to Gaza campaign believes that Israel must be viewed as the chief suspect in this professional and calculated act of sabotage. [MR: Israeli military officials have claimed in the press that they would stop the Freedom Flotilla “without contact.”  By this they appear to have meant that they assume the right to attack civilian boats, with impunity, anywhere they choose in national and international waters throughout the Mediterranean.  There seem to be few lines the Israeli regime won’t cross in its determination to enforce the illegal, suffocating blockade of 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza.]

From Göcek, Turkey, the national coordinator of the Irish Ship, Dr Fintan Lane, commented, “This is an appalling attack and should be condemned by all right-thinking people.  It is an act of violence against Irish citizens and could have caused death and injury.  If we had not spotted the damage as a result of a short trip in the bay, we would have gone to sea with a dangerously damaged propeller shaft and if the hull had been breached the boat would have sunk.  Imagine if this had happened at night.”

He continued, “One of the most shocking aspects is that the sabotage was calculated not to stop the ship from leaving its berth, but to damage it fatally once it was at sea, which could have resulted in the deaths of passengers, Irish citizens. This was a potentially murderous act.

“Israel is the only party likely to have carried out this reckless action, and it is essential that the Irish government and the executive in Northern Ireland insist that those who ordered this act of international terrorism be brought to justice.  This was carried out in a Turkish town and shows no respect for Turkish sovereignty or international law.”

Dr Lane concluded, “It is important that everybody make their voices heard in solidarity with the people of Gaza and in support of the flotilla.  The Israeli embassy should become a focal point for street demonstrations.”

The sabotage has been reported to the harbour master in Göcek, and Irish Ship to Gaza participants are asking for a full investigation by the Turkish police.

The repairs have yet to be fully costed but could exceed 15,000 euros and will take some time, meaning that the Saoirse cannot participate in Freedom Flotilla 2.

Six of the 20 crew and passengers due to sail on the Saoirse will join the Italian/Dutch ship.

The MV Saoirse will be repaired and used in future flotillas to Gaza.