Activists To Sneak Aid To Gaza By Sea in defiance of Israeli naval:
ISRAEL ON NOTICE, WE ARE COMING
Tuesday, 06 January 2009 20:49
Last Updated on Saturday, 10 January 2009 13:31
Written by Free Gaza Movement
There is a time when silence is complicity and inaction is unacceptable. The ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have lead to the death of over 550 Palestinians, including children and women, and the injury of thousands, with the death and injury toll rapidly rising. Massive violations of international humanitarian law are being committed by Israel, both with regard to its obligations as an Occupying Power and in its conduct of hostilities.
The community of states has thusfar failed to comply with their duty to ensure Israel's respect for the Fourth Geneva Convention and protect the Palestinian civilian population from Israel's serious and persistent violations in accordance with the Convention. Consequently, we, concerned citizens from Belgium, Columbia, France, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Jordan, Kuwait, Scotland, Spain, and the United States feel that it is our moral duty to do what we can to provide some measure of protection. We are willing to put our bodies on the line to get in the way of Israel's unlawful violence against innocent Palestinian civilians.
There is a time when silence is complicity and inaction is unacceptable. The ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have lead to the death of over 550 Palestinians, including children and women, and the injury of thousands, with the death and injury toll rapidly rising. Massive violations of international humanitarian law are being committed by Israel, both with regard to its obligations as an Occupying Power and in its conduct of hostilities.
The community of states has thusfar failed to comply with their duty to ensure Israel's respect for the Fourth Geneva Convention and protect the Palestinian civilian population from Israel's serious and persistent violations in accordance with the Convention. Consequently, we, concerned citizens from Belgium, Columbia, France, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Jordan, Kuwait, Scotland, Spain, and the United States feel that it is our moral duty to do what we can to provide some measure of protection. We are willing to put our bodies on the line to get in the way of Israel's unlawful violence against innocent Palestinian civilians.
In the early hours of Tuesday, December 30, the Israeli Navy violently attacked our motor vessel DIGNITY, which was loaded with medical supplies and carried amongst others, doctors headed to Gaza to assist with the humanitarian crisis there. Neither the ship, nor its passengers and crew constituted any kind of danger to the Israeli Naval Forces. Yet our boat was rammed again and again, in an apparent attempt to disable the vessel, and in a manner that jeopardized the lives of the 16 civilians on board.
We will not be deterred by the violence of the Israeli military. We will set out again for Gaza. We are doctors, journalists, members of parliament, and human rights observers trying to reach the people of Gaza to deliver much needed aid and witness the atrocities being committed again the Palestinians there.
Israel is hereby put on notice that we are coming. We will announce our exact departure date, time and route, traveling from Cypriot waters, into international waters, directly into Gaza territorial waters, never nearing Israeli waters. The Israeli Navy, Ministry of Defense, and Foreign Ministry will all receive a copy of this notice. Any attack on our vessel will be premeditated and any harm inflicted on the 30 civilians on board will be the result of a deliberate attack on unarmed civilians.
Free Gaza Movement
http://www.FreeGaza.org
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
Showing posts with label ISM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ISM. Show all posts
Monday, January 12, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
HR Activist Caoimhe Butterly on Gaza Health Crisis
Activist, Caoimhe Butterly, comments on Gaza crises:
"01.01.2009
http://www.presstv.ir/
Caoimhe is a renowned human rights activist and Gaza Coordinator for the Free Gaza Movement. She will be remaining in Gaza to do human rights monitoring, assist with relief efforts, and work on project development with Free Gaza."
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
"01.01.2009
http://www.presstv.ir/
Caoimhe is a renowned human rights activist and Gaza Coordinator for the Free Gaza Movement. She will be remaining in Gaza to do human rights monitoring, assist with relief efforts, and work on project development with Free Gaza."
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
RT Interview with ISM Activist Sharon Lock
RT Interview with Sharon Lock:
"As the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate in Gaza, Sharon Lock, an activist for the International Solidarity Movement, says Israels actions are totally illegal as international law forbids collective punishment."
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
"As the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate in Gaza, Sharon Lock, an activist for the International Solidarity Movement, says Israels actions are totally illegal as international law forbids collective punishment."
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
Sunday, December 28, 2008
ISM Gaza Strip: Israel attacks Rafah as Palestinian death-toll approaches 300
ISM Gaza Strip: Israel attacks Rafah as Palestinian death-toll approaches 300:
"28th December 2008 - Israeli air-strikes on the Palestinian city of Rafah in Gaza."
Related News Item:
Two People Killed as Smuggling Tunnels Destroyed in Renewed Israeli Air Raids
Source: IMEMC
Date: Sunday December 28, 2008 19:15
Renewed Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip this evening resulted in the death of two people, and the injury of at least twenty others, medics and witnesses reported.
Israeli warplanes this afternoon raided the Egyptian-Palestinian border lines in the southern Gaza Strip, destroying scores of underground tunnels used by Palestinians to bring in essential goods that a prolonged Israeli closure has made scarce.
Medics said that pillars of smoke filled the sky as some of the tunnels that were hit had been used to bring in gasoline from nearby Egypt. Many of the people on the border line with Egypt escaped the fire to the Egyptian side of the border, witnesses said. Witnesses added that Egyptian security personnel opened fire towards the crowds, causing the many Palestinians to be injured.
Also, Israel sealed off the Rafah crossing terminal following the incidents, after it was reopened yesterday to let wounded cross. A few hours later, Israeli warplanes attacked three other targets; a Hamas-run security post, a car and an apartment. Witnesses in Gaza city said that the attacks hit the post and an apartment in the Tal-Alhawa neighborhood, while the third attack struck a car on the outskirts of the Nuseirat Refugee camp in central Gaza.
Commander of the Gaza region in the Israeli Army, Moshe Livy, was quoted by Israeli media sources saying that the army operations in Gaza will continue without a specific timetable. He added that the operations are aimed to undermine the infrastructure of the Hamas party in Gaza in order to stop what he called "firing homemade rockets from Gaza into nearby Israeli towns." Meanwhile, medics said that for the past couple of days Israeli attacks on Gaza have claimed the lives of about 292 Palestinians and have wounded more than 1000 others, including 180 critically.
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
"28th December 2008 - Israeli air-strikes on the Palestinian city of Rafah in Gaza."
Related News Item:
Two People Killed as Smuggling Tunnels Destroyed in Renewed Israeli Air Raids
Source: IMEMC
Date: Sunday December 28, 2008 19:15
Renewed Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip this evening resulted in the death of two people, and the injury of at least twenty others, medics and witnesses reported.
Israeli warplanes this afternoon raided the Egyptian-Palestinian border lines in the southern Gaza Strip, destroying scores of underground tunnels used by Palestinians to bring in essential goods that a prolonged Israeli closure has made scarce.
Medics said that pillars of smoke filled the sky as some of the tunnels that were hit had been used to bring in gasoline from nearby Egypt. Many of the people on the border line with Egypt escaped the fire to the Egyptian side of the border, witnesses said. Witnesses added that Egyptian security personnel opened fire towards the crowds, causing the many Palestinians to be injured.
Also, Israel sealed off the Rafah crossing terminal following the incidents, after it was reopened yesterday to let wounded cross. A few hours later, Israeli warplanes attacked three other targets; a Hamas-run security post, a car and an apartment. Witnesses in Gaza city said that the attacks hit the post and an apartment in the Tal-Alhawa neighborhood, while the third attack struck a car on the outskirts of the Nuseirat Refugee camp in central Gaza.
Commander of the Gaza region in the Israeli Army, Moshe Livy, was quoted by Israeli media sources saying that the army operations in Gaza will continue without a specific timetable. He added that the operations are aimed to undermine the infrastructure of the Hamas party in Gaza in order to stop what he called "firing homemade rockets from Gaza into nearby Israeli towns." Meanwhile, medics said that for the past couple of days Israeli attacks on Gaza have claimed the lives of about 292 Palestinians and have wounded more than 1000 others, including 180 critically.
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
Sunday, November 30, 2008
ISM » Reaction in Gaza as the boats stolen by the Israeli navy are returned damaged
International Solidarity Movement » Reaction in Gaza as the boats stolen by the Israeli navy are returned damaged:
Source: ISM
November 30th, 2008
"ISM Gaza Strip made this video as the boats were finally returned.
Almost immediately following the announcement that three Human Rights Groups had filed an appeal against Ehud Barak and the commander of the Israeli navy the boats were returned to Palestinian waters. The vessels were stolen from Gazan waters on 18th November while fishing in Palestinian territorial water.
Filed by Al-Mazan, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), the appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court was on behalf of the vessels’ owners. The appeal, sent to the Israeli Supreme Court, asked why the boats have not been released and why the fishermen have not been compensated for their loss of income and their loss of use of the boats for the past week.
Rather than answer these questions in court, raising serious contradictions to the Israeli claim that Gaza is no longer occupied, Israel’s navy informed the lawyers that the boats would probably be returned immediately. Less than 24 hours later the boats were returned, though initial reports suggest that they had sustained serious damage and that expensive equipment has been stolen.
Video by ISM Gaza Strip"
Earlier Related News:
Human rights groups file appeal against Ehud Barak over the confiscation of Palestinian fishing boats
Source: ISM
November 27th, 2008
"Ramallah, Occupied West Bank: On November 25, 2008, Al-Mazan, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) have filed a legal appeal against Ehud Barak and the commander of the Israeli Navy. The appeal was launched over Israel’s illegal confiscation of three large fishing boats from Palestinian territorial waters on the 18th November.
This appeal has been sent to the supreme court asking why the boats have not been released and why the fishermen have not been compensated for their loss of income and their loss of use of the boats for the past week.
The boats were abducted 7 1/2 miles from the port of Deir al-Balah, so they were well within Zone L, which, under the Oslo agreement, gives them the right to be fishing within their own 20 nautical mile limit. Israel’s actions raises serious doubts about their claim that Gaza is no longer occupied.
The action against Barak and the Israeli Navy is based, in part, on the The Hague convention, “Family honor and rights, the lives of persons, and private property, as well as religious convictions and practice, must be respected. Private property can not be confiscated."
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
Source: ISM
November 30th, 2008
"ISM Gaza Strip made this video as the boats were finally returned.
Almost immediately following the announcement that three Human Rights Groups had filed an appeal against Ehud Barak and the commander of the Israeli navy the boats were returned to Palestinian waters. The vessels were stolen from Gazan waters on 18th November while fishing in Palestinian territorial water.
Filed by Al-Mazan, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), the appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court was on behalf of the vessels’ owners. The appeal, sent to the Israeli Supreme Court, asked why the boats have not been released and why the fishermen have not been compensated for their loss of income and their loss of use of the boats for the past week.
Rather than answer these questions in court, raising serious contradictions to the Israeli claim that Gaza is no longer occupied, Israel’s navy informed the lawyers that the boats would probably be returned immediately. Less than 24 hours later the boats were returned, though initial reports suggest that they had sustained serious damage and that expensive equipment has been stolen.
Video by ISM Gaza Strip"
Earlier Related News:
Human rights groups file appeal against Ehud Barak over the confiscation of Palestinian fishing boats
Source: ISM
November 27th, 2008
"Ramallah, Occupied West Bank: On November 25, 2008, Al-Mazan, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) have filed a legal appeal against Ehud Barak and the commander of the Israeli Navy. The appeal was launched over Israel’s illegal confiscation of three large fishing boats from Palestinian territorial waters on the 18th November.
This appeal has been sent to the supreme court asking why the boats have not been released and why the fishermen have not been compensated for their loss of income and their loss of use of the boats for the past week.
The boats were abducted 7 1/2 miles from the port of Deir al-Balah, so they were well within Zone L, which, under the Oslo agreement, gives them the right to be fishing within their own 20 nautical mile limit. Israel’s actions raises serious doubts about their claim that Gaza is no longer occupied.
The action against Barak and the Israeli Navy is based, in part, on the The Hague convention, “Family honor and rights, the lives of persons, and private property, as well as religious convictions and practice, must be respected. Private property can not be confiscated."
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
ISM Gaza Strip: IOF bulldozers and tank on Gazan land east of Khan Younis
International Solidarity Movement » ISM Gaza Strip: IOF bulldozers and tank on Gazan land east of Khan Younis:
"On Thursday the 27th of November a group of ISM volunteers who were accompanying farmers and monitoring the situation in Khouza’a east of Khan Younis, observed a concentration of IOF (Israeli Occupation Forces) behind the Green Line. At about 10.15 a.m. two D-9 armoured bulldozers and a tank crossed the fence and entered the Gaza Strip. Farmers in Khouza’a stopped working in their fields and started to return home. ISM volunteers accompanied them and in the same time were taking footage proving the incident.
The IOF forces entered for about 100 to 150 metres and started to move northbound along the Green Line towards Al Faraheen, whilst approaching Palestinian houses and the school in Khouza’a. The Israeli bulldozers were destroying whatever lay in their path along this stretch of Palestinian land, although most of it is not worked by Palestinian farmers as they are prevented from reaching it by IOF shooting.
By the time the two bulldozers and the tank reached Al Faraheen, they were supported by at least two more tanks behind the fence. Together they continued their operation towards Al Qerrara. According to Palestinian residents, this type of military activity inside the Gaza Strip is not unusual, even in the time of ceasefire; however this was the third consecutive day that it was repeated in the area east of Khan Younis."
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
"On Thursday the 27th of November a group of ISM volunteers who were accompanying farmers and monitoring the situation in Khouza’a east of Khan Younis, observed a concentration of IOF (Israeli Occupation Forces) behind the Green Line. At about 10.15 a.m. two D-9 armoured bulldozers and a tank crossed the fence and entered the Gaza Strip. Farmers in Khouza’a stopped working in their fields and started to return home. ISM volunteers accompanied them and in the same time were taking footage proving the incident.
The IOF forces entered for about 100 to 150 metres and started to move northbound along the Green Line towards Al Faraheen, whilst approaching Palestinian houses and the school in Khouza’a. The Israeli bulldozers were destroying whatever lay in their path along this stretch of Palestinian land, although most of it is not worked by Palestinian farmers as they are prevented from reaching it by IOF shooting.
By the time the two bulldozers and the tank reached Al Faraheen, they were supported by at least two more tanks behind the fence. Together they continued their operation towards Al Qerrara. According to Palestinian residents, this type of military activity inside the Gaza Strip is not unusual, even in the time of ceasefire; however this was the third consecutive day that it was repeated in the area east of Khan Younis."
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
Thursday, November 27, 2008
UK humanitarian worker deported from Gaza by Israel
UK humanitarian worker deported from Gaza by Israel
Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:48:21
Roshan Muhammed Salih, Press TV, London
(Windows Media or Real Player)
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:48:21
Roshan Muhammed Salih, Press TV, London
(Windows Media or Real Player)Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
Friday, November 21, 2008
Democracy Now! | US Activist Detained in Israeli Jail Condemns Blockade of Gaza
US Activist Detained in Israeli Jail Condemns Blockade of Gaza:
"Israel’s tightened blockade of a million and a half Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is now entering its third week. On Monday, the Israeli navy seized fifteen Palestinian fishermen and three international activists off the coast of Gaza. The fishermen were released, but the activists remain in an Israeli jail. We speak to Darlene Wallach from inside the Masiyahu Prison near Tel Aviv."
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
"Israel’s tightened blockade of a million and a half Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is now entering its third week. On Monday, the Israeli navy seized fifteen Palestinian fishermen and three international activists off the coast of Gaza. The fishermen were released, but the activists remain in an Israeli jail. We speak to Darlene Wallach from inside the Masiyahu Prison near Tel Aviv."
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
An American on Hunger Strike over Gaza in an Israeli Jail
An American on Hunger Strike over Gaza in an Israeli Jail:
"Afshin Rattansi talks Donna Wallach, sister of Darlene Wallach, captured by Israeli soldiers in Gaza as news comes in of a Scottish solidarity activist transferred to solitary confinement in an Israeli detention center on Friday after he and two others declared a hunger strike.
British citizen Andrew Muncie relayed a message via his jailed colleagues that he has been isolated and his mobile phone confiscated.
Muncie was arrested along with an American, Darlene Wallach, and an Italian Vittorio Arrigoni, along with 15 Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Gaza. The three activists were accompanying the fishermen, who face daily harassment by the Israeli navy."
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
"Afshin Rattansi talks Donna Wallach, sister of Darlene Wallach, captured by Israeli soldiers in Gaza as news comes in of a Scottish solidarity activist transferred to solitary confinement in an Israeli detention center on Friday after he and two others declared a hunger strike.
British citizen Andrew Muncie relayed a message via his jailed colleagues that he has been isolated and his mobile phone confiscated.
Muncie was arrested along with an American, Darlene Wallach, and an Italian Vittorio Arrigoni, along with 15 Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Gaza. The three activists were accompanying the fishermen, who face daily harassment by the Israeli navy."
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
FROM GAZA: Interview with Canadian Activist Eva Barplett.
FROM GAZA:Afshin Rattansi talks to Eva Barplett.:
"More from the Gaza Siege as the UN Slams Israel."
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
"More from the Gaza Siege as the UN Slams Israel."
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Alhiwar Channel video of Israeli Navy attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza
Israeli Navy attacks Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza: "Israeli Army attack a group of Palestinian fishermen along with peace activists from the Free Gaza Movement and arrests three of them.
Activists arrested:
Darlene Wallach - USA
Andrew Muncie - Scotland, UK
Victor Arrigoni - Ita"
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
Activists arrested:
Darlene Wallach - USA
Andrew Muncie - Scotland, UK
Victor Arrigoni - Ita"
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
Human Rights Activists on Hunger Strike in Gaza (Brit, Italian, US)
Activists on Hunger Strike in Gaza (Brit, Italian, US):
"Afshin Rattansi talks to Jenny Linnell in Gaza.. Fifteen Palestinian fishermen and three internationals abducted from Palestinian waters off the coast of Gaza November 18t"
Related News:
Fifteen Palestinian fishermen and three internationals abducted from Palestinian waters off the coast of Gaza
Source: ISM
Date: November 18th, 2008
Gaza City, 10 a.m.- Fifteen Palestinian fishermen and 3 international Human Rights Observers (HRO’s) were surrounded by the Israeli Navy and taken from their boats 7 miles off the coast of Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip.
The fishermen and the HRO’s were transferred from 3 separate boats to the Israeli warships. Other Palestinian fishermen reported that the 3 boats were seen being taken north by the Israeli Navy.
The Human Rights Observers are Andrew Muncie, a Scottish British citizen, Vittorio Arrigoni, an Italian citizen, and Darlene Wallach, an American citizen. They have been volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) since they entered Gaza on ships with the first Free Gaza Movement voyage on the 23rd August 2008. All internationals have previous experience working with the ISM in the West Bank.
Fellow activists have been unable to establish contact with the HRO’s or with the fishermen since they were abducted.
Since their arrival, the ISM volunteers have been regularly accompanying Palestinian fishermen who are regularly attacked by Israeli navy vessels from as little as 3km from shore. They have regularly filmed Israeli forces using live ammunition, shells and water cannons against unarmed fishermen.
When confronted by the Israeli Navy, the boats were 7 nautical miles from the shore of Deir al Balah, well within the fishing limit detailed in the Oslo Accords of 1994.
With regular claims that from the Israeli government that it has ‘disengaged’ from Gaza, these patrols and attacks from the Israeli navy, regularly occuring from as little as 3 miles from shore, represent a clear signal of the continuation of occupation of Gazan territory as well as regular breaches of the current cease-fire.
Over 40,000 people in Gaza make a living from the fishing industry, yet this community has been decimated by Israeli restrictions on fishing rights and the prevention of fuel from reaching the Gaza Strip.
According to the Fishing Syndicate in Gaza, fishermen need 40,000 litres of fuel and 40,000 litres of natural gas each day to operate throughout the high fishing season.
Starting in April each year, there is a migration of fish from the Nile Delta to Turkish waters which Palestinian fishermen have traditionally relied upon. Yet Israel limits fishing 6 miles from the Gaza shore and regularly attacks those who venture further than 3 miles - over 70 fishermen were arrested last year by the Israeli forces. The large schools that form the migration are usually found 10 miles from shore. The average catch of fish was over 3000 tons a year in the 1990’s, now it is around 500 tons directly due to the Israeli siege of Gaza.
Also, the water in which the fishermen of Gaza sail in is now receiving 50 million litres of sewage per day because the people of Gaza have no alternative due to the lack of power supplies to sewage treatment facilities.
UPDATE: Fifteen Palestinian fishermen still being held by Israeli authorities, three internationals fighting deportation with at least one engaging in a hunger-strike
November 18th, 2008
Source: ISM
18th November - British politicians, MP Clare Short and Baronness Jenny Tonge, both issue statements regarding the arrests made by Israeli forces today
Update: The fifteen Palestinian fishermen abducted from Palestinian waters this morning (10am 18th November) are still being held by Israeli authorities in Ashdod, while their boats have been confiscated. Legal proceedings were initiated today that petition for their immediate release.
The three international Human Rights Observers who were arrested while accompanying the fishermen have been taken to Ben Gurion detention facility as Israeli authorities starting deportation proceedings. Andrew Muncie, a British citizen who was one of the three internationals arrested has made it clear that he will non-violently resist any attempt to deport him and that he is engaging a hunger-strike until all fifteen of the Palestinian fishermen are released.
The status and plans of the other two international Human Rights Observers arrested, American citizen Darlene Wallach and Italian citizen Vittorio Arrigoni, are not yet known.
This action comes after international journalists have been denied access into Gaza due to the current siege.
British MP Clare Short has made this statement in regards to today:
” If there is to be any hope of peace in the Middle East, international law must be upheld. This means that the siege of Gaza must be lifted and the constant attacks by the Israeli navy on Gazan fishermen halted. Those who have been arrested must be released and the UK must insist that these illegal attacks on Gazans, fishing peacefully within their own water must cease”
Baroness Jenny Tonge said:
“The time has come for the international community, and especially the European Union to take action against Israel’s consistent breaking of international law. The EU-Israel Association Agreement should be suspended until Israel complies with this law.
It was only last week that I personally met with the fishermen whose boats are illegally water-cannoned and fired upon by Israeli gunboats as they peacefully fish in Gaza waters. The fishermen and human rights observers who were today taken unlawfully by Israel should be released immediately.”
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
"Afshin Rattansi talks to Jenny Linnell in Gaza.. Fifteen Palestinian fishermen and three internationals abducted from Palestinian waters off the coast of Gaza November 18t"
Related News:
Fifteen Palestinian fishermen and three internationals abducted from Palestinian waters off the coast of Gaza
Source: ISM
Date: November 18th, 2008
Gaza City, 10 a.m.- Fifteen Palestinian fishermen and 3 international Human Rights Observers (HRO’s) were surrounded by the Israeli Navy and taken from their boats 7 miles off the coast of Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip.
The fishermen and the HRO’s were transferred from 3 separate boats to the Israeli warships. Other Palestinian fishermen reported that the 3 boats were seen being taken north by the Israeli Navy.
The Human Rights Observers are Andrew Muncie, a Scottish British citizen, Vittorio Arrigoni, an Italian citizen, and Darlene Wallach, an American citizen. They have been volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) since they entered Gaza on ships with the first Free Gaza Movement voyage on the 23rd August 2008. All internationals have previous experience working with the ISM in the West Bank.
Fellow activists have been unable to establish contact with the HRO’s or with the fishermen since they were abducted.
Since their arrival, the ISM volunteers have been regularly accompanying Palestinian fishermen who are regularly attacked by Israeli navy vessels from as little as 3km from shore. They have regularly filmed Israeli forces using live ammunition, shells and water cannons against unarmed fishermen.
When confronted by the Israeli Navy, the boats were 7 nautical miles from the shore of Deir al Balah, well within the fishing limit detailed in the Oslo Accords of 1994.
With regular claims that from the Israeli government that it has ‘disengaged’ from Gaza, these patrols and attacks from the Israeli navy, regularly occuring from as little as 3 miles from shore, represent a clear signal of the continuation of occupation of Gazan territory as well as regular breaches of the current cease-fire.
Over 40,000 people in Gaza make a living from the fishing industry, yet this community has been decimated by Israeli restrictions on fishing rights and the prevention of fuel from reaching the Gaza Strip.
According to the Fishing Syndicate in Gaza, fishermen need 40,000 litres of fuel and 40,000 litres of natural gas each day to operate throughout the high fishing season.
Starting in April each year, there is a migration of fish from the Nile Delta to Turkish waters which Palestinian fishermen have traditionally relied upon. Yet Israel limits fishing 6 miles from the Gaza shore and regularly attacks those who venture further than 3 miles - over 70 fishermen were arrested last year by the Israeli forces. The large schools that form the migration are usually found 10 miles from shore. The average catch of fish was over 3000 tons a year in the 1990’s, now it is around 500 tons directly due to the Israeli siege of Gaza.
Also, the water in which the fishermen of Gaza sail in is now receiving 50 million litres of sewage per day because the people of Gaza have no alternative due to the lack of power supplies to sewage treatment facilities.
UPDATE: Fifteen Palestinian fishermen still being held by Israeli authorities, three internationals fighting deportation with at least one engaging in a hunger-strike
November 18th, 2008
Source: ISM
18th November - British politicians, MP Clare Short and Baronness Jenny Tonge, both issue statements regarding the arrests made by Israeli forces today
Update: The fifteen Palestinian fishermen abducted from Palestinian waters this morning (10am 18th November) are still being held by Israeli authorities in Ashdod, while their boats have been confiscated. Legal proceedings were initiated today that petition for their immediate release.
The three international Human Rights Observers who were arrested while accompanying the fishermen have been taken to Ben Gurion detention facility as Israeli authorities starting deportation proceedings. Andrew Muncie, a British citizen who was one of the three internationals arrested has made it clear that he will non-violently resist any attempt to deport him and that he is engaging a hunger-strike until all fifteen of the Palestinian fishermen are released.
The status and plans of the other two international Human Rights Observers arrested, American citizen Darlene Wallach and Italian citizen Vittorio Arrigoni, are not yet known.
This action comes after international journalists have been denied access into Gaza due to the current siege.
British MP Clare Short has made this statement in regards to today:
” If there is to be any hope of peace in the Middle East, international law must be upheld. This means that the siege of Gaza must be lifted and the constant attacks by the Israeli navy on Gazan fishermen halted. Those who have been arrested must be released and the UK must insist that these illegal attacks on Gazans, fishing peacefully within their own water must cease”
Baroness Jenny Tonge said:
“The time has come for the international community, and especially the European Union to take action against Israel’s consistent breaking of international law. The EU-Israel Association Agreement should be suspended until Israel complies with this law.
It was only last week that I personally met with the fishermen whose boats are illegally water-cannoned and fired upon by Israeli gunboats as they peacefully fish in Gaza waters. The fishermen and human rights observers who were today taken unlawfully by Israel should be released immediately.”
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Attack on Gaza Fishermen - Recently Released Video
Free gaza movement obama won reaction palestine arabs:
"by
http://guerrillaradio.iobloggo.com/
Vittorio Arrigoni's Account of the Israeli Shooting
Date : 09-01-2008
'When at a distance, estimated by our fishing boat's captain, of 7 nautical miles from the coast, we dropped our fishing nets and started fishing the Israeli warships rushed to reach our position.
One of the warships positioned at a distance less than 200 metres alongside of our fishing boat, opened fire in our direction at least 4 times during the day. It was intimidating fire directed into the water, but some bursts almost touched the hull of our boat. A cannon shot almost reached us. Making attempt of obtaining a radio contact was useless. Soldiers on the Israeli warship ordered, with the use of megaphones, the area evacuation. And after that they were shooting. Sometimes they were shooting before having ordered. Once they shooted to our fishing nets and tried to damaged it sailing directly on them.
Unfortunetely our big mistake was not having with us neither cameras nor video cameras that, together with megaphones to be used exactly like they do, I consider essential for our next fishing missions.
Despite these intimidations the fishing was rich and profitable, we brought ashore quantity of fish ten times bigger than the usual Palestinians fishers standard.'
01/09/2008
Vittorio Arrigoni
Il mondo"
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
"by
http://guerrillaradio.iobloggo.com/
Vittorio Arrigoni's Account of the Israeli Shooting
Date : 09-01-2008
'When at a distance, estimated by our fishing boat's captain, of 7 nautical miles from the coast, we dropped our fishing nets and started fishing the Israeli warships rushed to reach our position.
One of the warships positioned at a distance less than 200 metres alongside of our fishing boat, opened fire in our direction at least 4 times during the day. It was intimidating fire directed into the water, but some bursts almost touched the hull of our boat. A cannon shot almost reached us. Making attempt of obtaining a radio contact was useless. Soldiers on the Israeli warship ordered, with the use of megaphones, the area evacuation. And after that they were shooting. Sometimes they were shooting before having ordered. Once they shooted to our fishing nets and tried to damaged it sailing directly on them.
Unfortunetely our big mistake was not having with us neither cameras nor video cameras that, together with megaphones to be used exactly like they do, I consider essential for our next fishing missions.
Despite these intimidations the fishing was rich and profitable, we brought ashore quantity of fish ten times bigger than the usual Palestinians fishers standard.'
01/09/2008
Vittorio Arrigoni
Il mondo"
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Internationals in Palestine
Internationals in Palestine:
"Internationals visiting Palestine. Doing circus shows at refugee camps and towns like Beit Sahour (Ush Ghrab). Harvesting olives with farmers who are harassed by soldiers and settlers near the apartheid wall."
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
"Internationals visiting Palestine. Doing circus shows at refugee camps and towns like Beit Sahour (Ush Ghrab). Harvesting olives with farmers who are harassed by soldiers and settlers near the apartheid wall."
Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Israeli Navy Continues Persecution of Fishermen
Israeli Navy Continues Persecution of Fishermen:
Related News Item
Gaza Fishing
10-17-2008
Source: Free Gaza
Three human rights observers (HROs) accompanied a fleet of four Palestinian fishing boats, as they left the port in Gaza this morning at 07:00.
By 08:15 the fishing boats were proceeding in a southerly direction, 8 nautical miles from the Gazan coast. At this point, an Israeli naval gunboat approached the fishing boats, and began to circle them. A loud explosion was heard, the cause of which is unknown. A HRO close to the gunboat at this time reports that the sound of the explosion was consistent with her previous experience of the Israeli Navy throwing explosive charges into the water next to fishing boats. The gunboat continued circling the fishing fleet for several minutes, as a soldier fired several bursts from a deck mounted heavy machine in their general direction.
At around 09:30, the large Israeli vessel with a high powered water cannon approached. Over the next two and a half hours it fired the water cannon at each of the fishing boats in turn, for long periods. As a result, the fishing boats were incapable of maneuvering properly, and the nets of two of the boats became entangled. One of the fishermen had to dive into the water to attempt to separate them, once the water cannon boat had ceased its assault. One of the HROs whose body was hit directly by the water cannon reports in a text message (at the time of writing, he remains at sea) that he is "OK but body aching like being beaten".
As these attacks were taking place, an Israeli Navy spokesperson – Captain Benjamin Rutland – explained on BBC Radio that the water cannon is powerful enough to cause damage to the fishing boats themselves;
"…it may cause damage to a boat…"
Somewhat paradoxically however he then went on to say that the use of such a high powered weapon
"…minimizes injuries to Palestinian fishermen."
Related News Item
Gaza Fishing
10-17-2008
Source: Free Gaza
Three human rights observers (HROs) accompanied a fleet of four Palestinian fishing boats, as they left the port in Gaza this morning at 07:00.
By 08:15 the fishing boats were proceeding in a southerly direction, 8 nautical miles from the Gazan coast. At this point, an Israeli naval gunboat approached the fishing boats, and began to circle them. A loud explosion was heard, the cause of which is unknown. A HRO close to the gunboat at this time reports that the sound of the explosion was consistent with her previous experience of the Israeli Navy throwing explosive charges into the water next to fishing boats. The gunboat continued circling the fishing fleet for several minutes, as a soldier fired several bursts from a deck mounted heavy machine in their general direction.
At around 09:30, the large Israeli vessel with a high powered water cannon approached. Over the next two and a half hours it fired the water cannon at each of the fishing boats in turn, for long periods. As a result, the fishing boats were incapable of maneuvering properly, and the nets of two of the boats became entangled. One of the fishermen had to dive into the water to attempt to separate them, once the water cannon boat had ceased its assault. One of the HROs whose body was hit directly by the water cannon reports in a text message (at the time of writing, he remains at sea) that he is "OK but body aching like being beaten".
As these attacks were taking place, an Israeli Navy spokesperson – Captain Benjamin Rutland – explained on BBC Radio that the water cannon is powerful enough to cause damage to the fishing boats themselves;
"…it may cause damage to a boat…"
Somewhat paradoxically however he then went on to say that the use of such a high powered weapon
"…minimizes injuries to Palestinian fishermen."
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Israeli settlers disrupt Palestinian harvest
Israeli settlers disrupt Palestinian harvest:
"It's time for the olive harvest in the Palestinian West Bank. However even picking olives from trees on their own land has become an ordeal for many Palestinians, who face opposition from Israeli settlers who've decided to build homes nearby, in violation of international law. Now a group of Jewish Rabbis have taken it upon themselves to provide physical protection to the Palestinians, who they believe are suffering an injustice. But despite their efforts, Israeli settlers have still managed to make their presence felt in an increasingly aggressive manner. Hassan Ghani reports."
"It's time for the olive harvest in the Palestinian West Bank. However even picking olives from trees on their own land has become an ordeal for many Palestinians, who face opposition from Israeli settlers who've decided to build homes nearby, in violation of international law. Now a group of Jewish Rabbis have taken it upon themselves to provide physical protection to the Palestinians, who they believe are suffering an injustice. But despite their efforts, Israeli settlers have still managed to make their presence felt in an increasingly aggressive manner. Hassan Ghani reports."
A Day in the Life of a Gazan Fisherman
A Day in the Life of a Gazan Fisherman:
"A day in the life of a Gazan Fisherman. All footage was taken from one Gazan fishing boat on 5th October 2008, as it fished in Gazan territorial waters. The furthest it ventured from shore was approximately 4 miles."
Related News Item:
ISM RAFAH: Israeli Navy Fire shells at Gazan Fishermen
Source: ISM
On Sunday October 5th, two international human rights observers accompanied a Gazan fishing boat offshore of Jabalya.
Soon an Israeli gunboat approached. The internationals, after a request from the Palestinian captain, made clear that there was an international presence on board. For a while the Israeli gunboat seemed to leave but then, suddenly, from a large distance began to fire shells very close to two Gazan fishing boats, including the one accompanied by the internationals. The Palestinian fishing boats were about 4 nautical miles from the coast.
Although the 2 fishing boats had already changed their course the Israeli gunboat intercepted them and started to fire machine gun shots in front of their bows (something which also constitutes a breach of the ceasefire agreement). This Israeli gunboat didn’t stop harassing the fishing boats till the moment a larger boat of the Israeli Navy arrived and began a severe water cannon attack on the fishing boat which the internationals were present on. The Israeli soldiers, from a close range were shooting high pressure water directly on to the Palestinian fishermen (including a minor) and the internationals. They were also shooting the water inside the wheelhouse preventing the captain from steering the fishing boat. They caused damages to the fishing boat including to electrical lights and by breaking the glass windows of the wheelhouse, and the wooden panels which had been attached to protect them. Fortunately no one was injured (in a similar incident on 16/9 an Italian activist had been injured by shattered glass and was hospitalized). There were also shots from the machine gun of the Israeli navy boat, while it was sailing side by side with the Gazan fishing boat.
Later, the same fishing boat received continuous harassment by other Israeli gunboats that were shooting with their machine guns around the fishing boat. There were times when the internationals observed at least 4 Israeli heavily armed gunboats having invaded Palestinian waters out of northern Gaza strip in order to harass no more than 3 Palestinian fishing boats in the whole area.
In the afternoon one of the gunboats approached the fishing boat and started circling it producing waves in order to destabilize it.
Finally, after the sunset, as the fishing boat was returning to port a distant gunboat began firing a machine gun in its general direction. Just how close this fire was to the boat was clear from the glow of the tracer bullets. The internationals also observed once more that in clear violation of international nautical law, the Israeli gunboats are not using their lights during night time.
Palestinian Fishermen Resist Water Cannon Assault:
"Gazan fishermen continue to trawl within Palestinian territorial waters despite suffering a prolonged assault with a high powered water cannon from the Israeli Navy."
"A day in the life of a Gazan Fisherman. All footage was taken from one Gazan fishing boat on 5th October 2008, as it fished in Gazan territorial waters. The furthest it ventured from shore was approximately 4 miles."
Related News Item:
ISM RAFAH: Israeli Navy Fire shells at Gazan Fishermen
Source: ISM
On Sunday October 5th, two international human rights observers accompanied a Gazan fishing boat offshore of Jabalya.
Soon an Israeli gunboat approached. The internationals, after a request from the Palestinian captain, made clear that there was an international presence on board. For a while the Israeli gunboat seemed to leave but then, suddenly, from a large distance began to fire shells very close to two Gazan fishing boats, including the one accompanied by the internationals. The Palestinian fishing boats were about 4 nautical miles from the coast.
Although the 2 fishing boats had already changed their course the Israeli gunboat intercepted them and started to fire machine gun shots in front of their bows (something which also constitutes a breach of the ceasefire agreement). This Israeli gunboat didn’t stop harassing the fishing boats till the moment a larger boat of the Israeli Navy arrived and began a severe water cannon attack on the fishing boat which the internationals were present on. The Israeli soldiers, from a close range were shooting high pressure water directly on to the Palestinian fishermen (including a minor) and the internationals. They were also shooting the water inside the wheelhouse preventing the captain from steering the fishing boat. They caused damages to the fishing boat including to electrical lights and by breaking the glass windows of the wheelhouse, and the wooden panels which had been attached to protect them. Fortunately no one was injured (in a similar incident on 16/9 an Italian activist had been injured by shattered glass and was hospitalized). There were also shots from the machine gun of the Israeli navy boat, while it was sailing side by side with the Gazan fishing boat.
Later, the same fishing boat received continuous harassment by other Israeli gunboats that were shooting with their machine guns around the fishing boat. There were times when the internationals observed at least 4 Israeli heavily armed gunboats having invaded Palestinian waters out of northern Gaza strip in order to harass no more than 3 Palestinian fishing boats in the whole area.
In the afternoon one of the gunboats approached the fishing boat and started circling it producing waves in order to destabilize it.
Finally, after the sunset, as the fishing boat was returning to port a distant gunboat began firing a machine gun in its general direction. Just how close this fire was to the boat was clear from the glow of the tracer bullets. The internationals also observed once more that in clear violation of international nautical law, the Israeli gunboats are not using their lights during night time.
Palestinian Fishermen Resist Water Cannon Assault:
"Gazan fishermen continue to trawl within Palestinian territorial waters despite suffering a prolonged assault with a high powered water cannon from the Israeli Navy."
Friday, September 19, 2008
Ni'lin - Neturei Karta join anti-fence rally 17.9.2008
Ni'ilin 17.9.2008:
Wednesday, September 17 2008
Demonstration in Ni'lin holds up construction of the Apartheid Wall
Source: ISM
September 18, 2008
The Israeli army attempted to stop the non violent protesters before they got out of the village by shooting tear gas and sound bombs directly without provocation.
Five Palestinians were injured by rubber coated steel bullets, 2 hit by tear gas canisters and one Israeli was badly beaten up and hit in his bag with a sound bomb. 5 Israelis were detained, but all of them are now released.
The soldiers beat up one Israeli man who protested in solidarity with the villagers. When he finally escaped their brutality they threw a sound bomb at his back.
The attacks continued all the way back into the village where the soldiers shot tear gas directly at any one who moved in the streets.
The completion of the illegal apartheid wall will leave the villagers of Ni’lin with only 4% of the land they owned before 1948. In addition to the apartheid wall Israel plans to build a tunnel under the apartheid road leading to the nearby settlements. The tunnel will be the only way in and out of Ni’lin. It will close every night at 7pm and is possible to close of with only one military jeep. This will have huge economic as well as social consequences for the villagers of Ni’lin.
In 1982 September 16, Israeli army in co-operation with Lebanese terrorists were instrumental in a massacre on the Palestinian refugee camps Shabra and Shatila in Lebanon that killed thousands of Palestinians.
Wednesday, September 17 2008
Demonstration in Ni'lin holds up construction of the Apartheid Wall
Source: ISM
September 18, 2008
The Israeli army attempted to stop the non violent protesters before they got out of the village by shooting tear gas and sound bombs directly without provocation.
Five Palestinians were injured by rubber coated steel bullets, 2 hit by tear gas canisters and one Israeli was badly beaten up and hit in his bag with a sound bomb. 5 Israelis were detained, but all of them are now released.
Before today’s demonstration the Neturei Karta held a speech to the villagers of Ni’lin condemning the annexation of their land and praising their resistance. They ended their speech by giving flowers to the village in memory of those killed during the massacre in Shabra and Shatila in 1982.
The Israeli army blocked the protesters in a field directly outside the village. They shot tear gas, rubber coated steel bullets and sound bombs at the non violent protesters who were pressured back into the village.
Two groups of protesters managed to get around the soldiers and ran to the construction site of the illegal apartheid wall where they stopped the bulldozers for 10 minutes.
The aggression from the army increased after this and they immediately started shooting rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas cannisters directly at the protesters from a close distance. Five Palestinians were hit by rubber coated steel bullets and two by tear gas cannisters.The soldiers beat up one Israeli man who protested in solidarity with the villagers. When he finally escaped their brutality they threw a sound bomb at his back.
The attacks continued all the way back into the village where the soldiers shot tear gas directly at any one who moved in the streets.
The completion of the illegal apartheid wall will leave the villagers of Ni’lin with only 4% of the land they owned before 1948. In addition to the apartheid wall Israel plans to build a tunnel under the apartheid road leading to the nearby settlements. The tunnel will be the only way in and out of Ni’lin. It will close every night at 7pm and is possible to close of with only one military jeep. This will have huge economic as well as social consequences for the villagers of Ni’lin.
In 1982 September 16, Israeli army in co-operation with Lebanese terrorists were instrumental in a massacre on the Palestinian refugee camps Shabra and Shatila in Lebanon that killed thousands of Palestinians.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Sept 16th - Israeli gunboats injure Italian HR worker
Sept 16th - Israeli gunboats injure Italian HR worker:
"Two Gazan fishing boats with international human rights workers on board were repeatedly attacked by 2 Israeli gunboats while they were trying to exercise Palestinian people's right to fish in the Palestinian waters. One of the Israeli gunboats was using a water cannon to throw water with high pressure while the other one was randomly firing shots of live ammunition close to the fishing boats.
The attack with the water cannon was extremely dangerous. The Israeli navy was trying to throw the Palestinian fishermen and the international human rights workers in the sea. The high pressure water was damaging the old boats and people on board had to avoid not only the water but also wooden pieces, shattered glass and others objects that were flying off the deck. The Israeli navy was deliberately targeting the wheelhouses of the fishing boats, smashing the windows, making holes and nearly demolishing the walls and destroying equipment. In the same time it was preventing the captains from steering the vessels and the fishing to take place.
An Italian activist was injured. Vittorio Arrigoni was hit by flying glass when the water canon smashed the glass surrounding the wheelhouse of the boat, with shards lacerating Vittorios back. He was been taken to hospital immediately upon reaching shore, requiring 10 stitches."
"Two Gazan fishing boats with international human rights workers on board were repeatedly attacked by 2 Israeli gunboats while they were trying to exercise Palestinian people's right to fish in the Palestinian waters. One of the Israeli gunboats was using a water cannon to throw water with high pressure while the other one was randomly firing shots of live ammunition close to the fishing boats.
The attack with the water cannon was extremely dangerous. The Israeli navy was trying to throw the Palestinian fishermen and the international human rights workers in the sea. The high pressure water was damaging the old boats and people on board had to avoid not only the water but also wooden pieces, shattered glass and others objects that were flying off the deck. The Israeli navy was deliberately targeting the wheelhouses of the fishing boats, smashing the windows, making holes and nearly demolishing the walls and destroying equipment. In the same time it was preventing the captains from steering the vessels and the fishing to take place.
An Italian activist was injured. Vittorio Arrigoni was hit by flying glass when the water canon smashed the glass surrounding the wheelhouse of the boat, with shards lacerating Vittorios back. He was been taken to hospital immediately upon reaching shore, requiring 10 stitches."
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Interview: Ghassan Andoni:
Interview: Ghassan Andoni:
"Andy Trimlett interviews Ghassan Andoni, co-founder and spokesperson of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) in Palestine. Andoni talks about his organization's non-violent resistance to the Israeli occupation. He discusses the failure of the American and Israeli governments to properly investigate the death of ISM volunteer Rachel Corrie. Andoni provides an the recent Palestinian election, the uprising in Lebanon, and daily life in the Palestinian territories. Producer: Andy Trimlett (2005) Alternate Focus is available on the Dish Network, Free Speech TV, Channel 9415, Saturdays at 8:00pm EST and on cable stations near you. Check website for details."
"Andy Trimlett interviews Ghassan Andoni, co-founder and spokesperson of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) in Palestine. Andoni talks about his organization's non-violent resistance to the Israeli occupation. He discusses the failure of the American and Israeli governments to properly investigate the death of ISM volunteer Rachel Corrie. Andoni provides an the recent Palestinian election, the uprising in Lebanon, and daily life in the Palestinian territories. Producer: Andy Trimlett (2005) Alternate Focus is available on the Dish Network, Free Speech TV, Channel 9415, Saturdays at 8:00pm EST and on cable stations near you. Check website for details."
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