Building Materiels Needed For Winter In Gaza

It is being reported today that Gaza is in desperate need of building materiels to rebuild apartments and homes destroyed during the siege on Gaza last winter by Israel.

Many of the wealthy in Gaza have been able to purchase block on the black market, but the poor and displaced that are living in tents have no money for such materiels.

Israel has stated that concrete and rebar would not be allowed into Gaza.

Please, write your Senator, your President, your Congressman, AIPAC-and demand that Gazans be afforded the same safety and security from the elements as the Israelis.

-The Dork

"In Defense of Rachel Corrie"

HuffPo posted a blog story about Rachel Corrie, the International Solidarity Movement volunteer that was run over by a bulldozer by IOF Forces on March 16, 2003.

Please read: http://bit.ly/4lWHIS

-The Dork

Mahmoud Abbas

Burying the U.N. report on Israeli War Crimes? FAIL!

-The Dork

Bibi Loves His Apartheid Wall

Today Reuters is reporting that Netanyahu has decided the Apartheid Wall will stay for the time being. Citing the need for 'safety' and stating that "it is quiet because of the fence" is supposed to convince the World watching that an Apartheid Wall is just a 'fence'. http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE56L39W20090722

Have you seen this "fence"? http://www.flickr.com/photos/itfcfan/68722904 -courtesy of John Levermore

*sigh*

I think Bibi needs a "fence" just for him. One that closes off his ideas. One that chokes off freedom of movement, freedom of seeing his family, one that separates him from the beauty of his land on which he once grew olives and carnations.

This man is not going to abide by the Oslo Accords of 1993. He will not abandon the idea that The lands of Palestine are his for the taking.

Which, my friends, means that we must continue and increase our efforts to write letters, e-mails and blogs about Palestine. We must continue to boycott Israeli Companies and companies that support Israel's War Machine against Palestine (and others...).

We must, if we can, donate time, goods, talents or money to Palestinian relief efforts and International Solidarity Movement.

The plight of Gaza and the West bank are not over. There are still (maybe a few) homes left for the Israeli Army to raze. There are still farmers and fishermen being shot at daily. There are still arrests happening daily in the West Bank. There are still children and elders without medicines, fresh, clean water and basic nutrition and sanitation, there is still depleted uranium on the ground in Gaza.

Please. I know times are tough for us Westerners financially. But we live in the lap of luxury compared to those in Palestine. Find it in your heart to sign a petition if nothing else, in favor of aiding the situation in Palestine.

-The Dork

Who Used Children As Human Shields?

As Israel continues it's story of Hamas using Gazan children as human shields, Amnesty International has compiled a report that will go to the U.N. that cites evidence of the IOF using Gazan children as shields while invading and taking over their homes.

Here is an article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090702/ts_nm/us_palestinians_israel_gaza_amnesty_1

Keep writing your government officials and keep up the fight for freedom and restitution to Gaza.

-The Dork

ISM Boat Boarded and Prisoners of Conscience Taken

The Israeli Occupation Forces have boarded the ISM boat bound for Gaza and taken prisoners.

http://palsolidarity.org/2009/06/7430

The Occupation and Seige of Gaza continues, people and today the Gazans still have no clean water, no building materiels, no medicines.

Please donate money to International Solidarity movement, write letters to your government begging them to lift the Seige on Gaza, Tweet to your friends & family. These poor children do not deserve the hate and enmity of the Israeli's.

GO ISM!! My thoughts and prayers are always with you and your comrades.

-The Dork

WAHOO! Public Opinion Changes The Tides!

Please read and dance a happy dance!

http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1093870.html

What we do is working! What we do matters! Keep it up, though! Gaza is still not free!

-The Dork

Why I Love Jimmy Carter

I was a small child when Jimmy Carter became President of the United States. Although I recall my "fiscally" Republican mother feeling Carter was a "wimp" and "ineffectual", I felt even then that this was a non-threatening man, a fair man, a man that truly felt pain over the Iran Hostage Crisis. Now as a tree hugging liberal Democrat (sorry, Mom) I still love Jimmy Carter.

This week, Mr. Carter is in Syria, once again stating the case for the inclusion of Hamas in a peace deal. He understands that to exclude a group of people elected by the people of Gaza would be akin to spitting in the face of "democracy" for Palestine. We as Americans, can guide the process, but cannot dictate the terms or the people involved.

Here's an article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/11/carter-hamas-critical-to-_n_214342.html

This is a man that truly understands the myriad dynamics and truly cares about each person's point of view. And I for one, am gladdened to know that he represents our country and represents what it is to fight for peace and humanity.

-The Dork

International Solidarity Movement's Letter to President Obama

Please read...

An open letter to President Obama from the Free Gaza Movement
Posted on: June 3, 2009
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Free Gaza Movement
3 June 2009
Dear President Obama,
Tomorrow you travel to Egypt to give one of the most important speeches of your presidency. With the words you deliver you have said that you want to “reset” U.S. relations with the Muslim world and create a fundamental change for the better. We sincerely wish you well. But you have also said that “part of being a good friend is being honest.” Let’s be honest.
Israel’s ongoing occupation and colonization of Palestinian land and the United States’ unquestioned financial, military and political support for Israel is at the heart of the negative perceptions and bitter anger that many Arabs and Muslims have of the United States. Tomorrow, we hope to hear from you a commitment to aligning U.S. policy in the Middle East with U.N. Resolutions and international law.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights gives everyone the right to freely enter and exit one’s own country. You will exercise this right when you arrive in Egypt tomorrow and then return to the United States. This is a right that Palestinians–particularly those trapped in Gaza–are routinely denied.
Over 200 Palestinian medical patients in Gaza, many critically ill, are unable to seek adequate treatment because Israeli authorities regularly deny Palestinian patients the right to travel abroad to receive the medical treatment that is not available in Gaza; at the same time import of many medicines and medical equipment into Gaza is prevented by Israel.
Over 700 Palestinian students in Gaza, many with scholarships, are unable to attend their universities abroad because Israel regularly denies them this right.
Thousands of Palestinians abroad are unable to visit their families because Israel will not allow them to re-enter their own country.
When you arrive in Egypt you will travel to your accommodations in a car maintained with spare parts banned to Palestinians, powered by gasoline denied to the people of Gaza. You will use electric lights that do not often work in Gaza, because Israel blocks the fuel needed to run Gaza’s electrical grid. You may enjoy a cup of coffee or tea during your visit - commodities Israel will not allow into Gaza.
The truth is that Israel lets in less than 20% of the ordinary supplies needed in Gaza, and allows no reconstruction materials whatsoever to enter. As a consequence over 95% of all industries have collapsed, creating massive unemployment and poverty. The purpose of the Israeli blockade is to punish and break an entire people. Collective punishment is strictly prohibited under international law, yet it remains Israel’s primary policy in regards to the Palestinian people.
On June 25th, the Free Gaza Movement sets sail on our eighth voyage to challenge the brutal Israeli blockade of Gaza. Though we have been threatened and our ships rammed by the Israeli navy, we will not be deterred. We sail in the spirit of the Freedom Riders who, in the year you were born, risked their lives so that African-Americans could travel freely in the United States. We sail in the spirit of international cooperation that helped create the United Nations, in the spirit of the international civil resistance that overcame Apartheid.
President Obama, you have based your political career on what you call the “audacity of hope” - the faith that each of us, individually and collectively, can change things for the better. But faith without action is dead. We too believe in hope, but from our experience we know that hope alone will not change the world. Like you, we know that the price and promise of our mutual humanity demands that each of us treat one another with dignity and respect, and that all of us strive to insure that our sisters and brothers around the world are free to make of their lives what they will, and pursue their full measure of happiness.
Mister President, you led the fight in the U.S. Senate to insure that aid was actually delivered to people after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. A man-made disaster continues to devastate the people of Gaza; due to Israel’s ongoing hermetic closure of the Gaza Strip over 80% of the population there require food assistance just in order to survive. We hope your speech tomorrow in Egypt is successful but, at a minimum, you must use your privilege to demand and secure open access to Gaza for all international humanitarian, reconstruction, and developmental supplies. Words matter, but words are not enough.
We in the Free Gaza Movement will sail to Gaza again and again and again, in vigorous unarmed resistance, until the Israeli blockade is forever shattered and the Palestinian people have free access to the rest of the world.
Please recognize that the fact that we even have to ask (let alone risk our lives) to be allowed to provide food to the hungry, medicine to the sick, and shelter to the homeless is in itself an obscenity. We look forward to hearing from you an uncompromising commitment for the immediate end of the criminal siege of Gaza, as well as an assurance that respect for the human rights, dignity and equality of the Palestinian people will be at the core of your administration’s policy toward the Israeli-Arab conflict.
Sincerely Yours,The Free Gaza Movement Board of Directors
Huwaida Arraf, JDGreta BerlinEliza ErnshireDerek GrahamFathi JaouadiRamzi Kysia
Updated on June 3, 2009Posted under: Press ReleasesTags: Free Gaza Movement, Gaza, international law, naval blockade

ISM Reports that depleted uranium is found in Gaza

International Solidarity is reporting that independent lab studies confirm the presence of depleted uranium in Gaza. Here's the link to the post: http://gaza08.blogspot.com/2009/05/yes-depleated-uranianium-in-gaza.html

Don't give up writing and contacting your government if this disturbs you. They only move when we tell them to en masse. We must be unified in our voice for freedom and human rights.

-The Dork

Hillary says it's "unhelpful"

I cannot believe that the understatement of the Century is that Israeli destruction of Palestinian homes and continued building of settlements on Palestine lands is "unhelpful".

Seriously?

I mean, seriously?

Unhelpful...

I believe that what is "unhelpful", Hillary and Barack, is the fact that virtually no U.S. Government official will admit what the rest of the World sees happening in Palestine. No U.S. Government official is willing to sacrifice his/her career to the greater good of the planet. No U.S. Government official wants to accept responsibility and a role in genocide and apartheid in Palestine.

Our money will mean nothing until we do what is right by Palestine. And that is to stay the hand of Zionism and racism in Palestine (and the U.S. are the only ones to do it-it means nothing to Palestine otherwise).

To be "helpful" would be to admit our wrongs in the past.
To be "helpful" would be to concede that when you ask people to democratically elect a government, you ought to help that government govern, rather than scream "terrorist!" and ignore the voice of a nation of people.
To be "helpful" would be to prove to the Middle East that we are interested in human rights for all, not just ourselves and those we deem "worthy" of Sovereignty.

Seriously? Settlement building is "unhelpful"?

-The Dork

"I can't believe the news today. I can't close my eyes and make it go away.

How long, how long must we sing this song? How long?"

Heard this old U2 song today, made me cry. I feel so helpless and futile when it comes to Gaza (and so many other places where children do not have enough and are frightened).

I read about the International Solidarity Movement and feel as though I would give anything to be with them in Gaza and feel as though I am truly "helping", but as I read Natalie's posts, I hear the same sense of frustration and anger that the World is the way it is. I hear the weariness in her "voice" of the horrible things she experiences and things she sees.

I try to understand that the Universe places us exactly where we're needed, but how many e-mails and letters and donations can I write or make and feel like I am actually accomplishing anything?

I can only hope that as many people feel like me as there are stars in the sky, and that there will be some way, some way, for the Universe to get our message and know that we crave peace on this Earth.

-The Dork

So Israel is still forcing it's hand upon Gazans.

And still they are hungry, cold, without fuel or food or safety or...support from us...

The International World is with Gaza...please be a part of the World and participate in the future freedom of your own children..

A 21 year old woman from Lebanon is recording, reporting, working aid for, speaking to politicians, tv stations, and trying to begin a revolution of Peace for the Middle East. (see what she does at the blog "Moments of Gaza" in my blog list.)

And we can sit by idly?

This young woman inspires me to want to do and be more to this World Community.

Please, write your President, your Senators, the U.N. See the links here and sign petitions, join groups in solidarity with Palestine, march, e-mail the Israeli Occupation Forces (who so kindly provided an e-mail address for Gazans to snitch on eachother) at helpgaza2008.gmail.com and let them know what you think of their war of "self-defense".

I can't travel, but I can write letters and e-mails. I can sign petitions, I can march, I can!

Can You?

-The Dork

Today, reading blogs, news, etc. Found this on HuffPo regarding Obama's appointment of George Mitchell to broker peace in the Palestine/Israel conflict.

I have many times referred to what is happening in Palestine as similar to the "Troubles" in Ireland.

In Irish history, a foreign power (England) planted foreign people (Scots Presbytarians and English Anglicans) on Irish land, dispossesing many natives of family lands and livelihood. They were taxed unmercifully by the British and left to starve when a famine broke out among the native population. Meanwhile, England exported tons of food and textiles from Ireland to other shores while Irish people were eating grass to survive. Many languished and died in prisons for in ability to pay taxes to the Queen of England.

During this time, groups of Irish men formed to lead a rebellion against England. This was the Irish Republican Army. They wanted the county of Northern Ireland rid of "transplants" from Scotland known as The Orangemen. Today, we would call them terrorists.

Just like we call Hamas terrorist.

So, George Mitchell brokered peace after 700 years of anmity in Ireland. Can he do the same in Palestine? I sincerely hope so. Here's the link to the piece:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mj-rosenberg/at-last-an-honest-broker_b_160352.html

-The Dork

I am so angry at indifference!

Natalie Abou Shakra is safe-for now-as is the host family she was staying with, however that family no longer has a home. It has been destroyed. But, thankfully, their little boy survived.

I am waiting rather impatiently to hear what Mr. Obama has to say about the devastation and horror Israel has wreaked upon the Palestinian people. They are Genocidists!

Indifference sucks, people.

Write a letter to Obama. Write an e-mail to your Senators. Let the folks at the blog "Moments of Gaza" know you are thinking of them and working on their behalf.

Don't be indifferent...

Well, Israel pulls out just as Barack Obama becomes President. How predictable.

And because Gaza has no title to statehood, cannot sue Israel for war crimes.

This is just all too convenient, eh?

I'm sickened. Disgusted. Angry. Sad.

Natalie from "Moments of Gaza" hasn't posted in 4-5 days and was talking about traveling to a dangerous area to check on a family she stayed with. I am worried for her and her host family.

I only have hope in the fact that so many around the World protested against this massacre of Innocents and saw-even with journalistic blockades-what the Israelis have done. They cannot hide behind"America" any longer, when so many of us refuse to continue voting for weapons-dealers (i.e.-our government). When so many of us have asked for investigation. When so many of us finally-finally!-learned the truth about Palestine.

The World is on the verge of history tomorrow. Can we finally change the World? Can we?

I can only hope...and continue working for it.

Hah! The US government does get it, they just don't announce it out loud. Read this article...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/15/pentagon-munitions-israel-gaza

I also read that Condi Rice has called Israel's government today after the UN bombing.

This, however, does not help the immediate need for a ceasefire and aid to the people of Gaza.

-The Dork

I wrote my letter to Harry Mitchell asking him to consider Dennis Kucinich's proposal for a resolution for Gaza. Wouldn't let me post here because it goes through the website, darn it.

Please, if you haven't yet...send ONE e-mail to your local government asking them to support Gaza.

No news on Natalie, but they say that Israel has killed a top Hamas leader in Gaza, bombed a hospital, UN safe zones, aid warehouses, journalists and TV stations. I wonder what happens next? I wishI knew that Natalie was safe...

-The Dork

And if you are still sitting there thinking that "Israel has a right...", do they have the right to destroy a U.N. warehouse full of food and supplies donated from around the World? Do they have the right to hit a Red Crescent (our Red Cross) pharmacy? Do they have the right to rain blazing phosphorus on U.N. installations they have hit before? Do they have the right to hit hospitals where the injured already are dying? What more do they want?

They are quite purposefully exterminating Gazans-not Hamas-Gazans.

Please do something!

-The Dork

The neighborhood Natalie Abou Shakra is staying in is being raided by Israel. She is at Shifa hospital working and is safe for the time being, but when she returns to the home she is staying in...

My God, I just weep for her and for all of Gaza.

How can we sit and watch this happen as a country?