Israel assaults humanitarians
A boat full of aid for Gaza set sail from Italy earlier this week. The boat was carrying food, water and medical supplies. There were no weapons or ammunition on board. There were twenty-one people including journalists aboard. The boat is named after the Palestinian cartoon character Handala, a barefoot refugee child, seeker of justice, who in resistance to the occupation turned his back to the world and would not turn around until the Palestinians have freedom.
On Saturday, July 26, the Israeli military boarded and took over the boat. According to the AP: “the coalition that operates the vessel Handala said the Israeli military “violently intercepted” the ship in international waters about 40 nautical miles from Gaza, cutting the cameras and communication, just before midnight Saturday.”
All the people on board were detained at gun point and all the supplies were seized including baby formula. International humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Conventions, which Israel signed, protects civilians during conflict. This protection extends to people delivering humanitarian aid. According to international law, the parties to a conflict must allow the rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian relief to civilians in need. It is time for the U.S. to stop sending our tax dollars and billions in weapons to Israel. Collective punishment is the direct opposite of what we SAY are our values.
Janet Simmon
Laconia