Israeli hijacking of Women’s Boat to Gaza – An open letter to Murray McCully
Dear Murray McCully
We ask you to strongly condemn the illegal Israeli hijacking of the Women’s Boat to Gaza, Zaytouna-Oliva, in international waters, 70 kilometres from the Gaza shore. Will you call for the release of the all-female crew that included parliamentarians, writers and human rights activists? These citizens of New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Canada and the United States are looking to the UN Security Council to speak up and act to defend their rights to travel unhindered by foreign military powers.
The Israeli Navy abducted 13 women, including NZ Green Party MP, Marama Davidson and the Zionist regime has also sent a message of intimidation by carrying out more than 25 bombing raids near Gaza City. SOS video messages have been released by the Freedom Flotilla group and the Freedom Flotilla coalition has released a statement calling on “governments, public officials and people of conscience to support publicly the right of unimpeded passage for peaceful civilian navigation, and the physical integrity of the crew and participants on board. They also call for full freedom of movement for all peoples, including the Palestinians of Gaza.”
The Palestinian quest for justice is embraced by millions worldwide and the peaceful voyage should serve as an inspiration. To ignore this and remain silent is to condone violations of human rights and international law. The granting of impunity to Israel can only add to Middle East instability.
Leslie Bravery,
Palestine Human Rights Campaign Aotearoa/New Zealand www.palestine.org,nz
There are those claiming the vanity, they are rather poor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jiEp0CAu6Q
sign off it is getting nasty, take care
This is the madness going on, so Murray is a loser anyway, it is a waste of time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDSizR8sJzM
The Zionists are out in force here in The Daily Blog. You can tell when Israeli oppression is threatened by decent folk, the Zionists panic and start to justify Israeli aggression.
Exept, Bg, that you’re pretty much a bit of a sexist chauvinist yourself. Not only have you never supported women’s issues on this Forum – but on the occassion that Key harrassed a young female waitress by pulling her hair, you supported Mike Hoskings’ tirade against her.
Yep, when Hoskings attacked the female victim of Key’s unwanted assaults, you defended Hoskings’ “right to free speech”.
Your comment is here: https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/05/03/open-letter-and-complaint-to-tvnz-over-hoskings-victim-blaming-tirade/#comment-285164
So, not that much in support of women’s rights, huh?
Only when it suits your racist beliefs. Change your pseudonym to Hypocrite, it suits you better.
US and Israel are full of hypocrisy and double standards. Netanyahu and John Kerry are war criminals and liars of the highest order.
” Saber rattling rhetoric ” from them and from the Andrews and others with their heads in the sand. War crimes – lets look at the fact that the US ( backed by Israel ) have bombed 3/4’s of the countries on the planet – long list, very long list. How many worldwide ; greedy ; criminal ; politicians have blood on their hands ?
Good on the women on that Boat to Gaza who have the guts to demonstrate and speak out about the madness in this area. Let em go now and put your sabers down for just a moment. Grow a pair Israel and Murray McCully – yeh – like that’s going to happen.
We all know why Palestine is being taken and now being destroyed.
Greedy Israelis and their backers and supporters – – the ” United States of Annihilation ” ! ! ! John key is right in bed with them – our serial lying PM.
I just found out that the U.S. spends in three weeks on their military what Russia spends in ONE YEAR ! The U.S. and their bed buddies, the Israelis are evil empires and they fund the Islamists. John Kerry is a massive liar and war mongerer and needs to go – as does Netanyahu.
NO WONDER JOHN KERRY AND HILLARY CLINTON and Netanyahu deeply HATE RT.COM SO MUCH.
RT has the guts to expose their greedy madness and they don’t like it.
Andrew, if you are going to post links to confirm your statements, you really ought to read said links first.
” In light of the information so gathered, the Panel has examined and
identified the facts, circumstances and context of the incident and considered and recommended ways of avoiding similar incidents in the future.
In so doing it was not acting as a Court and was not asked to adjudicate on legal liability. Its findings and recommendations are therefore not intended to attribute any legal responsibilities. ”
So you see there has been nothing determining this, or subsequent, similar actions illegal or otherwise.
I have concluded that you are simply a fool
FFS, what a joke, an opinion piece by a blogger of sorts, that is neither here nor there, Mr Andrew.
And as for the Palmer report, while it accepted Israel can protect itself from attacks from violent groups in Gaza or those heading there, it was also highly critical of the Israeli authorities’ handling of that earlier attempt to break the blockade:
“Facts, Circumstances and Context of the Incidence”
“The Panel finds:
i. The events of 31 May 2010 should never have taken place as they did and strenuous efforts should be made to prevent the occurrence of such incidents in the future.
ii. The fundamental principle of the freedom of navigation on the high seas is subject to only certain limited exceptions under international law. Israel faces
a real threat to its security from militant groups in Gaza. The naval blockade was imposed as a legitimate security measure in order to prevent weapons from entering Gaza by sea and its implementation complied with the requirements of international law.
iii. The flotilla was a non-governmental endeavour, involving vessels and participants from a number of countries.
iv. Although people are entitled to express their political views, the flotilla acted recklessly in attempting to breach the naval blockade. The majority of the flotilla participants had no violent intentions, but there exist serious questions about the conduct, true nature and obj
ectives of the flotilla organizers, particularly IHH. The actions of the flotilla needlessly carried the potential
for escalation.
v. The incident and its outcomes were not intended by either Turkey or Israel. Both States took steps in an attempt to ensure that events did not occur in a
manner that endangered individuals’ lives and international peace and security. Turkish officials also approached the organizers of the flotilla with the intention of persuading them to change course if necessary and avoid an encounter with Israeli forces. But more could have been done to warn the flotilla participants of the potential risks involved and to dissuade them from their actions.
vi. Israel’s decision to board the vessels with such substantial force at a great distance from the blockade zone and with no final warning immediately prior to the boarding was excessive and unreasonable:
a. Non-violent options should have been used in the first instance. In particular, clear prior warning that the vessels were to be boarded and a demonstration of dissuading force should have been given to avoid the
type of confrontation that occurred;
b. The operation should have reassessed its options when the resistance to the initial boarding attempt became apparent.
vii. Israeli Defense Forces personnel faced significant, organized and violent resistance from a group of passengers when they boarded the Mavi Marmara
requiring them to use force for their own protection. Three soldiers were captured, mistreated, and placed at risk by those passengers. Several others were wounded.
viii. The loss of life and injuries resulting from the use of force by Israeli forces during the take-over of the Mavi Marmara was unacceptable. Nine passengers were killed and many others seriously wounded by Israeli forces. No satisfactory explanation has been provided to the Panel by Israel for any of the nine deaths. Forensic evidence showing that most of the deceased were shot multiple times, including in the back, or at close range has not been adequately accounted for in the material presented by Israel.
ix. There was significant mistreatment of passengers by Israeli authorities after the take-over of the vessels had
been completed through until their deportation. This included physical mistreatment, harassment and
intimidation, unjustified confiscation of belongings and the denial of timely consular assistance…”
I suggest you re-read ‘vi’ and ‘ix’ above!
And for the recommendations, read this:
“How to Avoid Similar Incidents in the Future”
“The Panel recommends:
With respect to the situation in Gaza
i. All relevant States should consult directly and make every effort to avoid a repetition of the incident.
ii. Bearing in mind its consequences and the fundamental importance of the freedom of navigation on the high seas, Israel should keep the naval blockade
under regular review, in order to assess whether it continues to be necessary.
iii. Israel should continue with its efforts to ease its restrictions on movement of goods and persons to and from Gaza with a view to lifting its closure and to
alleviate the unsustainable humanitarian and economic situation of the civilian population. These steps should
be taken in accordance with Security Council resolution 1860, all aspects of which should be implemented.
iv. All humanitarian missions wishing to assist the Gaza population should do so through established procedures and the designated land crossings in consultation with the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority”
So I ask:
Has Israel constructively and fairly reviewed the naval blockade, has it followed relevant UN resolutions, i.e. that Security Council one mentioned, has it done all to ease the unsustainable humanitarian and economic situation for people living in Gaza? And how can any NGO consult with both the PA and Israel, when those two do not cooperate given serious disagreements on important matters.
That Palmer report is “dated”, it relates to a very different scenario, and here we are talking rather about a women’s boat heading to Gaza, clearly stating its peaceful intent. You are comparing apples with pears, Andrew, as usual, go and do some more study, thanks.
The Palmer Report says: “The naval blockade was imposed as a legitimate security measure in order to prevent weapons from entering Gaza by sea and its implementation complied with the requirements of international law.” What concern is there for the Palestinian people, blockaded and militarily Occupied in their own land, by a belligerent, nuclear armed power. How about their need to prevent Israeli weapons descending upon them both by sea and air?
Is it the male genital mutilation that makes them such angry people?
That’s an excellent question. Let’s ask Andrew. I expect he’ll know
Andrew
Are you also genitally mutilated?
I suspect he is “generously mutated”, not being of what we perceive as normal humane and common sense thinking.
Israel are sending out pirates. Just like Somalia. Surely the Law of the Sea applies?
Our pro Zionist PM had this to say:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/85020524/green-mp-marama-davidson-detained-by-israeli-authorities-on-boat-in-international-waters–reports
“PM: ‘LESS-THAN-PERFECT LOOK’ ”
“Key said he was not surprised by news of Davidson’s detention, given the same thing had happened to others who tried to enter Gaza via flotillas.”
So a New Zealand MP should not be seen at protest actions, the PM seems to suggest. Maybe he learned this approach from the Mainland Chinese government, with which he has so often met, that is representatives of it, during trade talks and so forth.
Remember how the government made great efforts before to keep protestors away from visiting “dignitaries” from China and some other places. Oh, how dare they “embarrass” New Zealand by protesting for human rights, how dare they?
Zionism, the scourge of the Jewish people, who suffered so badly under fascism they now support a fascist style government. Do unto others as has been done unto you ??????
Thank you Leslie, we should all strongly condemn this illegal act by Israel.