Friends of Palestine Western Australia

Dear friends of Palestine

What a wonderful demonstration!  My estimate of numbers was 500.  There were perhaps only 300 of us when we started at Wesley Church, but by the time we got to the US consulate the crowd was up around 500, making it the equal largest demonstration we’ve ever held (the January 4th 2009 Perth demo against the Gaza Massacre also had around 500 people in attendance).

We have already secured 238 signatures on our petition, and no doubt we’ll get many more names in the coming days and weeks.

I’m also in a position to announce that we got another 72 names to add to our mailing list.  That means we now have in excess of 800 people on the list and are moving ever closer to the magical 1000 mark.  Once we get there, it will be useful to say to politicians, “Hey, look, we are not some two-bit tiny activist group.  We are a powerful voice for Palestinian self-determination in Western Australia and we demand to be taken seriously.  In fact, we have 1000 people on our mailing list!”.

I am also pleased to announce that we raised over $1200 in donations.  Half of this will go to Friends of Palestine WA for organising costs, while the other half will be given to the Free Gaza Movement to help them pay for the next Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which by the way is due to set sail in September in coordination with a land convoy being spearheaded by the founder of Viva Palestina George Galloway.

I’ll leave it at that for now.  I hope everyone is in the same jubilant mood as I am in the wake of such a magnificent protest.  But we need to keep yesterday’s event in perspective.  There were still only 500 people there out of a population of 1.3 million.  We have a lot of work to do before we can mobilise even 5000 people on the streets of Perth let alone 50 000.  Having said that, I think it’s important we take a brief moment to pat ourselves on the back for a job very well done.

Here is The West Australian’s article on the demo (it’s actually a wire story from the Australian Associated Press):-

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/7353954/australians-blast-israel-over-aid-deaths/

Attached are a few photos of the rally taken by Felicity Hill.

Fraternally
Alex Whisson
Convener
Friends of Palestine WA
www.fopwa.org

9 people have been killed and more than 30 injured after hundreds of masked Israeli commandos stormed the six vessels of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters off the coast of Gaza. Al Jazeera further reports that the ships are being towed by Israeli warships to the port of Haifa instead of Ashdod where dozens of journalists were awaiting the flotilla’s arrival.

Not since the French Secret Service blew up the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland Harbour in 1985 has there been such a brazen act of international piracy by a sovereign state.  Governments all around the world have condemned the criminal actions of Somali pirates in international waters off the horn of Africa, and have even sent naval armadas to confront those pirates.  The international community must now unreservedly condemn this criminal act of piracy on the high seas, and immediately sent an international naval armada to restrain the barbaric actions of the Israeli Navy.

Friends of Palestine Western Australia has called a Protest outside Wesley Church for SUNDAY JUNE 6 AT 12 NOON outside the Wesley Church on the corner of Hay & William St in the Perth CBB.

150 people protested in Perth on 1 June 2010 with only 24 hours notice against Israel’s attacks on the humanitarian peace flotilla. See earlier posts for more information.

Friends of Palestine has also called another rally for 12 noon, Sunday 6 June 2010 outside the Wesley Church (cnr William & Hay Sts, Perth).

Predictably enough, Israeli Offence Force and Israeli government spokespeople are spewing forth a whole series of lies in a desperate effort to justify their criminal raid on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.  Here is a series of points worth making to friends, family, workmates and neighbours who might be uncertain about the exact nature of what occurred yesterday morning in the eastern Mediterranean Sea:-

a) the ships’ manifests were all publicly released and contained no evidence whatsoever that weaponry was on board.

b) all six ships of the flotilla were thoroughly inspected by Cypriot port authorities and no weapons of any kind were found as a result of those inspections.

c) the Mavi Marmara (the lead ship in the flotilla) was attacked by dozens of heavily armed commandos, including helicopter-borne soldiers from the elite Shayetet 13 (Flotilla 13) unit.  Prior to the assault, the flotilla had decided to change course in an effort to avoid a confrontation with the Israeli Navy until daylight.  Tragically, this tactic failed and at 4.30am, in international waters, the lead vessel was raided.

d) footage released by the IOF shows a small number of activists defending the Mavi Marmara with what appear to be sticks, slingshots and other items they have to hand.  Notwithstanding the fact many of you adhere to a philosophy of non-violent direct action, a philosophy that no doubt is to be admired and respected, these people were within their rights under long-held principles of international law to defend themselves and the ship against a criminal act of international piracy.  There is simply no ambiguity on this point.

e) notwithstanding the fact evidence has now emerged that some passengers did indeed resist the illegal military invasion of the Mavi Marmara, it is perfectly obvious that the naval commandos reacted with a totally disproportionate level of lethal force.  These were highly trained, heavily armed commandos facing a small number of civilian activists ‘armed’ only with sticks, knives and whatever other tools they had to hand.  Furthermore, all the media reports and eyewitness accounts from on board the Mavi Marmara prior to the Israeli Navy’s jamming of all communications signals (what did the IOF have to hide?  The question answers itself) indicate that the naval commandos indiscriminately opened fire as soon as they scrambled aboard the vessel.

f) Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon and other Israeli government spokespeople are claiming that the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation – one of the three organisations behind the Gaza Freedom Flotilla – has links with Hamas and al-Qaida.  Let’s be clear about this.  There is no evidence whatsoever to support this claim.  Indeed, this particular claim scarcely merits a considered response and can be classed in the realm of total fantasy.  Why on Earth would some 35 members of parliament, a Nobel laureate, and a frail 87-year-old Holocaust survivor agree to be part of a humanitarian aid convoy that was actually a front for al-Qaida!?  Ayalon’s claims are simply ludicrous and deserve to be met with howls of derision and indeed loud guffaws.

g) finally, let’s not forget the bottom line here.  These six ships were carrying 600 peace activists and 10 000 tons of desperately needed humanitarian aid for the besieged people of Gaza.  The items on board the ships included water purification equipment, cement, generators, prefabricated homes, chocolate, crayons, wheelchairs, crutches, basketballs, and 20 tons of paper to be used by schoolkids.  Does that sound to you like the manifest of a terrorist flotilla?

See you at the protest at 5pm.

Fraternally
Alex Whisson
Convener
Friends of Palestine WA
www.fopwa.org

Israel’s unprecedented act of international piracy and mass murder in the eastern Mediterranean Sea has been met with a firestorm of condemnation throughout the world.  Here is just a small sample of the rage that is being expressed by governments, organisations and individuals across the globe:-

“By targeting innocent civilians, Israel has once again clearly displayed that [it] does not value human lives and peaceful initiatives.”
Turkish foreign ministry

“The government of Hamas call on Palestinians to carry out a total strike in Gaza and West Bank to show solidarity and protest the Israeli crimes.
We request emergency session for the UN Security Council, Arab League and Islamic Conference and we demand the Palestinian Authority to stop all forms of negotiations.
The government decided to grant those on board Freedom ships the medal of honour.
We appeal to the UN to withdraw from the Quartet.
The government has decided to name the May 31 “the freedom day”. We demand the Arab League to carry out all decisions to stop the siege of Gaza.
We say to those heroes that the essence of your honourable blood has reached us before the aids you are carrying to us.
We salute everyone on board the Freedom ships.”
Ismail Haniyeh, Palestinian Prime Minister

“The reports of up to 15 people killed and 50 injured, if confirmed, would constitute a totally unacceptable response by the Israeli military to what was a humanitarian mission attempting to deliver much needed supplies to the people of Gaza.”
Michael Martin, Irish foreign affairs minister

“I am shocked by reports that humanitarian aid was met with violence early this morning reportedly causing death and injury as the boat convoy approached the Gaza coast.”
Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

“We are shocked by reports of killings and injuries of people on board boats carrying supplies for Gaza, apparently in international waters.
Such tragedies are entirely avoidable if Israel heeds the repeated calls of the international community to end its counterproductive and unacceptable blockade of Gaza.”
United Nations Relief and Works Agency

“This crime is one of the most dastardly attacks on humanitarian aid workers in recent times and amidst the wreckage of the Freedom Flottila is what remains of Israel’s reputation as a member of the international community.”
George Galloway, former Respect MP for Bethnal, Green & Bow and founder of Viva Palestina

At least nine nations, including France, Spain, Sweden, Greece, Turkey and Egypt have already summoned their Israeli ambassadors demanding an explanation for the hijacking and mass murder.

Predictably enough, White House spokesman Bill Burton’s official statement was essentially meaningless: “[The US] ”deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained.  [The Administration is] working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy”.

Meanwhile, Stephen Smith remains in transit and has not yet been able to issue a statement.  However, a foreign affairs departmental spokesman gave us a foretaste of the kind of weasel words we can expect from the arch-Zionist foreign minister when he said: ”We are deeply saddened by loss of life following the incident between the Israeli navy and a flotilla of vessels carrying aid and protesters attempting to make its way to Gaza from Cyprus.”

Protests will be happening throughout the country later today (Tuesday) in response to this almost incomprehensible act of international piracy and mass murder.  Palestine solidarity groups in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney will be joining us here in Perth in their unreserved condemnation of Israel’s latest crime.  Don’t forget our protest starts at 5pm outside Wesley Church on the corner of Hay & William St in the city.  Come with placards, banners, friends, family and most of all a determined resolve to finally begin turning back the tide of Zionist State terrorism, Western complicity, government lies, and media propaganda.  If there was ever a time to once and for all expose the truth of what is happening in Palestine, that time is now.

Fraternally
Alex Whisson
Convener
Friends of Palestine WA
www.fopwa.org

STOP ISRAELI ATTACK ON HUMANITARIAN FLOTILLA

EMERGENCY PROTEST

5pm Tues 1 June

Wesley Church (cnr William & Hay Sts, Perth)

Al Jazeera is now reporting that up to 16 people have been killed and more than 30 injured after hundreds of masked Israeli commandos stormed the six vessels of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters off the coast of Gaza.  Al Jazeera further reports that the ships are being towed by Israeli warships to the port of Haifa instead of Ashdod where dozens of journalists were awaiting the flotilla’s arrival.

Not since the French Secret Service blew up the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland Harbour in 1985 has there been such a brazen act of international piracy by a sovereign state.  Governments all around the world have condemned the criminal actions of Somali pirates in international waters off the horn of Africa, and have even sent naval armadas to confront those pirates.  The international community must now unreservedly condemn this criminal act of piracy on the high seas, and immediately sent an international naval armada to restrain the barbaric actions of the Israeli Navy.

Friends of Palestine Western Australia has called an emergency protest outside Wesley Church for tomorrow (Tuesday) 5.00pm outside the Wesley Church on the corner of Hay & William St in the Perth CBB.

You can take action before the protest tomorrow by contacting the following:-

Israeli Prime Minister’s Office
<Prime.Minister’sOffice@it.pmo.gov.il>

Israeli Ministry of Defence
<pniot@mod.gov.il>

Israeli Members of the Knesset Presidium
Dalia Itzik<yor@knesset.gov.il>
Collete Avital<avitalk@knesset.gov.il>,
Mohammad Barakeh<mbarakeh@knesset.gov.il>
Amnon Cohen <amncohen@knesset.gov.il>
Yuli-Yoel Edelstein<yedelstein@knesset.gov.il>
Yitzhak Levi<ithakl@knesset.gov.il>
David Rotem<drotem@knesset.gov.il>
Otniel Schneller<oschneller@knesset.gov.il>
Yitzhak Ziv<yziv@knesset.gov.il>

Israeli Knesset public complaints department
Gila Rothschild<gilar@knesset.gov.il>

Israeli Chairman, Security and Foreign Affairs Committee
Tzachi Hanegbi<zhanegbi@knesset.gov.il>

Israeli Ambassador to Australia
HE Yuval Rotem
ambassadorsec@canberra.mfa.gov.il

And please ask our own government  to condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
The Hon Stephen Smith
Stephen.Smith.MP@aph.gov.au

Australian Ambassador to Israel
HE John Larsen
Fax: +972 3 6935002

Below is a link to a BBC report which contains a feed of the Turkish TV footage of the commando assault on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.  At this stage, the Turkish camera crew’s footage is the only footage known to have been taken of the murderous attack.

Disregard the disgustingly biased BBC commentary that overlays the footage which implies the situation was so “chaotic” the Israeli naval commandos were justified in opening fire.

Note also that since this report was filed several hours ago, the IDF itself has confirmed on Israel Army Radio that at least ten people were killed.  An IDF spokesman that activists tried to seize weapons from the commandos, and that the commandos were attacked with iron bars, sticks and knives.  Yet in the very same report in Haaretz (see link below), the Israeli military is reported to have said in an official statement that “protesters…attacked [the commandos] with live fire.”  In other words, the IDF has directly contradicted itself and shown itself to be lying through its teeth.  Either the naval commandos were attacked with iron bars, sticks and knives, in which case lethal force could not have been justified, or they were attacked with live fire.  Both things by definition cannot be true.  In either case, history demonstrates beyond any shadow of a doubt that any statements made by the IDF cannot be believed for one nanosecond.

We will all have an agonising wait over the course of the next few hours before we can discover exactly what happened on board the six vessels of the Freedom Flotilla early this morning.  What we can say for certain at this stage is that an Israeli naval commando unit has carried out an illegal act of piracy in international waters that has led to the deaths of at least ten activists guilty of nothing more than attempting to deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid to the besieged and long-suffering people of Gaza.

BBC stream of Turkish TV footage of the commando raid

Haaretz report confirming at least ten deaths

Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith has finally decided to act in relation to Mossad’s use of fraudulent Australian passports in the murder of Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Mabhouh.  His belated decision to expel an Israeli diplomat comes a full two months after the British government expelled an Israeli diplomat from the UK, and almost four months since the passport fraud revelations hit the international headlines.

Even now, Smith is not exactly being forthright in his condemnation of the Netanyahu administration.  He described the use of fabricated Australian passports in the commission of an act of State murder as, “not the act of a friend,”  and went on to say, “This is not what we expect from a nation with whom we have had such a close, friendly and supportive relationship.”  In other words, even while announcing the expulsion of one of its diplomats, Smith was at pains to point out what a wonderful relationship Canberra has with Tel Aviv!  He even went so far as to say, “The government takes this step much more in sorrow than anger or retaliation.”  It seems the foreign minister’s pusillanimity knows no bounds.

Far from being satisfied with Smith’s largely symbolic decision to temporarily expel an Israeli diplomat, Friends of Palestine WA is of the view that the Rudd government should throw its diplomatic weight behind an international criminal investigation of the murder of al-Mabhouh.  Such an investigation, were it to take place, would fit into a much broader and in-depth investigation of the war crimes committed in the northern winter of 2008-9, when the previous Israeli government was responsible for the deaths of some 1400 men, women and children in the Gaza concentration camp.  It is outrageous that the International Criminal Court has thus far not issued any indictments for any leaders of the Israeli State in relation to crimes committed during Operation Cast Lead, and that the UN Security Council has not recommended that such indictments be issued.

Sadly, real justice for the Palestinian victims of Israeli state terrorism will be a long time coming, and will involve a great deal more than the token, belated expulsion of an Israeli diplomat.  In other words, the Rudd government will have to do an awful lot more before we can be satisfied that it supports justice and peace in Israel/Palestine.

Fraternally
Alex Whisson
Convener
Friends of Palestine WA
www.fopwa.org

Director Vivienne Glance introduces the play

Dear friends of Palestine

What a magnificent triumph! A full house of 200 people, some $1400 collected at the door, an invigorating discussion, and a fabulous performance of the play itself.

Despite some technical glitches and the presence of a few dozen Zionist protesters outside the hall (outrageously, one Zionist blog is claiming there were 300 protesters!), our production of Seven Jewish Children: A Play for Gaza proved a resounding success. Indeed, at the risk of blowing our own trumpet, we feel the event marked a significant victory for the cause of free speech in our community. Needless to say, it also marked an important milestone in the development of a real and effective Palestine solidarity movement in Western Australia. Our ability to stage an event on such a scale augers well for the many challenges and difficulties we will face in the future, especially now the other side is sitting up and taking notice of our activities.

Our focus now shifts to the ongoing campaign against WesTrac Caterpillar; FOPWA’s intervention into the looming federal election campaign; our efforts to finally stage an open and fair debate with the Jewish Community Community; and of course, perhaps most importantly of all, educating and informing the wider public of Perth about the sufferings and privations of the Palestinian nation.

Thank you once again to everyone who had the courage to attend Saturday night’s event in the face of what can only be described as intimidation from the local Zionist lobby. And to those of you who either couldn’t make it or were turned away at the door, rest assured we will soon be making available DVD copies of the performance.

Fraternally
Alex Whisson
Convener
Friends of Palestine WA
www.fopwa.org

Beyond War Series: Presented by the University of Notre Dame School of Law and the School of Arts and Sciences

Panel Discussion & Debate

Date: Tuesday 27th April
Time: 6pm
Venue: Foley Hall ND1, University of Notre Dame, 19 Mouat St, Fremantle
Topic: ‘Paths to Peace in the Middle East: Is a Two State Solution Possible?’
Speakers: Michael Shaik (Australians for Palestine) and Bren Carlill (Australia-Israel Jewish Affairs Council)
Moderator: Dr Ben Clarke, Associate Professor, University of Notre Dame
Q & A to follow