[Peace] Israel attacks a Gaza Freedom Flotilla boat, kills 10 or 19 civilians; call by UFPJ and ANSWER for demonstrations

Stuart Levy slevy at ncsa.uiuc.edu
Mon May 31 13:04:36 CDT 2010


The confrontation between the Gaza Freedom Flotilla ships and the
Israeli military came last night -- while the ships were still
well out in international waters -- as Israeli forces boarded one of the
boats, and used live fire, ending up killing 10 or 16 or 19 of the
civilians aboard (reports vary) and injuring many more.

One of the best reports I've seen is:

   http://www.truthout.org/israeli-commandos-kill-gaza-aid-volunteers60003


And, both United for Peace and Justice and ANSWER are calling for
protests to the White House, to our ambassador to the UN, and for
demonstrations -- there will be some at least in Washington, New York, and Boston.
Here's the call from UFPJ:


Protest Israeli Attack on Gaza Freedom Flotilla

Last night the Israeli navy attacked humanitarian ships in international
waters in the middle of the night. Reports indicate that 10-16
humanitarian activists were killed and 50-60 were injured. The ships
were seized by the Israeli navy and taken to Haifa to avoid press at
Ashdod. UFPJ condemns the Israeli Government for their brutal attack
on unarmed civilians. Protests have taken place across the world and a
number of Governments are taking action.

The U.S. arms Israel to the tune of billions of dollars a year and hence
shares responsibility for this atrocity.  How many more must die before
the Obama Administration cuts off the aid we give to Israel each year?

On board were 750 people of conscience from 40 different countries,
including 35 international politicians intent on breaking the
Israeli-Egyptian blockade. We offer our sincerest condolences to family
and friends who have lost loved ones in the attack. One of the boats
was named after Rachel Corrie, to honor this strong young woman killed
by the Israel Defense Forces in April 2003.

Demonstrate!

Demonstrations are being organized in Washington DC, New York, and
Boston. Please join in where you can or organize your own. It is time
to end the blockade of Gaza and the Israeli occupation of Palestine by
ending US support for Israeli slaughter.

New York - 3pm today (Monday, May 31), Times Square

Washington, DC - 3pm today, Israeli Embassy, 3514 International Drive NW
(Van Ness metro) - Moving on to the White House at 5pm

Boston - 4pm today, Park Street Station

Use Memorial Day to memorialize all the brave activists, show our outrage,
and let the world know we are not sleeping!

Contact the White House!

Call or email to demand an immediate cutoff of U.S. aid to Israel.
Email the White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact.  Comments:
202-456-1111 Switchboard: 202-456-1414

Contact the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and demand that
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice vote to support a UN
Security Council resolution condemning Israel's action and initiating
an investigation.    212-415-4062

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