U.S. MILITARY VETERANS CONDEMN ISRAELI SEIZURE OF AID BOAT IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS OFF GAZA
Veterans ask, "Is this not piracy on the high seas?"
ST. LOUIS -- Veterans For Peace today issued the following statement from their national office in St. Louis, regarding yesterday's seizure of the "Spirit of Humanity," its passengers, crew and aid supplies for Gaza, by the Israeli Navy.
Veterans For Peace forcefully condemns the Israeli Navy's seizure of the "Spirit of Humanity," a converted tugboat loaded with medical supplies, children's toys and reconstruction kits, en route from Cyprus to Gaza. We urge our 8,000 members in 120 chapters across the country to call and fax the Israeli government officials listed below. Demand the release of the 21 crew, passengers and journalists and the safe delivery of their aid supplies.
Israel's bombing and invasion of Gaza early this year not only killed and wounded thousands of Palestinians, but destroyed and damaged thousands of buildings, water systems and other vital infrastructure in the highly crowded territory. A blockade enforced by Israel since then has prevented most supplies from reaching Gazans so they can survive the blistering climate and begin to rebuild.
Seizing the Spirit of Humanity violates international law just as the Somali pirates have done but worse, as the health and very lives of people are at stake in this case.
The 21 people on the boat when it was seized in pre-dawn darkness included crew, journalists and passengers, among them Mairead Maguire, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in northern Ireland and former U.S. Congresswoman, Cynthia McKinney.
VFP salutes them for insisting they are not "the story," and asking their supporters around the world to focus on Palestinians suffering devastation, blockade and imprisonment as a result of the Israeli occupation. They ask people to "adopt" a Palestinian prisoner and advocate for his or her welfare and release.
Israeli government officials to call and fax:
Major Liebovitz, Navy at: Tel + 972 5 781 86248 or +972 3737
7777 or +972 3737 6242
Fax +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175
Mark Regev, Prime Minister's office: Tel +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il This e-mail address is being protected from
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Shlomo Dror, Ministry of Defence: Tel +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod.gov.il This e-mail address is being protected from
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July 1, 2009