Here we are, all fifty of us. Plus a boat. In a bit of a holding pattern, for the time being. Every day we are here longer, the press is heating up. The US State Department appears to have taken notice of us. Three warnings have already gone out, and Secretary Clinton, in an interesting recent statement, announced that:
"We think that it’s not helpful for there to be flotillas that try to provoke actions by entering into Israeli waters and creating a situation in which the Israelis have the right to defend themselves."
(look at the news tab on the right - I posted some interesting stuff there, including her full statement).
Many very very interesting aspects to this statement. Not the least of which is referring to anything the Israelis might do to us, some 50 unarmed American citizens carrying letters, as coming under the title of 'the Israelis ... right to defend themselves'. Going quite the distance beyond the previous position of simply refusing to intercede with Israel to ensure the safety of unarmed Americans, this one actually invites an attack!
Moving right along, 'Israeli waters', now that's an interesting one. According to Israel, Gaza is not under occupation. But if so, how are we going into Israeli water? And suppose Gaza IS under occupation - that would make it Israeli-occupied water. It would become Israeli water only if Israel were to annex Gaza. So is the State Department proposing to recognize an annexation of Gaza by Israel?
And finally, would we be creating a provocation if we sailed to Tel-Aviv? We would certainly be entering Israeli water!
Clinton notes, as well, in the rest of her statement, that "Just this week, the Israeli government approved a significant commitment to housing in Gaza. There will be construction materials entering Gaza." True. After refusing cement and construction material into Gaza for years, all of a sudden, change of policy "Just This Week". Israel also changed its long term policy and allowed, indeed almost invited, a group of European politicians to Gaza. "Just This Week".
Of course none of this whatsoever has any relationship to the oncoming flotilla. We stress that any connection is purely coincidental. None of it is also related to the Israel's ambassador to the UN telling us that "Israel calls on the international community to do everything in their ability in order to prevent the flotilla and warn citizens of countries of the risks of participating in this type of provocation".
Let's face it folks, they are really anxious about this flotilla. What, one wonders, are they so anxious about? And how far will they go to stop us from ever sailing? Several hundred unarmed civilians threatening an unarmed voyage, haven't even left port yet, and we are already doing good by Gaza! So let it be known for the record - Israel only understands pressure!
In the announcements and requests department - because we are in Athens longer than anticipated (more nights in hotels, more eating in restaurants), some passengers are actually facing some financial problems. Do let me know if you think you can help?
"We think that it’s not helpful for there to be flotillas that try to provoke actions by entering into Israeli waters and creating a situation in which the Israelis have the right to defend themselves."
(look at the news tab on the right - I posted some interesting stuff there, including her full statement).
Many very very interesting aspects to this statement. Not the least of which is referring to anything the Israelis might do to us, some 50 unarmed American citizens carrying letters, as coming under the title of 'the Israelis ... right to defend themselves'. Going quite the distance beyond the previous position of simply refusing to intercede with Israel to ensure the safety of unarmed Americans, this one actually invites an attack!
Moving right along, 'Israeli waters', now that's an interesting one. According to Israel, Gaza is not under occupation. But if so, how are we going into Israeli water? And suppose Gaza IS under occupation - that would make it Israeli-occupied water. It would become Israeli water only if Israel were to annex Gaza. So is the State Department proposing to recognize an annexation of Gaza by Israel?
And finally, would we be creating a provocation if we sailed to Tel-Aviv? We would certainly be entering Israeli water!
Clinton notes, as well, in the rest of her statement, that "Just this week, the Israeli government approved a significant commitment to housing in Gaza. There will be construction materials entering Gaza." True. After refusing cement and construction material into Gaza for years, all of a sudden, change of policy "Just This Week". Israel also changed its long term policy and allowed, indeed almost invited, a group of European politicians to Gaza. "Just This Week".
Of course none of this whatsoever has any relationship to the oncoming flotilla. We stress that any connection is purely coincidental. None of it is also related to the Israel's ambassador to the UN telling us that "Israel calls on the international community to do everything in their ability in order to prevent the flotilla and warn citizens of countries of the risks of participating in this type of provocation".
Let's face it folks, they are really anxious about this flotilla. What, one wonders, are they so anxious about? And how far will they go to stop us from ever sailing? Several hundred unarmed civilians threatening an unarmed voyage, haven't even left port yet, and we are already doing good by Gaza! So let it be known for the record - Israel only understands pressure!
In the announcements and requests department - because we are in Athens longer than anticipated (more nights in hotels, more eating in restaurants), some passengers are actually facing some financial problems. Do let me know if you think you can help?
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