21 dec 2013
A Jordanian delegation from the Lifeline for Gaza committee intends to participate in the multinational aid convoy slated to head for the besieged Gaza Strip on January 3, 2014 to deliver humanitarian assistance. 30 Jordanian figures, including members of trade unions and political parties, are expected to join the national aid convoy, which is composed of foreign and Arab activists representing different aid convoys from European, Arab and Islamic countries.
Organizers of the international aid convoy appealed in a statement to the Egyptian government to open the Rafah border crossing and contribute to their relief efforts aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Gaza people, who were afflicted lately by devastating rainstorms.
Organizers of the international aid convoy appealed in a statement to the Egyptian government to open the Rafah border crossing and contribute to their relief efforts aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Gaza people, who were afflicted lately by devastating rainstorms.
The government of Venezuela is to send $100 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza via the Palestinian Authority in order to help the Strip's suffering civilian population in the wake of winter storm Alexa.
The Venezuelan move was the result of intensive efforts taken by the Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs to obtain aid for Gazans, the ministry said, after the besieged coastal enclave was hit by a heavy winter storm that caused widespread flooding, cut already-limited power supplies, and displaced between 10,000 and 40,000 people.
Following the storm, Palestinian ambassador to Venezuela Linda Suboh appealed to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his foreign minister Elias Jaua, the statement said.
The Venezuelan move was the result of intensive efforts taken by the Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs to obtain aid for Gazans, the ministry said, after the besieged coastal enclave was hit by a heavy winter storm that caused widespread flooding, cut already-limited power supplies, and displaced between 10,000 and 40,000 people.
Following the storm, Palestinian ambassador to Venezuela Linda Suboh appealed to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his foreign minister Elias Jaua, the statement said.
15 dec 2013
Mohammed Hasna, the representative of the Organization of the Islamic Conference said that the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation, IHH, intends to send Mavi Marmara 2 to the Gaza Strip in a new attempt to break Gaza blockade. Hasna said that the foundations’ decision came in a special session on Gaza during a conference held by the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Istanbul.
Several Islamic organizations provided donations to help the affected Palestinians in the Gaza Strip due to the recent winter storm.
The World Assembly of Muslim Youth(WAMY) announced its donation with one million dollars to the Gaza Strip, and Qatar Charity donated with also one million dollars.
Hasna mentioned on his facebook that many countries and organizations have donated with different sum of money to the Gaza Strip.
Several Islamic organizations provided donations to help the affected Palestinians in the Gaza Strip due to the recent winter storm.
The World Assembly of Muslim Youth(WAMY) announced its donation with one million dollars to the Gaza Strip, and Qatar Charity donated with also one million dollars.
Hasna mentioned on his facebook that many countries and organizations have donated with different sum of money to the Gaza Strip.
11 dec 2013
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) said Wednesday that there was no evidence of corruption or mismanagement in the European Union’s (EU) Direct Financial Support to the Palestinian Authority (PA) through the PEGASE Mechanism. The European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission (EC) welcomed the ECA report, “in particular the Court's conclusion that the Commission and EEAS have succeeded in implementing this support in spite of difficult circumstances and PEGASE has the confidence of Member States, 16 of whom have contributed to it, together with Switzerland and Japan,” according to a memo by the EC.
The PEGASE Mechanism is accompanied by an extensive set of verification measures, which the Court itself described as robust, also recognizing that the funds channeled through PEGASE are reaching the intended beneficiaries, said the EC memo.
“Co-operation with the Palestinian Authority takes place in very particular circumstances, in the context of Israeli occupation, with an Authority which does not have the powers of a state government and where part of the Palestinian territory, the Gaza Strip, is run by de facto authorities with which the EU has no relations,” it said.
“By helping the Palestinian Authority to meet its wages and pensions bill for essential service providers and pensioners, and pay for social allowances to most vulnerable groups, the EU is making a tangible contribution to the preparation for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” said the EC.
The report makes a number of recommendations on how to improve EEAS and EC co-operation with the PA.
“The Commission and the EEAS agree to review the PEGASE mechanism and take the recommendations made by the Court into account,” said the memo, adding that some of these recommendations are being implemented.
“Both institutions already review the mechanism on a regular basis, taking account of changes on the ground (for example discontinuing one component on fuel deliveries to the Gaza Power Plant and adding others as circumstances change – Private Sector Reconstruction in Gaza following Operation Cast Lead and more recently support to East Jerusalem hospitals),” it said.
Based on an assessment carried out in 2011, the Commission started providing in 2013 a comprehensive support to the PA for Civil Service Reform, an issue raised by the Court.
The EC said performance indicators will be introduced in the areas suggested by the Court, bearing in mind that many of the elements required to fulfill these indicators lie partly or wholly outside the control of the Palestinian Authority.
“The Commission and the EEAS do not consider strict conditionality to be desirable or effective in these circumstances. Ultimately sustainability of the EU’s assistance in this field can only be ensured by political progress on intra-Palestinian reconciliation and, above all, by an end to the Israeli occupation,” it added.
On the issues surrounding the civil servants who are not able to work in Gaza are complex in the circumstances prevailing in the Gaza Strip, the Commission and the EEAS said they consider that “the PA must continue supporting its workers in Gaza as a key element of maintaining its presence in Gaza and the unity of a future Palestinian State.”
The Commission and the EEAS also said they believe that the delay in salary payments on a number of occasions by the PA in 2012 was due to the overall financial difficulties of the PA and not to the number of eligible beneficiaries under PEGASE, nor to lower contributions from Member States.
The PEGASE Mechanism is accompanied by an extensive set of verification measures, which the Court itself described as robust, also recognizing that the funds channeled through PEGASE are reaching the intended beneficiaries, said the EC memo.
“Co-operation with the Palestinian Authority takes place in very particular circumstances, in the context of Israeli occupation, with an Authority which does not have the powers of a state government and where part of the Palestinian territory, the Gaza Strip, is run by de facto authorities with which the EU has no relations,” it said.
“By helping the Palestinian Authority to meet its wages and pensions bill for essential service providers and pensioners, and pay for social allowances to most vulnerable groups, the EU is making a tangible contribution to the preparation for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” said the EC.
The report makes a number of recommendations on how to improve EEAS and EC co-operation with the PA.
“The Commission and the EEAS agree to review the PEGASE mechanism and take the recommendations made by the Court into account,” said the memo, adding that some of these recommendations are being implemented.
“Both institutions already review the mechanism on a regular basis, taking account of changes on the ground (for example discontinuing one component on fuel deliveries to the Gaza Power Plant and adding others as circumstances change – Private Sector Reconstruction in Gaza following Operation Cast Lead and more recently support to East Jerusalem hospitals),” it said.
Based on an assessment carried out in 2011, the Commission started providing in 2013 a comprehensive support to the PA for Civil Service Reform, an issue raised by the Court.
The EC said performance indicators will be introduced in the areas suggested by the Court, bearing in mind that many of the elements required to fulfill these indicators lie partly or wholly outside the control of the Palestinian Authority.
“The Commission and the EEAS do not consider strict conditionality to be desirable or effective in these circumstances. Ultimately sustainability of the EU’s assistance in this field can only be ensured by political progress on intra-Palestinian reconciliation and, above all, by an end to the Israeli occupation,” it added.
On the issues surrounding the civil servants who are not able to work in Gaza are complex in the circumstances prevailing in the Gaza Strip, the Commission and the EEAS said they consider that “the PA must continue supporting its workers in Gaza as a key element of maintaining its presence in Gaza and the unity of a future Palestinian State.”
The Commission and the EEAS also said they believe that the delay in salary payments on a number of occasions by the PA in 2012 was due to the overall financial difficulties of the PA and not to the number of eligible beneficiaries under PEGASE, nor to lower contributions from Member States.
21 nov 2013
The “Miles Of Smile” solidarity aid convoy made it into the coastal region, on Thursday [November 21, 2013], after crossing through the Rafah Border Terminal between Gaza and Egypt, carrying supplies and various Arab and other international champions.
Media sources in Gaza say that the activists are from many different countries, including Algeria, Libya, Jordan, Britain, Sweden and Malaysia. The aid convoy is the first since Egypt’s President Mohammad Morsi was removed from power.
The Egyptian army, along with numerous Israeli air strikes, has demolished siege-busting tunnels along the border.
Partners for Peace & Development for Palestinians (PPDP) issued a press release stating that the convoy is part of a chain of the “Miles of Smiles” convoys which made it into Gaza, and continue to make trips to the coastal region in support of the Palestinian people and breaking the illegitimate Israeli siege.
It added that Miles Of Smiles conducted several visits to Egypt, holding talks with Egyptian officials regarding methods of supporting Gaza, and to find alternatives to the tunnels which impacted Egypt’s economy and violated its sovereignty.
The group also said that convoy members were warmly welcomed in Egypt. They have facilitated the transfer of medical supplies, canned meats and foods, and have received a permit from Egypt to transfer sanitation vehicles, ambulances and handicap-accessible vans.
On its own part, Miles Of Smiles urged all parties to continue their support of these humanitarian initiatives and convoys, in order to help the besieged people in the impoverished Gaza Strip, and to refrain from using the current events in Egypt as an excuse for not supporting these convoys and the Palestinians.
It stated that Egypt intends to conduct various new positive measures to ease the entrance of humanitarian convoys into Gaza, starting next month.
Media sources in Gaza say that the activists are from many different countries, including Algeria, Libya, Jordan, Britain, Sweden and Malaysia. The aid convoy is the first since Egypt’s President Mohammad Morsi was removed from power.
The Egyptian army, along with numerous Israeli air strikes, has demolished siege-busting tunnels along the border.
Partners for Peace & Development for Palestinians (PPDP) issued a press release stating that the convoy is part of a chain of the “Miles of Smiles” convoys which made it into Gaza, and continue to make trips to the coastal region in support of the Palestinian people and breaking the illegitimate Israeli siege.
It added that Miles Of Smiles conducted several visits to Egypt, holding talks with Egyptian officials regarding methods of supporting Gaza, and to find alternatives to the tunnels which impacted Egypt’s economy and violated its sovereignty.
The group also said that convoy members were warmly welcomed in Egypt. They have facilitated the transfer of medical supplies, canned meats and foods, and have received a permit from Egypt to transfer sanitation vehicles, ambulances and handicap-accessible vans.
On its own part, Miles Of Smiles urged all parties to continue their support of these humanitarian initiatives and convoys, in order to help the besieged people in the impoverished Gaza Strip, and to refrain from using the current events in Egypt as an excuse for not supporting these convoys and the Palestinians.
It stated that Egypt intends to conduct various new positive measures to ease the entrance of humanitarian convoys into Gaza, starting next month.
24 oct 2013
Turkey's ministry of foreign affairs said it would provide urgent assistance to the impoverished Gaza Strip to address the aggravating humanitarian situation resulting from the ongoing Israeli blockade and Egypt's closure of the Rafah border crossing. In a press release on Wednesday, the Turkish foreign ministry described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as worsening and said that the Turkish presidency channeled 850 thousand dollars to the Palestinian government in Gaza through the Turkish cooperation and development agency-Tika.
The ministry affirmed that this financial assistance would be used to provide fuel supplies immediately needed for operating power generators at drinking water pumping stations and hospitals.
For its part, the Turkish government decided to provide Gaza with 10 thousand tons of flour in response to a recent appeal by the UNRWA. The first shipment of this aid will be sent on the first of November.
Turkey is also embarking on preparing medical aid for Gaza, including medical equipment and medicines.
Head of Hamas's political bureau Khaled Mashaal had visited Turkey earlier this month and met with premier Recep Erdogan.
The ministry affirmed that this financial assistance would be used to provide fuel supplies immediately needed for operating power generators at drinking water pumping stations and hospitals.
For its part, the Turkish government decided to provide Gaza with 10 thousand tons of flour in response to a recent appeal by the UNRWA. The first shipment of this aid will be sent on the first of November.
Turkey is also embarking on preparing medical aid for Gaza, including medical equipment and medicines.
Head of Hamas's political bureau Khaled Mashaal had visited Turkey earlier this month and met with premier Recep Erdogan.
9 oct 2013
The General Coordinator of the aid convoys “Miles of Smiles” Dr. Issam Mustafa, said that breaking the unjust siege on Gaza is a duty, stressing the need to use all possible ways to reach Gaza. Yousuf said in an interview with Al-Quds TV on Tuesday evening, “ we will exert our efforts to reach Gaza. We will not stop supporting projects there even if the convoys were denied access,”
He called for more campaigns to shore up Gaza by the relief projects to break the air, land, and naval siege imposed on Gaza since 2006 by the Israeli occupation. He affirmed the continuation of sending medical convoys to Gaza.
Regarding the regional developments, Yousuf said that the situation in Sinai is very serious, “even if the circumstances in Egypt have changed, the Egyptian people will stand with the Palestinians and continue to support their cause.”
He called on Egyptian Authorities to understand the message which the convoy tries to send, hoping that they will be able to resume the projects aimed to lift the Gaza siege.
He denied that Egyptian authorities refused to allow the entry of “Miles of smiles” convoy “we still contacting with Egypt; we did not receive any rejection but our demand was postponed.”
He confirmed that Gaza did not have a role in the Egyptian turmoil, pointing out that the occupation is the only one who benefits from that.
Yusuf appealed to the Egyptian authorities not to involve Gaza in the Egyptian conflict, adding that "Egypt will remain supporting Gaza regardless of the current events."
He called for more campaigns to shore up Gaza by the relief projects to break the air, land, and naval siege imposed on Gaza since 2006 by the Israeli occupation. He affirmed the continuation of sending medical convoys to Gaza.
Regarding the regional developments, Yousuf said that the situation in Sinai is very serious, “even if the circumstances in Egypt have changed, the Egyptian people will stand with the Palestinians and continue to support their cause.”
He called on Egyptian Authorities to understand the message which the convoy tries to send, hoping that they will be able to resume the projects aimed to lift the Gaza siege.
He denied that Egyptian authorities refused to allow the entry of “Miles of smiles” convoy “we still contacting with Egypt; we did not receive any rejection but our demand was postponed.”
He confirmed that Gaza did not have a role in the Egyptian turmoil, pointing out that the occupation is the only one who benefits from that.
Yusuf appealed to the Egyptian authorities not to involve Gaza in the Egyptian conflict, adding that "Egypt will remain supporting Gaza regardless of the current events."
7 oct 2013
The government committee against siege has warned that the closure of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt had led to negative impacts on life in the besieged enclave. The committee said in a press release on Monday that the closure had blocked entry of humanitarian convoys to the Strip.
It said that no aid convoys were allowed into the Strip during September, adding that Miles of Smiles convoy was supposed to arrive in Gaza during the past month but the Egyptian authorities prevented its entry and disallowed entry of aid shipments it was carrying.
For his part, deputy chairman of the committee Ala’uddin Al-Batta said that statistics issued by the committee since June displayed a big reduction in number of solidarity convoys, which led to shortages in medicines, food aid, and relief materials.
He said that closure of the crossing also blocked businessmen and investors from supervising projects they were financing in Gaza, which, coupled with ban on entry of construction material, led to a halt in those projects.
Batta appealed to the world community, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to pressure Egypt into opening the crossing to ward off a humanitarian tragedy.
He also called on human rights groups to assume their roles and protect the Palestinian people from violations of their basic rights.
It said that no aid convoys were allowed into the Strip during September, adding that Miles of Smiles convoy was supposed to arrive in Gaza during the past month but the Egyptian authorities prevented its entry and disallowed entry of aid shipments it was carrying.
For his part, deputy chairman of the committee Ala’uddin Al-Batta said that statistics issued by the committee since June displayed a big reduction in number of solidarity convoys, which led to shortages in medicines, food aid, and relief materials.
He said that closure of the crossing also blocked businessmen and investors from supervising projects they were financing in Gaza, which, coupled with ban on entry of construction material, led to a halt in those projects.
Batta appealed to the world community, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to pressure Egypt into opening the crossing to ward off a humanitarian tragedy.
He also called on human rights groups to assume their roles and protect the Palestinian people from violations of their basic rights.
13 sept 2013
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The former Labour MP and Stop the War president will say:
The decision of the BBC to refuse to broadcast a national humanitarian appeal for Gaza, which has left aid agencies with a potential shortfall of millions of pounds in donations, is a betrayal of the obligation which it owes as a public service. "The destruction in Gaza, and the loss of the lives of over a thousand civilians and children, has shocked the world as Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki Moon, made clear, when he saw the devastation for himself. "The human suffering that the people of Gaza have experienced over the last few weeks has appalled people who have seen it for themselves on their television screens. |
"To deny the help that the aid agencies and the UN need at this moment in time is incomprehensible and it follows the bias in BBC reporting of this crisis, which has been widely criticised.
"I appeal to the chairman of the BBC Trust to intervene to reverse this decision to save the lives of those who are now in acute danger of dying through a lack of food, fuel, water and medical supplies."
The Disasters Emergency Committee -- which brings together several major aid charities -- wanted to run TV and radio appeals to help raise cash to assist people in need of food, shelter and medicines as a result of Israel's military action in the Palestinian enclave.
Similar appeals have been aired during previous humanitarian emergencies, raising millions of pounds from the British public. But the BBC, ITV and Sky have said they will not show the appeal.
The BBC said it is concerned about compromising public confidence in its impartiality in the context of a conflict which has sparked fierce debate. And the Corporation also raised questions about the delivery of aid to Gaza in the current volatile conditions.
"I appeal to the chairman of the BBC Trust to intervene to reverse this decision to save the lives of those who are now in acute danger of dying through a lack of food, fuel, water and medical supplies."
The Disasters Emergency Committee -- which brings together several major aid charities -- wanted to run TV and radio appeals to help raise cash to assist people in need of food, shelter and medicines as a result of Israel's military action in the Palestinian enclave.
Similar appeals have been aired during previous humanitarian emergencies, raising millions of pounds from the British public. But the BBC, ITV and Sky have said they will not show the appeal.
The BBC said it is concerned about compromising public confidence in its impartiality in the context of a conflict which has sparked fierce debate. And the Corporation also raised questions about the delivery of aid to Gaza in the current volatile conditions.
5 sept 2013
European al-Wafaa campaign's members survived Wednesday the bombing of an area in Damascus they were in. Two Syrian citizens were killed in the bombing while passing through the area. Head of the campaign, Amin Abu Rashid, said that two trucks carrying the aid supplies came under shelling which resulted in the death of 2 Syrians and the injury of 8 others.
One of campaign's trucks was damaged during the bombing while none of the members of the convoy was injured, he added.
After securing the injured and transferring the martyrs, the campaign's members resumed their mission to distribute the aid supplies to those who are affected by the Syrian conflict, he added, stressing that al-Wafaa campaign has no political affiliation.
The campaign has obtained permits from the Syrian authorities to enter the Palestinian refugee camps, topped by Yarmouk refugee camp, to meet the people's appeals.
Abu Rashid confirmed that the campaign's delegation has met with a number of local organizations in order to keep safe distribution to the donations.
European Wafaa campaign carried out several relief operations for Palestinian refugees who fled from Syria camps towards Jordan and Lebanon, during the past few months.
A delegation of the campaign had also held field visits to Palestinian refugees to support them and provide them with in-kind assistance.
One of campaign's trucks was damaged during the bombing while none of the members of the convoy was injured, he added.
After securing the injured and transferring the martyrs, the campaign's members resumed their mission to distribute the aid supplies to those who are affected by the Syrian conflict, he added, stressing that al-Wafaa campaign has no political affiliation.
The campaign has obtained permits from the Syrian authorities to enter the Palestinian refugee camps, topped by Yarmouk refugee camp, to meet the people's appeals.
Abu Rashid confirmed that the campaign's delegation has met with a number of local organizations in order to keep safe distribution to the donations.
European Wafaa campaign carried out several relief operations for Palestinian refugees who fled from Syria camps towards Jordan and Lebanon, during the past few months.
A delegation of the campaign had also held field visits to Palestinian refugees to support them and provide them with in-kind assistance.
23 aug 2013
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Jamal El-Khoudary, head of the Popular Committee Against Siege on Gaza called on the international community to continue sending ships and flotillas to Gaza, in order to break the siege.
On the fifth anniversary of the first two ships entering Gaza, El-Khoudary announced that the siege has not been broken yet. “There is still a huge suffering due to the closure of the crossings. Israel prevents the entrance of most basic materials. Construction stopped and fishermen are subject to continuous aggressions from Israeli forces,” he added. El-Khoudary called for the reopening of Rafah crossing, located at the border with Egypt, as a necessary step to avoid further humanitarian crisis on the small costal enclave. |
Due to Israel’s six-year blockade, which prohibits boats from entering and exiting Gaza, Gazans are not able to export goods by sea or to receive imports. Israel first imposed the blockade after following the signing of the 1994 Oslo Peace Accords.
In August of 2008, two vessels manned by activists from the Free Gaza Movement and International Solidarity Movement sailed from Cyprus towards Gaza. This marked the first NGO-organized attempt to breach Israel's maritime closure of the Gaza Strip.
Additionally, Palestinians in Gaza plan to challenge Israel’s illegal blockade by exporting local goods to Europe in ‘Gaza’s Ark’, a large fishing boat that is being converted into a cargo vessel by local fishermen. The Gaza’s Ark movement, which emphasizes the slogan, “Trade not Aid,” is attempting to break the siege from within.
In August of 2008, two vessels manned by activists from the Free Gaza Movement and International Solidarity Movement sailed from Cyprus towards Gaza. This marked the first NGO-organized attempt to breach Israel's maritime closure of the Gaza Strip.
Additionally, Palestinians in Gaza plan to challenge Israel’s illegal blockade by exporting local goods to Europe in ‘Gaza’s Ark’, a large fishing boat that is being converted into a cargo vessel by local fishermen. The Gaza’s Ark movement, which emphasizes the slogan, “Trade not Aid,” is attempting to break the siege from within.
20 aug 2013
by ALESSANDRA BAJEC
A new mission vows to challenge the blockade of Gaza by sea following Freedom Flotilla efforts since 2010, and Free Gaza missions preceding Cast-Lead in 2008. Not a Gaza-bound aid convoy this time.
With a crew of Palestinians and international activists on board, Gaza’s Ark will sail from the port of Gaza, carrying Palestinian products to buyers around the world, to defy Israel’s illegal and inhuman blockade.
Gaza’s Ark is rebuilding a cargo vessel that will attempt to open the sea to Palestinian exports to show to the outside world that Palestine is a productive land, while drawing public attention on the 7-year blockade.Because nearly all previous attempts to reach Gaza were blocked by the Israeli navy, and given Israel-imposed three mile limit from the Gazan coast, campaigners are well aware that Israeli forces will hardly let any boat leave Gaza port.
David Heap, French-language and linguistics associate professor at the University of Western Ontario, is a spokesperson for Gaza’s Ark. He talked about the new solidarity initiative.
How did the idea of Gaza’s Ark come about?
D.H: After the last flotilla sailing I was involved in with other members, we realised we obviously need to carry on our work, trying to think of ways to continue direct action. Not just talking about the siege, but acting directly against the siege to change the premises of it.
Gaza’s Ark is the continuation of the Freedom Flotilla movement, but it’s different in significant ways due to the direction, the non-humanitarian connotation, and because fundraising efforts are being spent primarily in Gaza.
Why is this initiative important?
DH: Freedom of movement is a fundamental human rights issue that has been systematically denied to all Palestinians, in particular most severely to Palestinians of Gaza. I feel it’s an obligation to try, even in a small, symbolic way, to demand some kind of hope for these people, especially the young ones. When I visited Gaza last autumn, I was struck by the youth and their thirst for contact with the outside world.
What makes Gaza’s Ark different from previous attempts to break the siege?
D.H: Gaza’s Ark has a broader focus. We don’t just talk about the sea blockade but the whole blockade imposed on Palestine. What we’re addressing is freedom of movement –both commercial goods and people- national sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will have goods on board from all over Palestine, as Palestinians themselves have told us they should be exporting goods from not only Gaza but also the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Could you discuss how trade rather than aid may help Gaza more effectively?
D.H: Working with the Palestinian civil society in Gaza, what we at Freedom Flotilla Coalition hear is they’re sick of being recipients of international humanitarian aid. Palestinians tell us they don’t want more humanitarian aid, they want to live on their own economy as they’re very capable of doing. They claim the same freedom of movement rights that everybody enjoys.
Gaza, in particular, had a very prosperous economy in the past. But the infrastructure was systematically destroyed by Israel, and the only factories that are surviving can’t function due to the Israeli blockade.
What potential do you think the project has in comparison with the flotillas that have so far tried to sail to Gaza?
DH: If we take the Flotilla Movement as a whole, it has almost had as many successful arrivals to Gaza as attacks. This is something that goes easily forgotten in the mainstream media.
The choice of allowing us to sail safely to other destinations in the Mediterranean is something the occupier decides, not us. We can only control what we do. When the Israeli navy assaulted prior flotillas, the rhetoric used was that the boats posed a threat to Israel’s security. Which is absolutely false, none of the inbound voyages created a security risk for anyone, nobody ever found dangerous items on the flotillas that could possibly threaten the security of Israel.
Given that Gaza’s Ark is outbound, it will be interesting to see what the response from the Israeli military will be. They won’t be able to use the security argument since, even if we carried anything dangerous –which is to exclude- Israel shouldn’t care about a boat sailing out. However, I’m sure they will come up with a pretext, but It will be even harder to defend in international public opinion.
How open are international consumers to Palestinian products from Gaza?
D.H: We’ve been conditioned to think of Palestinians, Gazans in particular, as being dependant on aid. We don’t think of them as capable of having a productive economy. Part of our work is to educate the world that Palestinians can and do produce goods, and they have goods that they could export. Most people don’t know what products are available in Gaza, for example.
There’s a small selection of products that can be viewed on our website, including dugga, za’atar, dates, olive oil to name a few. Our campaign partners based in a number of countries are putting together group purchases of products from interested businesses, individuals and community groups to have their goods exported onboard Gaza’s Ark. Whichever goods potential buyers are more appealed to, whether agricultural or handicraft products, we will match them with producer organizations in Gaza.
Whatever happens to the boat, there will be a connection established between purchaser and producer in the end. Even in the event the goods don’t reach the port of destination, commercial partners in other countries will be connected to Palestinian produce organizations, they will know they bought goods and who sent them. That puts a human face to Palestinians as people who produce, and has the longer term function of building relationships which will ultimately help challenge the power of the occupier as well as the complicity of our governments in the West.
How doable is it for Palestinian producers of Gaza to secure trade deals with purchasers when there’s a real risk that goods will be confiscated by the Israeli military?
D.H: Although there’s commercial deal, it’s a special kind of commercial deal. We work with civil society partners, businesses and organizations. Purchasers in Europe, North America, Australia or South Africa have to be prepared to secure full payment before the boat sails. Palestinian producers are assured they will be paid the full purchase price of the goods before anything travels.
The risk is borne outside of Gaza by supporters of Palestinian businesses who believe that Palestinians should have their own economy. Then if something happens during the sailing, the risk is being shared by many people keeping in mind the human and commercial interest involved in this mission.
Only a small number of people can board a small boat in the east Mediterranean. But hundreds or thousands of people from different countries can potentially get on board with the campaign by buying parts of the cargo.
You intend to raise awareness and mobilize to action. How do you hope Gaza’s Ark will help put pressure on national governments and international organizations?
DH: There are bilateral trade agreements between Israel and the EU stipulating that there must not be obstacles to trading with occupied Palestinian territories. When we sail, and European buyers have purchased goods stocked on Gaza’s Ark, if the Israeli navy interferes with that sailing that’s an obstacle to trade. European commercial businesses will then have a very strong case to go their governments and claim that, despite they have commercial relations -with documentation proving purchase of those goods- their imports have been confiscated.
We usually address to human rights parliamentary commissions in Europe, now we may also appeal to commerce commissions. People have so far protested about human rights in reference to flotillas, but this initiative opens up another avenue, the commercial one, to bring up the blockade issue. Why is there free trade with Israel while there isn’t free trade for Palestinians? Why can’t Palestinians use their only port in Gaza?
Israel has used violence to stop other boats from leaving or entering the port of Gaza. What do you expect Gaza’s Ark will achieve?
DH: Again, the choice to use violence lies with the occupier, it’s not our choice. Everybody that sails with us is committed to non-violence, and we are very transparent about it. Whoever goes will make the choice to sail knowing the implications and possible consequences. Unfortunately we are dealing with a state that attacks unarmed civilians with impunity, as our governments in the West don’t hold it accountable.
When I went on the Gaza relief boat earlier in 2011, I was very aware of the risks. I and two dozen other activists were kidnapped, beaten and illegally arrested after Israeli naval forces seized the Canadian vessel we were on. The Canadian government did nothing. Canadians don’t overall support the blockade on Gaza, this government is in discordance with Canadian public opinion. So how can we make pressure? By putting Canadians and other internationals on the frontline. When I embark on a boat to break the blockade, I don’t just sail against the occupier, I sail against my own government.
What will be the next step if Gaza’s Ark will not reach its destination?
D.H: There’s always an after campaign. People are still following up actions from past flotilla sailings with regards to Gaza relief boats that have been seized in the last few years. With Gaza’s Ark, there will be more people involved because there are also purchasers on board. So we’ll be also bringing commercial actions against whoever happens to steal goods on the ship. We will also continue to stand in solidarity with the fishing fleet of Gaza, which is daily subject to violent constraints from the Israeli navy.
When do you anticipate Gaza’s Ark will be ready to sail?
D.H: We’re set to depart sometime this year hopefully. It depends on a lot of factors that we don’t control. The process of rebuilding the vessel has been difficult, especially this past month, raising funds internationally has not gone as fast as we would like.
But the date of sailing is for us less important than the lead up to it. The lesson we’ve learned from 2012 flotilla is a long campaign is an advantage because it allows you to develop more support in more countries. As long as we’re developing support for Palestinians of Gaza, spending most of the donated money in Gaza, we’re achieving the goal of affirming our support for a Palestinian economy. So if we don’t sail in 2013, we will sail after. The important thing is we keep opposing the blockade.
Alessandra Bajec lived in Palestine between June 2010 and May 2011 starting to work as a freelance journalist. Her articles have appeared in various Palestinian newswires, the European Journalism Centre’s magazine, The Majalla, among others.
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A new mission vows to challenge the blockade of Gaza by sea following Freedom Flotilla efforts since 2010, and Free Gaza missions preceding Cast-Lead in 2008. Not a Gaza-bound aid convoy this time.
With a crew of Palestinians and international activists on board, Gaza’s Ark will sail from the port of Gaza, carrying Palestinian products to buyers around the world, to defy Israel’s illegal and inhuman blockade.
Gaza’s Ark is rebuilding a cargo vessel that will attempt to open the sea to Palestinian exports to show to the outside world that Palestine is a productive land, while drawing public attention on the 7-year blockade.Because nearly all previous attempts to reach Gaza were blocked by the Israeli navy, and given Israel-imposed three mile limit from the Gazan coast, campaigners are well aware that Israeli forces will hardly let any boat leave Gaza port.
David Heap, French-language and linguistics associate professor at the University of Western Ontario, is a spokesperson for Gaza’s Ark. He talked about the new solidarity initiative.
How did the idea of Gaza’s Ark come about?
D.H: After the last flotilla sailing I was involved in with other members, we realised we obviously need to carry on our work, trying to think of ways to continue direct action. Not just talking about the siege, but acting directly against the siege to change the premises of it.
Gaza’s Ark is the continuation of the Freedom Flotilla movement, but it’s different in significant ways due to the direction, the non-humanitarian connotation, and because fundraising efforts are being spent primarily in Gaza.
Why is this initiative important?
DH: Freedom of movement is a fundamental human rights issue that has been systematically denied to all Palestinians, in particular most severely to Palestinians of Gaza. I feel it’s an obligation to try, even in a small, symbolic way, to demand some kind of hope for these people, especially the young ones. When I visited Gaza last autumn, I was struck by the youth and their thirst for contact with the outside world.
What makes Gaza’s Ark different from previous attempts to break the siege?
D.H: Gaza’s Ark has a broader focus. We don’t just talk about the sea blockade but the whole blockade imposed on Palestine. What we’re addressing is freedom of movement –both commercial goods and people- national sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will have goods on board from all over Palestine, as Palestinians themselves have told us they should be exporting goods from not only Gaza but also the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Could you discuss how trade rather than aid may help Gaza more effectively?
D.H: Working with the Palestinian civil society in Gaza, what we at Freedom Flotilla Coalition hear is they’re sick of being recipients of international humanitarian aid. Palestinians tell us they don’t want more humanitarian aid, they want to live on their own economy as they’re very capable of doing. They claim the same freedom of movement rights that everybody enjoys.
Gaza, in particular, had a very prosperous economy in the past. But the infrastructure was systematically destroyed by Israel, and the only factories that are surviving can’t function due to the Israeli blockade.
What potential do you think the project has in comparison with the flotillas that have so far tried to sail to Gaza?
DH: If we take the Flotilla Movement as a whole, it has almost had as many successful arrivals to Gaza as attacks. This is something that goes easily forgotten in the mainstream media.
The choice of allowing us to sail safely to other destinations in the Mediterranean is something the occupier decides, not us. We can only control what we do. When the Israeli navy assaulted prior flotillas, the rhetoric used was that the boats posed a threat to Israel’s security. Which is absolutely false, none of the inbound voyages created a security risk for anyone, nobody ever found dangerous items on the flotillas that could possibly threaten the security of Israel.
Given that Gaza’s Ark is outbound, it will be interesting to see what the response from the Israeli military will be. They won’t be able to use the security argument since, even if we carried anything dangerous –which is to exclude- Israel shouldn’t care about a boat sailing out. However, I’m sure they will come up with a pretext, but It will be even harder to defend in international public opinion.
How open are international consumers to Palestinian products from Gaza?
D.H: We’ve been conditioned to think of Palestinians, Gazans in particular, as being dependant on aid. We don’t think of them as capable of having a productive economy. Part of our work is to educate the world that Palestinians can and do produce goods, and they have goods that they could export. Most people don’t know what products are available in Gaza, for example.
There’s a small selection of products that can be viewed on our website, including dugga, za’atar, dates, olive oil to name a few. Our campaign partners based in a number of countries are putting together group purchases of products from interested businesses, individuals and community groups to have their goods exported onboard Gaza’s Ark. Whichever goods potential buyers are more appealed to, whether agricultural or handicraft products, we will match them with producer organizations in Gaza.
Whatever happens to the boat, there will be a connection established between purchaser and producer in the end. Even in the event the goods don’t reach the port of destination, commercial partners in other countries will be connected to Palestinian produce organizations, they will know they bought goods and who sent them. That puts a human face to Palestinians as people who produce, and has the longer term function of building relationships which will ultimately help challenge the power of the occupier as well as the complicity of our governments in the West.
How doable is it for Palestinian producers of Gaza to secure trade deals with purchasers when there’s a real risk that goods will be confiscated by the Israeli military?
D.H: Although there’s commercial deal, it’s a special kind of commercial deal. We work with civil society partners, businesses and organizations. Purchasers in Europe, North America, Australia or South Africa have to be prepared to secure full payment before the boat sails. Palestinian producers are assured they will be paid the full purchase price of the goods before anything travels.
The risk is borne outside of Gaza by supporters of Palestinian businesses who believe that Palestinians should have their own economy. Then if something happens during the sailing, the risk is being shared by many people keeping in mind the human and commercial interest involved in this mission.
Only a small number of people can board a small boat in the east Mediterranean. But hundreds or thousands of people from different countries can potentially get on board with the campaign by buying parts of the cargo.
You intend to raise awareness and mobilize to action. How do you hope Gaza’s Ark will help put pressure on national governments and international organizations?
DH: There are bilateral trade agreements between Israel and the EU stipulating that there must not be obstacles to trading with occupied Palestinian territories. When we sail, and European buyers have purchased goods stocked on Gaza’s Ark, if the Israeli navy interferes with that sailing that’s an obstacle to trade. European commercial businesses will then have a very strong case to go their governments and claim that, despite they have commercial relations -with documentation proving purchase of those goods- their imports have been confiscated.
We usually address to human rights parliamentary commissions in Europe, now we may also appeal to commerce commissions. People have so far protested about human rights in reference to flotillas, but this initiative opens up another avenue, the commercial one, to bring up the blockade issue. Why is there free trade with Israel while there isn’t free trade for Palestinians? Why can’t Palestinians use their only port in Gaza?
Israel has used violence to stop other boats from leaving or entering the port of Gaza. What do you expect Gaza’s Ark will achieve?
DH: Again, the choice to use violence lies with the occupier, it’s not our choice. Everybody that sails with us is committed to non-violence, and we are very transparent about it. Whoever goes will make the choice to sail knowing the implications and possible consequences. Unfortunately we are dealing with a state that attacks unarmed civilians with impunity, as our governments in the West don’t hold it accountable.
When I went on the Gaza relief boat earlier in 2011, I was very aware of the risks. I and two dozen other activists were kidnapped, beaten and illegally arrested after Israeli naval forces seized the Canadian vessel we were on. The Canadian government did nothing. Canadians don’t overall support the blockade on Gaza, this government is in discordance with Canadian public opinion. So how can we make pressure? By putting Canadians and other internationals on the frontline. When I embark on a boat to break the blockade, I don’t just sail against the occupier, I sail against my own government.
What will be the next step if Gaza’s Ark will not reach its destination?
D.H: There’s always an after campaign. People are still following up actions from past flotilla sailings with regards to Gaza relief boats that have been seized in the last few years. With Gaza’s Ark, there will be more people involved because there are also purchasers on board. So we’ll be also bringing commercial actions against whoever happens to steal goods on the ship. We will also continue to stand in solidarity with the fishing fleet of Gaza, which is daily subject to violent constraints from the Israeli navy.
When do you anticipate Gaza’s Ark will be ready to sail?
D.H: We’re set to depart sometime this year hopefully. It depends on a lot of factors that we don’t control. The process of rebuilding the vessel has been difficult, especially this past month, raising funds internationally has not gone as fast as we would like.
But the date of sailing is for us less important than the lead up to it. The lesson we’ve learned from 2012 flotilla is a long campaign is an advantage because it allows you to develop more support in more countries. As long as we’re developing support for Palestinians of Gaza, spending most of the donated money in Gaza, we’re achieving the goal of affirming our support for a Palestinian economy. So if we don’t sail in 2013, we will sail after. The important thing is we keep opposing the blockade.
Alessandra Bajec lived in Palestine between June 2010 and May 2011 starting to work as a freelance journalist. Her articles have appeared in various Palestinian newswires, the European Journalism Centre’s magazine, The Majalla, among others.
Source
18 aug 2013
Hamas movement called on free people of the region and the world to exert all efforts possible to lift the siege on Gaza Strip especially after the closure of Rafah crossing and destruction of most of the tunnels. Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, called in a press release on Sunday for organizing the biggest ever sea convoy to Gaza to break its siege after the latest developments.
The Gaza Strip has been under siege since 2006 but its impact gravely worsened following the 30th June events in Egypt, as the Egyptian army destroyed Rafah tunnels and blocked entry of goods into the coastal enclave while almost completely closing the Rafah crossing.
The Gaza Strip has been under siege since 2006 but its impact gravely worsened following the 30th June events in Egypt, as the Egyptian army destroyed Rafah tunnels and blocked entry of goods into the coastal enclave while almost completely closing the Rafah crossing.
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