SM Mohamed Idris
Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) dan Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) amat prihatin berhubung cadangan pembinaan Jalan Lingkaran Luar Kuala Lumpur (KLORR) yang akan merentasi Taman Negeri Selangor, Banjaran Kuarza Klang Gates di Hulu Klang dan Hutan Simpan Hulu Gombak, Ampang dan Hulu Langat.
Dilaporkan bahawa kerja untuk laluan barat KLORR, dari Taman Templer di Rawang ke Lebuh raya Karak telahpun bermula, dengan sebahagian Hutan Simpan Kancing sedang dibersihkan. Kami membantah permusnahan hutan yang amat bernilai ini.
Sewaktu pelancaran rasmi 107,000 hektar Taman Negeri Selangor (juga dikenali sebagai Taman Warisan Selangor) pada 2005, Menteri Besar Selangor ketika itu, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, telah menyatakan bahawa status taman itu sebagai hutan kekal yang akan memastikan bahawa tidak berlaku sebarang eksploitasi.
Fasa 1 melibatkan 91,114 hektar Taman Negeri Selangor telahpun diwartakan. Fasa yang seterusnya melibatkan Banjaran Kuarza Klang Gates yang merupakan yang terpanjang di dunia, sepanjang 14 km dilaporkan turut akan diwartakan.
Di samping menjadi kawasan tadahan air penting bagi Selangor, hutan ini kaya dengan flora dan fauna termasuk spesies terancam seperti tapir, ungka, harimau bintang, burung kenyalang dan pelbagai reptilia, amfibia, serangga, ikan dan sebagainya. Ia juga merupakan kawasan rekreasi terkenal, warisan geologi dan menawarkan pemandangan persekitaran semula jadi.
Mengubah hutan untuk membina jalan lingkaran luar mengundang bencana alam sekitar. Laluan jalan, pemotongan cerun dan sebagainya akan menyebabkan hakisan tanah yang serius dan larian air. Bukan hanya sumber air penting bagi Selangor yang akan terjejas, mendapan dalam sistem saliran juga akan turut menjejaskan kualiti air untuk kegunaan bagi minuman.
Senarai kesannya kepada alam sekitar dan orang ramai amat besar, jadi kenapa jajaran KLORR dibenarkan melalui ekosistem yang mudah terjejas ini? KLORR juga akan melalui Taman Melawati, yang akan mengubahnya daripada kejiranan yang aman damai bertukar kepada kawasan berbahaya, berhabuk dan bising. Adakah jalan lingkaran luar ini perlu walaupun jika kosnya membawa kepada kemusnahan?
Seperti mana yang kami tegaskan dalam bantahan terhadap cadangan Jalan Lingkaran Luar Pulau Pinang, membina jalan lingkaran luar bukanlah penyelesaian jangka panjang kepada kesesakan lalu lintas. Rancangan pengangkutan yang memilih untuk menggerakkan kenderaan persendirian sebagai ganti orang ramai akan menggalakkan pertambahan lebih banyak kenderaan persendirian di jalan raya. Alternatif yang mapan dan berdaya maju untuk memperbaiki sistem pengangkutan awam kita.
Harga yang terpaksa dibayar untuk KLORR dalam jangka panjang dan pendek amat tinggi dan kerosakan kepada alam sekitar tidak dapat diperbaiki lagi, kami menggesa kerajaan negeri dan Kerajaan Persekutuan supaya menghentikan pembinaan KLORR. Langkah juga mestilah diambil untuk memastikan bahawa Taman Negeri Selangor dan Banjaran Kuarza Klang Gates dilindungi sepenuhnya daripada sebarang jenis pembangunan.
SM Mohamed Idris
Presiden
Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP)
& Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM)
Ulasan: Tanggungjawab kerajaan terhadap hutan semulajadi amat besar untuk kebaikan anak cucu kita. Bukan hanya memberi kontrak pembangunan kepada kroni.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Sukarelawan gabungan NGO Malaysia ke Gaza
Pemergian Pengerusi Aqsa Syarif Ust Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus dengan diiringi oleh Wartawan Astro Awani En. Ashwad Ismail dan Shamsulkamal Bin Abdul Latip untuk menyertai Sukarelawan gabungan NGO Malaysia yang diketuai oleh Haluan dalam misi Lifeline4gaza
Pengerusi Aqsa Syarif Ust Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus akan berangkat ke Istanbul pada hari Ahad 23 Mei diiringi oleh dua orang wartawan Astro Awani. Mereka dijadualkan akan berlepas dari KLIA sebelum tengah malam dan dijangka tiba pada awal pagi 24 Mei di lapangan terbang Kamal Attaturk.
Mereka akan bergabung dengan lapan orang sukarelawan Malaysia yang sudah berada di pelabuhan Altanya bagi menyertai misi Lifeline 4 Gaza. Lapan orang sukarelawan tersebut yang diketuai oleh ketua misi Sdr Norazman Shamsuddin dari Haluan turut disertai oleh anggota misi dari Muslimcare, PACE/JIM, Aqsa Syarif dan juga Yayasan Amal.
Aqsa Syarif amat menghargai penyertaan Astro Awani yang akan membuat liputan sepanjang perlaksanaan misi ini bermula dari pelayaran keluar flotilla dari pelabuhan Altanya, Turki sehingga tiba ke Gaza. Mereka akan terus membuat liputan sehingga anggota misi selesai memenuhi amanah menyampaikan barangan yang dimuatkan di atas sembilan buah kapal yang menyertai misi tersebut. Sumber berita yang diterima dari ketua misi iaitu Sdr Norazman, sukarelawan gabungan NGO dari Malaysia akan menaiki kapal Turki ‘Mavi Marmara’. Pihak kami juga dimaklumkan lebih dari 7,000 sukarelawan dari seluruh dunia sudah berada di Altanya untuk menyertai misi ini.
Kami memohon doa dari rakyat Malaysia agar semua anggota misi selamat melaksanakan amanah yang besar ini untuk menerobos tembok kematian yang telah mendatangkan penderitaan yang tidak terperi kepada penduduk Gaza. Semuga usaha gabungan dari seluruh dunia yang prihatin ini akan membuktikan bahawa regim Zionis Israel tidaklah sekebal yang diperlihatkan dan mereka akan tunduk juga kepada tekanan dari masyarakat antarabangsa untuk menghentikan kezaliman dan kebiadapan ke atas rakyat Palestin terutama di Gaza.
Ustaz Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus
Pengerusi
Aqsa Syarif Berhad
23 Mei 2010
Pengerusi Aqsa Syarif Ust Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus akan berangkat ke Istanbul pada hari Ahad 23 Mei diiringi oleh dua orang wartawan Astro Awani. Mereka dijadualkan akan berlepas dari KLIA sebelum tengah malam dan dijangka tiba pada awal pagi 24 Mei di lapangan terbang Kamal Attaturk.
Mereka akan bergabung dengan lapan orang sukarelawan Malaysia yang sudah berada di pelabuhan Altanya bagi menyertai misi Lifeline 4 Gaza. Lapan orang sukarelawan tersebut yang diketuai oleh ketua misi Sdr Norazman Shamsuddin dari Haluan turut disertai oleh anggota misi dari Muslimcare, PACE/JIM, Aqsa Syarif dan juga Yayasan Amal.
Aqsa Syarif amat menghargai penyertaan Astro Awani yang akan membuat liputan sepanjang perlaksanaan misi ini bermula dari pelayaran keluar flotilla dari pelabuhan Altanya, Turki sehingga tiba ke Gaza. Mereka akan terus membuat liputan sehingga anggota misi selesai memenuhi amanah menyampaikan barangan yang dimuatkan di atas sembilan buah kapal yang menyertai misi tersebut. Sumber berita yang diterima dari ketua misi iaitu Sdr Norazman, sukarelawan gabungan NGO dari Malaysia akan menaiki kapal Turki ‘Mavi Marmara’. Pihak kami juga dimaklumkan lebih dari 7,000 sukarelawan dari seluruh dunia sudah berada di Altanya untuk menyertai misi ini.
Kami memohon doa dari rakyat Malaysia agar semua anggota misi selamat melaksanakan amanah yang besar ini untuk menerobos tembok kematian yang telah mendatangkan penderitaan yang tidak terperi kepada penduduk Gaza. Semuga usaha gabungan dari seluruh dunia yang prihatin ini akan membuktikan bahawa regim Zionis Israel tidaklah sekebal yang diperlihatkan dan mereka akan tunduk juga kepada tekanan dari masyarakat antarabangsa untuk menghentikan kezaliman dan kebiadapan ke atas rakyat Palestin terutama di Gaza.
Ustaz Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus
Pengerusi
Aqsa Syarif Berhad
23 Mei 2010
Rakyat Gaza Siapkan Sambutan, Israel Sibuk Mengancam
Monday, 24 May 2010 08:44 Viva Palestina
Kafilah kemanusiaan Palestina terus berusaha “menembus” Gaza, Israel sibuk menebar ancaman
Sahabat Al-Aqsa & Hidayatullah.com–Kafilah kapal kemanusiaan, Freedom Flotilla, untuk Gaza dijadwalkan akan bertolak dari Antalya, Turki pada Selasa (25/5), nanti. Kedua belah pihak, baik rakyat Gaza maupun pihak Zionis Israel, sudah menyiapkan acara penyambutan.
“Mereka (Israel) tahu kita akan berangkat tanggal 25 (Mei), tapi itu tidak masalah,” kata Nalan Dal, Humas IHH (Insani Yardim Vakfi), lembaga kemanusiaan Islam terbesar di Turki, kepada para peserta kafilah Ahad (23/5).
Kata Nalan, pihak Israel menyambutnya dengan sibuk menebar ancaman terhadap kafilah, sedangkan rakyat Gaza menyambut dengan menyiapkan pelabuhan Gaza. Bahkan, kata Nalan, akan ada anak-anak kecil Gaza yang dipersiapkan untuk menyambut kedatangan kafilah nanti.
Turut bicara kepada para peserta, aktivis HAM Turki Gulden Sonmez. Ia mengatakan, saat ini Israel sangat panik. “Jadi, mereka sibuk berbuat apa saja. Mereka mengancam, mereka menangkap, dan menginterogasi,” ujar Gulden.
Gulden mengungkapkan, penangkapan Koornidator IHH untuk Ramallah, Izzet Sahin, beberapa waktu lalu berkaitan erat dengan kafilah kapal kemanusiaan ini. Hal ini didasari pengakuan Izzet sendiri yang selama 19 hari ditahan Israel selalu ditanya soal kafilah Freedom Flotilla.
Sejauh ini, dipastikan ada sembilah kapal yang akan bergabung dalam kafilah Freedom Flotilla. Tiga kapal dari IHH Turki, empat kapal dari Freedom Gaza Movement, dan dua kapal dari LSM-LSM Eropa, Yunani dan Swedia.
Kafilah Freedom Flotilla akan membawa 10 ton bantuan kemanusiaan untuk rakyat Gaza yang sudah hampir empat tahun belakangan diblokade zionis Israel. [Surya Fachrizal, Dzikrullah, Santi Soekanto/www.hidayatullah.com]
http://hidayatullah.com/berita/viva-palestina/11818-rakyat-gaza-siapkan-sambutan-israel-sibuk-mengancam
Kafilah kemanusiaan Palestina terus berusaha “menembus” Gaza, Israel sibuk menebar ancaman
Sahabat Al-Aqsa & Hidayatullah.com–Kafilah kapal kemanusiaan, Freedom Flotilla, untuk Gaza dijadwalkan akan bertolak dari Antalya, Turki pada Selasa (25/5), nanti. Kedua belah pihak, baik rakyat Gaza maupun pihak Zionis Israel, sudah menyiapkan acara penyambutan.
“Mereka (Israel) tahu kita akan berangkat tanggal 25 (Mei), tapi itu tidak masalah,” kata Nalan Dal, Humas IHH (Insani Yardim Vakfi), lembaga kemanusiaan Islam terbesar di Turki, kepada para peserta kafilah Ahad (23/5).
Kata Nalan, pihak Israel menyambutnya dengan sibuk menebar ancaman terhadap kafilah, sedangkan rakyat Gaza menyambut dengan menyiapkan pelabuhan Gaza. Bahkan, kata Nalan, akan ada anak-anak kecil Gaza yang dipersiapkan untuk menyambut kedatangan kafilah nanti.
Turut bicara kepada para peserta, aktivis HAM Turki Gulden Sonmez. Ia mengatakan, saat ini Israel sangat panik. “Jadi, mereka sibuk berbuat apa saja. Mereka mengancam, mereka menangkap, dan menginterogasi,” ujar Gulden.
Gulden mengungkapkan, penangkapan Koornidator IHH untuk Ramallah, Izzet Sahin, beberapa waktu lalu berkaitan erat dengan kafilah kapal kemanusiaan ini. Hal ini didasari pengakuan Izzet sendiri yang selama 19 hari ditahan Israel selalu ditanya soal kafilah Freedom Flotilla.
Sejauh ini, dipastikan ada sembilah kapal yang akan bergabung dalam kafilah Freedom Flotilla. Tiga kapal dari IHH Turki, empat kapal dari Freedom Gaza Movement, dan dua kapal dari LSM-LSM Eropa, Yunani dan Swedia.
Kafilah Freedom Flotilla akan membawa 10 ton bantuan kemanusiaan untuk rakyat Gaza yang sudah hampir empat tahun belakangan diblokade zionis Israel. [Surya Fachrizal, Dzikrullah, Santi Soekanto/www.hidayatullah.com]
http://hidayatullah.com/berita/viva-palestina/11818-rakyat-gaza-siapkan-sambutan-israel-sibuk-mengancam
“Insya Allah Kita Mencapai Gaza, Walau Harus Berenang!”
Sunday, 23 May 2010 23:18 Viva Palestina
Meskipun diancam oleh Israel, mereka akan berusaha mencapai Gaza. “Walaupun kami terpaksa harus berenang ke pantai Gaza
Sahabat Al-Aqsha & Hidayatullah.com--Diantara yang memberikan sambutan saat upacara besar melepas keberangkatan kafilah kapal kemanusiaan Lifeline for Gaza di dermaga Sarayburnu, Istanbul, siang tadi (22/5) adalah Syeikh Ra’id Salah, ulama Palestina yang sudah berkali-kali dijebloskan penjara dan disiksa oleh Israel.
Syeikh Ra’id akan ikut serta dalam kafilah kapal kemanusiaan ini. Dalam sambutannya, Syeikh Ra’id meminta izin kepada yang hadir khususnya ribuan warga Turki, untuk menyampaikan kepada para anak yatim, janda-janda, orang cacat, orang sakit, dan seluruh warga Gaza, bahwa mereka tidak sendirian akibat diembargo oleh Israel dan Amerika Serikat.
“Tunggulah wahai saudara-saudaraku warga Gaza, kami akan datang menemani kalian yang sedang tertimpa kezaliman!” teriak pria yang murah senyum ini.
Sementara itu dari kawasan Asia Tenggara, Noorazman Mohd Syamsuddin dari Haluan Malaysia, memberikan sambutan mewakili masyarakat Malaysia dan Indonesia. Di depan ribuan hadirin Noorazman mengatakan, bahwa rakyat Malaysia dan Indonesia telah menyatakan perasaan bencinya kepada embargo ini dengan memberikan infaq, melakukan demonstrasi, serta member dukungan penuh bagi kafilah kemanusiaan ini.
Noorazman mendoakan agar berkah Allah terlimpah kepada harta mereka yang telah mendukung kafilah kemanusiaan ini.
“Saya berdiri di sini mewakili lebih dari 50 organisasi masyarakat besar di Malaysia dan Indonesia yang jumlah penduduknya hampir 300 juta jiwa,” katanya dalam bahasa Inggris. Noorazman menegaskan, karena besarnya amanah itu, maka tekad mereka untuk menyampaikan amanah itu pun sangat besar. Meskipun diancam oleh Israel, mereka akan berusaha mencapai Gaza, “Walaupun kami terpaksa harus berenang ke pantai Gaza!”.[Sahabatalaqsha.com dan Hidayatullah.com ]
http://hidayatullah.com/berita/viva-palestina/11812-insya-allah-kita-mencapai-gaza-walau-harus-berenang
Meskipun diancam oleh Israel, mereka akan berusaha mencapai Gaza. “Walaupun kami terpaksa harus berenang ke pantai Gaza
Sahabat Al-Aqsha & Hidayatullah.com--Diantara yang memberikan sambutan saat upacara besar melepas keberangkatan kafilah kapal kemanusiaan Lifeline for Gaza di dermaga Sarayburnu, Istanbul, siang tadi (22/5) adalah Syeikh Ra’id Salah, ulama Palestina yang sudah berkali-kali dijebloskan penjara dan disiksa oleh Israel.
Syeikh Ra’id akan ikut serta dalam kafilah kapal kemanusiaan ini. Dalam sambutannya, Syeikh Ra’id meminta izin kepada yang hadir khususnya ribuan warga Turki, untuk menyampaikan kepada para anak yatim, janda-janda, orang cacat, orang sakit, dan seluruh warga Gaza, bahwa mereka tidak sendirian akibat diembargo oleh Israel dan Amerika Serikat.
“Tunggulah wahai saudara-saudaraku warga Gaza, kami akan datang menemani kalian yang sedang tertimpa kezaliman!” teriak pria yang murah senyum ini.
Sementara itu dari kawasan Asia Tenggara, Noorazman Mohd Syamsuddin dari Haluan Malaysia, memberikan sambutan mewakili masyarakat Malaysia dan Indonesia. Di depan ribuan hadirin Noorazman mengatakan, bahwa rakyat Malaysia dan Indonesia telah menyatakan perasaan bencinya kepada embargo ini dengan memberikan infaq, melakukan demonstrasi, serta member dukungan penuh bagi kafilah kemanusiaan ini.
Noorazman mendoakan agar berkah Allah terlimpah kepada harta mereka yang telah mendukung kafilah kemanusiaan ini.
“Saya berdiri di sini mewakili lebih dari 50 organisasi masyarakat besar di Malaysia dan Indonesia yang jumlah penduduknya hampir 300 juta jiwa,” katanya dalam bahasa Inggris. Noorazman menegaskan, karena besarnya amanah itu, maka tekad mereka untuk menyampaikan amanah itu pun sangat besar. Meskipun diancam oleh Israel, mereka akan berusaha mencapai Gaza, “Walaupun kami terpaksa harus berenang ke pantai Gaza!”.[Sahabatalaqsha.com dan Hidayatullah.com ]
http://hidayatullah.com/berita/viva-palestina/11812-insya-allah-kita-mencapai-gaza-walau-harus-berenang
Ancaman Israel Dibalas Gemuruh Takbir dan Tahlil di Pelabuhan Istanbul
Posted by alkahfi on 23 May 2010
ISTANBUL– Israel mengancam akan mengerahkan 2 atau 3 kapal berisi rakyatnya yang bersenjata dengan tujuan menghalangi masuknya kafilah kapal-kapal kemanusiaan ke Gaza.
Khabar ancaman yang disampaikan oleh Presiden IHH (lembaga kemanusiaan internasional terbesar di Turki) Bulent Yildirim itu dijawab oleh sekitar 5 ribu orang dengan meneriakkan takbir dan tahlil saat melepas kapal utama Konvoi Kemanusiaan “Lifeline for Gaza” meninggalkan dermaga pelabuhan Sarayburnu, Istanbul, siang tadi (22/5).
Kapal Mavi Marmara yang bercat putih dan biru muda dan berbendera Turki itu berlayar menuju selatan tepat jam 2 siang (jam 6 sore WIB), menuju pelabuhan Antalya, dan rencananya pada hari Selasa akan melanjutkan perjalanan menembus kepungan Angkatan Laut Israel ke Gaza bersama dengan 8 kapal lainnya dari Turki, Yunani, dan Inggris.
Kafilah kapal kemanusiaan ini ditumpangi oleh lebih dari 700 orang aktivis kemanusiaan, anggota parlemen, dan wartawan dari 42 negara. Dari Indonesia telah hadir di Istanbul tim dari KISPA (Komite Indonesia untuk Solidaritas Palestina), MER-C (Medical Emergency Rescue Committee) dan Sahabat Al-Aqsha.
Kafilah kapal kemanusiaan ini membawa muatan lebih dari 20 ribu ton bantuan kemanusiaan berupa bahan bangunan seperti semen dan besi, obat-obatan, peralatan rumah sakit, peralatan sekolah dan kebutuhan gizi balita dan bayi-bayi di Gaza.
Bertolaknya Kapal Mavi Marvara diiringi dengan dentuman puluhan mercon berukuran besar yang diledakkan di dekat buritan kapal pesiar berkapasitas 1000 orang itu. Di atas kapal, beberapa peserta konvoi menyalakan asap-asap pengirim sinyal darurat beraneka warna. Di dek belakang kapal ratusan balon berwarna merah-hitam- putih-hijau seperti bendera Palestina dilepas.
Para hadirin yang terdiri dari pemuda, pemudi, orangtua dan anak-anak sudah berkumpul di dermaga sejak jam 9 pagi menyambut diangkatnya jangkar Mavi Marmara dengan pekik yang membahana, “Allahu Akbar… Allahu Akbar… Allahu Akbar.. Laa ilaaha illa Allahu Allahu Akbar!” Mereka tak henti-hentinya mengibarkan bendera-bendera Palestina, Turki, bendera Tauhid dan bendera negara-negara yang diwakili oleh para peserta konvoi.
Pada saat yang sama lebih dari 20 kapal berukuran kecil yang dipenuhi pemuda-pemudi Turki ikut melepas bertolaknya Mavi Marmara (yang berarti Marmara Biru, diambil dari nama laut Istanbul) menuju Gaza. Mereka ikut meneriakkan yel-yel membela Palestina serta takbir dan tahlil sambil mengibar-kibarkan bendera Palestina dan Turki.
Sudah lebih dari 3 tahun Gaza diembargo secara internasional oleh Israel, Amerika Serikat, dan negara-negara Eropa akibat rakyat Gaza memilih untuk melawan penjajah Israel. Negara Zionis Israel didirikan di atas tanah Palestina sejak 63 tahun yang lalu, dan sejak itu mempertahankan keberadaannya dengan teror, penculikan, penyiksaan, pembunuhan, perampasan rumah dan tanah, serta penghancuran harta benda rakyat Palestina.(Sahabatalaqsha. com/DP,SS, SF)
Sahabat Al-Aqsha & Hidayatullah. com
ISTANBUL– Israel mengancam akan mengerahkan 2 atau 3 kapal berisi rakyatnya yang bersenjata dengan tujuan menghalangi masuknya kafilah kapal-kapal kemanusiaan ke Gaza.
Khabar ancaman yang disampaikan oleh Presiden IHH (lembaga kemanusiaan internasional terbesar di Turki) Bulent Yildirim itu dijawab oleh sekitar 5 ribu orang dengan meneriakkan takbir dan tahlil saat melepas kapal utama Konvoi Kemanusiaan “Lifeline for Gaza” meninggalkan dermaga pelabuhan Sarayburnu, Istanbul, siang tadi (22/5).
Kapal Mavi Marmara yang bercat putih dan biru muda dan berbendera Turki itu berlayar menuju selatan tepat jam 2 siang (jam 6 sore WIB), menuju pelabuhan Antalya, dan rencananya pada hari Selasa akan melanjutkan perjalanan menembus kepungan Angkatan Laut Israel ke Gaza bersama dengan 8 kapal lainnya dari Turki, Yunani, dan Inggris.
Kafilah kapal kemanusiaan ini ditumpangi oleh lebih dari 700 orang aktivis kemanusiaan, anggota parlemen, dan wartawan dari 42 negara. Dari Indonesia telah hadir di Istanbul tim dari KISPA (Komite Indonesia untuk Solidaritas Palestina), MER-C (Medical Emergency Rescue Committee) dan Sahabat Al-Aqsha.
Kafilah kapal kemanusiaan ini membawa muatan lebih dari 20 ribu ton bantuan kemanusiaan berupa bahan bangunan seperti semen dan besi, obat-obatan, peralatan rumah sakit, peralatan sekolah dan kebutuhan gizi balita dan bayi-bayi di Gaza.
Bertolaknya Kapal Mavi Marvara diiringi dengan dentuman puluhan mercon berukuran besar yang diledakkan di dekat buritan kapal pesiar berkapasitas 1000 orang itu. Di atas kapal, beberapa peserta konvoi menyalakan asap-asap pengirim sinyal darurat beraneka warna. Di dek belakang kapal ratusan balon berwarna merah-hitam- putih-hijau seperti bendera Palestina dilepas.
Para hadirin yang terdiri dari pemuda, pemudi, orangtua dan anak-anak sudah berkumpul di dermaga sejak jam 9 pagi menyambut diangkatnya jangkar Mavi Marmara dengan pekik yang membahana, “Allahu Akbar… Allahu Akbar… Allahu Akbar.. Laa ilaaha illa Allahu Allahu Akbar!” Mereka tak henti-hentinya mengibarkan bendera-bendera Palestina, Turki, bendera Tauhid dan bendera negara-negara yang diwakili oleh para peserta konvoi.
Pada saat yang sama lebih dari 20 kapal berukuran kecil yang dipenuhi pemuda-pemudi Turki ikut melepas bertolaknya Mavi Marmara (yang berarti Marmara Biru, diambil dari nama laut Istanbul) menuju Gaza. Mereka ikut meneriakkan yel-yel membela Palestina serta takbir dan tahlil sambil mengibar-kibarkan bendera Palestina dan Turki.
Sudah lebih dari 3 tahun Gaza diembargo secara internasional oleh Israel, Amerika Serikat, dan negara-negara Eropa akibat rakyat Gaza memilih untuk melawan penjajah Israel. Negara Zionis Israel didirikan di atas tanah Palestina sejak 63 tahun yang lalu, dan sejak itu mempertahankan keberadaannya dengan teror, penculikan, penyiksaan, pembunuhan, perampasan rumah dan tanah, serta penghancuran harta benda rakyat Palestina.(Sahabatalaqsha. com/DP,SS, SF)
Sahabat Al-Aqsha & Hidayatullah. com
Monday, May 24, 2010
Israel's navy will have its work cut out
Ten thousand tons of cargo, 800 passengers, 50 nationalities, nine vessels - one aim - to break the siege on Gaza.
That's the simple math behind the Freedom Flotilla as its lead vessel was unveiled on Saturday in Istanbul.
At a rally held to bid the ship farewell, organisers challenged Israel's insistence that its navy would not allow this convoy, of much needed humanitarian aid, to reach the Gaza Strip.
As one organiser put it to me: "These ships will only return empty of their cargo, and with the footprints from Gaza's sand".
And from what I've seen from the organisers and supporters, I am inclined to believe her.
There are more than 20 charities partaking in one way or another in this flotilla -activists, humanitarians, politicians from the USA to Indonesia. If Israel were to prevent these people from entering or if it were to harm or detain them, Israeli authorities could very well find themselves embroiled in diplomatic disputes with up to 50 countries.
Furthermore, the sheer resolve and work put in by the organisers of this fleet - over a period spanning back to 2008 - really does make it difficult to believe that they would just turn back to where they came from without reaching their desired destination. Aside from the 10,000 tons of aid, organisers say they're taking up to two months worth of food and supplies for those on board - in case that's how long it takes for Israel to allow them access.
That's 800 people, willing to spend two months at sea, away from their friends, families, and livelihood, so they can deliver aid to people they don't even know.
From Israel's perspective though, it is understandable why it shouldn't allow this humanitarian convoy reach Gaza. Doing so could dramatically change the status quo. For starters, it severely questions Israel's continued and illegal occupation of the Gaza Strip, bringing to light that whilst Israeli troops may have left Gaza, they still control the territory's, air, land and sea entry points - all but suffocating the coastal territory.
Moreover, if this fleet of humanitarians does reach its destination, it could very well set a precedent for others to challenge Israel's illegal occupation, and the next thing you know Israel's navy could be confronted by an armada of charities and humanitarian organisations.
Furthermore, were the Freedom Flotilla to dock in Gaza, Arab governments would be severely embarrassed. After all, if a few hundred people can break the siege and help rebuild Gaza, why can't some of the wealthiest nations and largest armies?
Ultimately Israel is faced with two questions: does it continue its policy of collective punishment and prevent the flotilla from entering Gaza until Gazans succumb to Israeli demands? Or does it allow the aid to enter and attempt to demonstrate to the world that Israel does in fact respect human rights?
Unfortunately neither of these options bode well for the Israelis, option one for the obvious public outcry that will spill out as a result of 800 people stranded in the water. And although option two would be smarter from a public relations perspective, it would be an indirect admission by Israel that its policy of collective punishment and continued siege is flawed, not to mention illegal.
It seems Israel only has a few days left before it is to make up its mind on what could be one of its toughest tests yet. And it is posing these questions that make the Freedom Flotilla so significant.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2010/05/22/israels-navy-will-have-its-work-cut-out
That's the simple math behind the Freedom Flotilla as its lead vessel was unveiled on Saturday in Istanbul.
At a rally held to bid the ship farewell, organisers challenged Israel's insistence that its navy would not allow this convoy, of much needed humanitarian aid, to reach the Gaza Strip.
As one organiser put it to me: "These ships will only return empty of their cargo, and with the footprints from Gaza's sand".
And from what I've seen from the organisers and supporters, I am inclined to believe her.
There are more than 20 charities partaking in one way or another in this flotilla -activists, humanitarians, politicians from the USA to Indonesia. If Israel were to prevent these people from entering or if it were to harm or detain them, Israeli authorities could very well find themselves embroiled in diplomatic disputes with up to 50 countries.
Furthermore, the sheer resolve and work put in by the organisers of this fleet - over a period spanning back to 2008 - really does make it difficult to believe that they would just turn back to where they came from without reaching their desired destination. Aside from the 10,000 tons of aid, organisers say they're taking up to two months worth of food and supplies for those on board - in case that's how long it takes for Israel to allow them access.
That's 800 people, willing to spend two months at sea, away from their friends, families, and livelihood, so they can deliver aid to people they don't even know.
From Israel's perspective though, it is understandable why it shouldn't allow this humanitarian convoy reach Gaza. Doing so could dramatically change the status quo. For starters, it severely questions Israel's continued and illegal occupation of the Gaza Strip, bringing to light that whilst Israeli troops may have left Gaza, they still control the territory's, air, land and sea entry points - all but suffocating the coastal territory.
Moreover, if this fleet of humanitarians does reach its destination, it could very well set a precedent for others to challenge Israel's illegal occupation, and the next thing you know Israel's navy could be confronted by an armada of charities and humanitarian organisations.
Furthermore, were the Freedom Flotilla to dock in Gaza, Arab governments would be severely embarrassed. After all, if a few hundred people can break the siege and help rebuild Gaza, why can't some of the wealthiest nations and largest armies?
Ultimately Israel is faced with two questions: does it continue its policy of collective punishment and prevent the flotilla from entering Gaza until Gazans succumb to Israeli demands? Or does it allow the aid to enter and attempt to demonstrate to the world that Israel does in fact respect human rights?
Unfortunately neither of these options bode well for the Israelis, option one for the obvious public outcry that will spill out as a result of 800 people stranded in the water. And although option two would be smarter from a public relations perspective, it would be an indirect admission by Israel that its policy of collective punishment and continued siege is flawed, not to mention illegal.
It seems Israel only has a few days left before it is to make up its mind on what could be one of its toughest tests yet. And it is posing these questions that make the Freedom Flotilla so significant.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2010/05/22/israels-navy-will-have-its-work-cut-out
Ratu Cantik 1Malaysia 2010 : Wanita bukan Binatang
PUTRAJAYA 23 Mei - Gadis berketurunan Bidayuh dan Iban dari Sarawak, Ann Fiona Philips, 25, dinobatkan sebagai juara Ratu Cantik 1Malaysia 2010 dalam pertandingan akhir 1Malaysia Miss Beauty Queen Pageant (MBQP) 2010 di Dewan Seri Endon, Puspanitapuri di sini malam tadi.
Ann Fiona yang merupakan seorang jururawat berjaya mengetepikan 13 peserta peringkat akhir dari seluruh negara sekali gus berjaya membawa pulang hadiah wang tunai sebanyak RM10,000, tiara bernilai RM829,375 dan busana.
Dengan kemenangan itu, Ann Fiona akan mewakili Malaysia ke pertandingan Miss Beauty World Pageant 2010 di Venezuela.
Naib Juara pula dimenangi oleh peserta dari Perak, Nor Rodiahtul Adawiah Md. Latid, 24, manakala tempat ketiga, Aimi Zanura Mohd. Zafrullah, 23, dari Kelantan.
Masing-masing membawa pulang hadiah wang tunai RM7,000 dan RM5,000 selain tiara dan busana.
Pertandingan ratu cantik yang berkonsepkan 1Malaysia itu dianjurkan oleh MBQ World Sdn. Bhd.
Program tersebut menampilkan kelainan berbanding kebiasaan pertandingan ratu cantik apabila para peserta tidak dikehendaki memperagakan bikini sebaliknya mengenakan busana yang sopan selain terdapat peserta yang bertudung….
Ulasan: Mengapakah kecantikan semulajadi yang Allah berikan di pertandingankan? Wanita bukan binatang untuk di pertandingkan.
Gaza masih tidak dipulihkan
RAMALLAH 23 Mei - Sebuah agensi Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) melaporkan kira-kira 75 peratus daripada kerosakan atau kemusnahan rumah dan infrastruktur yang dilakukan oleh tentera Israel dalam perangnya ke atas Genting Gaza lebih setahun lalu belum dibaiki atau dibina semula.
Israel terus menyekat kemasukan bahan binaan ke Genting Gaza sebagai sebahagian sekatan menyeluruh ke atas wilayah Palestin yang diperintah oleh Hamas itu.
Program Pembangunan PBB (UNDP) dalam laporannya hari ini berkata, penduduk Gaza menjalankan kerja pembaikan kecil-kecilan yang dianggarkan bernilai AS$173 juta (RM554 juta) dengan menggunakan bahan runtuhan yang dikitar semula atau bahan yang diseludupkan menerusi terowong di sempadan dengan Mesir.
Masyarakat antarabangsa pada umumnya terpinggir dalam usaha pembangunan semula itu memandangkan PBB dan negara lain tidak dapat berbuat apa-apa kerana mereka tidak mahu membeli barang seludup.
"Banyak anggota masyarakat antarabangsa termasuk PBB sehingga kini mengelak daripada menggunakan bahan yang dikenal pasti diseludupkan melalui terowong, dengan itu membataskan peranan mereka dalam program pembangunan semula," menurut UNDP.
UNDP bagaimanapun berkata, dengan memberi tumpuan kepada kerja pembaikan kecemasan dan pembinaan semula rumah dan infrastruktur pertanian, pertubuhan-pertubuhan Arab dan Islam didapati lebih berkesan dalam membantu penduduk Gaza berbanding agensi-agensi Barat.
Sebagai contoh, laporan itu menyebut pertubuhan seperti Mercy Malaysia, Islamic Relief, Qatar Red Crescent, Qatar Charity, Human Appeal International, Al-Rahma Charity Association dan Muslim Hands.
PBB menganggarkan sekurang-kurangnya 6,268 rumah di wilayah Palestin yang sesak dan miskin itu musnah atau rosak teruk dalam serangan Israel antara 27 Disember 2008 hingga 18 Januari 2009.
Kira-kira 1,400 penduduk Palestin terkorban dalam konflik itu manakala 13 rakyat Israel terbunuh dalam pertempuran atau serangan roket pejuang Palestin.
Penduduk Gaza berjumlah 1.5 juta orang banyak bergantung kepada rangkaian terowong di bawah sempadan dengan Mesir sejak Israel dan Mesir mengetatkan kawalan sempadan selepas Hamas merampas kuasa di wilayah itu pada Jun 2007.
Bank Dunia menganggarkan 80 peratus daripada import Gaza diseludupkan mengikut terowong. - AP/AFP
Ulasan: Bantulah penduduk Palestin kerana mereka pun manusia juga. Mereka telah di zalimi negara penjajah sejak 62 tahun yang lalu…
Judi bola: Sampai bila Najib mahu membisu?
Harakahdaily
KUALA LUMPUR, 23 Mei: Sampai bilakah Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak mahu berdiam diri daripada mengulas isu pemberian lesen judi bola sepak walau jelas ia dikeluarkan oleh Menteri Kewangan kepada Kumpulan Berjaya.
Ini kerana, hampir setiap malam di segenap tempat ia dibincangkan oleh semua pihak hatta mereka yang bukan beragama Islam.
Hari ini, sekali lagi Setiausaha Publisiti DAP, Tony Pua mengulas isu itu dengan mencabar Umno dan Perkasa membuat pendirian dalam isu judi bola yang dikeluarkan oleh kerajaan BN.
Di segenap masjid dan surau khasnya di negeri-negeri yang bebas dari cengkaman BN, hampir semua kuliah agama menyentuh isu judi bola itu.
Mungkin mengetahui perkara itu, bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi meminta kerajaan agar mendengar bantahan rakyat.
Abdullah berkata demikian di Pulau Pinang semalam.
Di Surau Siddiqin, Bandar Tasik Puteri, bekas tahanan penjara Amerika di Teluk Guatanamo, Ustaz Abdullah Iraq menyesali kebisuan para mufti di negara ini.
"Setiap negara ada satu mufti. Malaysia ada 13 mufti tetapi semuanya senyap sunyi bila kerajaan kata judi bola halal," kata beliau.
Kalau adapun, kata beliau, yang cakap bantah judi hanya perlahan takut ia dimarahi oleh kerajaan.
Sepatutnya, kata beliau, bantahan keras dibuat kepada kerajaan sebagaimana dibuat oleh para ulama Islam terhadap khalifah Islam zaman kegemilangan Islam dahulu.
Ulasan: Setakat ni cuma Mufti Perak yang menentang judi bola. Apakah dengan membisu, rakyat akan maafkan Najib kerana mengutamakan kroni dan merosakkan rakyat kerana berjudi berlesen.
Judi: Muslimat gesa kerajaan dengar pandangan Abdullah
Salmah Mat Husain
KOTA BHARU, 23 Mei: Kerajaan digesa mendengar pandangan bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yang meminta kerajaan mengkaji semula kebenaran lesen judi bola sepak baru-baru ini.
Timbalan Ketua Dewan Muslimat PAS Pusat, Siti Zailah Mohd Yusof (gambar), berkata kerajaan perlu mendengar nasihat bekas Perdana Menteri supaya mendengar suara rakyat pelbagai lapisan masyarakat sebelum melaksanakannya.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika mengulas kenyataan Abdullah yang meminta kerajaan mendengar pandangan rakyat berhubung perkara itu sebelum ianya dilaksanakan.
Menurut Abdullah lagi, rakyat berhak menyuarakan pandangan dan kerajaan juga perlu mendengar pandangan mereka.
Zailah yang juga Ketua Dewan Muslimat PAS negeri berkata, bantahan terhadap lesen judi ini bukan retorik semata-mata sebagaimana yang didakwa pihak tertentu sebaliknya ia mengenai soal agama dan tanggungjawab umat Islam.
“Pemimpin Malaysia yang pernah mendakwa negara ini sebagai sebuah negara Islam seharusnya sejak awal lagi tidak bercadang mengadakan lesen judi, apa lagi untuk meluluskannya,”ujarnya.
Baru-baru ini, lesen judi yang sah telah diluluskan oleh kerajaan sebagaimana yang diumumkan Timbalan Menteri Kewangan, Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin, bagi membolehkan kaki judi bertaruh sewaktu perlawanan bola sepak Piala Dunia 2010 Jun ini.
Tegas Zailah lagi, judi bola sepak bukan sahaja dibantah oleh umat Islam, sebaliknya bukan Islam juga.
Sehubungan itu Zailah menyeru semua rakyat negara ini yang perihatin supaya turut turun membantah lesen judi yang diadakan di tempat berhampiran.
Ulasan: Kalau PM ada harga diri…
Ann Fiona yang merupakan seorang jururawat berjaya mengetepikan 13 peserta peringkat akhir dari seluruh negara sekali gus berjaya membawa pulang hadiah wang tunai sebanyak RM10,000, tiara bernilai RM829,375 dan busana.
Dengan kemenangan itu, Ann Fiona akan mewakili Malaysia ke pertandingan Miss Beauty World Pageant 2010 di Venezuela.
Naib Juara pula dimenangi oleh peserta dari Perak, Nor Rodiahtul Adawiah Md. Latid, 24, manakala tempat ketiga, Aimi Zanura Mohd. Zafrullah, 23, dari Kelantan.
Masing-masing membawa pulang hadiah wang tunai RM7,000 dan RM5,000 selain tiara dan busana.
Pertandingan ratu cantik yang berkonsepkan 1Malaysia itu dianjurkan oleh MBQ World Sdn. Bhd.
Program tersebut menampilkan kelainan berbanding kebiasaan pertandingan ratu cantik apabila para peserta tidak dikehendaki memperagakan bikini sebaliknya mengenakan busana yang sopan selain terdapat peserta yang bertudung….
Ulasan: Mengapakah kecantikan semulajadi yang Allah berikan di pertandingankan? Wanita bukan binatang untuk di pertandingkan.
Gaza masih tidak dipulihkan
RAMALLAH 23 Mei - Sebuah agensi Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) melaporkan kira-kira 75 peratus daripada kerosakan atau kemusnahan rumah dan infrastruktur yang dilakukan oleh tentera Israel dalam perangnya ke atas Genting Gaza lebih setahun lalu belum dibaiki atau dibina semula.
Israel terus menyekat kemasukan bahan binaan ke Genting Gaza sebagai sebahagian sekatan menyeluruh ke atas wilayah Palestin yang diperintah oleh Hamas itu.
Program Pembangunan PBB (UNDP) dalam laporannya hari ini berkata, penduduk Gaza menjalankan kerja pembaikan kecil-kecilan yang dianggarkan bernilai AS$173 juta (RM554 juta) dengan menggunakan bahan runtuhan yang dikitar semula atau bahan yang diseludupkan menerusi terowong di sempadan dengan Mesir.
Masyarakat antarabangsa pada umumnya terpinggir dalam usaha pembangunan semula itu memandangkan PBB dan negara lain tidak dapat berbuat apa-apa kerana mereka tidak mahu membeli barang seludup.
"Banyak anggota masyarakat antarabangsa termasuk PBB sehingga kini mengelak daripada menggunakan bahan yang dikenal pasti diseludupkan melalui terowong, dengan itu membataskan peranan mereka dalam program pembangunan semula," menurut UNDP.
UNDP bagaimanapun berkata, dengan memberi tumpuan kepada kerja pembaikan kecemasan dan pembinaan semula rumah dan infrastruktur pertanian, pertubuhan-pertubuhan Arab dan Islam didapati lebih berkesan dalam membantu penduduk Gaza berbanding agensi-agensi Barat.
Sebagai contoh, laporan itu menyebut pertubuhan seperti Mercy Malaysia, Islamic Relief, Qatar Red Crescent, Qatar Charity, Human Appeal International, Al-Rahma Charity Association dan Muslim Hands.
PBB menganggarkan sekurang-kurangnya 6,268 rumah di wilayah Palestin yang sesak dan miskin itu musnah atau rosak teruk dalam serangan Israel antara 27 Disember 2008 hingga 18 Januari 2009.
Kira-kira 1,400 penduduk Palestin terkorban dalam konflik itu manakala 13 rakyat Israel terbunuh dalam pertempuran atau serangan roket pejuang Palestin.
Penduduk Gaza berjumlah 1.5 juta orang banyak bergantung kepada rangkaian terowong di bawah sempadan dengan Mesir sejak Israel dan Mesir mengetatkan kawalan sempadan selepas Hamas merampas kuasa di wilayah itu pada Jun 2007.
Bank Dunia menganggarkan 80 peratus daripada import Gaza diseludupkan mengikut terowong. - AP/AFP
Ulasan: Bantulah penduduk Palestin kerana mereka pun manusia juga. Mereka telah di zalimi negara penjajah sejak 62 tahun yang lalu…
Judi bola: Sampai bila Najib mahu membisu?
Harakahdaily
KUALA LUMPUR, 23 Mei: Sampai bilakah Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak mahu berdiam diri daripada mengulas isu pemberian lesen judi bola sepak walau jelas ia dikeluarkan oleh Menteri Kewangan kepada Kumpulan Berjaya.
Ini kerana, hampir setiap malam di segenap tempat ia dibincangkan oleh semua pihak hatta mereka yang bukan beragama Islam.
Hari ini, sekali lagi Setiausaha Publisiti DAP, Tony Pua mengulas isu itu dengan mencabar Umno dan Perkasa membuat pendirian dalam isu judi bola yang dikeluarkan oleh kerajaan BN.
Di segenap masjid dan surau khasnya di negeri-negeri yang bebas dari cengkaman BN, hampir semua kuliah agama menyentuh isu judi bola itu.
Mungkin mengetahui perkara itu, bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi meminta kerajaan agar mendengar bantahan rakyat.
Abdullah berkata demikian di Pulau Pinang semalam.
Di Surau Siddiqin, Bandar Tasik Puteri, bekas tahanan penjara Amerika di Teluk Guatanamo, Ustaz Abdullah Iraq menyesali kebisuan para mufti di negara ini.
"Setiap negara ada satu mufti. Malaysia ada 13 mufti tetapi semuanya senyap sunyi bila kerajaan kata judi bola halal," kata beliau.
Kalau adapun, kata beliau, yang cakap bantah judi hanya perlahan takut ia dimarahi oleh kerajaan.
Sepatutnya, kata beliau, bantahan keras dibuat kepada kerajaan sebagaimana dibuat oleh para ulama Islam terhadap khalifah Islam zaman kegemilangan Islam dahulu.
Ulasan: Setakat ni cuma Mufti Perak yang menentang judi bola. Apakah dengan membisu, rakyat akan maafkan Najib kerana mengutamakan kroni dan merosakkan rakyat kerana berjudi berlesen.
Judi: Muslimat gesa kerajaan dengar pandangan Abdullah
Salmah Mat Husain
KOTA BHARU, 23 Mei: Kerajaan digesa mendengar pandangan bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yang meminta kerajaan mengkaji semula kebenaran lesen judi bola sepak baru-baru ini.
Timbalan Ketua Dewan Muslimat PAS Pusat, Siti Zailah Mohd Yusof (gambar), berkata kerajaan perlu mendengar nasihat bekas Perdana Menteri supaya mendengar suara rakyat pelbagai lapisan masyarakat sebelum melaksanakannya.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika mengulas kenyataan Abdullah yang meminta kerajaan mendengar pandangan rakyat berhubung perkara itu sebelum ianya dilaksanakan.
Menurut Abdullah lagi, rakyat berhak menyuarakan pandangan dan kerajaan juga perlu mendengar pandangan mereka.
Zailah yang juga Ketua Dewan Muslimat PAS negeri berkata, bantahan terhadap lesen judi ini bukan retorik semata-mata sebagaimana yang didakwa pihak tertentu sebaliknya ia mengenai soal agama dan tanggungjawab umat Islam.
“Pemimpin Malaysia yang pernah mendakwa negara ini sebagai sebuah negara Islam seharusnya sejak awal lagi tidak bercadang mengadakan lesen judi, apa lagi untuk meluluskannya,”ujarnya.
Baru-baru ini, lesen judi yang sah telah diluluskan oleh kerajaan sebagaimana yang diumumkan Timbalan Menteri Kewangan, Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin, bagi membolehkan kaki judi bertaruh sewaktu perlawanan bola sepak Piala Dunia 2010 Jun ini.
Tegas Zailah lagi, judi bola sepak bukan sahaja dibantah oleh umat Islam, sebaliknya bukan Islam juga.
Sehubungan itu Zailah menyeru semua rakyat negara ini yang perihatin supaya turut turun membantah lesen judi yang diadakan di tempat berhampiran.
Ulasan: Kalau PM ada harga diri…
Kontraktor seleweng tak dibayar
RAUB 23 Mei - Kementerian Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah (KKLW) memberi amaran tidak akan menjelaskan bayaran kepada kontraktor yang gagal membina rumah di bawah Program Perumahan Rakyat Termiskin (PPRT) mengikut spesifikasi dan syarat yang ditetapkan.
Menterinya, Datuk Seri Mohd. Shafie Apdal menegaskan, pihaknya memandang serius kontraktor yang menyeleweng dan mementingkan keuntungan semata-mata sehingga mengabaikan amanah serta tanggungjawab sosial.
Katanya, pihaknya tidak akan bertolak-ansur dan tidak akan membayar kos membina rumah berkenaan kecuali mereka mematuhi syarat yang ditetapkan.
"Contohnya, jika mereka (kontraktor) membina rumah PPRT sebuah bilik sahaja sedangkan mengikut spesifikasi asal rumah berkenaan perlu ada tiga bilik.
''Sehingga kini belum ada laporan kontraktor yang menyeleweng ," katanya kepada pemberita selepas melawat projek PPRT Kampung Lepar dekat sini hari ini.
Turut hadir, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Komunikasi, Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi negeri, Datuk Mohd. Sharkar Shamsudin, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Dong, Datuk Shahiruddin Ab. Moin, ADUN Batu Talam, Datuk Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram dan Pegawai Daerah Raub, Datuk Abdul Moin Abd. Hamid….
Ulasan: Memang berdasarkan kontrak penyelewengan akan menyebabkan komtraktor tidak dibayar. Kalau kerajaan tegas macam itu dari dulu, tidaklah kontraktor berani membina rumah PPRT sebuah bilik sahaja sedangkan mengikut spesifikasi asal rumah berkenaan perlu ada tiga bilik. Lembaga Tender jangan makan rasuah dan ikutlah syor dari juruukur bahan berdasarkan keupayaan, pengalaman teknikal dan kewangan. Banyak masalah bermula bila orang politik BN/UMNO masuk campur.
Menterinya, Datuk Seri Mohd. Shafie Apdal menegaskan, pihaknya memandang serius kontraktor yang menyeleweng dan mementingkan keuntungan semata-mata sehingga mengabaikan amanah serta tanggungjawab sosial.
Katanya, pihaknya tidak akan bertolak-ansur dan tidak akan membayar kos membina rumah berkenaan kecuali mereka mematuhi syarat yang ditetapkan.
"Contohnya, jika mereka (kontraktor) membina rumah PPRT sebuah bilik sahaja sedangkan mengikut spesifikasi asal rumah berkenaan perlu ada tiga bilik.
''Sehingga kini belum ada laporan kontraktor yang menyeleweng ," katanya kepada pemberita selepas melawat projek PPRT Kampung Lepar dekat sini hari ini.
Turut hadir, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Komunikasi, Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi negeri, Datuk Mohd. Sharkar Shamsudin, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Dong, Datuk Shahiruddin Ab. Moin, ADUN Batu Talam, Datuk Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram dan Pegawai Daerah Raub, Datuk Abdul Moin Abd. Hamid….
Ulasan: Memang berdasarkan kontrak penyelewengan akan menyebabkan komtraktor tidak dibayar. Kalau kerajaan tegas macam itu dari dulu, tidaklah kontraktor berani membina rumah PPRT sebuah bilik sahaja sedangkan mengikut spesifikasi asal rumah berkenaan perlu ada tiga bilik. Lembaga Tender jangan makan rasuah dan ikutlah syor dari juruukur bahan berdasarkan keupayaan, pengalaman teknikal dan kewangan. Banyak masalah bermula bila orang politik BN/UMNO masuk campur.
"You help me, I help you", SPRM siasat Najib
Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) hari ini mengesahkan bahawa siasatan sedang dijalankan ke atas Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak berhubung "You help me, I help you" semasa kempen pilihan raya Sibu.
Pelbagai pihak, khusus parti-parti pembangkang mendakwa kenyataan Perdana Menteri itu melanggar Akta Kesalahan Pilihan Raya.
Ketua SPRM, Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed (kiri, berdiri) memberitahu wartawan semasa sidang media di Petaling Jaya bahawa pihaknya telah menerima aduan berkenaan dan sedang menyiasatnya.
Pengarah siasatan SPRM, Mustafar Ali juga mengesahkan perkara itu kepada wartawan sambil berkata, suruhanjaya itu akan memanggil beberapa orang saksi untuk dirakamkan kenyataan mereka.
Kedua-dua pegawai kanan SPRM itu menghadiri sebuah forum Transparency International berhubung pembaharuan politik kewangan di Malaysia.
Pada 17 Mei lalu, Pengerusi DAP Karpal Singh mendakwa Najib terbabit dalam 'pembelian undi' pada pilihan raya keci parlimen Sibu.
Beliau merujuk kepada satu majlis di Rejang Park, pada 15 Mei seperti mana yang dilaporkan oleh akhbar harian bahasa Inggeris Sunday Eastern Times.
Berikut petikan kata-kata Najib yang dipertikaikan itu yang dibuatnya dalam bahasa Inggeris.
“I want to make a deal with you. Can we have an understanding or not? The understanding is quite simple. I help you, you help me,” kata Najib.
Pada majlis ini, Najib menjanjikan kerajaan persekutuan akan memberi RM5 juta untuk projek tebatan banjir di Sibu jika BN menang pilihan raya berkenaan.
Menurut Karpal tindakan itu jelas mencabuli Akta Kesalahan Pilihan Raya dan secara berseloroh berkata sekiranya tidak berhati-hati, Perdana Menteri boleh dihumban ke penjara dan negara terpaksa mengadakan pilihan raya kecil di Pekan pula.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/132520
Ulasan: Jepun terbukti tak mundur pun walaupun Jepun kerap menukar PM. Tentu lebih baik mempunyai PM yang ada harga diri.
Pelbagai pihak, khusus parti-parti pembangkang mendakwa kenyataan Perdana Menteri itu melanggar Akta Kesalahan Pilihan Raya.
Ketua SPRM, Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed (kiri, berdiri) memberitahu wartawan semasa sidang media di Petaling Jaya bahawa pihaknya telah menerima aduan berkenaan dan sedang menyiasatnya.
Pengarah siasatan SPRM, Mustafar Ali juga mengesahkan perkara itu kepada wartawan sambil berkata, suruhanjaya itu akan memanggil beberapa orang saksi untuk dirakamkan kenyataan mereka.
Kedua-dua pegawai kanan SPRM itu menghadiri sebuah forum Transparency International berhubung pembaharuan politik kewangan di Malaysia.
Pada 17 Mei lalu, Pengerusi DAP Karpal Singh mendakwa Najib terbabit dalam 'pembelian undi' pada pilihan raya keci parlimen Sibu.
Beliau merujuk kepada satu majlis di Rejang Park, pada 15 Mei seperti mana yang dilaporkan oleh akhbar harian bahasa Inggeris Sunday Eastern Times.
Berikut petikan kata-kata Najib yang dipertikaikan itu yang dibuatnya dalam bahasa Inggeris.
“I want to make a deal with you. Can we have an understanding or not? The understanding is quite simple. I help you, you help me,” kata Najib.
Pada majlis ini, Najib menjanjikan kerajaan persekutuan akan memberi RM5 juta untuk projek tebatan banjir di Sibu jika BN menang pilihan raya berkenaan.
Menurut Karpal tindakan itu jelas mencabuli Akta Kesalahan Pilihan Raya dan secara berseloroh berkata sekiranya tidak berhati-hati, Perdana Menteri boleh dihumban ke penjara dan negara terpaksa mengadakan pilihan raya kecil di Pekan pula.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/132520
Ulasan: Jepun terbukti tak mundur pun walaupun Jepun kerap menukar PM. Tentu lebih baik mempunyai PM yang ada harga diri.
Israel to cut off Freedom Flotilla
Fri, 21 May 2010 08:02:56 GMT
Israel is planning to thwart an attempt by the Freedom Flotilla seeking to break the siege of the Gaza Strip and to deliver humanitarian aid to Gazans.
Israelis will dispatch two boats to coastal areas around Gaza on Saturday in order to prevent a convoy of three freighters and five passenger ships with some 600 peace activists from attempting to break the siege of Gaza, the Palestinian news agency Ma'an (MNA) reported.
"The [Israeli] fleet will go to confuse those who are coming to confuse Israel," the report added, citing Israeli sources on Thursday.
The Israelis have decided to receive the humanitarian convoy with anti-Palestinian slogans and banners.
Meanwhile, Israel's navy is also reportedly set to declare a no-go military zone to stop the fleet from dropping anchor.
All the boats are due to cast anchor at Gaza city's docks on 27 May, a Palestinian official said earlier.
The Freedom Flotilla convoy carries 5,000 tons of construction material, medical equipment, and school supplies, as well as around 600 people from 40 countries.
The siege of Gaza has deprived 1.5 million Palestinians of fuel, food, and other basic necessities.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=127198§ionid=351020202
Israel is planning to thwart an attempt by the Freedom Flotilla seeking to break the siege of the Gaza Strip and to deliver humanitarian aid to Gazans.
Israelis will dispatch two boats to coastal areas around Gaza on Saturday in order to prevent a convoy of three freighters and five passenger ships with some 600 peace activists from attempting to break the siege of Gaza, the Palestinian news agency Ma'an (MNA) reported.
"The [Israeli] fleet will go to confuse those who are coming to confuse Israel," the report added, citing Israeli sources on Thursday.
The Israelis have decided to receive the humanitarian convoy with anti-Palestinian slogans and banners.
Meanwhile, Israel's navy is also reportedly set to declare a no-go military zone to stop the fleet from dropping anchor.
All the boats are due to cast anchor at Gaza city's docks on 27 May, a Palestinian official said earlier.
The Freedom Flotilla convoy carries 5,000 tons of construction material, medical equipment, and school supplies, as well as around 600 people from 40 countries.
The siege of Gaza has deprived 1.5 million Palestinians of fuel, food, and other basic necessities.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=127198§ionid=351020202
Former US Army Colonel Joins Freedom Flotilla To Break Gaza's Siege
Wednesday, 19 May 2010.
Gaza, May 19, (Pal Telegraph) Ann Wright, retired U.S. Army Reserve Colonel and former U.S. diplomat who resigned in March, 2003 in opposition to Bush’s war on Iraq, will join the 8-ship Free Gaza boat flotilla that will break the Israeli government naval siege/blockade of Gaza and bring reconstruction materials and humanitarian assistance items to the Palestinians of Gaza.
The Blockade of Gaza is three years old and is suffocating the Palestinians of Gaza. After the 22 day Israeli attack on Gaza in December, 2009 through January, 2010 that killed 1440, wounded 5,000, left 50,000 homeless and destroyed most of the civilian infrastructure-water, sewage and electrical systems. No reconstruction materials have been allowed into Gaza by the Israeli or Egyptian governments.
Colonel Wright travelled three times into Gaza in 2009 and was an organizer for the Gaza Freedom March (www.gazafreedommarch.org) that brought 1350 persons from 44 countries to Cairo, Egypt to go into Gaza, but Egyptian authorities refused to allow the majority of the group to go into Gaza.
Colonel Wright said “the Israeli siege of Gaza is illegal and a violation of international law. We demand that the Israeli, Egyptian, United States and European governments end this siege. If the governments will not stop the siege, it is up to the citizens of the world to break it—and that is what we will do!”
Ms. Wright will depart the United States for Athens, Greece on May 19, 2010.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/gaza-strip/6088-former-us-army-colonel-joins-freedom-flotilla-to-break-gazas-siege
Gaza, May 19, (Pal Telegraph) Ann Wright, retired U.S. Army Reserve Colonel and former U.S. diplomat who resigned in March, 2003 in opposition to Bush’s war on Iraq, will join the 8-ship Free Gaza boat flotilla that will break the Israeli government naval siege/blockade of Gaza and bring reconstruction materials and humanitarian assistance items to the Palestinians of Gaza.
The Blockade of Gaza is three years old and is suffocating the Palestinians of Gaza. After the 22 day Israeli attack on Gaza in December, 2009 through January, 2010 that killed 1440, wounded 5,000, left 50,000 homeless and destroyed most of the civilian infrastructure-water, sewage and electrical systems. No reconstruction materials have been allowed into Gaza by the Israeli or Egyptian governments.
Colonel Wright travelled three times into Gaza in 2009 and was an organizer for the Gaza Freedom March (www.gazafreedommarch.org) that brought 1350 persons from 44 countries to Cairo, Egypt to go into Gaza, but Egyptian authorities refused to allow the majority of the group to go into Gaza.
Colonel Wright said “the Israeli siege of Gaza is illegal and a violation of international law. We demand that the Israeli, Egyptian, United States and European governments end this siege. If the governments will not stop the siege, it is up to the citizens of the world to break it—and that is what we will do!”
Ms. Wright will depart the United States for Athens, Greece on May 19, 2010.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/gaza-strip/6088-former-us-army-colonel-joins-freedom-flotilla-to-break-gazas-siege
Eight 'Freedom Flotilla' vessels headed for Gaza
Meanwhile on Sunday, three ships continued to make their way from Istanbul to the Gaza port in an attempt to break the Israeli naval blockade. Al-Jazeera reported that five passenger ships , also part of the 'Freedom Flotilla,' were set to rendezvous with the three ships in international waters before sailing to Gaza. The three ships are carrying 600 pro-Palestinian activists and 10,000 tons of supplies intended to aid the population of Gaza.
John Ging, the head of the United Nation's Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the Gaza Strip, voiced support for the flotilla, urging the world to "send ships to the shores of Gaza."
Israel, he said, "would not stop these vessels because the sea is open."
"Many human rights organizations have been successful in previous similar steps, and proved that breaking the siege on Gaza is possible," he continued.
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=176184
John Ging, the head of the United Nation's Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the Gaza Strip, voiced support for the flotilla, urging the world to "send ships to the shores of Gaza."
Israel, he said, "would not stop these vessels because the sea is open."
"Many human rights organizations have been successful in previous similar steps, and proved that breaking the siege on Gaza is possible," he continued.
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=176184
The Freedom Flotilla
May 22nd, 2010
Ahmad H. Aggour (Egypt)
It’s been almost 3 years now ever since the blockade of Gaza had started, from June 2007 when Hamas had seized control of the region. And ever since then, over 1.5 million Gazans have been cut off from all aspects of the outside World, suffocating in a small strip that’s no more than 360 square kilometers big (139 square miles) in a constant state of oppression, brutalization and gradual dehumanization by the Israeli Government in cooperation with the Egyptian Government. Can you imagine living in such a densely populated area?! Take my advice from a person who lives in Cairo; being also densely populated, I assure you it’s not fun, especially when to the rest of the World out there, you’re almost virtually incommunicado.
Then came the war in 2008, Operation ‘Cast Lead’ with the purpose of halting the rocket launches made by Hamas, and lasting for about 3 weeks, with no positive result, “just” the deaths of approximately 1,417 Palestinians, with over 400 women and children, along with the use of illegal weapons of war, e.g. White phosphorus and DIME explosives, that targeted buildings, vehicles and people without discrimination.
Shortly after this event, came the idea of the Gaza Freedom March, triggered by this war, over 1,300 activists from over 40 countries, including myself had converged in Cairo, set out to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gazans. And after weeks of demonstrating and protesting in Cairo, then al-Arish. The Rafah crossing was finally opened and over 150 trucks of food and medicinal supplies got to pass through. It felt good, I felt good I had the opportunity to participate in such an event with the rest of the few Egyptian activists who joined me there as well.
And right now, the Freedom Flotilla sets out to aid Gaza; a group of ships; starting with the MV Rachel Corrie, a cargo ship, that set sail from Ireland are coming from several corners of the Mediterranean Sea to gather in international waters to deliver some 5,000 tons of building and medical supplies to the population under siege in Gaza in what a statement called the “biggest internationally coordinated effort to directly challenge Israeli’s ongoing occupation, aggression, and violence against the Palestinian people.”
Over 600 pro-Palestinian activists from over 40 countries aboard nine ships, coming from the UK, Sweden, Greece, Turkey, and an Algerian cargo ship joining in as well, funded by the Algerian peace movement, all set to meet at Greece, then setting out to attempt and break the siege imposed on Gaza by Israel, which has deprived 1.5 million Palestinians of fuel, food, and other basic necessities.
The Free Gaza Movement has sailed eight missions to Gaza in the past three years, five of them successful. The last three were violently stopped by the Israeli Navy; the boat Dignity was rammed three times and the Spirit of Humanity turned back in January 2009, then it was seized and all that was aboard was arrested.
And how does Israel’s Zionist regime respond this time?
An Israeli flotilla sets off from the shores of Herzliya as a response to the pro-Palestinian convoy with banners showing Gaza rocket fire toward Israel and photos of the captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Disregarding all the crimes that were committed by the IDF against the Palestinians as in the aid convoy would suddenly change their minds after seeing something like this, as if they’re saying: “All the Gazans deserve this, they’re all terrorists, all responsible for the rockets and the capture of Gilad Shalit”.
Such a typical Zionist response from the Israeli Government, the message is quite clear: “We will stop you, and use any force necessary to achieve so” , which shows nothing but how weak the position of Israel is internationally regarding the plight of the Palestinians, I think the World, especially the Jewish people should now start to realize how Nazi-like the Zionist regime has become, and how many of the oppressed have become the oppressors, and just like the World stopped Nazism and the apartheid in South Africa, it should stop Zionism. Let’s help stop another Holocaust from happening, let’s end the let’s end the ethnic cleansing process and the brutality that’s being shown to Palestinians to help avert another genocide.
Viva Palestine!
http://www.mideastyouth.com/2010/05/22/the-freedom-flotilla/
Ahmad H. Aggour (Egypt)
It’s been almost 3 years now ever since the blockade of Gaza had started, from June 2007 when Hamas had seized control of the region. And ever since then, over 1.5 million Gazans have been cut off from all aspects of the outside World, suffocating in a small strip that’s no more than 360 square kilometers big (139 square miles) in a constant state of oppression, brutalization and gradual dehumanization by the Israeli Government in cooperation with the Egyptian Government. Can you imagine living in such a densely populated area?! Take my advice from a person who lives in Cairo; being also densely populated, I assure you it’s not fun, especially when to the rest of the World out there, you’re almost virtually incommunicado.
Then came the war in 2008, Operation ‘Cast Lead’ with the purpose of halting the rocket launches made by Hamas, and lasting for about 3 weeks, with no positive result, “just” the deaths of approximately 1,417 Palestinians, with over 400 women and children, along with the use of illegal weapons of war, e.g. White phosphorus and DIME explosives, that targeted buildings, vehicles and people without discrimination.
Shortly after this event, came the idea of the Gaza Freedom March, triggered by this war, over 1,300 activists from over 40 countries, including myself had converged in Cairo, set out to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gazans. And after weeks of demonstrating and protesting in Cairo, then al-Arish. The Rafah crossing was finally opened and over 150 trucks of food and medicinal supplies got to pass through. It felt good, I felt good I had the opportunity to participate in such an event with the rest of the few Egyptian activists who joined me there as well.
And right now, the Freedom Flotilla sets out to aid Gaza; a group of ships; starting with the MV Rachel Corrie, a cargo ship, that set sail from Ireland are coming from several corners of the Mediterranean Sea to gather in international waters to deliver some 5,000 tons of building and medical supplies to the population under siege in Gaza in what a statement called the “biggest internationally coordinated effort to directly challenge Israeli’s ongoing occupation, aggression, and violence against the Palestinian people.”
Over 600 pro-Palestinian activists from over 40 countries aboard nine ships, coming from the UK, Sweden, Greece, Turkey, and an Algerian cargo ship joining in as well, funded by the Algerian peace movement, all set to meet at Greece, then setting out to attempt and break the siege imposed on Gaza by Israel, which has deprived 1.5 million Palestinians of fuel, food, and other basic necessities.
The Free Gaza Movement has sailed eight missions to Gaza in the past three years, five of them successful. The last three were violently stopped by the Israeli Navy; the boat Dignity was rammed three times and the Spirit of Humanity turned back in January 2009, then it was seized and all that was aboard was arrested.
And how does Israel’s Zionist regime respond this time?
An Israeli flotilla sets off from the shores of Herzliya as a response to the pro-Palestinian convoy with banners showing Gaza rocket fire toward Israel and photos of the captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Disregarding all the crimes that were committed by the IDF against the Palestinians as in the aid convoy would suddenly change their minds after seeing something like this, as if they’re saying: “All the Gazans deserve this, they’re all terrorists, all responsible for the rockets and the capture of Gilad Shalit”.
The Israeli Government accuses the IHH and the Free Gaza Movement of “supporting terrorism” and serving Hamas; with half the Israeli Navy set to stop the mission; with two naval ships already sailing around the coastal areas of Gaza, the air force on standby and diplomatic pressure being applied. Despite the efforts of Gush Shalom calling on the Israeli Government to allow the aid convoy to reach Gaza, stating that:
“The State of Israel has no interest in footage of its navy violently assaulting against peace activists at sea flooding television screens all over the world. It is time to remove the suffocating siege and allow residents of Gaza to have free contact with the outside world, freely operate sea and air ports of their own like any country in the world.”
Such a typical Zionist response from the Israeli Government, the message is quite clear: “We will stop you, and use any force necessary to achieve so” , which shows nothing but how weak the position of Israel is internationally regarding the plight of the Palestinians, I think the World, especially the Jewish people should now start to realize how Nazi-like the Zionist regime has become, and how many of the oppressed have become the oppressors, and just like the World stopped Nazism and the apartheid in South Africa, it should stop Zionism. Let’s help stop another Holocaust from happening, let’s end the let’s end the ethnic cleansing process and the brutality that’s being shown to Palestinians to help avert another genocide.
Viva Palestine!
http://www.mideastyouth.com/2010/05/22/the-freedom-flotilla/
'Freedom Flotilla' en route to Gaza
5.22.10, 19:31 / Israel News
Three ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists left Turkey on Saturday en route to Gaza's shore, as part of a flotilla organized by the Free Gaza Movement – meant to draw supporters from all over the world to the Strip.
The nine-ship convoy will attempt to dock in Gaza. The project is partly funded by IHH –a Turkish pro-Palestinian organization that had one of its members arrested in Israel recently.
Turkish leader tells organizers he supports efforts to 'break oppressive siege on Gaza Strip'
The last of three vessels left Istanbul Saturday and was making its way to Greece, where the organizers said a few hundred activists were waiting to board it. The participants will bring with them some 10,000 tons of various products for the residents of the Strip.
Berlin explained that the movement began its activities four years ago, in an effort to draw international attention to what was taking place in the Gaza Strip – so that people will "wake up" and stop the siege.
Berlin added that although the IDF thwarted the last three attempts to reach Gaza by sea, the Israeli authorities were aware of the negative image they were creating, and that this time it would lead to far-reaching diplomatic consequences.
http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3892555,00.html
Three ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists left Turkey on Saturday en route to Gaza's shore, as part of a flotilla organized by the Free Gaza Movement – meant to draw supporters from all over the world to the Strip.
The nine-ship convoy will attempt to dock in Gaza. The project is partly funded by IHH –a Turkish pro-Palestinian organization that had one of its members arrested in Israel recently.
Turkish leader tells organizers he supports efforts to 'break oppressive siege on Gaza Strip'
The last of three vessels left Istanbul Saturday and was making its way to Greece, where the organizers said a few hundred activists were waiting to board it. The participants will bring with them some 10,000 tons of various products for the residents of the Strip.
One of the ships slated to arrive from Ireland is named after Rachel Corrie, a left-wing activist who was trampled to death by an IDF bulldozer in Rafah. Recently, a Ramallah street was also named after the late activist.
The ship, currently docked in Portugal, is carrying cement – a product that was banned from entering Gaza according to a decision made by Israel as part of its blockade on the Hamas-ruled territory.
Berlin explained that the movement began its activities four years ago, in an effort to draw international attention to what was taking place in the Gaza Strip – so that people will "wake up" and stop the siege.
Berlin added that although the IDF thwarted the last three attempts to reach Gaza by sea, the Israeli authorities were aware of the negative image they were creating, and that this time it would lead to far-reaching diplomatic consequences.
http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3892555,00.html
We have A Home and it’s Called Palestine
62 Years, 62 Messages: We have A Home and it’s Called Palestine
by Reham Alhelsi, 21 May, 2010 .
Message 1: While playing one day, I found a beautiful wooden box stacked back in the cupboard. It was well-hidden and surrounded by several sheets as if to protect it from theft or damage. I quietly and carefully opened the box. Inside was only one item: an old iron key. I ran to my grandmother and asked her about the key. She held it close to her heart, looked at it for a while before holding my hand and placing the key in my palm. She had tears in her eyes when she looked me in the eyes and said: this is the key to our home, the home to which we shall return one day. Never lose it, never give up your right to your home and never forget that you have no other home.
Message 2: I am from the old city of Jerusalem. I was born in a beautiful old house that was built by my ancestors. Generations of our family lived in this house. I got married and started my own family. I still live in the same old house with my own little family, my parents, my siblings and their families. We are not allowed to add rooms, enlarge the house or renovate it, while Zionist colonists come from all over the world and occupy our homes. We are squeezed in our homes like sardines, while Zionists are allowed to build mansions on the ruins of Palestinians homes. They think when we are stacked like this in a small place that we will pack and leave and let Zionist colonists occupy our home. We will continue to live in this small old house, and our children and their children and grandchildren will grow up here. We won’t be forced out of our house for we have no other home.
Message 3: my mother married a Palestinian refugee living in Jordan and she moved to live there. After 1967 she wasn’t allowed into Palestine anymore. She wasn’t allowed to see her parents and siblings any more. Her parents died without having the chance to say goodbye to her. She died without having the chance to say goodbye to Palestine. She died dreaming of Palestine and hoping of the return to her home. I promised her to return to her home, my home, one day and I will keep that promise.
Message 4: I am a Palestinian from Gaza. I can’t visit Jerusalem and pray in Al-Aqsa. I was never in Akka, Haifa or Yafa. I can’t visit Bethlehem, Nablus or Ramallah. I am a Palestinian from Gaza. The Zionists occupy my homeland, desecrate my holy sites, and besiege me in my home. They are slowly killing me and my children, but we won’t surrender for this is our home and they are the aggressors.
Message 5: We used to wake up to the singing of the birds, watch the sun as it rises and as it sets, take a walk in the nearby fields. Today, we are surrounded by a Zionist wall. The birds don’t sing anymore because the fields were destroyed and the trees uprooted and the bird nests stepped on. The sun sets and rises behind the wall without saying good morning or goodbye. They can hide the sun, kill the trees, expel the birds, but they won’t kill us or expel us. We are steadfast here, on our land, in our homes.
Message 6: we never needed anything. We worked the land and it rewarded us. We were happy and content. We were rich with our land. During the Nakba, the Zionists attacked our villages, killed many of us, expelled the rest and destroyed our homes. They made refugees out of us. Today we have to wait for food rations from the UNRWA. We still dream of working our lands and the homes that wait for us to rebuild them.
Message 7: They demolished our home. They said we have 10 minutes to remove our belongings. I searched for my toys, my painting book and my feast dress. When the bulldozers started demolishing our home, my father cried. My father never cries. They said our home was built illegally. What about the houses with the red-brick that are built on our lands for Americans and Germans? Everyone in the news says they are illegal, so why aren’t they being demolished? Why do they only demolish our homes? These people in the red-brick houses can go back to USA and Germany, but we have only one place: our home Palestine.
Message 8: Every stone stands witness to the owners of the land. Every olive tree stands witness to the owners of the land. Every hill, every valley, every street and every alley stand witness to the owners of the land belongs. The land of Palestine belongs to us; the Palestinians.
Message 9: Every day I have to wait hours at the checkpoint on my way to work and back. Every day I watch how Zionist soldiers abuse and humiliate Palestinian women, children and elderly. Every day I stand in line at the checkpoint and wonder if one of the Zionist soldiers will again shoot and kill one of us for no reason. Every day I stand at the checkpoint, watch those Zionist soldiers with their machine guns and hand grenades and I think: You can’t hold us hostages forever, one day you will go back to the countries you came from because it is you who have no place here and you can’t imprison a whole nation hungry for freedom.
Message 10: my father’s last wish was to be buried in his village which was ethnically cleansed in 1948. He died saying: Take me back to my home, take me back to my home.
Message 11: one morning in 1967 Zionist soldiers entered our village Imwas. They surrounded the houses and ordered everyone out. They threatened that they will kill anyone who doesn’t leave or anyone who tries to come back. Then their bulldozers started demolishing our houses, one house after the other. Some people refused to leave and were buried under the rubble of their demolished homes. They did the same to the villages of Yalou and Beit Nouba. We walked for days, with nothing to eat or drink. We walked for days with only pain in our hearts for we have been expelled from our homes. Years later, the Zionists established a recreational park on where the 3 Palestinian villages once stood. We never forgot Imwas. We think, dream, plan and live only for the day when we return back to Imwas and rebuild our homes because this is the only home we have.
Message 12: The Israeli occupation army raided our home in search of children who threw little stones at tanks. We told them there was only us women in the house. They beat my grandmother, mother, my sisters and me. Then they turned the house upside down, threw the flour and the rice and the sugar on the ground, broke the doors and the cupboards and before leaving they threw a gas bomb in our living room. And you still wonder why we resist them with all the means we have?
Message 13: I was born in occupied Palestine. I was born in a refugee camp in the West Bank. The UN, Israel, US, EU, the Arabs and the so-called PA tried for decades to convince me that this is the only home I will ever have. This refugee camp is not my home. I have a home. It is called Jrash, Deir Aban, Beit I’tab, Allar, Al-Malha. I have a home and I will return to it one day because it is the only home I will ever have.
Message 14: my husband has a Bethlehem ID. Our children and I have a Jerusalem ID. My husband isn’t allowed into Jerusalem anymore. The Zionist entity that claims to be a “democracy” divides Palestinian parents from their children. It is either I lose my right to live in my city Jerusalem or I lose my family. My husband and I decided that we would rather suffer the separation than let them expel us from Jerusalem. Now, the family is divided but we have a home in Jerusalem so our children can grow up in their city and one day the family will be reunited in Jerusalem, in the only home we will ever have.
Message 15: We live in Tel Rumeida. Zionist colonists from the US and other places occupy the homes of many Palestinians here and only few of us are still steadfast. We are harassed by the Zionist colonists and the Israeli occupation soldiers day and night. Our children are often attacked by the Zionists on their way to school. My daughter was attacked and her arm was broken and the Israeli soldiers watched and as usual did nothing. My daughter often comes at night and asks if she can sleep in our room because she is afraid that the colonists will come after her again. One day I asked her if she is afraid, she said: yes. I asked her if she wished we lived somewhere else, she answered: No, this is our home.
Message 16: My village is worth the whole world to me. Every stone in it is more valuable than diamonds. I wouldn’t exchange my home for the wealth of the world and I wouldn’t exchange my land for paradise because my land is my paradise.
Message 17: they built a park where my village once stood. Zionists play with their kids where once our cemetery stood and where my grandparents are buried. They make barbeque parties where once my home stood, where I was born. This is my home and it is my legitimate right to return to my home.
Message 18: I am one of the 80,000 Palestinians expelled from West Jerusalem and its villages in 1948. Our land and property was confiscated by the Zionist entity and given to Zionists who have no roots in Jerusalem. I live in a refugee camp and my village is a couple of hours ride away from where I live now, but I am not allowed to enter the Jerusalem area. I see pictures of my village on the internet, pictures taken by Israelis. I tell my children: this is your home, never forget this and never forget that one day we shall return.
Message 19: my little boy and his friends were stopped at an Israeli military checkpoint and were beaten by the soldiers. At night, he wets his bed and wakes up crying. He is afraid to go to school alone because he fears the soldiers at the checkpoint might beaten him again, so I have to accompany him to school and bring him back home every day. One day, the soldiers were harassing a group of pupils. I stepped forward to help the pupils. One Zionist soldier shouted: one day we will throw you all out of “Erez Israel”! My little boy shouted back at the soldier: this is our land and we won’t leave!
Message 20: On TV I saw an Israeli claim to be a peace activist. When asked where she lives, she answered: in Maale Adumim. She didn’t say in the illegal colony built on land stolen from Palestinians. To the Zionists I say: You want peace, then give me back my land and let my people return home.
Message 21: Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return.
Message 22: it was harvest time and the whole family was working in our olive fields. Zionist colonists came and demanded we leave, when we refused they started beating us with clubs. Israeli occupation soldiers came, stood watching until the colonists finished beating us, then they took our names and ID numbers and told us to come to the military camp the next day. We were accused of harassing the Zionist colonists while the colonists were escorted by the IOF to our fields to steal our harvest. They think they can frighten us into leaving this land, but we won’t leave because this land is our land.
Message 23: We were expelled from our home in Palestine during the Nakba. We lived first in Lebanon, then Syria, then for many years in Kuwait before being forced out of there. Now we live in Jordan. We don’t want to be Lebanese, or Syrian, or Kuwaiti or Jordanian. We have a nationality; we are Palestinians. We have a homeland; Palestine. We have a beautiful home in a small village and it is waiting for us to return to it.
Message 24: I am from a village to the east of occupied Jerusalem. The village is now divided by the wall into two. My house and the houses of my 3 brothers are now behind the wall. We were told that we will lose our residency right in Jerusalem so we all moved to our father’s house on the other side of the wall. Now 5 families share a small home. If we live or build in our land on the other side of the wall we lose our right to live in Jerusalem, but Zionists colonists from around the world are allowed to live wherever they want in occupied Palestine and can build on the land they stole from us. We will live in the family house in Jerusalem and will keep building on the land on the other side of the wall. This land on both sides of the wall is ours and will always be.
Message 25: I am from Rafah. The Israeli occupation army entered our neighborhood, killed tens of residents, demolished around 200 people and destroyed our fields. They claim they want peace. Is this how peace is done? No, this is Zionism: terror, land theft, racism, occupation and oppression. There will never be peace except when Zionism is defeated and all Palestinian refugees return to their homes.
Message 26: We searched in vain for an apartment in Yafa. We were told by a Zionist coming from Europe that we are not welcome in our city. My parents, grandparents and many generations of my family were born in Yafa, helped build the city and are buried in it. Today, I am told I am not welcome there by Germans, Russians and Americans occupying my city. I will live in a tent in Yafa, but you won’t force me out of my city, my only home.
Message 27: every Friday we protest the Israeli occupation and the Israeli wall that is eating our land. Palestinians, Israelis and internationals stand together against the occupation, against oppression and against apartheid. We are unarmed but the Israeli soldiers shoot live ammunition at us, throw gas and sound bombs. Several unarmed protests were killed by the IOF, but this won’t stop us. We will continue protesting the occupation until Palestine is free.
Message 28: Our grandparents and parents used to sing love songs in weddings when they were in Palestine. Today we sing about resistance and the struggle to free our homeland and to return to our villages.
Message 29: I am from Tabariya (Tiberias). I live in a refugee camp in Lebanon. Today, I learned a new song at the Kindergarten: My homeland is very beautiful…. my homeland is very beautiful … my homeland is called Palestine.
Message 30: The Israeli occupation army invaded our refugee camp. Israeli tanks and helicopters bombed our homes. Armored bulldozers were also used to demolish more houses to make way for the soldiers invading the refugee camp. Some houses were demolished over the heads of their residents. Many were killed or injured. They claimed we were the “terrorists”. We are refugees forced to live in a refugee camp because we were expelled from our homes by these terrorists who invade us again and again and want us to disappear. Your tanks and helicopters don’t frighten us. Today we are steadfast in these refugee camps, tomorrow we will return to our villages and rebuild them.
Message 31: they claim we left “of our free will”. What person leaves paradise freely? What person chooses to live as a refugee? What person chooses a life of displacement over the life in a homeland? We were expelled from our homes while the world watched and we continue to live as refugees while Zionists who have no roots in Palestine occupy our homes and lands. Palestine is our homeland and we shall return!
Message 32: as children we used to accompany my parents to the olive fields. My father, his father and his grandfather before him had each planted a new olive field. We used to spend weeks harvesting the trees. It was hard work but it was worthy. We loved our olive trees and they loved us in return. We cared for our olive trees and they provided us with a living. Then one day, armed Israeli soldiers came, surrounded our fields with barbed wires and left a plate saying that the land is a “closed area”, no entrance allowed. The land has been confiscated to build more illegal colonies for Zionists coming from Russia, Europe and Mars. A couple of days later, we see a huge black cloud coming from the direction of the fields. We rush to see what has happened. It is too late, our beloved olive trees have been burned to ashes. They have been massacred, left to die a slow and a painful death like those who plant them and hold them sacred. We will continue planting olive trees, one row after the other, one field after the other. And one day, we will replant the fields they stole, we will replant the land they burnt, we will replant the land they destroyed. We will heal your wounds, Palestine.
Message 33: My family was expelled from Acca in 1948. We lived first in Syria then moved to the Gulf. I live and work there now. One of my European colleagues was recently in occupied Palestine. When he showed me the pictures he took in Acca I wanted to cry like a child and I wanted to shout out at the injustice of this world. Acca is my home and I will never give up my right to return to my home.
Message 34: we were awakened in the middle of the night by loud speakers. They ordered us to leave our homes, said anyone who doesn’t obey will regret it. Outside, we saw buses surrounded by Israeli occupation soldiers waiting to take us to the Allenby bridge. We didn’t want to go, but they started threatening and pushing us. Many were still in their sleeping attire, many had no shoes on, the children were crying. When the buses reached the bride, Israeli army airplanes bombarded it. They didn’t only want to expel us, they wanted to massacre us so none of us or our children would demand to return home. We will never give up our Right to Return to our homes and neither will our children.
Message 35: I am from the old city of Hebron. The Israeli occupation army expelled us from our homes and gave them to the fanatic Zionist colonists from the US. I want my home back and won’t stop fighting the occupation until I free my home from the colonists.
Message 36: fanatic Zionists planned to invade Al-Aqsa and conduct rituals in it. We all rushed to protect our holy sites. The Israeli army came in the thousands to protect the armed colonists and both started shooting at us. Many Palestinians were killed, hundreds were injured and others detained. Not one single fanatic colonist was detained. They repeat their invasions every couple of months, and every time we rush to protect Al-Aqsa. They attack our holy sites, desecrate them, say openly they want to destroy them and the whole world is silent. The world is coward, but we are not and will continue to defend our holy sites and our homeland with our bodies.
Message 37: They keep saying in the news that the residents of “Sderot” are under attack. Why don’t they mention that “Sderot” is a Zionist colony built on the ruins of the Palestinian village Najd? Why don’t they mention that Najd was ethnically cleansed and completely defaced by Zionist terrorists? Why don’t they mention that the land on which “Sderot” stands is Palestinian land occupied by Zionist colonists? Why don’t they mention that the land on which “Sderot” stands belongs to Palestinians who were made refugees, many of whom live in Gaza? Why don’t they mention that the refugees who were expelled from their homes insist on returning to these homes?
Message 38: the Israeli army besieged Bethlehem; the city of Jesus and the Nativity Church: the birthplace of Jesus. Israeli snipers shot at the people taking refugee inside, killing some, injuring some and damaging the church. The “western” world watched and said nothing. We, the people of Bethlehem, both Muslims and Christians, didn’t watch silently while the Zionists tried destroying the city of Jesus, we defended it and will continue to defend the city of Jesus from the Zionist aggressors.
Message 39: my cousin was on his way to visit friends. He was holding a cola can while waiting in the line at the checkpoint. When it was his turn, the soldiers didn’t ask any question, they just shot him several times. When ambulances came, the soldiers refused to let them save the boy. He bled to death. Later that day, the Israeli occupation army, that is equipped with the best observation equipment, claimed they thought the cola can was a bomb. You might believe a lie if it is told once, but not when it is repeated and told every time a Palestinian is murdered in cold blood at Israeli military checkpoints. To the Zionists I say: For every Palestinian you kill, hundred are born, and with every generation our return gets nearer.
Message 40: We had olive fields and they were our living and sustenance. The Zionists confiscated our land to build a road for the Zionist colony nearby. It is our land but we are no longer allowed to work it or even walk on it. This is our land, our home, our life.
Message 41: I am a Palestinian from Sawahreh. I was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Jerusalem but today the wall separates me from my city. My village was divided by the Zionists, one part inside the wall and the other outside it. Our cemetery lies inside the wall. When someone dies, we have to apply for a permit for the dead so they can be buried. Sometimes, they only allow a couple of relatives to accompany the dead, sometimes they refuse so the body has to be handed over at the checkpoint. They can build walls, erect checkpoints everywhere but they will never be able to remove Jerusalem from our hearts and minds. We will remain steadfast here till the day when we destroy the wall and remove the checkpoints. This is destiny because this is our land, this is our home.
Message 42: We will never forget the names of those who sell out our rights and our blood. We will never forget the names of those who sell out our Right of Return, nor will we ever forgive them. It is our right, not theirs to do with as they please. If they don’t mind selling the homes of their ancestors in Yafa, Haifa or Jerusalem in return for a villa, a Mercedes and a fake throne in Ramallah, then they better remember that millions and millions of Palestinians around the world won’t ever give up their Right to their homes in Palestine, not even for a piece in paradise.
Message 43: despite the occupation, despite the attacks on school, despite the checkpoints, I go to school every day. I want to become an architect and rebuild all the houses the Zionists demolished. I want to rebuild the homes of the refugees when they return to their villages and towns.
Message 44: my wife was in labor. We were on our way to the hospital when we were stopped at an Israeli military checkpoint. The soldiers saw that my wife was in great pain, nevertheless they refused to let us pass. I told them her condition is critical, that she or the baby or both might die if we don’t reach a hospital quickly. But the soldiers pointed their guns at me and said to turn back. On the way back home my wife and our unborn baby died. They come from Europe, the US and Russia and hold us prisoners in our own homeland. But no matter what they do, we won’t leave because this is where our families and our roots are. This is our past, present and future.
Message 45: In the media we always hear about the Israelis suffering from “terror”, but we hear nothing about our suffering and what the Israelis do to us. Like every nation, it is our legitimate right to defend ourselves from occupiers and to fight for our freedom. Israel ethnically cleansed our homeland and occupied it, it destroyed over 500 Palestinian villages, confiscates land, destroys homes and hold us hostages in ghettos and besieges us. They attack us while on our way to work, to school, while playing and while sleeping in our homes, and they are the victims? Would you please explain to me why the world that keeps talking about human rights and easing human suffering ignores our rights and our suffering? We are not the occupiers nor are we the oppressors. We are the Palestinians who were expelled from their homeland by Zionist terrorists and all we want is to return to our homes, rebuild our villages and towns in Palestine.
Message 46: I am from Palestine. The Zionists want to force me out of my home so they give my home and my land to Zionist colonists from Russia and Australia. But no massacres, no siege, no Markava and no F-16 will force me out. I am a Palestinian and this is my home. When you kill me my blood will water this land, my spirit will guard it and my body will become an olive tree clinging to the land, steadfast and forever an undividable.
Message 47: We woke up in the middle of the night to the sounds of shouting and shooting. Hundreds of Zionist colonists have attacked our village. They were shooting at the houses, burning the olive trees and the cars. My parents and older siblings told us kids to stay inside the house and they went out to defend our house. I looked through the window and saw thousands of our people, from our village and other villages come and stand up to the colonists and defend our village armed only with the stones against the machine guns of the Zionists. We don’t have your guns, nor your tanks nor your F-16s, but we have Palestine in our hearts and we have a just cause to fight for. We are stronger and the victory is ours.
Message 48: in 1948, fully armed Zionist terrorists came and told us to leave or else. How could they imagine that we would leave our Jerusalem? They came back and started shooting at whoever was still around. Our children started crying. We started crying. We feared for them, feared for our lives. No one was there to protect us. And so we were forced out of Jerusalem. We walked and walked. And we finally settled in the eastern part of Jerusalem. We made a home while still dreaming of our home in the western part of the city. We continued to live, but only for the day we return to our original home. We raised our children and told them of that home. Decades later, Zionist colonists coming from the US knocked on our door and demanded we leave, claiming the house is theirs. Their papers proved to be forgeries, but we were forced out of our home a second time. Now we live in a tent. We would rather die in Jerusalem than be expelled from it because it is the only home we have.
Message 49: at school we have to learn about the Nakba as the “Independence” day. We have to read how killing our people and ethnically cleansing our homeland is a cause for celebration. We have to carry the ID of an entity that denies us our rights and gives our land to colonists from Europe and Russia. They think we forgot who we are and what we are. We never did and never will: We are Palestinians and will continue fighting for our rights and for our lands.
Message 50: My father built a simple low stone wall around our land to protect it from Zionist colonists. The Israeli soldiers came the next day and destroyed the wall with their bulldozers. They build walls on our land, they imprison Palestinian villages, towns and refugees camps within walls and they divide Palestinian villages with walls and separate residents from their lands. We will protect our lands with our bodies, our bodies will be the walls surrounding our lands and protecting them, because there is nothing more precious than the land and this land is our home.
Message 51: I am from Safad. I live in a refugee camp, but only temporarily. The so-called PA doesn’t represent me and doesn’t have the right to speak in my name or decide on my behalf. Only those fighting for my Right to Return to my home represent me.
Message 52: during summer we often have no running water and we have to buy water from tanks for very high prices. The illegal Zionist colony nearby has swimming pools and a park that is watered every day. They drink, fill their pools and water the parks with our water. They build their colonies and parks on land that doesn’t belong to them. We are thirsty and our land is thirsty because the Zionist colonists steal our water. Our land is slowly dying, the Zionists are killing it. But we will water our land with our blood, will fight till we liberate it because our cause is a just cause and injustice never lasts.
Message 53: the Zionists terror gangs that bombarded our village, killed our families and expelled us from our homes in 1948 are the same terrorists who are today destroying Jerusalem, besieging Gaza and colonizing Palestine. These terrorists are now known as the “Israeli army”. Injustice can never last, and one day these terrorists will be prosecuted for war crimes and one day we shall all return to our Palestine.
Message 54: I am from At-Taybeh. The Zionists want to expel us from Palestine. They confiscate our lands, deny us permits to build and demolish our houses. They claim they are a “democracy” while denying us our rights. We will remain steadfast on this land because it is ours and no Zionist from Europe can change that fact.
Message 55: the Israeli wall built to confiscate more Palestinian land separates us from our fields. We have to apply for a “permit” to be allowed in. Sometimes we have to wait for hours at the gates and sometimes we are sent back home by the IOF. They don’t allow us to enter our fields to work them, but they allow Zionist colonists to destroy Palestinian fields, uproot and burn Palestinian trees. We will go every day and wait at the gates and work the land because it is our land and the land of our ancestors and we promised them to pass it on to our children.
Message 56: my son was 20 years old when he needed urgent medical treatment. He died a slow and painful death because the Zionists who occupy our land and besiege us refused to let him out of Gaza. They claim they “left” Gaza, but they continue to besiege us, invade our neighborhoods and bombard our homes every day. They have turned Gaza into a concentration camp and they continue to lie and claim they “left” Gaza. One day, Gaza and all of Palestine will be free and I will pick poppies from Jerusalem, from Haifa and Bisan and place them on my son’s grave.
Message 57: The Israeli occupation army raided our house in the middle of the night. They beat me before handcuffing me and kidnapping me from my house for no reason. I was detained administratively for a couple of years. I was locked up behind bars without charge or a trial. They think when they detain all Palestinians that we will give up, that we will accept the occupation and wait our death in silence. Let me tell you; we will continue the fight to liberate Palestine, we will remain steadfast in Palestine. This is our home.
Message 58: The Zionists from the nearby colony come every now and then and cause havoc in our area. They drive through our village with loud sirens, they burn our fruit fields, they uproot our olive trees and they steal our land. And when we try to stop them and protect our land and homes and families, we are shot at and we are arrested for “attacking the settlers”. All we are doing is defending our land, our home from the occupiers.
Message 59: the Zionists claim their entity is tolerant. They claim they respect all religions. I am a Palestinian Christian but I am not allowed to go and pray in Jerusalem. My neighbor is a Palestinian Muslim and he isn’t allowed to go and pray in Jerusalem. The Zionists have closed the city that had always been open to everyone and they claim they are tolerant. They have been ethnically cleansing the city of its original inhabitants since the Nakba and have made its western part Palestinian-free zone and are working on doing the same with the eastern part. The Zionists who claim tolerance are “Judaizing” the Jerusalem, and in the process, they are obliterating its features, defacing it with illegal colonies and are destroying it. Whatever they do, they will never be able to take us out of Jerusalem or take Jerusalem from us, because Jerusalem has and will always be the heart, the soul and the home of every Palestinian.
Message 60: I am a Palestinian from Palestine. My homeland gave me my name. You American, German, Russian, French, English, Canadian, Australian and Ethiopian Zionists have a home in the US, Germany, Russia, France, England, Canada, Australia and Ethiopia so go back to it, for you have no right to my homeland, nor to my land nor to my home. Injustice never lasts.
Message 61: We have only one home. Our home is called Palestine. Palestine extends from the River to the Sea and from Ras In-Naqoura to Im Ir-Rishrash.
Message 62: No Peace without Justice and no Justice without the Right to Return. The Right to Return is Inalienable.
Reham Alhelsi is a Jerusalem-born Palestinian. She has worked extensively in the Palestinian Broadcasting Company and since 2000, when she moved to Germany, has trained at various radio and TV networks including Deutsche Welle, SWR and WDR. She is currently writing her PhD in Regional Planning with a focus on Palestinian Land Management and local government.
http://intifada-palestine.com/2010/05/62-years-62-messages-we-have-a-home-and-it’s-called-palestine/comment-page-1/#comment-1345
Comment: Independence nation begins with an independent mind. One day truth will defeat falsehood.
by Reham Alhelsi, 21 May, 2010 .
Message 1: While playing one day, I found a beautiful wooden box stacked back in the cupboard. It was well-hidden and surrounded by several sheets as if to protect it from theft or damage. I quietly and carefully opened the box. Inside was only one item: an old iron key. I ran to my grandmother and asked her about the key. She held it close to her heart, looked at it for a while before holding my hand and placing the key in my palm. She had tears in her eyes when she looked me in the eyes and said: this is the key to our home, the home to which we shall return one day. Never lose it, never give up your right to your home and never forget that you have no other home.
Message 2: I am from the old city of Jerusalem. I was born in a beautiful old house that was built by my ancestors. Generations of our family lived in this house. I got married and started my own family. I still live in the same old house with my own little family, my parents, my siblings and their families. We are not allowed to add rooms, enlarge the house or renovate it, while Zionist colonists come from all over the world and occupy our homes. We are squeezed in our homes like sardines, while Zionists are allowed to build mansions on the ruins of Palestinians homes. They think when we are stacked like this in a small place that we will pack and leave and let Zionist colonists occupy our home. We will continue to live in this small old house, and our children and their children and grandchildren will grow up here. We won’t be forced out of our house for we have no other home.
Message 3: my mother married a Palestinian refugee living in Jordan and she moved to live there. After 1967 she wasn’t allowed into Palestine anymore. She wasn’t allowed to see her parents and siblings any more. Her parents died without having the chance to say goodbye to her. She died without having the chance to say goodbye to Palestine. She died dreaming of Palestine and hoping of the return to her home. I promised her to return to her home, my home, one day and I will keep that promise.
Message 4: I am a Palestinian from Gaza. I can’t visit Jerusalem and pray in Al-Aqsa. I was never in Akka, Haifa or Yafa. I can’t visit Bethlehem, Nablus or Ramallah. I am a Palestinian from Gaza. The Zionists occupy my homeland, desecrate my holy sites, and besiege me in my home. They are slowly killing me and my children, but we won’t surrender for this is our home and they are the aggressors.
Message 5: We used to wake up to the singing of the birds, watch the sun as it rises and as it sets, take a walk in the nearby fields. Today, we are surrounded by a Zionist wall. The birds don’t sing anymore because the fields were destroyed and the trees uprooted and the bird nests stepped on. The sun sets and rises behind the wall without saying good morning or goodbye. They can hide the sun, kill the trees, expel the birds, but they won’t kill us or expel us. We are steadfast here, on our land, in our homes.
Message 6: we never needed anything. We worked the land and it rewarded us. We were happy and content. We were rich with our land. During the Nakba, the Zionists attacked our villages, killed many of us, expelled the rest and destroyed our homes. They made refugees out of us. Today we have to wait for food rations from the UNRWA. We still dream of working our lands and the homes that wait for us to rebuild them.
Message 7: They demolished our home. They said we have 10 minutes to remove our belongings. I searched for my toys, my painting book and my feast dress. When the bulldozers started demolishing our home, my father cried. My father never cries. They said our home was built illegally. What about the houses with the red-brick that are built on our lands for Americans and Germans? Everyone in the news says they are illegal, so why aren’t they being demolished? Why do they only demolish our homes? These people in the red-brick houses can go back to USA and Germany, but we have only one place: our home Palestine.
Message 8: Every stone stands witness to the owners of the land. Every olive tree stands witness to the owners of the land. Every hill, every valley, every street and every alley stand witness to the owners of the land belongs. The land of Palestine belongs to us; the Palestinians.
Message 9: Every day I have to wait hours at the checkpoint on my way to work and back. Every day I watch how Zionist soldiers abuse and humiliate Palestinian women, children and elderly. Every day I stand in line at the checkpoint and wonder if one of the Zionist soldiers will again shoot and kill one of us for no reason. Every day I stand at the checkpoint, watch those Zionist soldiers with their machine guns and hand grenades and I think: You can’t hold us hostages forever, one day you will go back to the countries you came from because it is you who have no place here and you can’t imprison a whole nation hungry for freedom.
Message 10: my father’s last wish was to be buried in his village which was ethnically cleansed in 1948. He died saying: Take me back to my home, take me back to my home.
Message 11: one morning in 1967 Zionist soldiers entered our village Imwas. They surrounded the houses and ordered everyone out. They threatened that they will kill anyone who doesn’t leave or anyone who tries to come back. Then their bulldozers started demolishing our houses, one house after the other. Some people refused to leave and were buried under the rubble of their demolished homes. They did the same to the villages of Yalou and Beit Nouba. We walked for days, with nothing to eat or drink. We walked for days with only pain in our hearts for we have been expelled from our homes. Years later, the Zionists established a recreational park on where the 3 Palestinian villages once stood. We never forgot Imwas. We think, dream, plan and live only for the day when we return back to Imwas and rebuild our homes because this is the only home we have.
Message 12: The Israeli occupation army raided our home in search of children who threw little stones at tanks. We told them there was only us women in the house. They beat my grandmother, mother, my sisters and me. Then they turned the house upside down, threw the flour and the rice and the sugar on the ground, broke the doors and the cupboards and before leaving they threw a gas bomb in our living room. And you still wonder why we resist them with all the means we have?
Message 13: I was born in occupied Palestine. I was born in a refugee camp in the West Bank. The UN, Israel, US, EU, the Arabs and the so-called PA tried for decades to convince me that this is the only home I will ever have. This refugee camp is not my home. I have a home. It is called Jrash, Deir Aban, Beit I’tab, Allar, Al-Malha. I have a home and I will return to it one day because it is the only home I will ever have.
Message 14: my husband has a Bethlehem ID. Our children and I have a Jerusalem ID. My husband isn’t allowed into Jerusalem anymore. The Zionist entity that claims to be a “democracy” divides Palestinian parents from their children. It is either I lose my right to live in my city Jerusalem or I lose my family. My husband and I decided that we would rather suffer the separation than let them expel us from Jerusalem. Now, the family is divided but we have a home in Jerusalem so our children can grow up in their city and one day the family will be reunited in Jerusalem, in the only home we will ever have.
Message 15: We live in Tel Rumeida. Zionist colonists from the US and other places occupy the homes of many Palestinians here and only few of us are still steadfast. We are harassed by the Zionist colonists and the Israeli occupation soldiers day and night. Our children are often attacked by the Zionists on their way to school. My daughter was attacked and her arm was broken and the Israeli soldiers watched and as usual did nothing. My daughter often comes at night and asks if she can sleep in our room because she is afraid that the colonists will come after her again. One day I asked her if she is afraid, she said: yes. I asked her if she wished we lived somewhere else, she answered: No, this is our home.
Message 16: My village is worth the whole world to me. Every stone in it is more valuable than diamonds. I wouldn’t exchange my home for the wealth of the world and I wouldn’t exchange my land for paradise because my land is my paradise.
Message 17: they built a park where my village once stood. Zionists play with their kids where once our cemetery stood and where my grandparents are buried. They make barbeque parties where once my home stood, where I was born. This is my home and it is my legitimate right to return to my home.
Message 18: I am one of the 80,000 Palestinians expelled from West Jerusalem and its villages in 1948. Our land and property was confiscated by the Zionist entity and given to Zionists who have no roots in Jerusalem. I live in a refugee camp and my village is a couple of hours ride away from where I live now, but I am not allowed to enter the Jerusalem area. I see pictures of my village on the internet, pictures taken by Israelis. I tell my children: this is your home, never forget this and never forget that one day we shall return.
Message 19: my little boy and his friends were stopped at an Israeli military checkpoint and were beaten by the soldiers. At night, he wets his bed and wakes up crying. He is afraid to go to school alone because he fears the soldiers at the checkpoint might beaten him again, so I have to accompany him to school and bring him back home every day. One day, the soldiers were harassing a group of pupils. I stepped forward to help the pupils. One Zionist soldier shouted: one day we will throw you all out of “Erez Israel”! My little boy shouted back at the soldier: this is our land and we won’t leave!
Message 20: On TV I saw an Israeli claim to be a peace activist. When asked where she lives, she answered: in Maale Adumim. She didn’t say in the illegal colony built on land stolen from Palestinians. To the Zionists I say: You want peace, then give me back my land and let my people return home.
Message 21: Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return, Right of Return.
Message 22: it was harvest time and the whole family was working in our olive fields. Zionist colonists came and demanded we leave, when we refused they started beating us with clubs. Israeli occupation soldiers came, stood watching until the colonists finished beating us, then they took our names and ID numbers and told us to come to the military camp the next day. We were accused of harassing the Zionist colonists while the colonists were escorted by the IOF to our fields to steal our harvest. They think they can frighten us into leaving this land, but we won’t leave because this land is our land.
Message 23: We were expelled from our home in Palestine during the Nakba. We lived first in Lebanon, then Syria, then for many years in Kuwait before being forced out of there. Now we live in Jordan. We don’t want to be Lebanese, or Syrian, or Kuwaiti or Jordanian. We have a nationality; we are Palestinians. We have a homeland; Palestine. We have a beautiful home in a small village and it is waiting for us to return to it.
Message 24: I am from a village to the east of occupied Jerusalem. The village is now divided by the wall into two. My house and the houses of my 3 brothers are now behind the wall. We were told that we will lose our residency right in Jerusalem so we all moved to our father’s house on the other side of the wall. Now 5 families share a small home. If we live or build in our land on the other side of the wall we lose our right to live in Jerusalem, but Zionists colonists from around the world are allowed to live wherever they want in occupied Palestine and can build on the land they stole from us. We will live in the family house in Jerusalem and will keep building on the land on the other side of the wall. This land on both sides of the wall is ours and will always be.
Message 25: I am from Rafah. The Israeli occupation army entered our neighborhood, killed tens of residents, demolished around 200 people and destroyed our fields. They claim they want peace. Is this how peace is done? No, this is Zionism: terror, land theft, racism, occupation and oppression. There will never be peace except when Zionism is defeated and all Palestinian refugees return to their homes.
Message 26: We searched in vain for an apartment in Yafa. We were told by a Zionist coming from Europe that we are not welcome in our city. My parents, grandparents and many generations of my family were born in Yafa, helped build the city and are buried in it. Today, I am told I am not welcome there by Germans, Russians and Americans occupying my city. I will live in a tent in Yafa, but you won’t force me out of my city, my only home.
Message 27: every Friday we protest the Israeli occupation and the Israeli wall that is eating our land. Palestinians, Israelis and internationals stand together against the occupation, against oppression and against apartheid. We are unarmed but the Israeli soldiers shoot live ammunition at us, throw gas and sound bombs. Several unarmed protests were killed by the IOF, but this won’t stop us. We will continue protesting the occupation until Palestine is free.
Message 28: Our grandparents and parents used to sing love songs in weddings when they were in Palestine. Today we sing about resistance and the struggle to free our homeland and to return to our villages.
Message 29: I am from Tabariya (Tiberias). I live in a refugee camp in Lebanon. Today, I learned a new song at the Kindergarten: My homeland is very beautiful…. my homeland is very beautiful … my homeland is called Palestine.
Message 30: The Israeli occupation army invaded our refugee camp. Israeli tanks and helicopters bombed our homes. Armored bulldozers were also used to demolish more houses to make way for the soldiers invading the refugee camp. Some houses were demolished over the heads of their residents. Many were killed or injured. They claimed we were the “terrorists”. We are refugees forced to live in a refugee camp because we were expelled from our homes by these terrorists who invade us again and again and want us to disappear. Your tanks and helicopters don’t frighten us. Today we are steadfast in these refugee camps, tomorrow we will return to our villages and rebuild them.
Message 31: they claim we left “of our free will”. What person leaves paradise freely? What person chooses to live as a refugee? What person chooses a life of displacement over the life in a homeland? We were expelled from our homes while the world watched and we continue to live as refugees while Zionists who have no roots in Palestine occupy our homes and lands. Palestine is our homeland and we shall return!
Message 32: as children we used to accompany my parents to the olive fields. My father, his father and his grandfather before him had each planted a new olive field. We used to spend weeks harvesting the trees. It was hard work but it was worthy. We loved our olive trees and they loved us in return. We cared for our olive trees and they provided us with a living. Then one day, armed Israeli soldiers came, surrounded our fields with barbed wires and left a plate saying that the land is a “closed area”, no entrance allowed. The land has been confiscated to build more illegal colonies for Zionists coming from Russia, Europe and Mars. A couple of days later, we see a huge black cloud coming from the direction of the fields. We rush to see what has happened. It is too late, our beloved olive trees have been burned to ashes. They have been massacred, left to die a slow and a painful death like those who plant them and hold them sacred. We will continue planting olive trees, one row after the other, one field after the other. And one day, we will replant the fields they stole, we will replant the land they burnt, we will replant the land they destroyed. We will heal your wounds, Palestine.
Message 33: My family was expelled from Acca in 1948. We lived first in Syria then moved to the Gulf. I live and work there now. One of my European colleagues was recently in occupied Palestine. When he showed me the pictures he took in Acca I wanted to cry like a child and I wanted to shout out at the injustice of this world. Acca is my home and I will never give up my right to return to my home.
Message 34: we were awakened in the middle of the night by loud speakers. They ordered us to leave our homes, said anyone who doesn’t obey will regret it. Outside, we saw buses surrounded by Israeli occupation soldiers waiting to take us to the Allenby bridge. We didn’t want to go, but they started threatening and pushing us. Many were still in their sleeping attire, many had no shoes on, the children were crying. When the buses reached the bride, Israeli army airplanes bombarded it. They didn’t only want to expel us, they wanted to massacre us so none of us or our children would demand to return home. We will never give up our Right to Return to our homes and neither will our children.
Message 35: I am from the old city of Hebron. The Israeli occupation army expelled us from our homes and gave them to the fanatic Zionist colonists from the US. I want my home back and won’t stop fighting the occupation until I free my home from the colonists.
Message 36: fanatic Zionists planned to invade Al-Aqsa and conduct rituals in it. We all rushed to protect our holy sites. The Israeli army came in the thousands to protect the armed colonists and both started shooting at us. Many Palestinians were killed, hundreds were injured and others detained. Not one single fanatic colonist was detained. They repeat their invasions every couple of months, and every time we rush to protect Al-Aqsa. They attack our holy sites, desecrate them, say openly they want to destroy them and the whole world is silent. The world is coward, but we are not and will continue to defend our holy sites and our homeland with our bodies.
Message 37: They keep saying in the news that the residents of “Sderot” are under attack. Why don’t they mention that “Sderot” is a Zionist colony built on the ruins of the Palestinian village Najd? Why don’t they mention that Najd was ethnically cleansed and completely defaced by Zionist terrorists? Why don’t they mention that the land on which “Sderot” stands is Palestinian land occupied by Zionist colonists? Why don’t they mention that the land on which “Sderot” stands belongs to Palestinians who were made refugees, many of whom live in Gaza? Why don’t they mention that the refugees who were expelled from their homes insist on returning to these homes?
Message 38: the Israeli army besieged Bethlehem; the city of Jesus and the Nativity Church: the birthplace of Jesus. Israeli snipers shot at the people taking refugee inside, killing some, injuring some and damaging the church. The “western” world watched and said nothing. We, the people of Bethlehem, both Muslims and Christians, didn’t watch silently while the Zionists tried destroying the city of Jesus, we defended it and will continue to defend the city of Jesus from the Zionist aggressors.
Message 39: my cousin was on his way to visit friends. He was holding a cola can while waiting in the line at the checkpoint. When it was his turn, the soldiers didn’t ask any question, they just shot him several times. When ambulances came, the soldiers refused to let them save the boy. He bled to death. Later that day, the Israeli occupation army, that is equipped with the best observation equipment, claimed they thought the cola can was a bomb. You might believe a lie if it is told once, but not when it is repeated and told every time a Palestinian is murdered in cold blood at Israeli military checkpoints. To the Zionists I say: For every Palestinian you kill, hundred are born, and with every generation our return gets nearer.
Message 40: We had olive fields and they were our living and sustenance. The Zionists confiscated our land to build a road for the Zionist colony nearby. It is our land but we are no longer allowed to work it or even walk on it. This is our land, our home, our life.
Message 41: I am a Palestinian from Sawahreh. I was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Jerusalem but today the wall separates me from my city. My village was divided by the Zionists, one part inside the wall and the other outside it. Our cemetery lies inside the wall. When someone dies, we have to apply for a permit for the dead so they can be buried. Sometimes, they only allow a couple of relatives to accompany the dead, sometimes they refuse so the body has to be handed over at the checkpoint. They can build walls, erect checkpoints everywhere but they will never be able to remove Jerusalem from our hearts and minds. We will remain steadfast here till the day when we destroy the wall and remove the checkpoints. This is destiny because this is our land, this is our home.
Message 42: We will never forget the names of those who sell out our rights and our blood. We will never forget the names of those who sell out our Right of Return, nor will we ever forgive them. It is our right, not theirs to do with as they please. If they don’t mind selling the homes of their ancestors in Yafa, Haifa or Jerusalem in return for a villa, a Mercedes and a fake throne in Ramallah, then they better remember that millions and millions of Palestinians around the world won’t ever give up their Right to their homes in Palestine, not even for a piece in paradise.
Message 43: despite the occupation, despite the attacks on school, despite the checkpoints, I go to school every day. I want to become an architect and rebuild all the houses the Zionists demolished. I want to rebuild the homes of the refugees when they return to their villages and towns.
Message 44: my wife was in labor. We were on our way to the hospital when we were stopped at an Israeli military checkpoint. The soldiers saw that my wife was in great pain, nevertheless they refused to let us pass. I told them her condition is critical, that she or the baby or both might die if we don’t reach a hospital quickly. But the soldiers pointed their guns at me and said to turn back. On the way back home my wife and our unborn baby died. They come from Europe, the US and Russia and hold us prisoners in our own homeland. But no matter what they do, we won’t leave because this is where our families and our roots are. This is our past, present and future.
Message 45: In the media we always hear about the Israelis suffering from “terror”, but we hear nothing about our suffering and what the Israelis do to us. Like every nation, it is our legitimate right to defend ourselves from occupiers and to fight for our freedom. Israel ethnically cleansed our homeland and occupied it, it destroyed over 500 Palestinian villages, confiscates land, destroys homes and hold us hostages in ghettos and besieges us. They attack us while on our way to work, to school, while playing and while sleeping in our homes, and they are the victims? Would you please explain to me why the world that keeps talking about human rights and easing human suffering ignores our rights and our suffering? We are not the occupiers nor are we the oppressors. We are the Palestinians who were expelled from their homeland by Zionist terrorists and all we want is to return to our homes, rebuild our villages and towns in Palestine.
Message 46: I am from Palestine. The Zionists want to force me out of my home so they give my home and my land to Zionist colonists from Russia and Australia. But no massacres, no siege, no Markava and no F-16 will force me out. I am a Palestinian and this is my home. When you kill me my blood will water this land, my spirit will guard it and my body will become an olive tree clinging to the land, steadfast and forever an undividable.
Message 47: We woke up in the middle of the night to the sounds of shouting and shooting. Hundreds of Zionist colonists have attacked our village. They were shooting at the houses, burning the olive trees and the cars. My parents and older siblings told us kids to stay inside the house and they went out to defend our house. I looked through the window and saw thousands of our people, from our village and other villages come and stand up to the colonists and defend our village armed only with the stones against the machine guns of the Zionists. We don’t have your guns, nor your tanks nor your F-16s, but we have Palestine in our hearts and we have a just cause to fight for. We are stronger and the victory is ours.
Message 48: in 1948, fully armed Zionist terrorists came and told us to leave or else. How could they imagine that we would leave our Jerusalem? They came back and started shooting at whoever was still around. Our children started crying. We started crying. We feared for them, feared for our lives. No one was there to protect us. And so we were forced out of Jerusalem. We walked and walked. And we finally settled in the eastern part of Jerusalem. We made a home while still dreaming of our home in the western part of the city. We continued to live, but only for the day we return to our original home. We raised our children and told them of that home. Decades later, Zionist colonists coming from the US knocked on our door and demanded we leave, claiming the house is theirs. Their papers proved to be forgeries, but we were forced out of our home a second time. Now we live in a tent. We would rather die in Jerusalem than be expelled from it because it is the only home we have.
Message 49: at school we have to learn about the Nakba as the “Independence” day. We have to read how killing our people and ethnically cleansing our homeland is a cause for celebration. We have to carry the ID of an entity that denies us our rights and gives our land to colonists from Europe and Russia. They think we forgot who we are and what we are. We never did and never will: We are Palestinians and will continue fighting for our rights and for our lands.
Message 50: My father built a simple low stone wall around our land to protect it from Zionist colonists. The Israeli soldiers came the next day and destroyed the wall with their bulldozers. They build walls on our land, they imprison Palestinian villages, towns and refugees camps within walls and they divide Palestinian villages with walls and separate residents from their lands. We will protect our lands with our bodies, our bodies will be the walls surrounding our lands and protecting them, because there is nothing more precious than the land and this land is our home.
Message 51: I am from Safad. I live in a refugee camp, but only temporarily. The so-called PA doesn’t represent me and doesn’t have the right to speak in my name or decide on my behalf. Only those fighting for my Right to Return to my home represent me.
Message 52: during summer we often have no running water and we have to buy water from tanks for very high prices. The illegal Zionist colony nearby has swimming pools and a park that is watered every day. They drink, fill their pools and water the parks with our water. They build their colonies and parks on land that doesn’t belong to them. We are thirsty and our land is thirsty because the Zionist colonists steal our water. Our land is slowly dying, the Zionists are killing it. But we will water our land with our blood, will fight till we liberate it because our cause is a just cause and injustice never lasts.
Message 53: the Zionists terror gangs that bombarded our village, killed our families and expelled us from our homes in 1948 are the same terrorists who are today destroying Jerusalem, besieging Gaza and colonizing Palestine. These terrorists are now known as the “Israeli army”. Injustice can never last, and one day these terrorists will be prosecuted for war crimes and one day we shall all return to our Palestine.
Message 54: I am from At-Taybeh. The Zionists want to expel us from Palestine. They confiscate our lands, deny us permits to build and demolish our houses. They claim they are a “democracy” while denying us our rights. We will remain steadfast on this land because it is ours and no Zionist from Europe can change that fact.
Message 55: the Israeli wall built to confiscate more Palestinian land separates us from our fields. We have to apply for a “permit” to be allowed in. Sometimes we have to wait for hours at the gates and sometimes we are sent back home by the IOF. They don’t allow us to enter our fields to work them, but they allow Zionist colonists to destroy Palestinian fields, uproot and burn Palestinian trees. We will go every day and wait at the gates and work the land because it is our land and the land of our ancestors and we promised them to pass it on to our children.
Message 56: my son was 20 years old when he needed urgent medical treatment. He died a slow and painful death because the Zionists who occupy our land and besiege us refused to let him out of Gaza. They claim they “left” Gaza, but they continue to besiege us, invade our neighborhoods and bombard our homes every day. They have turned Gaza into a concentration camp and they continue to lie and claim they “left” Gaza. One day, Gaza and all of Palestine will be free and I will pick poppies from Jerusalem, from Haifa and Bisan and place them on my son’s grave.
Message 57: The Israeli occupation army raided our house in the middle of the night. They beat me before handcuffing me and kidnapping me from my house for no reason. I was detained administratively for a couple of years. I was locked up behind bars without charge or a trial. They think when they detain all Palestinians that we will give up, that we will accept the occupation and wait our death in silence. Let me tell you; we will continue the fight to liberate Palestine, we will remain steadfast in Palestine. This is our home.
Message 58: The Zionists from the nearby colony come every now and then and cause havoc in our area. They drive through our village with loud sirens, they burn our fruit fields, they uproot our olive trees and they steal our land. And when we try to stop them and protect our land and homes and families, we are shot at and we are arrested for “attacking the settlers”. All we are doing is defending our land, our home from the occupiers.
Message 59: the Zionists claim their entity is tolerant. They claim they respect all religions. I am a Palestinian Christian but I am not allowed to go and pray in Jerusalem. My neighbor is a Palestinian Muslim and he isn’t allowed to go and pray in Jerusalem. The Zionists have closed the city that had always been open to everyone and they claim they are tolerant. They have been ethnically cleansing the city of its original inhabitants since the Nakba and have made its western part Palestinian-free zone and are working on doing the same with the eastern part. The Zionists who claim tolerance are “Judaizing” the Jerusalem, and in the process, they are obliterating its features, defacing it with illegal colonies and are destroying it. Whatever they do, they will never be able to take us out of Jerusalem or take Jerusalem from us, because Jerusalem has and will always be the heart, the soul and the home of every Palestinian.
Message 60: I am a Palestinian from Palestine. My homeland gave me my name. You American, German, Russian, French, English, Canadian, Australian and Ethiopian Zionists have a home in the US, Germany, Russia, France, England, Canada, Australia and Ethiopia so go back to it, for you have no right to my homeland, nor to my land nor to my home. Injustice never lasts.
Message 61: We have only one home. Our home is called Palestine. Palestine extends from the River to the Sea and from Ras In-Naqoura to Im Ir-Rishrash.
Message 62: No Peace without Justice and no Justice without the Right to Return. The Right to Return is Inalienable.
Reham Alhelsi is a Jerusalem-born Palestinian. She has worked extensively in the Palestinian Broadcasting Company and since 2000, when she moved to Germany, has trained at various radio and TV networks including Deutsche Welle, SWR and WDR. She is currently writing her PhD in Regional Planning with a focus on Palestinian Land Management and local government.
http://intifada-palestine.com/2010/05/62-years-62-messages-we-have-a-home-and-it’s-called-palestine/comment-page-1/#comment-1345
Comment: Independence nation begins with an independent mind. One day truth will defeat falsehood.
Friday, May 21, 2010
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition sails for Gaza
by shergald
Sat May 15th, 2010 at 09:48:48 AM EST
A few days after the UNRWA Gaza Director John Ging called for relief ships to be sent to Gaza, a report came from London that the MV Rachel Corrie, a 1200-ton cargo ship, part of an eight-vessel Freedom Flotilla, set sail from Ireland on its way to the Mediterranean Sea. There, the Rachel Corrie will be joined by ships from Turkey and Greece and other countries, and then sail to Gaza. A Swedish ship may also join in.
Although small boats to Gaza have been turned back in the past, the ship sponsored by the IHH, the world wide Turkish humanitarian organization, will fly the Turkish flag, apparently with the permission of Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which has the potential for creating an international incident. Israel has already indicated an intention to stop the flotilla.
An earlier press release read:
MS Rachel Corrie, Ireland
[London, UK - 5 May, 2010] John Ging, the Director of Operations of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza, has called upon the international community to break the siege on the Gaza Strip by sending ships loaded with desperately needed supplies to the beleaguered territory. "We believe that Israel will not intercept these vessels because the sea is open, and human rights organizations have been successful in similar previous operations proving that breaking the siege of Gaza is possible."
This month the Freedom Flotilla plans to do just that and we call upon others to join us.
Turkish cargo ship, flying Turkish flag
Later this month the Freedom Flotilla, consisting of three cargo ships and five passenger boats, will set sail to Gaza, in the biggest internationally coordinated effort to directly challenge Israeli's ongoing occupation, aggression, and violence against the Palestinian people. The ships are being readied in Greece, Ireland and Turkey to carry 5000 tons of reconstruction materials, school supplies, and medical equipment, as well as 600 passengers from over 40 countries.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is comprised of: Free Gaza Movement (FG), European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza (ECESG), Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH or The Foundation For Human Rights And Freedoms And Humanitarian Relief ), Ship to Gaza Greece, Ship to Gaza Sweden, and the International Committee to Lift the Siege on Gaza, with hundreds of groups and organizations around the world supporting the effort.
Thus far the Gaza flotilla of ships, especially the involvement of Turkey's government, has not been covered by the Western or European press.
Earlier Bulent Yildirim, President of the IHH reported that "Israel has been trying to use our West Bank representative against us by keeping him under arrest. Israel is trying to intertwine the two issues, Izzet Sahin's arrest and the flotilla project. They might be thinking that they can make us step back. Everyone should know that we will not step back. Those aid ships shall embark on their journey to Palestine once the time comes."
During a meeting between the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan and European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza - Ship to Gaza's coalition partner, Mr. Erdogan expressed his support for "breaking the oppressive blockade of Gaza", which is a top priority for Turkey. The Turkish relief ship will carry the Turkish flag, meaning that an Israeli attack will essentially have international impact. The waters off Gaza are international and not Israeli waters.
The Turkish IHH is banned in Israel and as part of its crackdown on peace activists in the West Bank and (in Israel itself) arrested Izzet Sahin, the IHH representative in Ramallah.
According to several Israeli and Palestinian media, Israel will not hesitate to use violence to prevent the Freedom Flotilla from reaching Gaza. Ship to Gaza - Sweden has asked for a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Carl Bildt, to see how Sweden and the EU intend to protect the humanitarian, peaceful and completely legal action.
According to Israeli TV2,
....the Israeli government and military will not allow Ship to Gaza and the Freedom Flotilla convoy to get to Gaza as planned, expected to reach the coast at the end of this month with its cargo of much needed material for reconstruction. According to a news article posted on their webpage, the Israeli have been given clear orders to prevent the solidarity convoy to reach Gaza, even it would take military violence. The Israeli Air Force have been given similar instructions: the convoy have to be stopped, with violence if needed, and the participants sent back to their respective countries.
It was also reported that Israel is engaged in military exercises to prevent the Freedom Fleet (translated from Greek)
Thursday, 13th May 2010
The naval forces of Israel said to be trained to understand eight ships scheduled to enter the Gaza Strip on May 24 from Europe, Arabic-speaking media reported on Wednesday. "Approximately half of the Israeli naval forces will participate in a company approved by the Cabinet. The [Israeli] Defense Minister Ehud Barak will oversee the company," said the Arabic-speaking Israeli official satellite TV station Al-Khoury.
Israeli security source told Ma'an that the authorities would prevent the arrival of ships "at any price." The Liberty Fleet is scheduled to leave the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey. The Free Gaza campaign, said that the Israeli authorities informed that the fleets will be prevented to enter Gaza.
Although the Freedom Flotilla has thus far been ignored by the press, we may soon see wider coverage. Among the 500 plus passengers involved in effort are dignitaries from various European governments.
Latest information about the flotillas can be obtained from any of these links:
Free Gaza Movement - Greta Berlin - +33607374512; www.freegaza.org
ECESG - Mazen Kahel - +33 1 46 81 12 92; www.savegaza.eu
IHH - Ahmet Emin Dag - +90 530 341 1934; www.ihh.org.tr
Ship to Gaza / Greece - Vangelis Pissias - +30 697 200 9339; www.shiptogaza.gr
Ship to Gaza / Sweden - Dror Feiler - +46702855777; www.shiptogaza.se
http://www.boomantribune.com/?op=displaystory;sid=2010/5/15/94848/4137
Sat May 15th, 2010 at 09:48:48 AM EST
A few days after the UNRWA Gaza Director John Ging called for relief ships to be sent to Gaza, a report came from London that the MV Rachel Corrie, a 1200-ton cargo ship, part of an eight-vessel Freedom Flotilla, set sail from Ireland on its way to the Mediterranean Sea. There, the Rachel Corrie will be joined by ships from Turkey and Greece and other countries, and then sail to Gaza. A Swedish ship may also join in.
Although small boats to Gaza have been turned back in the past, the ship sponsored by the IHH, the world wide Turkish humanitarian organization, will fly the Turkish flag, apparently with the permission of Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which has the potential for creating an international incident. Israel has already indicated an intention to stop the flotilla.
An earlier press release read:
MS Rachel Corrie, Ireland
[London, UK - 5 May, 2010] John Ging, the Director of Operations of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza, has called upon the international community to break the siege on the Gaza Strip by sending ships loaded with desperately needed supplies to the beleaguered territory. "We believe that Israel will not intercept these vessels because the sea is open, and human rights organizations have been successful in similar previous operations proving that breaking the siege of Gaza is possible."
This month the Freedom Flotilla plans to do just that and we call upon others to join us.
Turkish cargo ship, flying Turkish flag
Later this month the Freedom Flotilla, consisting of three cargo ships and five passenger boats, will set sail to Gaza, in the biggest internationally coordinated effort to directly challenge Israeli's ongoing occupation, aggression, and violence against the Palestinian people. The ships are being readied in Greece, Ireland and Turkey to carry 5000 tons of reconstruction materials, school supplies, and medical equipment, as well as 600 passengers from over 40 countries.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is comprised of: Free Gaza Movement (FG), European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza (ECESG), Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH or The Foundation For Human Rights And Freedoms And Humanitarian Relief ), Ship to Gaza Greece, Ship to Gaza Sweden, and the International Committee to Lift the Siege on Gaza, with hundreds of groups and organizations around the world supporting the effort.
Thus far the Gaza flotilla of ships, especially the involvement of Turkey's government, has not been covered by the Western or European press.
Earlier Bulent Yildirim, President of the IHH reported that "Israel has been trying to use our West Bank representative against us by keeping him under arrest. Israel is trying to intertwine the two issues, Izzet Sahin's arrest and the flotilla project. They might be thinking that they can make us step back. Everyone should know that we will not step back. Those aid ships shall embark on their journey to Palestine once the time comes."
During a meeting between the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan and European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza - Ship to Gaza's coalition partner, Mr. Erdogan expressed his support for "breaking the oppressive blockade of Gaza", which is a top priority for Turkey. The Turkish relief ship will carry the Turkish flag, meaning that an Israeli attack will essentially have international impact. The waters off Gaza are international and not Israeli waters.
The Turkish IHH is banned in Israel and as part of its crackdown on peace activists in the West Bank and (in Israel itself) arrested Izzet Sahin, the IHH representative in Ramallah.
According to several Israeli and Palestinian media, Israel will not hesitate to use violence to prevent the Freedom Flotilla from reaching Gaza. Ship to Gaza - Sweden has asked for a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Carl Bildt, to see how Sweden and the EU intend to protect the humanitarian, peaceful and completely legal action.
According to Israeli TV2,
....the Israeli government and military will not allow Ship to Gaza and the Freedom Flotilla convoy to get to Gaza as planned, expected to reach the coast at the end of this month with its cargo of much needed material for reconstruction. According to a news article posted on their webpage, the Israeli have been given clear orders to prevent the solidarity convoy to reach Gaza, even it would take military violence. The Israeli Air Force have been given similar instructions: the convoy have to be stopped, with violence if needed, and the participants sent back to their respective countries.
It was also reported that Israel is engaged in military exercises to prevent the Freedom Fleet (translated from Greek)
Thursday, 13th May 2010
The naval forces of Israel said to be trained to understand eight ships scheduled to enter the Gaza Strip on May 24 from Europe, Arabic-speaking media reported on Wednesday. "Approximately half of the Israeli naval forces will participate in a company approved by the Cabinet. The [Israeli] Defense Minister Ehud Barak will oversee the company," said the Arabic-speaking Israeli official satellite TV station Al-Khoury.
Israeli security source told Ma'an that the authorities would prevent the arrival of ships "at any price." The Liberty Fleet is scheduled to leave the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey. The Free Gaza campaign, said that the Israeli authorities informed that the fleets will be prevented to enter Gaza.
Although the Freedom Flotilla has thus far been ignored by the press, we may soon see wider coverage. Among the 500 plus passengers involved in effort are dignitaries from various European governments.
Latest information about the flotillas can be obtained from any of these links:
Free Gaza Movement - Greta Berlin - +33607374512; www.freegaza.org
ECESG - Mazen Kahel - +33 1 46 81 12 92; www.savegaza.eu
IHH - Ahmet Emin Dag - +90 530 341 1934; www.ihh.org.tr
Ship to Gaza / Greece - Vangelis Pissias - +30 697 200 9339; www.shiptogaza.gr
Ship to Gaza / Sweden - Dror Feiler - +46702855777; www.shiptogaza.se
http://www.boomantribune.com/?op=displaystory;sid=2010/5/15/94848/4137
"You Need a Proper Boat ... "
Gaza Fever
By GRETA BERLIN
We’ve all caught the fever, every one of us who works to send boats to Gaza. From August 2006, when a handful of us started the Free Gaza Movement, every one who has joined us has been stricken with a bad case of the disease. It is chronic. It sometimes causes afflicted patients to insist that if just one more voyage can be planned to this small slice of the Mediterranean, we’ll all be in remission. There is no real cure in sight… yet.
Gaza Fever has now attacked thousands of us who have a passionate sense of justice.
The disease began shortly after Israel invaded Lebanon in 2006, as a group of us were in despair that the Palestinians, once again, were the forgotten symptom of Israel’s grand designs. As the world watched the defeat of Israel by a small band of guerrilla fighters in Lebanon, Israel decided it would take its wrath out on the Palestinians, specifically the Palestinians of Gaza. We watched as Israel, in January 2009, deliberately bombed 1.5 million Palestinians into abject poverty, a man-made catastrophe bordering on genocide.
One man in Australia suggested we sail a boat from New York to Gaza in protest of the closures there. That small idea has grown into a flotilla that leaves at the end of May with 700 people on board nine ships.
We, who have traveled by boat to Gaza, come back changed, blisters of outrage forever marking us. Those who have supported us through donations, letters, outraged picketing in front of Israeli Embassies demanding Israel stop its war crimes against a civilian population are also changed, as they watched our small boats sail into Gaza five times, cheering us on our way. Then, when our last three missions were violently stopped by Israel, thousands stepped up and donated to help us buy new boats.
In July 2009, Tun Dr.Mahathir bin Mohamad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, and his wife, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah bin Mohamad visited the Free Gaza Movement in Cyprus. They had heard about the voyages to Gaza and what Israel had done to the last three, ramming the Dignity, turning one back under threat of fire and hijacking the Spirit of Humanity, kidnapping the 21 human rights observers and throwing them into detention for a week.
He wanted to come and see for himself the small fishing boat that had been, in August 2008, Free Gaza’s first vessel to enter the port of Gaza in 41 years. When he and his wife stepped on this small vessel, he was shocked. “You went all the way to Gaza on this small boat? You braved the sea in a boat that was barely seaworthy?”
When we replied that, indeed, we had crossed the sea in not only this small boat, but one even smaller, 44 of us challenging Israel’s blockade on the 1.5 million Palestinians of Gaza, he caught Gaza Fever.
“You need a proper boat,” he said. “I’m going back to my people in Malaysia and see how we can help you raise money to send more boats back to Gaza.”
And that’s exactly what he and his wife did.
They went back to their citizens and, through the Perdana Global Peace Organization, helped to raise over €300,000 for the Free Gaza to purchase a cargo ship and two passenger boats. These are the boats we are sailing to Gaza beginning mid-May.
And when the Irish cargo boat sailed out of Dundalk, it was because of the passion for justice that Tun Dr.Mahathir and his wife, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah have for the occupied Palestinians and the determination of the members of the Free Gaza Movement.
Malaysia and Ireland and the people who represent this mission embody civil society at its best.
Now our four boats will rendezvous in the Mediterranean with boats from the European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza (ECESG), Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH), Ship to Gaza Greece, Ship to Gaza Sweden, and the International Committee to Lift the Siege on Gaza.
We’re named the Freedom Flotilla and we sail to deliver reconstruction supplies, paper, medical equipment and toys for the children. The fever has spread to other organizations and other countries.
Will there be a cure?...only if their fishermen can fish without being shot and murdered, only if their farmers can harvest their crops without Israeli military vehicles burning down their wheat, only if Gaza has the same rights as every country on the Mediterranean… the right to free and open trade with the rest of the world.
Then and only then will our severe case of Gaza Fever be cured.
http://www.counterpunch.org/berlin05182010.html
Gaza Fever
By GRETA BERLIN
We’ve all caught the fever, every one of us who works to send boats to Gaza. From August 2006, when a handful of us started the Free Gaza Movement, every one who has joined us has been stricken with a bad case of the disease. It is chronic. It sometimes causes afflicted patients to insist that if just one more voyage can be planned to this small slice of the Mediterranean, we’ll all be in remission. There is no real cure in sight… yet.
Gaza Fever has now attacked thousands of us who have a passionate sense of justice.
The disease began shortly after Israel invaded Lebanon in 2006, as a group of us were in despair that the Palestinians, once again, were the forgotten symptom of Israel’s grand designs. As the world watched the defeat of Israel by a small band of guerrilla fighters in Lebanon, Israel decided it would take its wrath out on the Palestinians, specifically the Palestinians of Gaza. We watched as Israel, in January 2009, deliberately bombed 1.5 million Palestinians into abject poverty, a man-made catastrophe bordering on genocide.
One man in Australia suggested we sail a boat from New York to Gaza in protest of the closures there. That small idea has grown into a flotilla that leaves at the end of May with 700 people on board nine ships.
We, who have traveled by boat to Gaza, come back changed, blisters of outrage forever marking us. Those who have supported us through donations, letters, outraged picketing in front of Israeli Embassies demanding Israel stop its war crimes against a civilian population are also changed, as they watched our small boats sail into Gaza five times, cheering us on our way. Then, when our last three missions were violently stopped by Israel, thousands stepped up and donated to help us buy new boats.
In July 2009, Tun Dr.Mahathir bin Mohamad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, and his wife, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah bin Mohamad visited the Free Gaza Movement in Cyprus. They had heard about the voyages to Gaza and what Israel had done to the last three, ramming the Dignity, turning one back under threat of fire and hijacking the Spirit of Humanity, kidnapping the 21 human rights observers and throwing them into detention for a week.
He wanted to come and see for himself the small fishing boat that had been, in August 2008, Free Gaza’s first vessel to enter the port of Gaza in 41 years. When he and his wife stepped on this small vessel, he was shocked. “You went all the way to Gaza on this small boat? You braved the sea in a boat that was barely seaworthy?”
When we replied that, indeed, we had crossed the sea in not only this small boat, but one even smaller, 44 of us challenging Israel’s blockade on the 1.5 million Palestinians of Gaza, he caught Gaza Fever.
“You need a proper boat,” he said. “I’m going back to my people in Malaysia and see how we can help you raise money to send more boats back to Gaza.”
And that’s exactly what he and his wife did.
They went back to their citizens and, through the Perdana Global Peace Organization, helped to raise over €300,000 for the Free Gaza to purchase a cargo ship and two passenger boats. These are the boats we are sailing to Gaza beginning mid-May.
And when the Irish cargo boat sailed out of Dundalk, it was because of the passion for justice that Tun Dr.Mahathir and his wife, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah have for the occupied Palestinians and the determination of the members of the Free Gaza Movement.
Malaysia and Ireland and the people who represent this mission embody civil society at its best.
Now our four boats will rendezvous in the Mediterranean with boats from the European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza (ECESG), Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH), Ship to Gaza Greece, Ship to Gaza Sweden, and the International Committee to Lift the Siege on Gaza.
We’re named the Freedom Flotilla and we sail to deliver reconstruction supplies, paper, medical equipment and toys for the children. The fever has spread to other organizations and other countries.
Will there be a cure?...only if their fishermen can fish without being shot and murdered, only if their farmers can harvest their crops without Israeli military vehicles burning down their wheat, only if Gaza has the same rights as every country on the Mediterranean… the right to free and open trade with the rest of the world.
Then and only then will our severe case of Gaza Fever be cured.
http://www.counterpunch.org/berlin05182010.html
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition Welcomes UNRWA Gaza Director’s Call to Send Ships to Gaza
Written by Free Gaza Team | 05 May 2010
[London, UK – 5 May, 2010] John Ging, the Director of Operations of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza, has called upon the international community to break the siege on the Gaza Strip by sending ships loaded with desperately needed supplies to the beleaguered territory. "We believe that Israel will not intercept these vessels because the sea is open, and human rights organizations have been successful in similar previous operations proving that breaking the siege of Gaza is possible."
This month the Freedom Flotilla plans to do just that and we call upon others to join us.
Later this month the Freedom Flotilla, consisting of three cargo ships and five passenger boats, will set sail to Gaza, in the biggest internationally coordinated effort to directly challenge Israeli’s ongoing occupation, aggression, and violence against the Palestinian people. The ships are being readied in Greece, Ireland and Turkey to carry 5000 tons of reconstruction materials, school supplies, and medical equipment, as well as 600 passengers from over 40 countries.
“We welcome Mr. Ging’s statement, which recognizes the responsibility of the international community to oppose the illegal blockade that Israel has imposed on Gaza,” said Denis Halliday, former UN Assistant Secretary General and participant in the flotilla.
In the wake of ongoing inaction by our governments to make Israel abide by international law, we – the citizens of the world – are taking action to stand up for justice.
For more information:
Free Gaza Movement – Greta Berlin - +33 607374512
ECESG – Mazen Kahel - +33 1 46 81 12 92
IHH – Ahmet Emin Dag – +90 530 341 1934
Ship to Gaza / Greece – Vangelis Pissias - +30 697 200 9339
Ship to Gaza / Sweden – Dror Feiler - +46702855777
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is comprised of: Free Gaza Movement (FG), European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza (ECESG), Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH), Ship to Gaza Greece, Ship to Gaza Sweden, and the International Committee to Lift the Siege on Gaza, with hundreds of groups and organizations around the world supporting the effort.
www.freegaza.org, www.savegaza.eu, www.ihh.org.tr
www.shiptogaza.gr, www.shiptogaza.se
http://www.freegaza.org/en/home/56-news/1166-the-freedom-flotilla-coalition-welcomes-unrwa-gaza-directors-call-to-send-ships-to-gaza
[London, UK – 5 May, 2010] John Ging, the Director of Operations of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza, has called upon the international community to break the siege on the Gaza Strip by sending ships loaded with desperately needed supplies to the beleaguered territory. "We believe that Israel will not intercept these vessels because the sea is open, and human rights organizations have been successful in similar previous operations proving that breaking the siege of Gaza is possible."
This month the Freedom Flotilla plans to do just that and we call upon others to join us.
Later this month the Freedom Flotilla, consisting of three cargo ships and five passenger boats, will set sail to Gaza, in the biggest internationally coordinated effort to directly challenge Israeli’s ongoing occupation, aggression, and violence against the Palestinian people. The ships are being readied in Greece, Ireland and Turkey to carry 5000 tons of reconstruction materials, school supplies, and medical equipment, as well as 600 passengers from over 40 countries.
“We welcome Mr. Ging’s statement, which recognizes the responsibility of the international community to oppose the illegal blockade that Israel has imposed on Gaza,” said Denis Halliday, former UN Assistant Secretary General and participant in the flotilla.
In the wake of ongoing inaction by our governments to make Israel abide by international law, we – the citizens of the world – are taking action to stand up for justice.
For more information:
Free Gaza Movement – Greta Berlin - +33 607374512
ECESG – Mazen Kahel - +33 1 46 81 12 92
IHH – Ahmet Emin Dag – +90 530 341 1934
Ship to Gaza / Greece – Vangelis Pissias - +30 697 200 9339
Ship to Gaza / Sweden – Dror Feiler - +46702855777
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is comprised of: Free Gaza Movement (FG), European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza (ECESG), Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH), Ship to Gaza Greece, Ship to Gaza Sweden, and the International Committee to Lift the Siege on Gaza, with hundreds of groups and organizations around the world supporting the effort.
www.freegaza.org, www.savegaza.eu, www.ihh.org.tr
www.shiptogaza.gr, www.shiptogaza.se
http://www.freegaza.org/en/home/56-news/1166-the-freedom-flotilla-coalition-welcomes-unrwa-gaza-directors-call-to-send-ships-to-gaza
8 Kapal ke Gaza Bawa Bantuan Kemanusiaan
Sekumpulan 8 buah kapal dikenali sebagai Freedom Flotilla Coalition akan belayar membawa bantuan antarabangsa 5000 tons bahan binaan, bahan sekolah, dan peralatan perubatan, termasuk 600 penumpang dari 40 negara akan bertolak padac 25 Mei ke Gaza demi memecahkan sekatan Israel. Doakan mereka berjaya.
Palestin adalah destinasi kami, bantuan kemanusiaan adalah beban kami.
Pertanyaan:
Free Gaza Movement - Greta Berlin - +33607374512; www.freegaza.org
ECESG - Mazen Kahel - +33 1 46 81 12 92; www.savegaza.eu
IHH - Ahmet Emin Dag - +90 530 341 1934; www.ihh.org.tr
Ship to Gaza / Greece - Vangelis Pissias - +30 697 200 9339; www.shiptogaza.gr
Ship to Gaza / Sweden - Dror Feiler - +46702855777; www.shiptogaza.se
http://www.lifeline4gaza.org/gaza/
http://aqsasyarif.com/
http://haluanpalestin.haluan.org.my/
Palestin adalah destinasi kami, bantuan kemanusiaan adalah beban kami.
Pertanyaan:
Free Gaza Movement - Greta Berlin - +33607374512; www.freegaza.org
ECESG - Mazen Kahel - +33 1 46 81 12 92; www.savegaza.eu
IHH - Ahmet Emin Dag - +90 530 341 1934; www.ihh.org.tr
Ship to Gaza / Greece - Vangelis Pissias - +30 697 200 9339; www.shiptogaza.gr
Ship to Gaza / Sweden - Dror Feiler - +46702855777; www.shiptogaza.se
http://www.lifeline4gaza.org/gaza/
http://aqsasyarif.com/
http://haluanpalestin.haluan.org.my/
Countdown begins for Gaza aid ships in spite of Israel
The İHH recently purchased a passenger ship, and it will be filled with medical equipment, medicine and construction materials to be used to repair schools and hospitals in Palestine.
With two weeks left until a convoy of international aid ships departs for Gaza, the Humanitarian Aid Foundation (İHH) is completing its preparations and hopes to break a years-long Israeli embargo on the Gaza Strip.
The foundation is organizing a flotilla of eight ships, known as the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which are set to depart for Gaza on May 23, its chairman, Bülent Yıldırım, noted. The İHH ships will be joined by 12 others that will set sail from a large number of countries including Venezuela, Malaysia, Germany, Italy, France, Greece and the United States.
The İHH’s role in the aid ship project was first announced last month with the motto, “Palestine is our destination, humanitarian aid is our load.” “We want this embargo to end. We broke it with an aid convoy [to Palestine] in December of last year. The aid ship project has carried the embargo back to the world’s attention,” Yıldırım remarked.
The foundation recently purchased a passenger ship from İstanbul Seabuses and Fast Ferries Inc. (İDO) to take a delegation of around 500 people to Gaza. .
“Palestine is faced with an inhumane embargo that lacks any legal basis. Civil society organizations should take the initiative to break this unjust embargo,” Yıldırım added.
The Turkish ships will be filled with medical equipment, medicine and construction materials to be used to repair schools and hospitals in Palestine. Such repair has symbolic meaning for the country because Israel does not allow any construction materials to be brought in to Gaza, fearing they could be misused.
The İHH’s aid ship project is also backed by the Free Gaza Movement (FG), a human rights group that in August 2008 sent the first international boats to land in the Port of Gaza in 41 years. The movement called on the international community to support peaceful efforts for humanitarian relief activities for Gaza in a message on its website that reads: “We want to raise international awareness about the prison-like closure of the Gaza Strip and pressure the international community to review its sanctions policy and end its support for continued Israeli occupation.”
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition comprises the FG, the İHH, the European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza (ECESG), Ship to Gaza Greece, Ship to Gaza Sweden and the International Committee to Lift the Siege on Gaza.
The coalition plans to carry 5,000 tons of construction materials, school supplies and medical equipment, as well as hundreds of passengers from over 40 countries.
İHH worried about West Bank representative detained in Israel
The İHH’s West Bank representative, İzzet Şahin, was detained by Israeli security forces on April 27 as he was passing through a checkpoint in Bethlehem. Şahin has been in custody since then without any charges filed against him, and Israeli officials have announced that the representative will remain in custody for another week.
Şahin’s detention sparked concern among İHH officials, who are worried about his health. According to the foundation, the detention may be retaliation against the İHH project to send aid ships to Gaza.
Şahin was transferred to Ashkelon Prison following his stay in an Israel Security Agency (ISA) detention center. Nobody has heard from him since the day he was arrested. Israeli officials have given no reason for the detention of Şahin, who has been studying Hebrew at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
“Şahin arrived in the West Bank on Nov. 28 for a number of foundation-related activities in the region, such as the monitoring of aid projects there. However, he was detained on April 27 by Israeli forces as he was passing through a checkpoint. He appeared before a court on May 6. The court decided to extend his detention period for another week. The İHH is engaged in all efforts to bring an end to his detention and bad treatment,” an İHH official said.
The foundation is worried that Israel will try to prevent the aid ships from delivering humanitarian aid to Gazans. It is, however, committed to breaking the embargo on Palestinians despite any preventive attempt from Israel or Egypt.
The İHH was part of a convoy of around 250 trucks carrying European, Turkish and Arab aid that hoped to enter the Gaza Strip on Dec. 27, 2009 -- the first anniversary of the start of a 22-day Israeli siege that left nearly 1,500 Palestinians dead and another 5,000 injured. However, the convoy faced bureaucratic obstacles from Egyptian authorities, which refused to allow the convoy to deliver the aid, both food and medical supplies, to Gaza via Egypt. The convoy was finally allowed to enter the Gaza Strip in early January.
http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-209724-countdown-begins-for-gaza-aid-ships-in-spite-of-israel.html
Comment: The Palestinians are HUMAN too.
With two weeks left until a convoy of international aid ships departs for Gaza, the Humanitarian Aid Foundation (İHH) is completing its preparations and hopes to break a years-long Israeli embargo on the Gaza Strip.
The foundation is organizing a flotilla of eight ships, known as the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which are set to depart for Gaza on May 23, its chairman, Bülent Yıldırım, noted. The İHH ships will be joined by 12 others that will set sail from a large number of countries including Venezuela, Malaysia, Germany, Italy, France, Greece and the United States.
The İHH’s role in the aid ship project was first announced last month with the motto, “Palestine is our destination, humanitarian aid is our load.” “We want this embargo to end. We broke it with an aid convoy [to Palestine] in December of last year. The aid ship project has carried the embargo back to the world’s attention,” Yıldırım remarked.
The foundation recently purchased a passenger ship from İstanbul Seabuses and Fast Ferries Inc. (İDO) to take a delegation of around 500 people to Gaza. .
“Palestine is faced with an inhumane embargo that lacks any legal basis. Civil society organizations should take the initiative to break this unjust embargo,” Yıldırım added.
The Turkish ships will be filled with medical equipment, medicine and construction materials to be used to repair schools and hospitals in Palestine. Such repair has symbolic meaning for the country because Israel does not allow any construction materials to be brought in to Gaza, fearing they could be misused.
The İHH’s aid ship project is also backed by the Free Gaza Movement (FG), a human rights group that in August 2008 sent the first international boats to land in the Port of Gaza in 41 years. The movement called on the international community to support peaceful efforts for humanitarian relief activities for Gaza in a message on its website that reads: “We want to raise international awareness about the prison-like closure of the Gaza Strip and pressure the international community to review its sanctions policy and end its support for continued Israeli occupation.”
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition comprises the FG, the İHH, the European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza (ECESG), Ship to Gaza Greece, Ship to Gaza Sweden and the International Committee to Lift the Siege on Gaza.
The coalition plans to carry 5,000 tons of construction materials, school supplies and medical equipment, as well as hundreds of passengers from over 40 countries.
İHH worried about West Bank representative detained in Israel
The İHH’s West Bank representative, İzzet Şahin, was detained by Israeli security forces on April 27 as he was passing through a checkpoint in Bethlehem. Şahin has been in custody since then without any charges filed against him, and Israeli officials have announced that the representative will remain in custody for another week.
Şahin’s detention sparked concern among İHH officials, who are worried about his health. According to the foundation, the detention may be retaliation against the İHH project to send aid ships to Gaza.
Şahin was transferred to Ashkelon Prison following his stay in an Israel Security Agency (ISA) detention center. Nobody has heard from him since the day he was arrested. Israeli officials have given no reason for the detention of Şahin, who has been studying Hebrew at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
“Şahin arrived in the West Bank on Nov. 28 for a number of foundation-related activities in the region, such as the monitoring of aid projects there. However, he was detained on April 27 by Israeli forces as he was passing through a checkpoint. He appeared before a court on May 6. The court decided to extend his detention period for another week. The İHH is engaged in all efforts to bring an end to his detention and bad treatment,” an İHH official said.
The foundation is worried that Israel will try to prevent the aid ships from delivering humanitarian aid to Gazans. It is, however, committed to breaking the embargo on Palestinians despite any preventive attempt from Israel or Egypt.
The İHH was part of a convoy of around 250 trucks carrying European, Turkish and Arab aid that hoped to enter the Gaza Strip on Dec. 27, 2009 -- the first anniversary of the start of a 22-day Israeli siege that left nearly 1,500 Palestinians dead and another 5,000 injured. However, the convoy faced bureaucratic obstacles from Egyptian authorities, which refused to allow the convoy to deliver the aid, both food and medical supplies, to Gaza via Egypt. The convoy was finally allowed to enter the Gaza Strip in early January.
http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-209724-countdown-begins-for-gaza-aid-ships-in-spite-of-israel.html
Comment: The Palestinians are HUMAN too.
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