Spirit of Humanity: Israel's high sea aggression

Israel has just carried out another act of state piracy in kidnapping twenty one peace activists aboard the Gaza-bound aid ship Spirit of Humanity.

I urge people to register their protests to the Israeli government.

An e-mail to chief Israeli spokesperson, Mark Regev:

Mr Regev,

I'm writing to request a serious explanation for the abduction of twenty one lawful peace activists from the mercy ship Spirit of Humanity. The boat, as you well know, was delivering nothing but humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

As you also know, it was attacked and boarded in international waters, twenty three nautical miles off the Gazan coast. This is indisputably illegal under international law.

You are also, I'm sure, aware that the International Red Cross has just released a key report stating, unequivocally, that 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza are "trapped in despair".

http://www.icrc.org/Web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/palestine-report-260609/$File/gaza-report-ICRC-eng.pdf

Have you the slightest regard for their pain and suffering? Do you understand why Israel is being condemned around the world for these gross violations? Have you any conception of your own part in this outrage and other war crimes?

I look forward to your reply.

John Hilley
Scotland

Please also contact your MPs. Even if your elected member doesn't respond in positive support of the Palestinians and those abducted from the boat, it helps expose their endorsement of Israeli actions and part in British government inaction.

On which (non)expectant note, a letter to my MP, Tom Harris (Glasgow Central):

1 July 2009

Dear Mr Harris,

I'm writing to express my deep concern over the abduction of twenty one peace activists by Israeli naval forces from the mercy ship Spirit of Humanity. Among the crew was Irish Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairéad Maguire and Theresa McDermott from Scotland.

The boat, delivering desperately-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, was attacked and boarded yesterday in international waters, twenty three nautical miles off the Gazan coast. The actions of the Israeli military are clearly illegal under international law.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has just released a key report stating that 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza are "trapped in despair".

http://www.icrc.org/Web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/palestine-report-260609/$File/gaza-report-ICRC-eng.pdf

Their desperate situation has also been highlighted by other charitable organisations.

http://www.cafonline.org/Default.aspx?page=17733

The people of Gaza are, as you know, also still suffering critical hardship after the recent mass Israeli attacks. Thus, there is no valid excuse for the blocking of this aid convoy or those intent on raising awareness of Israel's illegal siege.

As one of your constituents, I'd like you to record your outright condemnation of this unwarranted aggression. I also request that you ask the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to make a strong statement of protest to the Israeli government.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely

John Hilley

-------------------------

A further letter to Tom Harris (2 July 2009).


Dear Mr Harris,

I'm sending you this link citing the latest Amnesty International report, Operation 'Cast Lead': 22 days of death and destruction. It documents Israeli war crimes in Gaza and concludes that the failure to account for those crimes is likely to mean further civilian death and suffering.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/report/impunity-war-crimes-gaza-southern-israel-recipe-further-civilian-suffering-20090702

As head Amnesty field researcher Donatella Rovera notes:

"Israel's failure to properly investigate its forces' conduct in Gaza, including war crimes, and its continuing refusal to cooperate with the UN international independent fact-finding mission headed by Richard Goldstone, is evidence of its intention to avoid public scrutiny and accountability."

I'd like you to read it with reference to my previous communication on the illegal seizing of the mercy ship Spirit of Humanity.

I'd specifically like to know whether you accept these and other Amnesty findings which confirm other evidence of Israeli war crimes and corroborate the latest International Red Cross report stating that the people of Gaza are "trapped in despair".

I look forward to your considered reply.

Yours sincerely,

John Hilley

---------------------

Full Amnesty report here.