Lest there be any doubt that the government of Turkey is pissed at Israel for the Gaza massacre of last December, this announcement from the British Viva Palestina organization put it to rest. In fact, to a large extent, Israel now appears isolated in the world except for the United States, which appears to support the carnage that was Gaza in December-January 2008.
Heathlander on Daily Kos put a perspective on the Turkish welcome as he did on Tzipi Livni’s arrest warrant for war crimes in England recently.
‘Cast Lead’ was…governed by the same logic as that underpinning the now nearly four-year old siege of Gaza, which the Department for International Development, for instance, has long recognised to be “collective punishment” as “part of a political strategy to get Hamas to sign up to the Quartet principles”, with the prolonged border closures intended to further the “political objective” of “isolating Hamas”. In other words, terrorism.
During the massacre Tzipi Livni engaged in “intensive diplomatic activity” aimed at, in her words, “deflecting the pressure for a cease-fire” – pressure that was coming from, among others, Hamas. She rejected calls for a reciprocal ceasefire on the grounds that “[t]here is no intention here of creating a diplomatic agreement with Hamas”.
Prior to the attack, while Hamas was offering to agree to another truce with Israel, Livni argued strongly for a military offensive and pledged regime change through military and economic as well as diplomatic means. She rejected a truce with Hamas, maintaining that an extended ceasefire “harms the Israel strategic goal, empowers Hamas, and gives the impression that Israel recognizes the movement”, and promised a campaign of political assassinations against Hamas officials. During the massacre, Livni spoke proudly of Israel’s “wild” attacks in Gaza, and after it was finally over she criticised Barak and Netanyahu for being too soft on Hamas:
1,400 Palestinians died, mostly innocent civilians, including over 300 children.
The Viva Palestina convoy, carrying aid from London to the besieged population of Gaza, has received an overwhelming welcome from Turkey on its drive through the country.
The President of Turkish Parliament, Şahin received the convoy members – The representatives of the Viva Palestina convoy attended official visits in Ankara (on the 17th) with the head of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Mehmet Ali Şahin. Also present were the head of Foreign Affairs Commission Murat Mercan along with the Head of Human Rights Commission Zafer Üskül.
The head of Turkish-Palestinian Solidarity Group between Parliaments Zeyid Aslan was also present during the reception.
Mehmet Ali Şahin, the head of Turkish Parliament stated that he was so happy to see that the convoy brings together the people of conscience from USA, Asia and Europe and he added “the most vital trait the humanity needs is to share the pain of others and strive to relief their pains as much as possible”.
Crowds of people, shouting their support, handing out flowers and waving Palestinian and Turkish flags have lined streets and greeted the convoy throughout its journey through Turkey.
In an historic gesture, Istanbul’s Taksim Square hosted its first demonstration in 30 years for the convoy. Speakers included the British MP and Viva Palestina founder George Galloway.
The convoy which departed London on 6 December with 80 aid-packed vehicles, has been boosted by a further 62 vehicles along with medical aid all donated by leading Turkish humanitarian aid agency the IHH (Insan Hak Ve Hurriyetieri Insani Yadim Vakfi, http://www.ihh.org.tr) and will join the convoy from Turkey on route to Gaza.
Kevin Ovenden, Viva Palestina convoy leader and organiser, said: ‘The reception we’ve had from ordinary Turkish people, from its government, and from the IHH has been absolutely phenomenal. Their support and enthusiasm has boosted the morale of the convoy immeasurably, and their obvious support and love for the people of Gaza has been an inspiration to us. We can’t thank Turkey enough.’
The convoy, which includes ambulances, trucks and vans driven by volunteers from around the world, will now drive through Syria, Jordan and Egypt on its way to Gaza. It hopes to enter Gaza through the Rafa crossing on 27 December, to deliver its cargo of medical, humanitarian and educational aid on the first anniversary of the day Israel began its three week assault on Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,400 Palestinians.
Regular updates of the Viva Palestina convoy can be found by visiting www.vivapalestina,org and at http://www.ihh.org.tr
At the Rafah crossing on December 27, over 1,000 activists from over 40 countries are expected to meet up and enter Gaza.
Egypt has since indicated that it will block the convoy. In the meantime, the convoy entered Syria to a welcome as large as it received in Turkey.
The Gaza Freedom March marched on to Jordan, which it entered yesterday to crowds of well-wishers, according to this email from the Viva Palestinia org.
Viva Palestina Gaza convoy has received a grand welcome at the Jaber crossing in Jordan!!!
by Mohammad Ben Hussein of The Jordan Times (23rd Dec):
AMMAN – Activists on Tuesday gave a grand welcome to a humanitarian aid convoy en route to Gaza to mark the first anniversary of Israel’s offensive on the coastal enclave.
Some 200 trucks entered the Kingdom through the Jaber border crossing yesterday afternoon, and were greeted by professional association and opposition activists.
The Professional Associations Council (PAC) organised a special event for the convoy, named “Viva Palestina” at the border crossing, including a press conference in which activists called for lifting the siege on Gaza.
Among the speakers was PAC President Abdullah Obeidat, who is also president of the Jordan Engineers Association (JEA), British MP George Galloway and former Islamist MP Ali Abul Sukkar, who also heads the JEA freedoms committee.
Obeidat said popular pressure by Arab people on their governments must be stronger in order to lift the siege on the Hamas-controlled strip.