Action Alert: IDF Attack on Gaza Boats

(Content by our friend, Susanne Hoder of Rhode Island)
During the night in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea Israeli troops attacked the flotilla of six ships carrying 600 volunteers, educational supplies, medicines, and rebuilding materials to the devastated civilian population of the Gaza Strip. At least 10 passengers were killed and about 30 wounded as commandos with guns rappelled down ropes from helicopters onto the boats which had been surrounded by Israeli warships. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64T21820100531

Among the volunteers were Nobel Prize Winner Mairead McGuire from Ireland, Holocaust survivor Hedy Epstein from the United States, and members of several European Parliaments. Some volunteers had been prevented from leaving Cyprus to join the flotilla, and three additional boats had encountered technical problems widely believed to be the result of sabotage, preventing their participation.

Any attack on a ship in international waters is an act of piracy. Israel's confiscation of the ships and their cargo, along with its kidnapping of hundreds of international aid volunteers must be condemned just as we would condemn an illegal attack in international waters by any other country.

These attacks are part of a pattern of violent crackdown on peaceful protesters. When I was in Palestine three months ago, I saw abundant evidence of this repression. I have friends of three faiths who have been attacked by Israeli troops for their nonviolent work to end the occupation. I also have Christian friends who are at this moment facing the demolition of their homes (built on their own legally documented land) by Israeli troops. The demolition orders were delivered just before the start of the holiday weekend. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmbaxifcZ3I, http://fotonna.org/urgent_message/urgent_message.html

The volunteers who died undertook their action because their governments have remained silent in the face of Israel's clear violations of human rights. It is time for this silence to end. Please call or fax your members of Congress (202-224-3121) and the White House (202-456-1111) to (1) demand the release of the kidnapped volunteers, (2) demand the punishment of Israelis who ordered and took part in these attacks, (3) demand a recall of the US Ambassador to Israel to protest this act of piracy, and (4) demand a halt to all US aid to Israel until that country stops its attacks on nonviolent protesters, halts its demolition of Palestinian homes and agrees to abide by international law.

You can also reach the Israeli Embassy at 202-364-5500. Every call is important. On this Memorial Day when we honor our own soldiers who died fighting for our freedom we need to be sure that freedom is equally protected for people around the world, regardless of their race or nationality. Thanks for your help.