With the illegal and fatal act of aggression against the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, Israel has unwittingly handed the international community a rare opportunity to unite in support of the besieged people of Palestine.
Non-violent citizen-led initiatives, exemplified by the Flotilla and the various boycott and divestment campaigns around the world, have risen worldwide in response to Israel's intransigence and lawless behavior.
History has shown that as long as Israel is allowed to act with impunity, it will continue to violate international law. This is why the Palestine Legal Aid Fund is providing advice for the detainees and coordinating the international collection of evidence for use in any future legal case or UN fact-finding mission. The legal cases will not only seek justice for those killed, injured, and detained on the Flotilla, but will also hold Israeli authorities legally accountable, and provoke an examination of the illegal blockade and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In order to counter propaganda from the Israel Ministry of Truth, CODEPINK hopes to liberate the truth with narratives from Ann Wright and other Flotilla passengers on their experiences while traveling to Gaza. You can attend, host, or donate to the flotilla speaking tour.
In related news, the opening of the Rafah border crossing has proven to be nothing more than a Zionist-directed play designed only to pent up public anger, as tested by The Popular Egyptian Convoy, some Gaza Freedom Marchers, and others. Egypt is still not allowing the entry of food, aid, and construction supplies or Palestinian people - with the exception of critically ill patients and humanitarian cases. The Rafah crossing is open only to important media figures, but is closed when the cameras and media representatives are gone.
Given that this unexpected Israeli impetus has renewed hopes for justice in Palestine, we simply must maintain the momentum. Allowing it to dissipate would profane the sacrifices made by the martyrs who gave their lives on the Mavi Marmara.
Keep up the pressure to lift the siege of Gaza,
GFM Team