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Hussam has been a lifelong human rights activist who is passionate about promoting democratic societies, in the US and worldwide, in which all people, including immigrants, workers, minorities, and the poor enjoy freedom, justice, economic justice, respect, and equality. Mr. Ayloush frequently lectures on Islam, media relations, civil rights, hate crimes and international affairs. He has consistently appeared in local, national, and international media. Full biography at: http://hussamayloush.blogspot.com/2006/08/biography-of-hussam-ayloush.html

Monday, May 31, 2010

Flotilla and the Israeli madness - A quick overview and background info

While this new massacre is not the first in Israel's history and possibly not going to be the last, it still indicates a growing Israeli arrogance, carelessness, and disregard for the world's reaction or to the sanctity of the lives of those who disagree with its policies.

Unfortunately, this only indicates that we possibly are heading for a more brutal and a bloodier Israel. This is a scary though considering Israel's military might and nuclear capabilities.

To better understand the context of the Israeli killing of the humanitarian activists on the Flotilla boats, here are a few shorts articles and videos.


First, a short video on the goals behind the flotilla trip, by one of its organizers.




Gaza flotilla drives Israel into a sea of stupidity - By Gideon Levy (a day or two before the deadly raid)

...The chorus has been singing songs of falsehood and lies. We are all in the chorus saying there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We are all part of the chorus claiming the occupation of Gaza has ended, and that the flotilla is a violent attack on Israeli sovereignty - the cement is for building bunkers and the convoy is being funded by the Turkish Muslim Brotherhood. The Israeli siege of Gaza will topple Hamas and free Gilad Shalit. Foreign Ministry spokesman Yossi Levy, one of the most ridiculous of the propagandists, outdid himself when he unblinkingly proclaimed that the aid convoy headed toward Gaza was a violation of international law. Right. Exactly...
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Israel's Attack on Us All
By JONATHAN COOK
...So before we get swamped by Israeli hasbara let’s reiterate a few simple facts:

* Israeli soldiers invaded these ships in international waters, breaking international law, and, in killing civilians, committed a war crime. The counter-claim by Israeli commanders that their soldiers responded to an imminent “lynch” by civilians should be dismissed with the loud contempt it deserves...

* Israel has no right to control Gaza’s sea as its own territorial waters and to stop aid convoys arriving that way. In doing so, it proves that it is still in belligerent occupation of the enclave and its 1.5 million inhabitants. And if it is occupying Gaza, then under international law Israel is responsible for the welfare of the Strip’s inhabitants...
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Robert Fisk: Western leaders are too cowardly to help save lives
...It was people – ordinary people, Europeans, Americans, Holocaust survivors – yes, for heaven's sake, survivors of the Nazis – who took the decision to go to Gaza because their politicians and their statesmen had failed them...

But it is a fact that it is ordinary people, activists, call them what you will, who now take decisions to change events. Our politicians are too spineless, too cowardly, to take decisions to save lives. Why is this? Why didn't we hear courageous words from Messrs Cameron and Clegg yesterday?
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World condemns Israel aid ship raid (video)

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