Alum to join Gaza aid mission
Posted by: John Flanagan in News, Vox Populi, tags: Alums, Gaza, Israel, On the Record
On Saturday, around 1000 activists from over 20 countries set sail for Gaza to try once again to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian supplies.
The move is a repeat of last year’s failed aid mission in which nine pro-Palestinian activists were left dead in Israeli military raids. One of the members of the original flotilla, Paul Larudee, received a Ph.D in linguistics at Georgetown in 1973.
The California piano tuner was arrested by Israeli soldiers after he jumped from one of the ships in order to delay the raid. Vox caught up with Larudee late last week to get his perspectives on Georgetown and the Gaza issue.
“My studies at Georgetown facilitates my awareness and activism,” he said. “But I wouldn’t say that they’re directly related.”
“The Jesuit identity encourages activism. There are activists like Steve Kelly [arrested for trespassing on the School of the Americas] who are themselves members of the Jesuit community.”
Larudee is “rather pessimistic” that aid will reach Gaza, but he thinks it is important to try, comparing his efforts to those of the Freedom Riders that defied segregation in the American South.
“This is about principles and rights,” he said. “The principle is that people and goods should pass freely to and from Gaza, except for dangerous things. Dangerous things should be prevented and restricted everywhere.”
The flotilla is currently stalled in Athens awaiting customs and safety inspections. Activists have accused Israeli lawyers of lodging frivolous complaints with Greek authorities in order to stall the mission.
U.S. officials have called the flotilla ”irresponsible and provocative” and warn that U.S. participants could face fines and jail time back home. Larudee asserts that the flotilla is breaking no U.S. law and their intent is not to bolster the Hamas-led government of Gaza, which the U.S. considers a terrorist group.
“Among other things, Hamas is a political party and we would never support any political part of any kind,” he emphasized.
“The principle that is important here is that everyone is treated equally regardless of race, religion,” he added. “The only relevant factor is humanity and that people are allowed to live in their homes wherever their homes may be.”
The effort comes as Israel agreed last week to allow unprecedented amounts of rebuilding materials into Gaza. Also, while officials in the Jewish state have held firm on the 1967 borders, portions of the controversial West Bank separation wall will come down this year.
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Aid to Gaza? This is not an “aid” mission. This is simply an act of provocation intended to do nothing more than to force Israel to respond and then use that response as an example of Israeli brutality and oppression. It does nothing to further peace. It does nothing to bring two sides closer together. It is merely a stupid publicity stunt.
Agree 100% w/Dan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_DaMAIxRKc
Egypt has opened the border. Israel is allowing humanitarian aid daily.
If GU alum wish to help, have them be a voice for kidnapped Gilad Shalit.
Have to disagree with the two previous commenters. The flotilla isn’t a publicity stunt—it’s about delivering much-needed humanitarian aid and global solidarity to a region that has been deliberately and systematically suppressed by the Israeli government. You might call it a publicity stunt, but drawing attention to the atrocious humanitarian conditions in Gaza seems like a noble cause to me—and in fact, to most people around the world.
There’s mass poverty, unemployment (recently estimated at a stunning 45.2%) and people don’t have access to basic necessities. As such, I find it hard to believe that humanitarian activists are the provocateurs when it’s the Israeli government and military that oversee the sub-human conditions in Gaza and respond with deadly force to activists who dare challenge it.
Take a look at Amnesty International’s report on the devastating effects of the blockade—that is, unless you think they’re part of the Palestinian propaganda machine too:
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/suffocating-gaza-israeli-blockades-effects-palestinians-2010-06-01
Unemployment: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/view-from-jerusalem-with-harriet-sherwood/2011/jun/15/gaza-palestinian-territories
Dan and Glenn, thanks for speaking up and reminding people what the flotilla is in reality.
Cole, when choosing a news source, do not trust The Guardian to be fair or accurate in any way regarding Israel.
The Palestinian people are used as human shields by the cowards in Hamas and Fatah. If you want to fight fine. Let’s do it. The Palestinians are oppressed by the leaders of these parties who take the best for themselves and sell the rest to the poor at inflated prices. If they stopped firing rockets into Gaza the Israelis would build them the best country in the Middle East. Peace is in the best interest of Israeli but so is survival. Simply recognize Israel’s right to exist. Oh, and one other question: How many millions/billion of dollars did Arafat have when he died?
Oh, Beltway Greg, you’re so cute when you angrily ramble. I just want to pinch your cheeks.
[...] Not Greg Monroe serves a ranting Beltway Greg a dose of online condescension just a step above “tldnr.” Oh, Beltway Greg, you’re so cute when you angrily ramble. I just want to pinch your cheeks. [...]
Which cheeks?