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The
Story Is Getting Out Despite Massive Israeli Propaganda
Strategy
02 June 2010 By Mazin Qumsiyeh
The Israeli lies combined with media blackout on
anything but their own version were apparently
prepared long in advance of their planned massacre.
Claiming they found weapons but all they could show is
kitchen knives and construction tools (wrenches, water
pipes etc). All cargo was listed on the ships'
manifesto that the Israeli 'intelligence' agencies
could easily acquire and were freely available and
meticulously documented by the organizers. The Israeli
spin machine also claimed they were first trying to
use non-lethal weapons including, and this is no joke,
paint ball guns
(funny that we did not see evidence of passengers with
pained shirts but only blood soaked shirts). The
respected media watch group FAIR detailed how some
Western media (mis)reported of the attack on the
humanitarian aid ships 'Reporting Israeli Assault
Through Israel's Eyes: Attack on humanitarian flotilla
prompts little media skepticism' http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=4081
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=9aOiPYmh9bLYAY3Ptzkv
XASxCjMt3dJm>
Reporters Without Borders urges the Israeli
authorities to release a list of the journalists who
were arrested during yesterday's raid on the
humanitarian flotilla and to say where they are being
held. There were at least 15 foreign journalists
travelling with the flotilla who still cannot be
reached directly. These are the names of the
journalists known to have been aboard the flotilla:
http://en.rsf.org/israel-israeli-military-prevents-
media-31-05-2010,37630.html
Some Western Media did a balanced job. Here is
Democracy Now with excellent coverage
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/6/1/global_
condemnation_of_israeli_armed_attack
And while some western media dutifully reported
Israeli government words of being sorry for the deaths
and their verbal attack on the ships' passengers
(calling them terrorists or terrorist sympathizers),
no media reported on Israeli fascists celebrating the
massacre in front of the Turkish embassy in Tel Aviv
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=6a3_1275348204 And also
a video at Ben Gurion University and other
universities. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB9GYd3jq_E
(According to the person who sent this 'It is
important to mention that in principle all political
activity on this campus is forbidden, and that leftist
activists demonstrating outside of the campus during
the war on Gaza last year were arrested. This
demonstration was held with collaboration of the
University authorities and contrary to these same
authorities regulations.")
Most abducted passengers will be released and deported
but four have been brought before 'judges' and will be
tried by the apartheid state: Lubna Masarwa (Free Gaza
Movement board director), Sheikh Raed Salah (leader of
the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in
Israel/1948 Palestine), Mohammed Zeidan (Director of
International Advocacy Program for the Arab
Association for Human Rights), and Hamed abu Dabis
(human rights advocate from Lebanon). It is to try to
scare others in the future. But the Rachel Corrie ship
is already on its way to Gaza from Ireland in defiance
of the Israeli terror tactics and plans for new fleets
are already being implemented. Unfortunately, the US
administration took the decision yet again to shield
Israel from International law and make a mockery of
the UN by refusing to demand a lifting of the siege
(contrary to position of all other countries). So much
for the change that those who voted for Obama had
expected.
Caoimhe Butterly recorded a message before she was
kidnapped. She is still unaccounted for
http://www.qumsiyeh.org/ofcowardicedignityandsolidarity/
Survivors of the massacre who are released tell their
stories http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/02/gaza-
flotilla-raid-gunfire-ship-
blood
Sample Videos from demonstrations little reported in
supine western media: Bethlehem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOnsBKZknrc
New York htp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BMxw1LnT50 San
Francisco http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-ijKBugff8
Gaza aid flotilla: Israeli sabotage suspected Israel's
military may have sabotaged two boats carrying Free
Gaza activists after both malfunctioned at the same
time in the same way prior to the raidhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/01/
israel-gaza-flotilla-sabotage-suspected
The Elders group of past and present world leaders,
including former South African president Nelson
Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, on Monday
condemned as "completely inexcusable" the deadly
Israeli attack on a flotilla carrying aid for Gaza.
http://beta.thehindu.com/news/
international/article442925.ece
Meanwhile the colonization activities in the occupied
West Bank continue fast and furious. Bulldozers are
tearing up the land all around us. Our friends at the
Tent of Nations had demolition orders served for the
few structures and renovated caves they maintain on
the farm that also acts as a peace center (see http://www.tentofnations.org).
Our friends in Wad Rahhal are threatened with total
eviction (if you are in Palestine, join us for a
demonstration this Friday at 12:30 PM). The stories
are endless in the land of apartheid. But resistance
from brave souls continue (and our hearts and minds
are with our friend Emily, a US visual art student who
was targeted by the Israeli fascist forces and lost
her left eye).
ACTIONS
Petition: call for independent investigation,
accountability, and lifting the siege on Gaza http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_flotilla/98.php?CLICKTF
Translate you anger into action. Other ways to help:
http://endtheoccupation.org/article.php?list=typ=345>
&type=345
Of cowardice, dignity, and
solidarity
.....Palestine brings the best in people who have
dignity and self respect and brings the worst in
others who have tribalism and greed coursing through
their veins. There was more dignity in any inute of
the short life by Rachel Corrie who stood in front of
the Bulldozer in Rafah and lost her life than is
represented in lifetimes of by kings, prime ministers,
and presidents.
There was more dignity in the bloody T-shirt of
Basem Abu Rahma when he was shot and killed with a gas
canister in Bil'in than among all the palaces of
rulers who gather in an Arab summit. And the dignity
of one drop of blood shed in the Mediterranean is more
than exhibited at the UN Security Council last night.
Citizens of Greece and Turkey joined together in the
freedom flotilla ships and in the Israeli detention
centers.
Zionists were out saying there is no humanitarian
crisis in Gaza and politicians behind closed doors are
trying to limit the damage to their reputation instead
of asking themselves questions about their direction
in life!... More at http://www.qumsiyeh.org/ofcowardicedignityandsolidarity/
Mazin Qumsiyeh, PhD A Bedouin in Cyberspace, a
villager at home http://www.qumsiyeh.org Professor,
Bethlehem and Birzeit Universities Chairman of the
Board, Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Between
People, http://www.pcr.ps
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