Israel’s threat to deny visitors entry to Palestine is as disturbing as it is shocking. Our protest will be a civil society tsunami

Sam Bahour, guardian.co.uk, 5 July 2011

Palestinians have globally touted an array of rights that Israel systematically denies. There is the right of return, the right of freedom of movement, the right to water, the right to education, the right to enter (not to be confused with refugees’ right to return) and so on.

But the right to receive visitors, or lack thereof? This is the most recent addition. The prohibition on freely receiving foreign visitors is as disturbing as it is shocking, especially for a country that claims to be the only beacon of democracy in the Middle East.

Click here to continue reading “Welcome to Palestine – if you can get in” by Sam Bahour.

Maureen Clare Murphy, The Electronic Intifada, 30 June 2011

The Irish Ship to Gaza campaign released documentation today that they say shows the MV Saoirse, docked in the Turkish coastal port of Gocek, was sabotaged in way “intended to endanger and/or inflict injury or death on Irish citizens as they went about their lawful right to sail on the high seas.”

The MV Saoirse was meant to take part in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla which was scheduled to make its way to Gaza this week to break Israel’s naval blockade and siege on the occupied terroritory. It is the second ship to be found damaged and most likely sabotaged.

Meanwhile, Israel, the US State Department and Zionist groups are threatening activists and exerting pressure on all fronts to try to stop the flotilla from sailing.

Click here to continue reading “Irish Ship to Gaza release documentation of boat sabotage” by Maureen Clare Murphy.

“We’re Sulfur-Free and Ready to Sail”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Athens: Donna Nevel, +30-694-266-3852;
New York: Leslie Cagan, 347-581-1782
Twitter @USBoatToGaza

Passengers on the U.S. Boat to Gaza, The Audacity of Hope, invite Greek and international media to inspect The Audacity of Hope at 3 pm Athens time on Thursday, June 30, in the town of Perama (next to Piraeus), 42 Democratis.

The entire boat will be open for view, photography, and video. The captain, crew, and passengers on the boat will be available for interviews and inspection. The cargo of the ship – 3,000 letters from Americans to the people of Gaza – will also be available for view, photographs, and video. Everything that will be on the boat when it sets sail, including food and passengers’ personal medications for use during their voyage, will be available for inspection.

Click here to continue reading “Audacity Invites Media to Inspect Boat and Passengers”.