Friday, October 30, 2009

Defying Israel With Aid


Khaleej Times

"The Palestinians need humanitarian aid because of the situation created by Israel, but more than this, Israel needs to be confronted politically, argues Huwaida Arraf, leader of the Free Gaza Movement and co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement.

In an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times, Huwaida and Adam Shapiro, a human rights activist and documentary filmmaker, spoke at length about their mission, that is aimed at helping the besieged Palestinians and defying the Israeli siege of Gaza until it is lifted......

The Free Gaza Movement, which started in 2006 as a protest against the siege of Gaza, epitomises political defiance with non-violent but powerful means. With the involvement of high profile people and media in previous expeditions, it has so far carried out eight humanitarian missions by sea—five of which were successful in reaching Gaza—from Cyprus carrying medicines and toys for Palestinian children.

Huwaida said, “Palestinian people need humanitarian aid directly because of Israeli policies, but, the people should realise that giving aid is not enough; they have to invest in confronting 
policies.”.....

The aim is to alleviate the terrible humanitarian suffering in the Strip, especially for the women and children of Gaza as warned by the UN humanitarian organisation. Forced to live amid the rubble of their homes, the people of Gaza have to brave the fast approaching cold months due to lack of construction material. The Free Gaza Movement has received considerable international support in terms of volunteers but is in urgent need for funding its next expedition. Excerpts from the interview:
......"

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