Freedom Flotilla
There are many statements to make.
Here is one amongst many from unions.
‘State Council meeting of the Electrical Trades Union Queensland Branch confirms the
following:
1. A detailed report about the 2010 Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA study tour to the
Middle East, particularly The West Bank & Gaza Strip was received today.
That report detailed the situation of;
a) Illegal Israeli Settlements
b) The Apartheid practices of the Israeli government
c) The Israeli governments lack of adherence to international law & UN resolutions
d) House demolitions
e) The illegal Separation Wall
f) The inhumane treatment of Palestinian refugees
g) The Gaza blockade
2. Continued aggression by the Israeli government and its acts of provocation towards
the Palestinian people was discussed.
3. Further discussion & debate today took place in respect of the Boycott, Divestment &
Sanctions (BDS) campaign initiated by Palestinian society requesting international
support.
Consequently, this meeting hereby resolves to call on the Israeli government to:
a) Implement all UN resolutions against the occupation of the West Bank and East
Jerusalem and the right of return for all Palestinian refugees,
b) Remove the illegal settlements and dismantle the Illegal Separation Wall,
c) Completely ceases its blockade on Gaza
Furthermore this meeting also resolves to support the BDS campaign for:
1. A consumer boycott of Israeli goods.
2. Labour movement sanctions on firms and institutions involved in Israeli military and
security programmes.
3. Disinvestment of trade union superannuation funds in Israel and particularly in firms
such as Caterpillar, Motorola and Veolia which provide resources or services which
aid the occupation.
4. Any other peaceful measures initiated by the BDS campaign.
This meeting also resolves to support the aim of a sovereign Palestinian state peacefully co-
existing alongside a sovereign Israel in a nuclear-weapon free Middle East.’
Readers of this blog would be aware of a Canberra report of Kim Sattler’s APHEDA visit to Palestine.
And there are ALP MPs taking a principled stand.
Here is one from ALP Maria Vamvakinou, member for Calwell.
ATTACK ON THE FREEDOM FLOTILLA
1 June 2010 and below information from
Labor 4A Just Palestine.
And for more from the Palestinian News agency Ma’an. For all the latest from Ma’an News click on:
http://www.maannews.net/eng/Default.aspx
‘I join the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Stephen Smith, and the international community in condemning the ‘terrible’ and ‘shocking’ Israeli commando attack on the Freedom Flotilla humanitarian aid convoy to Palestine, carrying 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid, aimed at breaking the Israeli siege of Gaza.
Latest reports indicate that this unjustifiable attack, which took place in international waters, has left a number of people dead, as well as one Australian wounded and two Australians journalists detained.
Those on board have been either killed, injured or detained and I support the Minister’s comments that Australia ‘deplores the violence and deplores the deaths’.
I stand in support of international condemnation of the Israeli attack, and reiterate the Minister’s calls for a full ‘credible, transparent investigation’ into the bloodshed.
I am personally appalled by Israel’s attempt to justify and defend what is an indefensible attack on the humanitarian aid convoy, which included parliamentarians from across the world.
Israel’s narrative can only be described as being bereft of a sense of reality towards its own obligations and responsibilities in upholding international law and the principles of democracy.
Our thoughts go out to those on board the Freedom Flotilla humanitarian aid convoy, who were subjected to this aggression.
They were there to provide solidarity and support to a besieged population of 1.5 million, eighty per cent of which is dependent on international humanitarian aid – a population that remains unable to rebuild their shattered lives following the December 08/January 09 attack on Gaza.
I also sympathise with those people in Israel who so desperately want peace within the framework of international law.
It is clear that their government has once again let them down.
The international community must now hold Israel to account, not only on this latest incident, but on its continued siege of war-ravaged Gaza – and stranglehold of the West Bank and East Jerusalem – and recognise that its ongoing actions are an inherent obstacle to the peace process.’
I subscride to David Forde’s
Labor 4A Just Palestine
Here is an example of weekly reports.
UN Protection of Civilians Weekly Report
Ships carrying aid to Gaza intercepted; at least nine international activists killed. In the West Bank, at least 20 Palestinians injured. Israeli settler-related incidents continue. New easings on Palestinian movement implemented. Additional people at risk of displacement in Area C. In Gaza, violence escalates: five Palestinians killed and 39 injured. National NGOs closed down by Hamas. Tunnels continue to claim lives; seven fatalities and 14 injuries. Increase in imports; entry of building materials for two projects continued. Imports of industrial fuel and cooking gas remain below estimated needs.To read the report click on: Protection of Civilians Weekly Report
The National – Spin doctors (Mark Regev) cannot hide Israel’s actions
The Israeli prime minister’s spokesman Mark Regev once explained to an Australian reporter how he could chew and talk at the same time. This week Mr Regev tested his ability to speak with a foot planted firmly in his mouth. To read the article click on:
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100603/OPINION/706029953/…
ABC lateline – Diana Buttu speaks to lateline on Israel’s actions
Palestinian-Canadian lawyer Diana Buttu (in Australia later this month) speaks to Lateline about her perspective on Israel’s actions. To watch the 7 minute interview click on:
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2010/s2915577.htm
Guardian Editorial – Gaza: From blockade to bloodshed
If an armed group of Somali pirates had yesterday boarded six vessels on the high seas, killing at least 10 passengers and injuring many more, a NATO taskforce would today be heading for the Somali coast. To read the Guardian editorial click on:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jun/01/gaza-blockade-bloodshed-edit…
Amnesty – Israeli authorities urged to commission international inquiry
Amnesty International has called for an international inquiry into the deaths caused by the raid on the aid flotilla in international waters outside Gaza yesterday. To read the statement click on:
http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/23120/
UN Security Council statement on Gaza flotilla
Click on the link to access the full text of a formal presidential statement adopted on Tuesday by the United Nations Security Council on Israel’s action against an aid flotilla heading for Gaza:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N01269378.htm
The Age – Seeds of flotilla sown by Melbourne activist
FOUR years ago, Melbourne man Michael Shaik came up with the idea of organising a flotilla to break the Israeli blockade and take humanitarian aid to Gaza. To read the article click on:
http://www.watoday.com.au/world/seeds-of-flotilla-sown-by-melbourne-activist-20100601-wv8o.html
Deutsche Bank: “We are out of Elbit”
Germany’s biggest bank Deutsche Bank has divested the bank’s 2% stake in Elbit Systems, an Israeli arms company that supplies the Israeli military and provides components for the Apartheid Wall in Occupied Palestinian Territory that was found to be in violation of international law. To read the article click on: http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/2275.shtml
Companies building the Separation Wall
To find out who builds and invests in this illegal wall click on: Companies building the Wall
Canberra APHEDA Palistine meeting
