Ramallah 9 June 2010
RAMALLAH, occupied West Bank (IPS) - In an exclusive interview, Huwaida Arraf, the chairwoman of the Free Gaza (FG) movement, which tried to break Israel’s crippling blockade on Gaza, explains what happened on 31 May when Israeli commandos raided the “Freedom Flotilla,” shooting nine people dead and injuring dozens more. Read more about "We'll be back -- with bigger flotillas"
9 June 2010
After years of disappointment with successive Arab regimes, Turkey appears to be taking a regional leadership role. While better and closer relations between Turkey and the Arab world are welcome developments, and there is hope for a momentum building up for the Palestinian cause, the ambiguities of the Turkish stance are apparent and raise important questions. Should the current crisis with Israel be interpreted as a singular event in which Turkey gave a strong response or as the inevitable culmination of a completely new foreign policy orientation? Murat Dagli comments for The Electronic Intifada. Read more about After the Flotilla, will Turkey emerge as a force for Palestinian rights?
8 June 2010
We’re told that US President Barack Obama’s Cairo Speech a year ago was a harbinger of peace, magnanimity, truth and justice. Hark, herald the new dawn. Islam is not a terrorist religion: peace; fist clench; hand open; “assalaamu alaykum.” Celestial choirs punctuated every sentence with a rising crescendo of harmonious hymning. And at the climax, we climaxed. We’re Arabs, and Barack is the New America, and we like one another. Ahmed Moor comments for EI. Read more about Obama's Cairo speech one year later
Kfor Qara 8 June 2010
During the Israeli attack on the Mavi Marmara, deep in international waters, I was inside the body of the ship. We were going to Gaza to break the siege that Israel has imposed on a million-and-a-half people for the last four years. Lubna Masarwa writes from house arrest in Kfor Qara. Read more about The crimes I saw on the Mavi Marmara
8 June 2010
An Israeli parliamentary committee recommended stripping an Arab MP of her privileges yesterday in a move to prepare the ground for putting her on trial for participating last week in the Gaza-bound aid flotilla attacked by Israeli commandos. Jonathan Cook reports. Read more about Knesset Member who joined Gaza flotilla faces death threats
7 June 2010
RAMALLAH, occupied West Bank (IPS) - Although Israel successfully controlled news of its deadly commando raid on the Freedom Flotilla during the first crucial 48 hours of media coverage, emerging evidence from witnesses and survivors is challenging the Israeli government’s version of events. Read more about Israel's media blackout, doctored Flotilla recording condemned
6 June 2010
In the aftermath of Israel’s 31 May attack on the Freedom Flotilla that left nine dead and scores wounded, each side claimed their actions were protected under international law. While the Israelis cited self-defense, and the Flotilla passengers reiterated that they were peace activists on a humanitarian mission that were attacked in international waters where neither Israel (nor any other state) has any claim. Jinan Bastaki comments for The Electronic Intifada. Read more about Israel's attack on Flotilla violates international law
6 June 2010
In the predawn hours of 31 May, I was aboard the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, part of a convoy of humanitarian vessels aiming to deliver aid to besieged civilians in Gaza, when we were attacked in international waters by a unit of Israeli commandos. Iara Lee comments. Read more about What happened to us is happening in Gaza
5 June 2010
Israel’s deadly attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla was flagrantly illegal. The Flotilla, carefully searched for arms before disembarkation, enjoyed the right of free navigation in international waters, and Israel had no legal justification to interrupt its peaceful mission. George Bisharat comments. Read more about Gaza occupation and siege are illegal
4 June 2010
For one thing, as soon as I wrote those words I was able to weep. Which I had not been able to do since learning of the attack by armed Israeli commandos on defenseless peace activists carrying aid to Gaza who tried to fend them off using chairs and sticks. I am thankful to know what it means to be good. Alice Walker writes for The Electronic Intifada. Read more about You will have no protection