Ship to Gaza

A lot of people are already covering the propaganda convoy "Ship to Gaza" effectively, like Anna Veeder, as well as Roy B. Alterman and G. Tikotzinsky on Al Hamatzav (Swedish).

But, for the ones of my readers who have yet not been there, or nevertheless still have a problem seeing the true intention with the initiative, these 8 ships are mostly filled with Israel-hating activists, together with some humanitarian supplies just for show. The amounts of supplies that "Ship to Gaza" are capable of bringing to the territory is not more than what Israel delivers on a more or less daily basis. And do they really believe that they will be able to circumvent Hamas and deliver the supplies to the really needy civilians? Hardly. Hamas is already waiting at the shoreline to welcome their loyal supporters from overseas. To give a hint to what is likely to happen with all the supplies, I can mention the ambulances that Galloway brought to Gaza some months ago, before he was announced persona non grata by Egypt. These vehicles are today according to rumours repainted and used for prisoner transport. And who are these prisoners? Hardly criminals, but merely opposers of the regime.

What really should put the last nail in the coffin to their image as neutral human-rights activists is their refusal to try to deliver a letter and a package, sent from his father, to the captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been in captivity for precisely 1433 days. Gilad Shalit has been denied visitors from anyone, not even the Red Cross or UN and he is in no way comparable to prisoners suspected of committing any crime. He is merely used as an instrument to put pressure on Israel. Where are their humanitarian hearts to find when it comes to Gilad, who did nothing but fulfilling his military service for his country?

Avigdor Lieberman, the infamous Israeli foreign minister, who any sensible person would like to see removed from his chair asap, has of course expressed his rage over the "Ship to Gaza" initiative, but this kind of reaction I find anything but constructive in this situation. Many scenarios have been presented over what Israel could or should do, but I wonder if the best thing would not just be to make a routine search for weapons and weapon-related materials at sea, and not in the Israeli harbour Ashdod, and then let them proceed to their final destination in Gaza. However, I would like to direct all the cameras to the shorelines of Gaza as these "neutral" and "non-political" passengers run straight into the arms of some of the worst oppressors on this planet at this moment, and then maybe even stay there. I think that it would leave off Israel in a better image than what the Lieberman statements will, but it will of course not happen...