Tag: Gaza

Action, Commentary/Analysis

Gaza Assault Information and Action

With the latest Israeli assault on Gaza now in its seventh day, with over 141 confirmed deaths and more than 1000 wounded, and with an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire apparently delayed by Israel, PSN offers this roundup of helpful background information and opportunities for action on the issue.

Background Information

For key facts and the basics on Gaza, visit the Gaza Freedom March’s page of Gaza Key Facts and Gaza Under Siege Facts. You can also visit the BBC’s profile on Gaza or read Rashid Khalidi’s op-ed, “What You Don’t Know About Gaza,” which appeared in The New York Times. (Note: most of these resources were created during the last Israeli assault on Gaza in 2008-09).

For an introduction to the legal status of Gaza under international law, read the Institute for Middle East Understanding’s excellent reference sheet Israel, Gaza & International Law.

Also worth reading is Mehdi Hasan’s Ten Things You Need to Know About Gaza.

For a graphic illustration of the imbalance of power between Israel and Gaza, visit the Palestine Center’s Imbalance of Power: Understanding Weapons and Casualties in Gaza and Israel.

For a general introduction to basics of the occupation of Palestine, you can watch the documentary film Occupation 101 free online.

Background on the Current Israeli Assault on Gaza

For a timeline of events that led to the current Israeli assault on Gaza, check out Ali Abunimah’s comprehensive blog for Electronic Intifada on How Israel shattered Gaza truce leading to escalating death and tragedy: a timeline or the Institute for Middle East Understanding’s Timeline: Israel’s Latest Escalation in Gaza.

Mondoweiss has a good , short overview of 4 myths about the Israeli attack on Gaza, and also has a long, but highly recommended, article
Dissecting IDF propaganda: The numbers behind the rocket attacks.

For some thoughts on the timing of the current assault, you can read Ramzy Baroud’s Palestine Chronicle article, Netanyahu’s High-stakes Game in Gaza: Same Time, Same Place.

How to Follow the Latest on the Current Israeli Assault

To see the human impact of the assault, the Institute for Middle East Understanding is compiling and updating Gaza Under Attack: Stories From on the Ground and the blog Palestine From My Eyes has a very important post that updates the Names and ages of killed people in the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza. Electronic Intifada also has a moving (and not very graphic) photo essay, In photos: Gaza buries its children as Israeli attacks intensify.

The main Twitter feed to follow for updates is #gazaunderattack and @aymanqwaider also has frequent updates from Gaza.

The following pages are good resources for ongoing updates:

  • Mondoweiss is constantly updating its Gaza page.

What You Can Do

1. Share information about the assault on Gaza

Retweet information from #gazaunderattack and PSN’s Twitter feed. Like PSN’s Facebook page and please share the information we post with your Facebook friends. And, you know, talk to people you know about what’s going on in Gaza.

2. Call on politicians to take action

The Harper government is arguably the most pro-Israeli government in the world, and Prime Minister Harper has offered unqualified support for the current assault on Gaza. Unfortunately, the official statements of three main political parties as well as the Green Party, either support Israel exclusively or offer weak statements that frame the current conflict as Israeli retaliation, despite the timeline of events.

All parties should be urged to call for an immediate ceasefire as well as an end to Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza. You can use CJPME’s action alert to send a personalized message to all party leaders, foreign affairs, and your MP.  Or, send emails to the following:

Stephen Harper, Prime Minister: stephen.harper@parl.gc.ca
John Baird, Foreign Affairs Minister: john.baird@parl.gc.ca
Thomas Mulcair, Leader of the Official Opposition:  thomas.mulcair@parl.gc.ca
Paul Dewar, Foreign Affairs critic for the Official Opposition:  paul.dewar@parl.gc.ca
Bob Rae, Leader of the Liberal Party: bob.rae@parl.gc.ca
Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party:  Elizabeth.May@parl.gc.ca
Find your own MP’s contact info here.

Visit the action pages of US-based groups Jewish Voice for Peace and US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation for additional ways to take action, including pressuring US President Obama to take action.

3. Respond to biased media reports on the Gaza assault

When you read, see or hear reporting that is not accurately reflecting the reality of what is happening on the ground, it’s important to respond with letters to the editor of media outlets. Pro-Israel groups have well-funded networks that pressure media on so-called anti-Israel bias, so it’s important that we do the same.  Ironically, we suggest you use the pro-Israel media bullying group Honest Reporting’s media contact page to engage media on these issues.

4. Support and Attend Events in Solidarity with Gaza

In Edmonton, PSN is planning events to follow up from last Saturday’s emergency rally. Check back to our website frequently for updates and like our Facebook page at facebook.com/psnedmonton and follow us on Twitter for ongoing updates of events in Edmonton. You can also join our email list by sending a blank email to psn-edmonton-announce+subscribe@googlegroups.com.

PSN also welcomes new organizers, so if you are interested contact us to find out how to get involved.

Across Canada, get involved in what’s happening in your community at We Stand With Gaza and the Canadian Peace Alliance.

5. Join and Support BDS Efforts and Ongoing Palestinian Solidarity

While the current crisis in Gaza requires immediate action, an end to the current Israeli assault will do nothing to end the illegal occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem or end the illegal siege of Gaza. When the bombs stop dropping on Gaza, it’s important to continue to act to ensure Palestinian human rights.

In 2005, Palestinian civil society issued the Palestinian Civil Society Call for BDS, calling “upon international civil society organizations and people of conscience all over the world to impose broad boycotts and implement divestment initiatives against Israel.” Since the current assault on Gaza started, the Palestinian BDS National Committee has reiterated the importance of BDS campaigns and offered Five ways to effectively support Gaza through Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions.

Get involved with PSN to help us build ongoing BDS campaigns here in Edmonton.

Action

Five ways to effectively support Gaza through BDS

Five tangible things you can do to support the people of Gaza, and the Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem from the Palestinian BDS National Committee. The BNC’s statement in response to the beginning of the bombing on November 15 is also below.

As this new aggression on the people of Gaza shows, Israel will continue its belligerence and state terrorism unless it is made to pay a heavy price for its crimes against the Palestinian, Lebanese and other Arab peoples.

Palestinian civil society has called for a campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) as the most effective way for international civil society and people of conscience around the world to show solidarity with the Palestinian struggle and hold Israel – and all complicit institutions — accountable for its occupation, colonization and apartheid. The global, Palestinian-led BDS movement has achieved inspiring and spectacular success, causing economic damage to companies that support Israel’s crimes, persuading artists not to perform in Israel, winning support from major churches, trade unions and social movements, as well as pressuring governments to take action.

Here are five BDS ways to effectively express solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza and elsewhere:

1. Boycott Israel! Don’t buy Israeli goods!

Profits from exports from Israel help to fund the Israeli government and its crimes against the Palestinian people. Refuse to buy Israeli goods and tell retailers that you are doing it. Persuade friends and family to stop buying any Israeli products too!

Brands to avoid include Ahava, Jaffa oranges, Sabra and Tribe hummus and SodaStream. Continue reading “Five ways to effectively support Gaza through BDS” →

Action

September 30 Day of Action for Gaza Fishers and Farmers

PSN has endorsed the September 30 Cross-Canada and International Day of Action for Gaza Fishers and Farmers, called for by the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) in Palestine, and over the September 29th – 30th will be handbilling in various locations to about the struggles faced by Gaza’s fishers and farmers in trying to maintain their livelihoods in the face of Isarel’s siege

About the Day of Action for Gaza Fishers and Farmers

The farmers and fishers of Gaza, Palestine are under siege as they work to defend their land and sea from occupation and continue their harvest and their livelihoods. Many people in Gaza have always relied on the land and the sea for their livelihood. Generations of Palestinian fishers have worked the sea, and farmers harvested the land, to support their communities and their lives. Today, the fishers and farmers of Gaza are under attack – braving death and imprisonment to continue to harvest the land and sea. The Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) in Palestine has called for international action and solidarity to support fishers and farmers under siege.

The UAWC, a grassroots organization that works to support Palestinian agricultural workers and develop their steadfastness on their land, connected with the Vancouver Delegation to Gaza on its recent delegation, and has initiated a call to organizations across Canada, and around the world, to hold events, actions and protests in solidarity with Fishers and Farmers under attack in Gaza and throughout Palestine on a Day of Action on Sunday, September 30, 2012. Continue reading “September 30 Day of Action for Gaza Fishers and Farmers” →

Events

‘A Child’s View From Gaza’ in Edmonton

Palestine Solidarity Network – U of A has brought to Edmonton “A Child’s View from Gaza,” an exhibition of paintings by Palestinian children portraying life under militarized occupation and daily collective punishment.

A selection of these paintings is currently on display at the APIRG office at the north end of HUB Mall, University of Alberta. The artwork will be on display at APIRG until the morning of Tuesday, April 3.

“A Child’s View from Gaza” is a collection of paintings created in 2009 by the children of Gaza who witnessed the destruction of Operation Cast Lead and who participated in after-school children’s therapy programs. “Cast Lead,” Israel’s December 2008/January 2009 attack on a virtually unarmed Gaza, killed 1400 Palestinians, including 320 children. Susan Johnson, the exhibit coordinator, who worked with the children, says that “Children are unusually honest. They depict what happened during Operation Cast Lead – the horrors of it. The children’s feelings [and]emotions jump off the page”.

The children of Gaza, who are about 50% of Gaza’s population, have suffered from tear gassing, night raids by soldiers on their homes, assaults on family members, beatings, detentions and injuries including bullet wounds. In addition to the ongoing stress of the siege, over 10% suffer from chronic malnutrition. Is it any wonder that that their art depicts the horrors of war?

Susan brought the paintings to North America in 2010. The Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) worked for six months with the Oakland Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA) to bring the exhibit to Oakland. On September 8, 2011 however, after enormous pressure from the Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Relations Council of the East Bay, MOCHA canceled the exhibit which had been scheduled to open on September 24, 2011.

A vigorous public education and lobbying campaign ensued which attracted international attention. Many people, not just supporters of Palestinian social justice, were shocked that pro-Israel groups and individuals would expand their efforts to suppress criticism of Israel to the suppression of children’s art. It demonstrated the desperation of people who know that world understanding of the history of the Israel occupation of Palestine is beginning to change.

The exhibit was eventually moved to a nearby building. However, the attention generated and the demand to see the children’s painting first-hand resulted in the division of the exhibit into three smaller shows to tour North America. One exhibit is currently touring western Canada.

For more information about the exhibition, visit childsviewfromgaza.org

Action

Israel boards French Flotilla 2 ship

CALL TO ACTION from the Tahrir, July 19:

Israel has boarded the Dignité, Canadian Stephan Corriveau on board

We Will Not Let Israel Control Palestinian or International Waters

It is imperative that we mobilize in order to ensure that Israeli and the Canadian governments know that the world is watching, and that we demand that all passengers and crew of the Dignité be released so as to continue their legal travel to Gaza. Supporters of the Flotilla and the Palestinians of Gaza need to press for the Dignité delegation and the boat to be freed. There is no legal reason for Israel to stop the Dignité and detain its crew and passengers. The Dignité was in international waters when boarded in which Israel has no legal jurisdiction.

We are calling on supporters and all concerned people to hold public demonstrations and to contact Israeli and Canadian government representatives.

1. We ask people to write Canadian MPs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Opposition critics to demand that Canada condemn Israel’s illegal actions and to remind them of Canada’s Consular obligations with regards to Canadians in international environments. Tell them that the obligations are clearly established in international law and, more specifically, under the terms of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, to which Canada is a signatory.

2. Keep up local actions, which might include vigils, demonstrations at consulates or embassies or government offices, or other creative actions aimed at drawing public attention to the situation.

3. Continue tweeting and using social networking to spread messages and images far and wide.

The Israeli government needs to know that we know what they are doing and we won’t be silent. We know and the world knows that their actions are illegal.

The Canadian Government needs to know that we know they are complicit in these illegal acts. And that they have a responsibility by international convention, to protect Canadians involved in legal actions, such as the Flotilla and specifically the journey of the Dignité. Included in the letter is a note of disgust that Canadian government is giving in to pressure by the Israeli government. Below, there is a template letter to Canadian MPs and a link for their contact information.

ACTIONS

– Public rallies, vigils, etc: Please, do whatever and wherever you are able. We need this to be big. We need to be visible.

– Letter to our Canadian MPs: We have a letter template for you to use to send to MPs reminding them that the Canadian government has obligations under the Geneva Convention.

TEMPLATE LETTERS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

1. Letter to Canadian MPs

[feel free to edit using your own words]
Click here to find you MP’s contact information

[MP for your RIDING]
[DATE — do it today!]

Dear [NAME of MP in your riding]:

I am writing to you as a concerned Canadian about the alarming news that vessel “The Dignité” bound for the Gaza Strip has been boarded in international waters and the passengers and crew have been detained by the Israeli government. One of the passengers, Stéphan Corriveau is Canadian and was on that boat.

The Dignité, along with the other boats, such as Canada’s Tahrir, are part of the Freedom Flotilla, which is an international initiative with the goal of challenging the illegal blockade of Gaza, and bringing humanitarian aid to the civilian population of Gaza in the spirit of the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1860 (2009). The Dignité and the Flotilla in general, are not breaking the law but are actively upholding international law. Respected organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross have stated clearly that all states have an obligation to facilitate all humanitarian convoys to the Gaza Strip.

I am deeply concerned that the Canadian government is giving in to pressures from the Israeli government in preventing the Flotilla from sailing to Gaza by referring to this action as “provocative”. By doing so, the Canadian government is implying that the Israeli government is acting within its right when imposing an inhumane siege on 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza and seeking to control international waters.

As the MP of my riding I urge you to speak out publicly and without delay for the legitimate right of Canadians on the Flotilla to actively express their solidarity with the Palestinians of Gaza, as well as

– to demand the Government to uphold its responsibility for the safety of all Canadians including Stephan Corriveau, a passenger on the Dignité;

– to demand the Israeli government immediately release the Dignité and implement all necessary measures for the safety of the its passengers and to allow, as is their legal right, the Dignité to continue, unhindered, its journey to Gaza;

– to condemn this act of illegal agression or state piracy by the Israeli military

– to demand the Israeli government to abide to international law by removing the illegal blockade of Gaza

I look forward to hearing from you what actions you have taken on the above.

Sincerely,

[name]
[contact information]

2. Letter to Israeli Officials in Canada and in Israel

Sample letter addressed to Israeli authorities (consular and government)

[MP for your RIDING]
[DATE — do it today!]

Dear Sir/Madam:

I am writing to you as a concerned Canadian citizen who has just learned that the Dignité, one of the boats that is part of the Freedom Flotilla, has been illegally boarded – and the passengers and crew detained in international waters. As you well know, Israel has no legal jurisdiction in international waters, and thus has committed what is understood in international law as an act of illegal agression or state piracy.

The Freedom Flotilla is an international initiative with the goal of ending the illegal blockade of Gaza and to bring humanitarian aid to the civilian population of Gaza in the spirit of the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1860 (2009).

All participants on the Dignité are committed to peaceful and non-violent action. Their intention is to break your illegal blockade of Gaza. Their intention is not to break the law but to uphold international law, something which the Israeli government – as it purports to be a democracy – ought to be embracing.

I look forward to hearing what steps you will take to hold your government accountable for its illegal actions. I also expect to have impartial confirmation that all passengers and crew of the Dignité are receiving the proper treatment as is directed in the Vienna and Geneva conventions, to which your government is a signatory.
Sincerely,

[your contact information]

Some Israel contact emails & phone numbers:

Montreal: 1.514.940.8500
Ottawa: info@ottawa.mfa.gov.il / 1.613.567.6450
Toronto: 1.416.640.8500

Prime Minister’s Office: media@it.pmo.gov.il
Foreign Media Spokesman Mark Regev: mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il
Foreign Press Coordinator David Baker: david.baker@it.pmo.gov.il
Ministry of Defense: mediasar@mod.gov.il
Spokesperson for the Minister Shlomo Dror: dover@mod.gov.il

Ministry for Foreign Affairs:
Spokesman YigalPalmor: palmor@mfa.gov.il
Deputy Shachar Arieli: shachar.arieli@mfa.gov.il
Deputy Andy David: andy.david@mfa.gov.il
Foreign Press Dept: Sharon Goldhammer: sharong@press.pmo.gov.il
Foreign Press visitors: Jason Pearlman: jason@press.pmo.gov.il

Or cut and paste the following into the bcc field of your email program to send an email to all of the above officials:

media@it.pmo.gov.il; mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il; david.baker@it.pmo.gov.il; mediasar@mod.gov.il; dover@mod.gov.il; palmor@mfa.gov.il; shachar.arieli@mfa.gov.il; andy.david@mfa.gov.il; sharong@press.pmo.gov.il; jason@press.pmo.gov.il

Action

Updates and actions for the Canadian Boat to Gaza

July 6, 2011 Update

Following the Tahrir’s recent attempt to sail to Gaza, and the Greek Coast Guard’s forceful blocking of it, two Canadians and one Australian were detained. However, Sandra Ruch, Soha Kneen and Micheal Coleman will not have any time to serve: they have just received a light suspended sentence.

We thank you for your continued solidarity and action. We, all together, have made significant steps in raising the issue of the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza on the world stage. We know that we have more work to do – but we will keep going until the blockade is ended. Free Gaza, Free Palestine, human rights for all.

Action alert:

In this update we have three requests, for each, please find below templates for your actions:
1. That you write to CBC’s the Current and tell them of your concern with their recent show which aired July 5 (link to audio included below).
2. Write to the Greek Ambassador to Canada (template below). This letter should be your priority
3. Write letters to the Canadian Ambassador to Greece and Canada’s Minister and critics for foreign affairs (template below)
4. Contact and other info.

Keep planning and doing as many actions and activities as you can (and let us know about them). It is important that the Greek authorities know the world is watching their actions that have brought the blockade to the shores of Greece. We must demand that they let the Tahrir sail to Gaza along with all the other boats of the flotilla.

1. Contact CBC’s The Current

CBC’s The Current provided a distorted and obtuse report on the Canada Boat to Gaza and The Freedom Flotilla. They missed the point of the Flotilla and they only interviewed Israelis – there was no one to speak for the Flotilla. After you listen to the segment, maybe you will want to write The Current with your comments and/or concerns.

2. Letter to Greek Ambassador

Template and contact information

————————————————
His Excellency Eleftherios Anghelopoulos
Greek ambassador to Canada
80 Rue MacLaren
Ottawa, ON K2P 0K6

[date]

Re: The Canada Boat to Gaza – The Tahrir and the Freedom Flotilla 2 – Stay Human

His Excellency Eleftherios Anghelopoulos,

On July 4th 2011 the Greek Coast Guard forcibly stopped the Tahrir, a Canadian boat on a humanitarian mission to Gaza, from leaving the port of Aghios Nikolaos on the island of Crete. While this mission does indeed constitute a direct challenge to the illegal blockade of Gaza by the state of Israel, the Freedom Flotilla 2 – Stay Human is a legal, legitimate and morally necessary initiative.

The decision by the Hellenic authorities to impose a ban on all ships travelling from Greece to Gaza was a politically motivated scheme based on Israeli pressure. It is this decision that is the problem, not the rejection of it by the people on board the Tahrir and other Freedom Flotilla boats.

I respectfully request that any damage caused by the interception and towing of the Tahrir be repaired at the expense of the Greek state.

Finally, I request that the Tahrir and all the other ships participating in the Freedom Flotilla II – Stay Human be permitted to leave Greek territorial waters.

I thank you for transmitting this request to the Greek government which you serve.

[your name]

[your contact information]
——————————————————

3. Letter to Canada’s Ambassador to Greece and to Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and copy the NDP and Liberal critics

Please help us to continue to press the point to Canadian officials of their need to follow international conventions and law. All contact information is below letter.

——————————————–
Date: XXX
Dear XXXXX

I am writing to you to let you know that I am watching very closely for the well being of Canadian citizens who are participants on the Canadian Boat to Gaza – the Tahrir, currently held by the Coast Guard and Navy of Greece.

Further, I am appalled that despite the crew and boat’s compliance with all legal expectations, the Canadian government and Canada’s Ambassador to Greece has done nothing to provide support for the Tahrir’s protection and departure to sail to Gaza.

I am writing to ensure that the Canadian Government uphold its responsibility for the safety and the administration of consular services to Canadians on the Tahrir. That the obligations are clearly established in international law and, more specifically, under the terms of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations , to which Canada is a signatory.

The Freedom Flotilla is an international initiative with the goal of challenging the illegal blockade of Gaza, and bringing humanitarian aid to the civilian population of Gaza in the spirit of the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1860 (2009). The Canadian Boat to Gaza seeks to carry much needed medical supplies. All delegates on the Tahrir are committed to peaceful and non-violent action. The Flotilla and the Tahrir are not breaking the law but are actively upholding international law.

I look forward to your response confirming what steps you will take to ensure that the government of Canada acts to protect its citizens on the flotilla.

Sincerely,
[your name]

[your contact information]
———————————————————————

4. Contact & other info: Canadian Embassy contact information

http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/greece-grece/index.aspx

Embassy of Canada to Greece in Athens
Address, Telephone, Fax, Email
4, Ioannou Ghennadiou Street,
115 21 Athens, Greece

Tel.: 30-210-7273400
Fax: 30-210-7273480
E-mail: athns@international.gc.ca
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday 08:00 – 16:00

The Hon. John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs, fax (613) 992-9880; Email: john.baird@parl.gc.ca
Mr. Paul Dewar, NDP Opposition Foreign Affairs critic; fax: (613)996-5323; Email: Paul.Dewar@parl.gc.ca
Mr. Dominic Leblanc, Liberal Party Foreign Affairs critic; fax (613) 992-3053; Email: dominic.leblanc@parl.gc.ca

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (specific: Article 5, clauses i, l, m

Here is the bio for the Canadian Ambassador to Greece!

News

Canada Boat to Gaza boarded, forced back to Greece

From Al Jazeera English:

A Canadian boat taking part in a planned aid flotilla to Gaza has been boarded by Greek coast guards after attempting to break out of Crete harbour, according to activists aboard the vessel.

Most of the boats which hoped to sail to Gaza in an effort to break Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian territory have been stuck in Greek ports after being refused permission to embark on the journey by Greek authorities.

The Tahrir sailed 15 minutes out of harbour in an attempt to reach international waters before it was intercepted by coastguards, activists told Al Jazeera.

Al Jazeera spoke with activists on the boat as it was being boarded by members of the Greek coast guard.

“Some of the Greek coast guard have boarded and are trying to take control of the vessel,” Dylan Penner, a member of the steering committee of the boat, told Al Jazeera while the boat was still sailing away from the harbour.

“We’re about 15 minutes out of port, and still under power. We are still moving forward. We still have control of the Tahrir.”

But members of the coast guard promptly took control of the vessel and are currently bringing it back to port, Penner said.

“We were going 15 knots for 15 minutes, attempting to reach international waters that are 95km from the coast,” Penner said. “I estimate that we made it a quarter of the way.”

The coast guard boat was parked near the marina guarding the Tahrir, Penner said: “We saw a window of opportunity and took it by using kayakers to block the coast guard. But eventually the coast guard ship caught up with us, and launched a Zodiak from which we were boarded.”

On Friday the US boat, The Audacity of Hope, left port, only to be blocked by the coast guard, who towed the ship back to port, where it is being detained. The captain of that boat was jailed and charged with a felony.

Earlier, David Heap, aboard the Tahrir, said that preventing the boats from sailing was a “clear violation” of human rights.

“The Tahrir is leaving port in Crete, and we are breaking through Israel’s Gaza blockade which now extends to Greek ports,” Heap said.

TAKE ACTION

Contact the Greek Embassy in Canada and tell them to “Let the Freedom Flotilla sail”: Call 613-238-6271 or email embassy@greekembassy.ca. Full contact information for the Greek Embassy and Consulates in Canada are:

Greek Embassy, OTTAWA http://www.greekembassy.ca
76- 80 Maclaren Street Ottawa Ontario Canada K2P OK6
Phone: +1-613-2386271 +1-613-2386273
Fax: +1-613-2385676
Email: embassy@.greekembassy.ca

Greece Consulate, MONTREAL
1170 Place Du Frere Andre, Suite 300 Montreal Quebec H3B 3C6
Phone: +1-514-8759902 +1-514-8752119
Fax: +1-514-8758781
Email: montreal.consulate@greekembassy.ca

Greek Consulate, TORONTO
365 Bloor Street East, Suite 1800
Toronto Canada M4W 3L4
Phone: +1-416-5150133 +1-416-5150134
Fax: +1-416-5150209
Email: toronto.consulate@greekembassy.ca

Greece Consulate, VANCOUVER
500-688 West Hastings Street Vancouver Canada V6B 1P1
Phone:+1-604-6811381 +1-604-6841366
Fax: +1-604-6816656
Email: vancouver.consulate@greekembassy.ca

CONTACT INFO FOR GREEK OFFICIALS IN GREECE

Address for the media to contact the president: internationalmediaoffice@primeminister.gr
On facebook: George A. Papandreou
On Twitter: @PrimeministerGR

Follow the Canadian Boat for Gaza

Visit tahrir.ca for updates on the Canadian Boat for Gaza.

You can also follow the CBG on Twitter at @CanadaBoatGaza and @TahrirCanada. You can also follow co-founder and steering committee member of Independent Jewish Voices and the Canadian Boat to Gaza Dylan Penner, one of the CBG delegates, at @DylanPenner. Flotilla hashtags: #Canada4Gaza, #flotilla2 and #FF2StayHuman.

Action, News

Canadian Boat to Gaza blockaded in Greece

Urgent action needed in support of the Canadian Boat to Gaza! See below for things you can do. Get updates at tahrir.ca.

The blockade of Gaza reaches the shores of Greece!
As it attempts to sail, the Canadian Boat to Gaza, the Tahrir, blockaded in Greece

Greek coast guard are now on board the Tahrir attempting to arrest Sandra Rush, Jewish Canadian member of the Canada boat to Gaza Steering Committee, who is refusing to surrender boat’s registration papers.

Efforts to stop Freedom Flotilla 2 – Stay Human from sailing have included diplomatic pressure and manipulation, economic blackmail, bureaucratic obstacles, baseless and slanderous allegations against the flotilla and the delegates, and sabotage of at least two vessels.

“The world watched as an intensive campaign to prevent the Tahrir and the entire Freedom flotilla II from sailing was underway. We have been unjustly and duplicitously treated.” said Irene MacInnes of the Tahrir organizing committee. “The government of Israel, shamefully with the tacit support of the Harper government, is doing everything in its power to maintain the blockade. Today, as a result of the concerted efforts of the 4th largest military power in the world and its backers, we have been prevented from sailing to Gaza. Yet we will persevere in our attempts till the blockade is lifted.”

“Israel has in effect extended the illegal blockade of Gaza to Greek ports, using the Greece’s economic difficulties to influence the government’s position”, said David Heap of the organizing committee.

“We remain absolutely clear that the Canadian Boat to Gaza has not been, is not, and has no intention of, breaking any laws. It is the blockade of Gaza that is illegal under international law. We have a legal and moral obligation to challenge the blockade, given the failure of the international community to act”, said Dylan Penner of the organizing committee. “This is why we must continue our attempts to sail to Gaza: to challenge the illegal and immoral blockade and to equally challenge the Canadian federal government’s support for it.”

Meanwhile the US boat to Gaza, The Audacity of Hope, is at a standoff with the Greek Navy boats, refusing orders to return to shore.

What you can do to support the Tahrir

We will not Let Israel control Gaza or international water.

The Canadian Boat to Gaza, ‘The Tahrir’, is being prevented by Greek authorities from leaving its port in Greece. The US Boat to Gaza, ‘The Audacity of Hope’, set sail for Gaza today from a port in Greece but was quickly stopped and boarded by the Greek Navy authorities.

It is imperative that we mobilize in order to ensure that The Tahrir, and then the rest of the Flotilla, is allowed to sail. The Flotilla and the people of Gaza need us to get the boats free. The boats have past their inspections. There is no legal reason for Greece to stop the boats.

We are calling on supporters to hold public demonstrations and to contact Greek, Israeli and Canadian government representatives. We urge that Greece not become complicit in the illegal actions of Israel.

1. THE MAIN MESSAGES

The Greek government needs to know that world public opinion does not want them to succumb to Israel’s coercion. We don’t want to make Greece ‘dig in its heels’. Tell the Greek government that they can play a profound role in protecting human rights and international law. Tell them they must let the Tahrir go on our mission to break the illegal blockade of Gaza. Below is contact information for Greek Officials in Canada and a template letter to send to Greek Officials in Canada and Greece.

The Israeli government needs to know that we know what they are doing and we won’t be silent. They have used economic threats – through their lackey governments, like Canada — against Greece. They have motivated sabotage that could well have caused the deaths of nonviolent human rights defenders in international waters. And they have threatened violent military interception of the flotilla in international waters.

The Canadian Government needs to know that they are complicit in the coercion. And that they have a responsibility by international convention, to protect the Canadians on the Flotilla. Included in the letter is a note of disgust that Canadian government is falling to pressure by the Israeli government. Below, there is a template letter to Canadian MPs and a link for their contact information.

2. ACTIONS

Public rallies, vigils: We hope for Saturday actions. But please, do whatever and wherever you are able. We need this to be big. We need to be visible.

Letter to our Canadian MPs: We have a letter template for you to use to send to MPs reminding them that the Canadian government has obligations under the Geneva Convention (see below).

Contacting Greek officials: Greek government officials are to be asked to clarify whether a political decision has been made by the Greek government in response to Israeli and other governments’ pressure. We will ask that they not be complicit in the massive human rights violations by Israel against the people of Gaza. We will ask them to defend human rights and not fall to the pressure of Israel and other governments – who are playing with the lives and livelihoods of Greeks and Palestinians.

We have a template letter to use and contact information for Greek officials in Canada and in Greece and contact details below for Greek Consulates and Embassy in Canada (see below)

3. TEMPLATE LETTERS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

LETTER TO CANADIANS MPs
(click here to find your MP’s contact information)

[ADDRESS]
[DATE]

Dear [NAME of MP in your riding]:
I am writing to you as a concerned Canadian about the alarming news that vessels bound for the Gaza Strip are being prevented from leaving Greek ports, despite their compliance with all legal expectations. One of those vessels is the Canadian ship, the Tahrir, with Canadian passengers on board. The Tahrir is part of the Fredom Flotilla 2 – Stay Human.

The Freedom Flotilla is an international initiative with the goal of challenging the illegal blockade of Gaza, and bringing humanitarian aid to the civilian population of Gaza in the spirit of the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1860 (2009). The Canadian boat is carrying much needed medical supplies. All delegates on the Freedom Flotilla, including the Canadian Boat, the Tahrir, are committed to peaceful and non-violent action. The Flotilla and the Tahrir are not breaking the law but are actively upholding international law.

I am concerned at the lack of port security in Greece that allowed the sabotage of two vessels – one Irish and the other Swedish-Greek-Norwegian – with potentially serious consequences for the passengers of those vessels. But I am outraged that the Tahrir is being prevented from leaving the Greek port while all legal documents are in order for it to sail.

I am concerned that the Canadian government is giving in to pressures from the Israeli government in preventing the Flotilla from sailing to Gaza by referring to this action as “provocative”. By doing so, the Canadian government is implying that the Israeli government is acting within its right when imposing an inhumane siege on 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza and seeking to control international waters.

As the MP of my riding I urge you to speak out in Parliament for the legitimate right of those Canadians on the Flotilla to express their solidarity with fellow Palestinians in Gaza, as well as
– to demand the Government to uphold its responsibility for the safety of all Canadians including those on the flotilla;
– to demand the Greek – government immediately release the Tahrir and implement all necessary measures for the safety of the Canadian ship and its passengers while in Greek waters;
– to demand the Israeli government to abide to international law by removing the illegal blockade of Gaza and allow safe docking of a Canadian ship to a port in Gaza

I look forward to hearing from you what actions you have taken on the above.
Sincerely,
[name]
[contact information]

LETTER TO GREEK OFFICIALS IN CANADA AND IN GREECE

Full contact information for consulates and the Greek embassy are below. To send an email to all consulates, cut and paste the following into the bcc field of your email program: embassy@.greekembassy.ca; montreal.consulate@greekembassy.ca; toronto.consulate@greekembassy.ca; vancouver.consulate@greekembassy.ca

Sample letter addressed to Greek authorities (consular and government)

[ADDRESS]
[DATE]

Dear Sir/Madam:

I am writing to you as a concerned Canadian citizen who has just learned that the Canadian Boat to Gaza, The Tahrir, is being prevented from leaving its port in Greece. This boat carries passengers from Canada, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Russia and Israel, and is part of the Fredom Flotilla 2–Stay Human.

The Freedom Flotilla is an international initiative with the goal of ending the illegal blockade of Gaza and to bring humanitarian aid to the civilian population of Gaza in the spirit of the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1860 (2009). The Tahrir is carrying much needed medical supplies to the people of Gaza.

All participants in the Freedom Flotilla are committed to peaceful and non-violent action. Its intention is to break the illegal blockade of Gaza by Israel. Its intention is not to break the law but to uphold international law.

While your country has been very welcoming by allowing the Flotilla to use various Greek ports, I am appalled that the ships have not been permitted to set sail in spite of the fact that they meet all the legal requirements to sail. I am also appalled at the lack of port security that allowed the sabotage of two vessels – one Irish and the other Swedish-Greek-Norwegian – with potentially serious consequences for the passengers of those vessels.

The various administrative steps taken by your government, including unnecessarily meticulous inspections, and the most recent detention of the Tahrir are preventing the departure of the Flotilla.

It is my understanding that the Tahrir has no legal or other impediment to leave port.

I would regard any actions by your government trying to block any vessels in the flotilla from leaving a Greek port and/or reaching the Gaza Strip as an overt collaboration with the illegal blockade imposed by Israel.

The Greek government can play a profound role in protecting human rights and international law. I expect the Greek government to NOT give in to pressures from the Israeli government or any other government, to allow the flotilla to sail and to take all necessary measures to assure the safety of all ships and passengers until they are in international waters.

I urge the Greek government to immediately allow the Tahrir and all other ships in the Freedom Flotilla to set sail.

Sincerely,
[your contact information]

Contact information for Greek Embassy and Consulates
Greek Embassy, OTTAWA http://www.greekembassy.ca
76- 80 Maclaren Street Ottawa Ontario Canada K2P OK6
Phone: +1-613-2386271 +1-613-2386273
Fax: +1-613-2385676
Email: embassy@.greekembassy.ca

Greece Consulate, MONTREAL
1170 Place Du Frere Andre, Suite 300 Montreal Quebec H3B 3C6
Phone: +1-514-8759902 +1-514-8752119
Fax: +1-514-8758781
Email: montreal.consulate@greekembassy.ca

Greek Consulate, TORONTO
365 Bloor Street East, Suite 1800
Toronto Canada M4W 3L4
Phone: +1-416-5150133 +1-416-5150134
Fax: +1-416-5150209
Email: toronto.consulate@greekembassy.ca

Greece Consulate, VANCOUVER
500-688 West Hastings Street Vancouver Canada V6B 1P1
Phone:+1-604-6811381 +1-604-6841366
Fax: +1-604-6816656
Email: vancouver.consulate@greekembassy.ca

CONTACT INFO FOR GREEK OFFICIALS IN GREECE

Address for the media to contact the president: internationalmediaoffice@primeminister.gr
On facebook: George A. Papandreou
On Twitter: @PrimeministerGR

Support

Support the Canadian Boat for Gaza

By the end of June, the Canadian Boat for Gaza, named Tahrir (Arabic for “liberation”) will be sailing with Freedom Flotilla II – Stay Human. Thirty delegates from across the country are preparing themselves for a difficult but necessary voyage and we are continuing to work with our international partners to organize and coordinate every aspect of the project. We are also assembling a dedicated group of volunteers across the country who will remain in Canada, supporting the launch of the flotilla, tracking and communicating with the Tahrir once it sets sail and handling media and public actions regionally and nationally.

Some of you (like us) may have heard via media reports that we are the subject of a lawsuit. We wish to inform you that we have not been served notice and that our plans are and will be progressing normally and legally towards our goal of reaching Gaza.

To date, we have raised around $340,000 through generous donations made by you and others like you. Despite recent media claims, we reaffirm that all money raised was donated by Canadian individuals and communities across the country, no government support and no tax benefits either. This is the sign of a true civil society initiative that every contributor believes in, beyond any doubt.

Other than the boat, which is the major expense, there are many large costs associated with a project of this magnitude and sensitivity, such as communications equipment (which needed to be of much higher grade than originally planned to accommodate media needs and operate as efficiently as possible, in the face of Israeli interference), fuel, repairs, safety equipment, etc. We would also like remind you that we bought a bigger boat than was originally planned, allowing more Canadians to participate and more humanitarian aid to be sent to Gaza.

With this we still need another $50,000 to fulfill the project’s needs. We are asking you to continue contributing to the Canadian Boat to Gaza so the Tahrir and its passengers can sail with all the necessary equipment and security devices needed for this difficult trip.

We count on your backing in this final push towards our common goal. The people of Gaza are waiting for us. If you can dig into your pockets one more time, please do. If you haven’t yet, now is the time. In any case, please ask your family, friends and co-workers to donate as well. Donations can be made online at our website at www.tahrir.ca.

About the Canadian Boat for Gaza

The Canadian Boat for Gaza (CBG) is an initiative of Canadian civil society dedicated — through non-violent direct action — to ending Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip. We are joined in this campaign by our international partners from Australia, Belgium and Denmark. They are contributing to and will be on board our boat Tahrir.

The CBG is a member of the Freedom Flotilla II, which unites more than twenty similar national initiatives as well as a half-dozen international organizations.

The CBG is a citizen’s initiative which gathers Canadians from all regions. It benefits from the support of nearly 200 civil society organizations in this country and of thousands of people from diverse ethnic, religious, social, professional and political backgrounds, all united by the will to end the illegal and immoral blockade imposed by the Zionist state on 1.5 million civilians living in the Gaza Strip.

The CBG maintains that the Harper government acts against the values and interests of Canada by its uncritical support of the State of Israel, despite Israel’s numerous flagrant violations of international law and of human rights in blockading Gaza.

Faced with the Government of Canada’s irresponsible position, we consider it our duty as citizens to employ all necessary non-violent means to break the Gaza blockade.

Follow the Canadian Boat for Gaza

Visit tahrir.ca for updates on the Canadian Boat for Gaza.

You can also follow the CBG on Twitter at @CanadaBoatGaza and @TahrirCanada. You can also follow co-founder and steering committee member of Independent Jewish Voices and the Canadian Boat to Gaza Dylan Penner, one of the CBG delegates, at @DylanPenner. Flotilla hashtags: #Canada4Gaza, #flotilla2 and #FF2StayHuman.

Individuals and groups can also endorse the CBG.