Mavi Marmara: They were shooting to kill
from the Morning Star
Friday 4th June 2010
The Israeli massacre of unarmed campaigners aboard a ship carrying aid to Gaza is the "Sharpeville and Soweto of the Movement for Palestinian Solidarity," one of those who survived the bloodthirsty assault has said.
Speaking to the Star from Istanbul shortly after his release from an Israeli jail British campaigner Kevin Ovenden, who was aboard the Mavi Marmara - the boat that bore the brunt of a terrifying raid by gun-toting Israeli commandos - described the attack as a "murderous assault" and "an act of political terrorism."
Israeli security forces stormed the Mavi Marmara in international waters on Sunday night as it ferried 500 unarmed protesters towards Gaza.
The assault killed nine and injured dozens more, sparking worldwide condemnation.
Israel attempted to claim that its shock troops acted in self-defence after coming under attack, blaming the protesters for provoking the situation and being "terrorist supporters."
But Mr Ovenden told the Morning Star: "This was a peaceful humanitarian mission in international waters. The youngest person on board was not yet one, the oldest was 88 years old.
"We had no weapons on board. The Israelis are displaying knives taken from the kitchen. People did defend themselves with whatever was at hand.
"The attack started with percussion grenades and we feared they would use tear gas. The Israeli commandos attacked from all sides and began shooting almost immediately, initially with so-called rubber bullets but certainly within two or three minutes we heard the unmistakable sound of live rounds.
"A colleague from Viva Palestina , Nicci Enchmarch, was next to a Turkish man who was holding a camera. He was shot through the middle of the forehead. The exit wound blew away the back of his skull and she cradled him in her arms as he died."
At least four of those killed were shot through the head, he said.
Mr Ovenden praised the Turkish crew of the vessel as "truly heroic in their attempts to prevent further loss of life," saying they had taken two injured Israeli soldiers inside the ship to prevent them being hurt further in the panic and chaos.
Appeals to the Israeli forces telling them their soldiers were safe and that there were wounded people who needed assistance were ignored, he said.
"Where people had been sleeping was turned into a makeshift triage area. This turned into a makeshift mortuary. Despite repeated requests the Israeli forces refused to evacuate any of the injured for more than an hour.
"I saw severely injured people dragged like sacks of potatoes up the stairwells, their bodies banging against the steel."
Mr Ovenden was transported to BeerSheeva jail where he was held until his eventual release and extradition.
The brutality and degradation continued throughout their ordeal only improving slightly when the British consular official arrived at the prison.
Summing up the horrific events aboard the Mavi Marmara, he said: "This is the Sharpeville and Soweto of the movement for Palestinian solidarity and it must mark a turning point in world opinion and in the actions of governments around the world to end this immoral and illegal siege and the treatment the Israelis mete out to Palestinians.
"We experienced it for 48 hours but they have endured this for 62 years."
Despite the horrific ordeal Mr Ovenden said he would be prepared to make the trip again after the families of some of those murdered asked that their loss not be in vain.
Morning Star
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Friday, 4 June 2010
BREAK OPEN BREAKY BOTTOM!!
ACTION FOR ACCESS
Walking and working for a people’s countryside
BREAK OPEN BREAKY BOTTOM!!
DEFEND THE RIGHT TO ROAM !
Press release, May 29th 2010. Contact Dave: T. 01273 620 815, dave.bangs@virgin.net or Kim: kim.icity@googlemail.com
On Saturday 12th June Kate Ashbrook, the redoubtable Secretary of the Open Spaces Society, with many walkers and other lovers of the South Downs, led by Action For Access, will be demonstrating against the exclusion of the public from a piece of ‘freedom to roam’ downland at Breaky Bottom slope, TQ 404 053, on the Rodmell Downs between Brighton and Lewes, East Sussex.
We meet at Southease Station (on the rail line from Lewes to Newhaven and Seaford) at 10.35am.
The slope is a lovely and ancient down pasture site with grand views and lots of the old wildlife you get on what’s left of our traditional flowery chalk grasslands.
The landowner, who owns and lives at a vineyard in the valley bottom, has ‘pulled out all the stops’ to prevent the public enjoying their new freedom on his land.
He objected to the slope’s new rights of public access:
- because he didn’t want the public enjoying this downland near to his home and business;
- because he wanted to protect his shooting rights over the ground;
- and because there was a tiny disused chalk quarry at one end of the site.
Though his appeal was rejected on the first two grounds, he won a restriction order excluding the public from all this site because the tiny quarry was deemed a hazard.
At present, Natural England - at its most supine - is colluding in the landowner’s hostility to access by renewing, in a modified form, this restriction order on the site, first granted at appeal.
“More fencing than Guantanamo”
This landowner has failed to fence the quarry even though he has just spent £15,000 on re-fencing the entire access land site and fragmenting it into four barbed wire paddocks. Yet all that is needed is a mere 70 metres of fencing for this quarry to be made safe enough to satisfy Natural England’s requirements for the re-opening of the site.
His farm earns him the title of “the most-fenced farm on the South Downs”, with every vine row, tiny paddock and field, fenced or hedged.
And the local authority, Lewes District Council, has so far failed to take the action they are empowered to take under the Mines and Quarries Acts to fence the small chalk pit and thus enable the site to be re-opened.
Our demonstration seeks to put pressure on the local Council, Natural England, and the landowner to give us back our right to walk this ancient downland site. It serves notice that no such acts of selfishness will go unchallenged.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Walking and working for a people’s countryside
BREAK OPEN BREAKY BOTTOM!!
DEFEND THE RIGHT TO ROAM !
Press release, May 29th 2010. Contact Dave: T. 01273 620 815, dave.bangs@virgin.net or Kim: kim.icity@googlemail.com
On Saturday 12th June Kate Ashbrook, the redoubtable Secretary of the Open Spaces Society, with many walkers and other lovers of the South Downs, led by Action For Access, will be demonstrating against the exclusion of the public from a piece of ‘freedom to roam’ downland at Breaky Bottom slope, TQ 404 053, on the Rodmell Downs between Brighton and Lewes, East Sussex.
We meet at Southease Station (on the rail line from Lewes to Newhaven and Seaford) at 10.35am.
The slope is a lovely and ancient down pasture site with grand views and lots of the old wildlife you get on what’s left of our traditional flowery chalk grasslands.
The landowner, who owns and lives at a vineyard in the valley bottom, has ‘pulled out all the stops’ to prevent the public enjoying their new freedom on his land.
He objected to the slope’s new rights of public access:
- because he didn’t want the public enjoying this downland near to his home and business;
- because he wanted to protect his shooting rights over the ground;
- and because there was a tiny disused chalk quarry at one end of the site.
Though his appeal was rejected on the first two grounds, he won a restriction order excluding the public from all this site because the tiny quarry was deemed a hazard.
At present, Natural England - at its most supine - is colluding in the landowner’s hostility to access by renewing, in a modified form, this restriction order on the site, first granted at appeal.
“More fencing than Guantanamo”
This landowner has failed to fence the quarry even though he has just spent £15,000 on re-fencing the entire access land site and fragmenting it into four barbed wire paddocks. Yet all that is needed is a mere 70 metres of fencing for this quarry to be made safe enough to satisfy Natural England’s requirements for the re-opening of the site.
His farm earns him the title of “the most-fenced farm on the South Downs”, with every vine row, tiny paddock and field, fenced or hedged.
And the local authority, Lewes District Council, has so far failed to take the action they are empowered to take under the Mines and Quarries Acts to fence the small chalk pit and thus enable the site to be re-opened.
Our demonstration seeks to put pressure on the local Council, Natural England, and the landowner to give us back our right to walk this ancient downland site. It serves notice that no such acts of selfishness will go unchallenged.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Mark Regev's replacement........
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
RAGE AGAINST ISRAEL NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION, LONDON, 5 JUNE
The astounding turnout at Monday's emergency protest, when at only a few hours notice, thousands laid siege to David Cameron's residence in Downing Street and then marched to the Israeli Embassy (see http://bit.ly/aEMHws), was a reflection of the intense rage at Israel's deadly attack on the Gaza flotilla, felt by millions worldwide.
Ours was just one of hundreds of protests that took place in towns and cities across the globe.
A national demonstration in London this Saturday 5 June has been called by Stop the War, CND, BMI, PCS and Viva Palestina. The Gaza Flotilla March will assemble at Downing Street at 1.30 and march to the Israeli Embassy.
Monday's emergency demonstration showed how fast we can mobilise if we use all available means to spread the word as fast as possible. Please do all you can to publicise the demonstration among your friends, in your workplace, in your trade union, in your college or school, in your community group etc.
GAZA FLOTILLA MARCH: SATURDAY 5 JUNE END THE SIEGE OF GAZA: FREEDOM FOR PALESTINE ASSEMBLE DOWNING STREET LONDON 1.30PM
We urge all local Stop the War groups and trade union branches affiliated to Stop the War to bring their banners on the march.
FOR UPDATES, PLEASE GO TO THE STOP THE WAR WEBSITE REGULARLY: http://bit.ly/aEMHws
Ours was just one of hundreds of protests that took place in towns and cities across the globe.
A national demonstration in London this Saturday 5 June has been called by Stop the War, CND, BMI, PCS and Viva Palestina. The Gaza Flotilla March will assemble at Downing Street at 1.30 and march to the Israeli Embassy.
Monday's emergency demonstration showed how fast we can mobilise if we use all available means to spread the word as fast as possible. Please do all you can to publicise the demonstration among your friends, in your workplace, in your trade union, in your college or school, in your community group etc.
GAZA FLOTILLA MARCH: SATURDAY 5 JUNE END THE SIEGE OF GAZA: FREEDOM FOR PALESTINE ASSEMBLE DOWNING STREET LONDON 1.30PM
We urge all local Stop the War groups and trade union branches affiliated to Stop the War to bring their banners on the march.
FOR UPDATES, PLEASE GO TO THE STOP THE WAR WEBSITE REGULARLY: http://bit.ly/aEMHws
Naming our Gaza Freedom Flotilla Heroes - Manchester 1st June
In this speech the missing UK activists are named. Where are they??? Among them is Respect National Council member Kevin Ovenden (pictured)
Respect statement on Israel's attack on Gaza Flotilla
PRESS RELEASE (Embargo: Immediate)
End the blockade. End the Israeli terror
Bags of cement, medical supplies, construction supplies. In the weeks since the third land convoy breached the Israeli blockade of Gaza, funds have been raised to fill a flotilla of six ships with these essential goods that the Israeli blockade of Gaza denies the Palestinian people. Since the appalling assault of Operation Cast Lead, Israel has prevented reconstruction or education in Gaza.
Viva Palestina, the Free Gaza Movement and the Gaza solidarity movement are expressions of the world wide mobilization to end the blockade. Today, at least 19 of our brothers and sisters died for the crime of daring to bring human assistance to the Palestinian people. More than 25 have been injured and 16 thrown into Israeli jails. Others are under arrest and being held. The desperately needed supplies were confiscated and towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod. 10,000 tonnes of human assistance has been taken.
The Respect Party is outraged at this murder. Our Turkish and Arab brothers and sisters whose lives were taken were brave and extraordinary people. When Respect Party members launched Viva Palestina, we found an entire movement of people willing to sacrifice all for the Palestinian people – we found that we are all Palestinian.
The ships were boarded in international waters. It was an act of piracy and murder. The Israeli government lies about the resistance to its piracy. The only guns on the ships were carried by Israeli commandos.
The Respect Party believes that the case for ending the blockade of Gaza is overwhelming. Israel is acting against international law and United Nations resolutions. The UN has declared the situation in Gaza to border on a human disaster. We demand the lifting of the blockade immediately and the transfer of the supplies on the flotilla to Gaza forthwith.
Every activist on the flotilla must be immediately released and allowed to return to their home. Those arrested must be released and those injured brought home as soon as medically possible. Respect Party Executive Committee member, Kevin Ovenden, is among those arrested. He has played a leading role in each of the Viva Palestina convoys and we demand his immediate unharmed release. His role in supporting Palestine is heroic and he deserves honour for his tireless sacrifice.
It is time to diplomatically isolate the Israeli government. This act of piracy must be answered in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Article 100. We demand that the British government close the Israeli embassy, expel the Israeli ambassador and recall the British ambassador in Israel. The British government contains ministers who have argued against the blockade – it is time to make a stand for Palestine and to threaten withdrawal from the government unless diplomatic action is taken.
George Galloway, Respect Party National Council and former MP for Bethnal Green and Bow stated: "Israel has massacred unarmed peace activists aboard a flotilla taking emergency aid to the besieged Palestinian people in Gaza. This is a watershed that will change the perception of the world, as Sharpeville and Soweto did to the Apartheid regime in South Africa.
"It unmasks Israel which no-one can now consider a member of the 'international community' but is rather a rogue state, a pariah state.
"The embargo and blockade of Gaza must be brought to an end. This has been underwritten by the United States, by Britain and the European Union, but this has got to end now."
Salma Yaqoob, Respect Party leader and councillor in Sparkbrook, Birmingham condemned the action: “This murderous attack by the Israeli government on an aid convoy sailing in international waters is an act of state sponsored terrorism. It is also an attack on the entire international community.
“Israel acts with such shameless contempt of world opinion because it feels it is above international sanction. And for far too long it has been. This situation must change. The British government must express its outrage at the attack on its citizens and the aid convey in the strongest terms. The British Ambassador should be withdrawn from Israel and the Israeli Ambassador asked to leave Britain. Support should be given to the Palestinian call for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Effective International sanctions must now be applied. The world must unite to send the strongest message that such acts of terrorism will not be tolerated. And the International Palestinian solidarity movement must send the strongest message that we will redouble our efforts to break Israel’s brutal siege of Gaza.”
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
The Respect Party website is at http://www.therespectparty.net/ and can be contacted at therespectparty@gmail.com or 07794 192 670.
Viva Palestina, a registered UK charity (1129092), has the following website http://www.vivapalestina.org/home.htm.
George Galloway’s websites are http://www.votegeorgegalloway.com/and http://www.georgegalloway.com/
Salma Yaqoob’s website is at http://www.salmayaqoob.com/
The Respect Party has received firm evidence that Kevin Ovenden was not harmed in the assault on the flotilla but was among those held. It will monitor his treatment as with all those detained.
Chris Chilvers
Respect National Office/Treasurer
07794 192 670
PO Box 167 Manchester M19 0AH.
therespectparty@gmail.com
End the blockade. End the Israeli terror
Bags of cement, medical supplies, construction supplies. In the weeks since the third land convoy breached the Israeli blockade of Gaza, funds have been raised to fill a flotilla of six ships with these essential goods that the Israeli blockade of Gaza denies the Palestinian people. Since the appalling assault of Operation Cast Lead, Israel has prevented reconstruction or education in Gaza.
Viva Palestina, the Free Gaza Movement and the Gaza solidarity movement are expressions of the world wide mobilization to end the blockade. Today, at least 19 of our brothers and sisters died for the crime of daring to bring human assistance to the Palestinian people. More than 25 have been injured and 16 thrown into Israeli jails. Others are under arrest and being held. The desperately needed supplies were confiscated and towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod. 10,000 tonnes of human assistance has been taken.
The Respect Party is outraged at this murder. Our Turkish and Arab brothers and sisters whose lives were taken were brave and extraordinary people. When Respect Party members launched Viva Palestina, we found an entire movement of people willing to sacrifice all for the Palestinian people – we found that we are all Palestinian.
The ships were boarded in international waters. It was an act of piracy and murder. The Israeli government lies about the resistance to its piracy. The only guns on the ships were carried by Israeli commandos.
The Respect Party believes that the case for ending the blockade of Gaza is overwhelming. Israel is acting against international law and United Nations resolutions. The UN has declared the situation in Gaza to border on a human disaster. We demand the lifting of the blockade immediately and the transfer of the supplies on the flotilla to Gaza forthwith.
Every activist on the flotilla must be immediately released and allowed to return to their home. Those arrested must be released and those injured brought home as soon as medically possible. Respect Party Executive Committee member, Kevin Ovenden, is among those arrested. He has played a leading role in each of the Viva Palestina convoys and we demand his immediate unharmed release. His role in supporting Palestine is heroic and he deserves honour for his tireless sacrifice.
It is time to diplomatically isolate the Israeli government. This act of piracy must be answered in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Article 100. We demand that the British government close the Israeli embassy, expel the Israeli ambassador and recall the British ambassador in Israel. The British government contains ministers who have argued against the blockade – it is time to make a stand for Palestine and to threaten withdrawal from the government unless diplomatic action is taken.
George Galloway, Respect Party National Council and former MP for Bethnal Green and Bow stated: "Israel has massacred unarmed peace activists aboard a flotilla taking emergency aid to the besieged Palestinian people in Gaza. This is a watershed that will change the perception of the world, as Sharpeville and Soweto did to the Apartheid regime in South Africa.
"It unmasks Israel which no-one can now consider a member of the 'international community' but is rather a rogue state, a pariah state.
"The embargo and blockade of Gaza must be brought to an end. This has been underwritten by the United States, by Britain and the European Union, but this has got to end now."
Salma Yaqoob, Respect Party leader and councillor in Sparkbrook, Birmingham condemned the action: “This murderous attack by the Israeli government on an aid convoy sailing in international waters is an act of state sponsored terrorism. It is also an attack on the entire international community.
“Israel acts with such shameless contempt of world opinion because it feels it is above international sanction. And for far too long it has been. This situation must change. The British government must express its outrage at the attack on its citizens and the aid convey in the strongest terms. The British Ambassador should be withdrawn from Israel and the Israeli Ambassador asked to leave Britain. Support should be given to the Palestinian call for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Effective International sanctions must now be applied. The world must unite to send the strongest message that such acts of terrorism will not be tolerated. And the International Palestinian solidarity movement must send the strongest message that we will redouble our efforts to break Israel’s brutal siege of Gaza.”
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
The Respect Party website is at http://www.therespectparty.net/ and can be contacted at therespectparty@gmail.com or 07794 192 670.
Viva Palestina, a registered UK charity (1129092), has the following website http://www.vivapalestina.org/home.htm.
George Galloway’s websites are http://www.votegeorgegalloway.com/and http://www.georgegalloway.com/
Salma Yaqoob’s website is at http://www.salmayaqoob.com/
The Respect Party has received firm evidence that Kevin Ovenden was not harmed in the assault on the flotilla but was among those held. It will monitor his treatment as with all those detained.
Chris Chilvers
Respect National Office/Treasurer
07794 192 670
PO Box 167 Manchester M19 0AH.
therespectparty@gmail.com
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