Irish ship sailing for Gaza carrying humanitarian aid

DesiH


Joined: 24/03/2009
Posts: 152

Message Posted:
02/06/2010 13:32

The IRISH ship the "Rachel Corrie" is now sailing for Gaza carrying humanitarian aid. Hopefully she will have a safe trip.



The Rachel corrie was named after the young US citizen killed in the Gaza Strip by an Israel Defence Forces (IDF) bulldozer while attempting to prevent IDF forces from demolishing the home of a local Palestinian.

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
02/06/2010 14:25

Lets hope things work out well and they get through to the people who need the help..





Spider,X

Rocker



Joined: 24/09/2008
Posts: 384

Message Posted:
02/06/2010 14:33

Hope they get through.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
03/06/2010 10:06

IT now appears that they will divert this ship to egypt.

Carndi


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 613

Message Posted:
03/06/2010 11:00

Just listening on BBC Radio Ulster to the Captain of the Rachel Corrie who said the ship would arrive at Gazza on saturday.

He gave details of the number of people on board,half Irish and the other half from Malaya.

Prior to the ship leaving it was inspected by customs officers in the presence of a minister of the Irish Government and the hold's were sealed.

They, those on board,had a meeting after learning about the the other ships being boarded but made the decision to continue and when asked why he said that he has been to Gazza several times nd believes that the conditions that the people are living under are inhumain and the supplies that they are taking are vital.

Carndi


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 613

Message Posted:
03/06/2010 11:05

Just on the news. Israel has said that they will not permit the Rachael Corrie to land supplies.

The ship is carrying mainly building supplies.

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
03/06/2010 11:14

Heard on BBC World this morning that the aid from the ships in the earlier convoy was delivered by lorry to a border crossing yesterday and Hamas have refused to allow it in until all 'activists' are released.



The tv has been full of Hamas representatives complaining that aid is not allowed through and now when the stuff is sitting on the border they refuse to take it.



You couldn't make it up !!



Paul

DesiH


Joined: 24/03/2009
Posts: 152

Message Posted:
03/06/2010 12:00

My understanding of the Gazaovernment decision is as follows:

1) The donors of the humanitarian aid should be allowed to decide how and by whom the aid should be delivered.

2) The aid should only be accepted in its entirety. For example - Electric wheel chairs should not have their batteries removed!!!

DesiH


Joined: 24/03/2009
Posts: 152

Message Posted:
03/06/2010 12:01

Gaza government!

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
03/06/2010 12:09

Desi



If the people of Gaza so desperately need the aid, then let them have it rather than try to score political points.



There is no such thing as the Gaza Government, the government of Palestine is the Palestinian National Authority. That is of course unless Palestine has now been split into two states, The West Bank and Gaza ??



Middle East politics, you couldn't make it up.



Paul

DesiH


Joined: 24/03/2009
Posts: 152

Message Posted:
03/06/2010 12:19

Hamas are the democratically elected government of the ENTIRE unoccupied areas of Palestine holding 74 seats of the 132 seat parliament!!!



For information the IRISH ship, the MV Rachel Corrie will be carrying a cargo of cement, the cargo has been inspected by a member of the Irish government and the holds sealed prior to departure.

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
03/06/2010 13:07

Following the elections in 2006 and in an attempt to resolve the financial and diplomatic impasse, the Hamas-led government together with Fatah Chairman Mahmoud Abbas agreed to form a unity government and the unity government was finally formed on 18 March 2007 under Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and consisted of members from Hamas, Fatah and other parties and independents. After the takeover in Gaza by Hamas on 14 June 2007, Palestinian Authority Chairman Abbas dismissed the government and on 15 June 2007 appointed Salam Fayad Prime Minister to form a new government. The Fayad government has won widespread international support. Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia said in late June 2007 that the West Bank-based Cabinet formed by Fayad was the sole legitimate Palestinian government.



I agree that Hamas hold most seats in the parliament but this does not make them the defacto government. Semantics really as Hamas run/rule Gaza with an iron fist.



Paul

DesiH


Joined: 24/03/2009
Posts: 152

Message Posted:
03/06/2010 14:08

The explanation in message 12 is a classic example of "Middle East politics, you couldn't make it up".



Israel/US dont like the election results - change them.

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
03/06/2010 14:25

Desi



Maybe in 2007 the Palestinian Authority saw the light and realised that progress would not be made without significant change ?



In the end it doesn't change anything, as I said, Hamas runs the Gaza Strip with an iron fist and the PA has no authority over it. It is worth remembering that hundreds if not thousands of palestinians have been killed during political infighting between Hamas and Fatah, many of them innocent civilians.



As I have mentioned on a separate post, yesterday I saw a BBC reporter being interviewed in Gaza. When asked if the blockade was affecting Hamas, he replied "Not really, their soldiers are walking around in new uniforms and carrying new weapons" Glad to see where their priorities lie !!



Whilst we don't agree on much, I am pretty sure that we agree that in all wars it is the innocents who usually suffer.



Regards



Paul

Carndi


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 613

Message Posted:
03/06/2010 16:10

Just seen a list of some of the items banned by Israel; Paper, Pens,Building materal,light bulbs. Some fresh fruit but no tinned fruit

Perhaps someone could enlighten me as to why paper,light bulbs and pens are banned.

jimmyG


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 900

Message Posted:
03/06/2010 16:24

Just let the Turkish military accompany the ship into Gaza - the Israeli's surely wouldn't want any more Turkish blood on their hands would they ?

DesiH


Joined: 24/03/2009
Posts: 152

Message Posted:
04/06/2010 16:29

The organisers have now mysteriously lost contact with the MV Rachel Corrie - last known position around 150 miles from Palestine.

Scoty


Joined: 23/05/2010
Posts: 846

Message Posted:
04/06/2010 19:33

Re msg16. Do the Turks still want to get into the EU????? If so, they will be very quiet officially

glw215


Joined: 02/04/2008
Posts: 178

Message Posted:
05/06/2010 13:16

The Israeli army have forcibly siezed the Irish Ship the "Rachel Corrie".

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
05/06/2010 13:38

"The Israeli army have forcibly siezed the Irish Ship the "Rachel Corrie".



With it appears no violent opposition from the protesters and equally, no violence from the military personnel who boarded the ship.



Paul