What to do about Israel?

[Narnia]

Robert Fisk article

[Loz]

Narnia Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> This could be interesting.........The Turkish

> sending another aid boat protected by the Turkish

> Navy.

Source for this? I can't find this on the news. I'd be rather surprised if it happened.

[Narnia]

I've been looking at so many news channels and reading so much I can't say which one. Why would you be surprised?

[Loz]

Israel considers Gaza occupied territory. If the Turkish warship enters it's territorial waters and the Israelis intercept the cargo boat then this would quickly escalate, probably into one or the other committing an act of war.

The Turks have been doing a lot of diplomatic and political talking and posturing, but little in the way of actual sabre rattling. It's not long ago Turkey and Israel were allies - this would be a massive, massive reversal of that and a huge risk for them.

As far as I can tell (as the real story is not clear and more than a little confused), the Turkish government made the flotilla organisers change the flag of the Mavi Marmara to another country (Comoros) at the last minute to avoid just this sort of situation developing.

I think the best they would do is escort the vessel through international waters. Turkey enjoys the automatic protection of NATO if they were attacked, but not if they were considered in any way the aggressor, which would quickly be used by the NATO allies as a get out clause.

[Narnia]

I take it that Turkey would be acting as an escort. Why would it be anything else?

[Loz]

Ah, found it.

I still say it won't happen. It's all very well sending a warship as an escort, but what if it's mere presence does not do the job? Turkey is in no position to go into a war with Israel. The US would back Israel politically and NATO would stay out.

Here's a pretty good analysis of where this might go. Though it does miss the scenario of Israel waiting until the ship is inside territorial waters.

[Easties EL]

Man kills Man. Could be over a misunderstood look and or words. Religion, land, power, lies, sex, fun, evil, good, peace. Some of the words that come to my mind, on why Man Kills Man. History. What does History teach me? History teaches me, that man kills man over anything. Whose right? Whose wrong? Both?

Unless there is someone who finds the solution to all this death, war and complete mess. Eveything we dicuss about this topic and any other, is simply small talk. Peace? Is peace even an opition, when it's in our nature as humans to kill one another. (not us of course, we live the 9-5 life)

Ah, I love small talk, makes me feel smart and important, but really I'm a ****

[Narnia]

I disagree. Our nature is to be in peace.

Well, you said it.

[njc97]

Well put Easties EL. But I think Ripley put it better: "I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."

[Chick]

Lambeth and Wandsworth branch will be running the PSC stall at this Sunday's Celebrating Sanctuary festival on Coin Street (by the river, at Bernie Spains Gardens - please see the link below), from 1pm to 7pm.

http://www.coinstreet.org/coinstreet_festival.aspx

It's an enjoyable event, with food stalls, live music, and other organisations in attendance such as the Refugee Council and Amnesty International. We need volunteers to help run the stall, so if you can spare an hour, please email me directly at: [email protected]. We particularly need helpers from 4pm, but would welcome help at any time during the day - just indicate when you'll be available.

[Chick]

The Shawamreh family speak out, 13-28 June 2010

A UK tour organised by ICAHD UK

Since 1967, Israel has demolished more than 24,000 Palestinian homes in the Occupied Territory and Gaza. Every year hundreds of Palestinians are forced from their homes, built on land they own. The Israeli government claims that these houses are illegal because they have been constructed without building permits. However, the Israeli authorities refuse to grant building permits to Palestinians.

Salim and Arabiya Shawamreh have land in Anata and a home they cannot live in. To date, their home has been demolished four times and ICAHD Jerusalem has helped to rebuild it each time. In 2003 they named their home Beit Arabiya and dedicated it as a peace centre which is used for community projects, international meetings and events. A fifth demolition order was placed on Beit Arabiya in June 2009. Salim and Arabiya will be touring the UK in June 2010 to tell their story:

Sun 13 ? Surrey

St Michael?s Church, Old Reigate Road, Betchworth, 5-7pm, [email protected]

Mon 14 - Liverpool

Pakistan Community Centre, Mulgrave St, 5-8pm, Hakmah 07745 747928

Tues 15 - Liverpool

Toxteth Women?s Centre, Amberly St, 10am-12pm (Women only), Hakmah 07745 747928

St Stephens Church, Crowne St, evening concert, [email protected]

Wed 16 - Blackburn

Blackburn Cathedral, 6-8pm, [email protected]

Thurs 17 - Bradford

Claremont Community Centre, 13-15 Claremont, opp uni, 6.30-8.30pm, [email protected]

Fri 18 - Glasgow

Al-Furqan Mosque, Carrington St, 7-8.30pm, [email protected]

Simultaneous women's only event details tbc

Sat 19 - Edinburgh

Annandale Mosque, 7pm, [email protected]

Sun 20 - London

Kingsley Hall, Powis Rd, Bow E3, 6-8pm, [email protected]

Mon 21 - Guildford

St Nicholas Church hall, High St, 7.30-9.30pm, [email protected]

Tues 22 - Milton Keynes

The Church of Christ, The Cornerstone, 300 Saxon Gate, 7.30-9.30pm, [email protected]

Weds 23 - Cambridge

Graduate Union Lounge, 17 Mill Lane, 7:00-8:30pm, [email protected]

Thurs 24 - Brighton

Friends meeting House, Ship Street, 7.30pm, [email protected]

Sat 26 - Gloucester

Widden Primary School, Sinope Street, 4-7pm, [email protected]

Sun 27 - London

St Mary?s Church, St Mary?s Rd, Ealing, 3-5pm, [email protected]

Mon 28 - Hereford

Friends Meeting House, 21 King St, 7.45pm, [email protected]

For general info contact [email protected] call 07903 010019 or see www.icahduk.org

Every year the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions - ICAHD - hosts an international camp for people from around the world to join together and help rebuild Palestinian homes that have been demolished in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Youssef Hamdan and his wife Ouda have four children Mohamed, Kassem, Saja and Hasma. Their home is just in front of the Wall in Anata, a Palestinian town near Jerusalem. It has been demolished twice, the last time was in 2008.

This tour will also help raise funds towards rebuilding the Hamdan family?s home this summer.

ICAHD is an Israeli peace and human rights organisation dedicated to ending the Occupation and achieving a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians.