Israeli plane barred from Turkey

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/10432903.stm

Not what many would call a 'major retaliation,' but a step forward in my opinion. The international community/powers, in particular the Arabs, should take example from Turkey.

Sometimes we are our own worst enemies.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/06/201062819215601151.html

Jerusalem: Not as free for Palestinians as Israel claims

Jerusalem: Not as free for Palestinians as Israel claims: "Al Jazeera Blogs"

Take a few moments to read the reports published by Israeli human rights organisations on the rights of Palestinian residents.

Reminder

As I am sure many of you are aware, the blockade on Gaza has been 'eased.' A variety of goods have been allowed in, after being banned for over 3 years. It should be made clear that the Palestinians are still not able to export goods from Gaza, nor are they allowed to import raw materials. What needs to be done by the international community is clear. The Israeli government needs to be pressurised into lifting the blockade completely, in order to allow the lives of the people of Gaza to return to 'normal.' Be sure to lobby your MP and even the PM himself.

Condemnation of house demolitions

But what action is going to be taken?

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/06/201062411715429597.html

Nir Barkat's plan given the go-ahead

After plans to demolish homes were halted earlier this year, the plan to build a 'tourist centre' has been approved. Some 80 Palestinian families look to be displaced as their homes face demolition.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/06/201062112534556173.html

What the Israeli newspaper has to say about it:
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/u-s-east-jerusalem-demolitions-undermine-trust-vital-for-israel-pa-talks-1.297471

Take a few extra moments to read the comments left by readers.

Inside Story by AlJazeera English

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHn5uOWdUPA&playnext_from=TL&videos=ukjiutdak0U&feature=sub

Breaching the Border

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zssMX1aiWB4&playnext_from=TL&videos=5XARaIrwDcQ&feature=grec_browse

Take note of the breach of the border agreed on by the UN. Slowly but surely, the palestinians are being pushed out of their land.

A look back into the past:

In the year 1993, we saw the Oslo Accords proposed that Israel would return the palestinians 22% of their homeland- ie the West Bank and Gaza. This of course did not follow through and it was not until the year 2000 that the palestinians were presented another 'offer.' This time the proposer of the deal, Ehud Barack, the then PM. The Palestinians were offered 80% of the occupied territores of Gaza and the West bank.Unfortunatly, they were to recieve only a fraction of this offer with the 'security barrier' being constructed across the West Bank. By this, Ariel Sharon had:

"devised a miserly take-it-or-leave-it deal: the Palestinians can have a state on 42% of the 80% of the 22% of the 100% of their original homeland."
-Source: Disappearing Palestine by Jonathan Cook.

Statment released following the Israeli cabinet meeting

Following the recent surge in widespread international condemnation of the illegal blockade, Israel has said it will release a statement containing a list of goods not allowed into the strip; as opposed to the previous ever-changing list of goods allowed in:

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/06/20106219935895508.html

http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/Communication/Spokesman/2010/06/spokemediniyut206010.htm

But what will change in terms of the naval blockade? The healthcare system has collapsed and as a result people are dying. Will they be granted easy/easier passage across the strict border? Ultimately, the question here is what will be allowed in to help the people of Gaza rebuild?

Gaza flotilla account of events- Jamal Elsheyyal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWYKHcwrak0&feature=related

I am so ashamed of the British government. They did nothing to protect the rights of one of their citizens, who was illegally taken into custody by the IDF.

There are several testimonials published from those on board the Mavi Mamara. I will post as many as I can in due course.

Condemnation of the Gaza Blockade

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/06/201061452646659588.html

Palestinian Forum in Britain event

Caroline Glick's disturbing parody

This video has left me speechless and appalled. How insulting to those who lost their lives trying to bring aid to a people living under an illegal blockade.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOGG_osOoVg&feature=player_embedded

I found the following excerpt from an entry by Ayman Mohyeldin- an Al Jazeera correspondant, based in Gaza- on the Middle East blog via the Al Jazeera English website:
On Friday afternoon, the Israeli Government issued the following email:
Due to a misunderstanding on our part, earlier today we inadvertently issued a video link that had been sent for our perusal. It was not intended for general release. The contents of the video in no way represent the official policy of either the Government Press Office or of the State of Israel.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
Thank you for your patients and understanding.
Efraim Roseman

I would just like to point out that I found the video on youtube and as of yet it has not been removed.

The week the world remembered Gaza

The week the world remembered Gaza: "Al Jazeera Blogs"

I would like to highlight the following excerpts from the blog entry:

"It seemed Gaza was no longer a story.

And then the Freedom Flotilla set sail from Cyprus.

Suddenly people were interested again. What was really happening in this tiny strip of land – blockaded on land, by sea and in the air – and what was the international community doing about it?"

"However the flotilla was also bringing hope. Hope that maybe the siege could be broken and that the international community would take action.

Instead there have been statements, condemnations and resolutions.

And so the siege continues.

The international spotlight is fading away from Gaza, moving onto the United Nations, Turkey, Israel and the US.

And as it fades, the feeling that the world has not forgotten Gaza is also starting to slip away."

These statements made by Al Jazeera reporter Nicole Johnston are, sadly, so very true. We are all guilty of forgetting Gaza one way or another. We, not only as an international community but as individuals, must speak out for the people of Gaza.

Turkish survivors of flotilla raid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfIN0-ccM28&feature=channel

Echoes of the past in Israeli ship raid

Echoes of the past in Israeli ship raid: "Al Jazeera Blogs"

Andrew Wander is a journalist for Al Jazeera English. This entry, although quite old now, highlights some interesting parallels.

Updates

Eyewitness account from British activist Sarah Colborne who was on board the Flotilla headed to Gaza:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swg-nFZS6so

Lawyers for Palestinian Human rights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HgmJH0NZZk&feature=watch_response

And here is the link to the document mentioned at the beginning of the video posted above:
http://www.lphr.org.uk/FlotilliaIL_QA/LPHR_FlotilliaIL_QA.pdf

Another aid ship is to be sent to Gaza:
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/06/20106451226156655.html

Again, just a reminder that there is a national demonstration on Saturday 5th June, at 1pm. Assemble at Downing Street. The demonstration will make its way to the Israeli Embassy.

Article from Mark Steel- The Independant

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/mark-steel/mark-steel-of-course-they-were-asking-for-it-1988684.html

Israel deports Gaza aid activists

The foreign activists on board the Mavi Mamara have been released without charge and returned to their country of origin. It has been reported that four of the activists on board the flotilla remain in prison. The four in Israeli detention are Palestinian-Israelis, they include Sheikh Raed Salah.

In a live address by Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu, he made a statement in which he labelled the flotilla as a 'hate boat' with 'hamas sympathiser' on board. Unfortunatly I have been unable to get hold of the video as of yet.

Watching the PM and his spokesman Mark Regev, along with many other Israeli officials, one is left with many a question. It is unclear why they carried out the raid on the Mavi Mamara. Questions are further being raised after the Israeli government released a statment saying that the aid on board the ship was 'unnecessary,' as the Israeli authorities were releasing materials and food on a daily basis into Gaza. Apparently what was being sent into Gaza was deemed as 'enough' to sustain the people of the strip. Yet, the materials (etc) that have been recovered are now being sent into Gaza. So which is it?

END THE SIEGE ON GAZA
Stop the War Coalition is looking for stewards for this Saturday (5th June). The demonstration is to be held at 1pm outside Downing Street. If you are able to help out, please contact the STWC. Details on how to contact them can be found on their website
http://www.stopwar.org.uk/

Update

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87n4vRDDosA&playnext_from=TL&videos=ePuxygq9ucc&feature=sub

A national demonstration is to be held in London this Saturday (5th June). 1pm. Assemble at Downing street.

If you know of any upcoming protests where you are get in contact and I will post the information here.

For those unable to attend the demonstrations be sure to lobby your MP. Urge that action be taken following this incident.

Inside story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyn0-VB5iFI&playnext_from=TL&videos=ZtYMvCZiyII&feature=sub

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dY2hkfTgEI&feature=related

Courtesy of Al Jazeera news channel.

Israel's Flotilla raid

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2010/05/31/live-coverage-israels-flotilla-raid

URGENT PROTEST TODAY (TUESDAY 1ST JUNE) 5PM. GATHER OUTSIDE ISRAELI EMBASSY (SOUTH KENSINGTON).