Blogger and author Antony Loewenstein appeared on ABC’s The Drum and spoke about the second Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. You can watch the full episode here (skip to around 23.15 for Flotilla spot).
Loewenstein said that while it was unlikely the Flotilla would reach its intended destination, the key question regarding the Flotilla was why it was taking place, noting that while ‘a mountain of propaganda from the Israeli government’ tries to suggest otherwise, Gaza remained occupied (by Israel):
…there are profound restrictions on equipment getting in [to Gaza]. … the idea somehow that the Flotilla is designed to support Hamas, which is exactly what the Israeli government say, is nonsense. It is about highlighting to the world, in a way where governments have failed, that Israel occupies Gaza, and more importantly continues to persecute people collectively, which is illegal under international law for that very reason.
Speaking on Israel’s threat to journalists taking part in the Flotilla to cover the story that they could have their equipment seized and receive a ten year ban on entering Israel:
I think the issue of the journalists being threatened is very clear. It is because they are petrified of a different narrative emerging. Last year when there were countless activists who were filming what happened, all the equipment was taken and destroyed, or at least not given back, and the idea this time is they only want to have one narrative which is that Israel has the right to board the ships. You shouldn’t forget one final thing, Israel boarded the ships last year in international waters, so which is essentially an act of piracy.
The Australians taking part in the Flotilla will be on board the ship ‘Tahrir’ with the Canadians. They are currently in Greece undergoing nonviolence training and preparing to set sail to Gaza. On June 3 they wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Julia Gillard explaining their mission and motivation, and formally requesting support. Here is part of what they said:
We … call upon the Government of Australia to remind the Government of Israel of its obligations under international law and to demand the immediate cessation of the blockade. [...]
We … call upon the Australian Government to exert its utmost influence to prevent a repetition of last year’s attack and to ensure the safety of all on board Freedom Flotilla 2.
Gillard through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has said that support will not be extended to the Australians on-board the Flotilla:
Australians aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla 2 have been told by DFAT that Australia, following directives from Israel, will deny these Australian citizens any consular assistance or support should Israel board and detain them.
The full release regarding the Australian government’s response to the Australians taking part in the Freedom Flotilla, including reaction from the former Greens MP taking part in the Flotilla Sylvia Hale, and Professor Jake Lynch of University of Sydney’s Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies can be read here.
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Great story, Kate.
Just noticing that the first para of the Palestinian Relief release has been reworded to read:
‘Australians on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla 2 have been told by DFAT that Israel will deny and restrict consular assistance to them should Israel board their boats and detain them and the Government is accepting this without any protest. The Australian delegates are angry at the failure of the Australian Government to stand up for their rights or Australian sovereignty.’
http://www.palrelief.org/palrelief/page.php?39