GAZA FLOTILLA UPDATE

NOVANEWS

Gaza flotilla update June 8, 2010

1. Public rally – hear eyewitness accounts from the Mavi Marmara

Released hostages have returned home to give accounts of Monday’s attack that differ greatly from that pushed by Israel in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Contrary to Israel ‘s claim that its soldiers acted in self-defence, witnesses have described how the Israelis shot to kill, with at least four activists being intentionally shot in the head.

It has emerged that the truth behind Israel ‘s claim that activists on the boat were armed is that some passengers desperately tried to defend themselves with whatever was to hand after the Israelis began firing live rounds. Witnesses also described how the injured were denied medical treatment for several hours, as Israeli soldiers ignored pleas for help.

Come to a public rally to hear first-hand what actually happened aboard the Mavi Marmara and beyond. The meeting will feature several activists from the flotilla.

7pm on Wednesday 9^th June in Conway Hall, Red Lion Square . (nearest tube: Holborn).

Called by PSC and Viva Palestina with trade union and other support.

2. 20,000 march against Israel ’s Gaza flotilla attacks

More than 20,000 people to the streets of London on Saturday to protest against Israel ’s brutal attack on the Mavi Marmara.  Marchers heard eye-witness accounts from those returning from the flotilla, many of whom witnessed passengers dying of gunshot wounds and injuries, as Israeli forces ignored pleas for help.

PSC Director of Campaigns Sarah Colborne paid tribute to the nine Turkish citizens killed by Israel — Furkan Dogan, Ibrahim Bilgen, Ali HaydarBengi, Cevdet Kiliçlar, Çetin Topçuoglu, Necdet Yildirim, Fahri Yaldiz, Cengiz Songür, Cengiz Akyüz. She called on everyone to ensure they had not died in vein – by renewing our efforts to end the siege on Gaza and the occupation of Gaza .

Demonstrations also took place across the country and around the world – PSC would like to thank everyone who helped mobilise for the demo at just four days notice.

 Watch clips from the demo here >>

3. In the papers: PSC calls for a boycott of Israeli goods

Thanks to a very generous member, PSC published two adverts in this Saturday’s Guardian and Independent newspapers calling for people to take action against Israel ’s continuous violation of human rights and international law. Boycott Israeli goods – check the label on: grapes, dates, herbs, fruit, potatoes and flowers – these are the major exports from Israel . View it here:

http://palestinecampaign.org/images/website/boycott advert 4.pdf

Help us do more. Donate to PSC by visiting: www.palestinecampaign.org/donate  

4. BDS news: Pixies, Gorillaz sound system, Klaxons boycott Israel over Flotilla attacks

American rock band Pixies cancelled their upcoming concert in Israel on Sunday saying ‘events beyond our control have conspired against us’. It follows recent concert cancellations by the Klaxons and the Gorillaz Sound System in the wake of Israel ’s attack and killings on the flotilla.

5. Take part in Oxfam’s and Amnesty actions calling for an end to the siege and an international enquiry

Oxfam – ‘Lift’ the blockade on Gaza

Send an email to the Foreign secretary to call for an emergency international conference to lift the blockade of Gaza, allowing the free movement of people, humanitarian aid and commercial goods >>

Lift the blockade – text ‘Lift’ to 70066 (text charged at your standard network rates).

Amnesty – International enquiry into activist killing

Use Amnesty’s email tool to send an email to William Hague calling for an independent international enquiry into the killings on the flotilla here >>

Both actions take less than 30 seconds. Don’t forget to share the links with family, friends and colleagues.

6. Guardian letters: trade unions demand an end to the siege on Gaza

We condemn the Israeli attack on the Gaza flotilla taking urgently needed aid to the blockaded Palestinian people of Gaza . We condemn the unlawful actions which led to the killing of at least nine peace activists and injuries to many more. We call for an immediate and unconditional end to the Israeli government blockade off Gaza .

We call on the British government and the European Union to suspend the EU-Israel association agreement and to end their support for the blockade and collective punishment of the men, women and children of Gaza . We call for support for a policy of boycott of Israeli products, disinvestment from Israeli companies and sanctions against Israel until justice for the Palestinian people has been achieved.

Betty Hunter General secretary, Hugh Lanning Chair, Palestine Solidarity Campaign; Tony Woodley Unite the Union, Dave Prentis Unison, Christine Blower National Union of Teachers, Billy Hayes CWU, Bob Crow RMT, Mark Serwotka PCS

7. Twitter, facebook and forward this update – available on www.palestinecampaign.org

JOIN PSC www.palestinecampaign.org/join