International actions to lift the siege on Gaza today

By Mazin Qumsiyeh (posted on Academics for Justice Yahoo Group)

I am convinced more than ever that the end of Israeli apartheid is close. No other system in the world today exists with this much social pathology and spiteful anger. It is lashing out without much logic.  But while they try to fragment our society and finish us off, we still persist.  The Haifa conference for the right of return and one democratic state was a resounding success despite the apartheid laws preventing us from visiting together in our own country (photos at http://www.bokra.net/Article.aspx?id=797968 ).  From both Gaza and Beit Sahour, we had a direct line via the internet when the apartheid laws forbade us.  We heard the great speeches and participated in our own discussions as to how to advance the ideas of a one state as the only viable, logical, and just solution.  On Friday, nearly 150 women from thr Galilee, Jerusalem, and other parts of the West Bank came together for a tour of the wall and threatened areas in Bethlehem district.  THat evening, we also held group prayer at the wall area in Bethlehem called for by the World Council of Churches (http://www.oikoumene.org/en/events-sections/wwppi.html ).  Internationals and Palestinians joined together.  Now the freedom flotilla is on its way to Gaza carrying 800 brave souls of various nationalities and backgrounds and tons of humanitarian supplies.  Israel sabotage agencies (Mossad) and criminal Navy have tried before and are trying everything to destroy this mission.  They, and unfortunately some collaborative Palestinian and International elites, are panicking about all these initiatives and activities.  But the powers-to-be has already lost and will lose some more as they always overreact giving more publicity to their intransigence. Millions of people are finding the truth.

Please stay tuned to what is happening with the Gaza flotilla by going to http://witnessgaza.com/ , reading the articles below, and most importantly by writing to politicians, media, and other decision makers in your country demanding they pressure the apartheid regime in Tel Aviv to let thiose humanitarian ships through and to end its siege.  That Israeli authorities (and unfortunately some collaborative Palestinians) are panicking about all these growing initiatives and activities. 

A sane voice from Israel: Gaza flotilla drives Israel into a sea of stupidity by Gideon Levy
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/gaza-flotilla-drives-israel-into-a-sea-of-stupidity-1.292959  

Videos on Gaza flotilla
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRR07UxQAys  

Israel Does Not Target the Palestinian Civilians
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8tQJAhILm8
Meet the Palestinian Terrorists of Gaza
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuOMiseGCfs

Action: Friday, June 4th, 12:30 PM, Convoy and rally near Herbata village, next to the Apartheid Road 443 to say enough to occupation, expulsion, expropriation and yes to liberation and independence

In good news, the largest German bank divests from an Apartheid company.  "Following pressure from critics, Germany’s largest bank has divested from the Israeli firm that supplies technology for the West Bank security fence. Deutsche Bank CEO Josef Ackermann announced at Thursday’s shareholder meeting in Frankfurt that the firm had sold all its shares in Elbit Systems, a major Israeli defense company. The company declined to cite a reason for divesting from Elbit, whose stock value has fallen some 30 percent this year."

And a Teaneck man harassed by someone who supported settlers settles for apology and chance to educate
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/05/teaneck-harassment-case-ends-with-apology-forgiveness.html#more-19072

Mazin Qumsiyeh, PhD
A Bedouin in Cyberspace, a villager at home
http://www.qumsiyeh.org    
Professor, Bethlehem and Birzeit Universities
Chairman of the Board, Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Between People, http://www.pcr.ps