June 29, 2010: We set out with such hope as one of the only American NGO’s with cargo aboard the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. Tragedy ensued when the Israeli Navy attacked in the middle of the night and nine lives were lost. The Turkish IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, an award-winning organization that works to prevent the violation of human rights and liberties and help all those who are in distress, has published its report of the events of May 31st when Israeli commandos attacked its ship, the Mavi Marmara. Please click here to download their report
The Rebuilding Alliance was one of the only American NGOs with cargo on the Freedom Flotilla and as such we have been in touch with the diplomatic community to assure delivery of our school supplies, sports equipment and bags of cement to our project partners in Gaza. In response to our inquiries, James B. Cunningham, the American Ambassador to Israel, replied, “I share your concern for the people of Gaza and commend your efforts to offer support to those most in need – children and the disabled.” He wrote he is working closely with the governments of Israel and Ireland to determine how best to transfer items from aboard the MV Rachel Corrie to Gaza. Meanwhile, Free Gaza – Ireland received a proposal from the EU’s representative to the UN and we discussed our options with Ambassador Cunningham’s staff in Tel Aviv.
In reply to inquiries by our board chair, Sarah Williams esq. via her Minister of Parliament, we received a detailed letter from Alistair Burt, the British Foreign minister responsible for relations with the Middle East. Please take a moment to read this as it is quite different in tone and substance from communications with American officials.
With good grace and timing, Kate Gould voluteered to use her trip to Gaza last week to visit our project partners at the Rachel Corrie Sports Initiative, the Ybnah Community Charity, and the Al Basma Club for the Disabled. John Ging, head of UNRWA-Gaza, took time from his busy schedule to meet with Kate. Kate wrote, “Overall the clear & resounding message from Mr. Ging is that he has great respect for the work the Rebuilding Alliance and other human rights/humanitarian orgs are doing on this issue. “ UNRWA is working with the EU representative to the UN to assure speedy delivery of the Freedom Flotilla’s cargo to the benefit of those most in need in Gaza. We will post Kate’s reports very soon.
It is important to recognize that as a result of the Freedom Flotilla, nations throughout the world are calling for an end to the blockade of Gaza. Although Israel has announced a loosening of the blockade, their announcement is incomplete. As stated by Alistair Burt, “It is essential that there be unfettered access, not only to meet the humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza but to enable the reconstruction of homes and livelihoods and permit trade to take place.”
One can anticipate more Freedom Flotillas will be launched in the future. We encourage the creation of a third-party inspection system before boats leave port, and a web-open, transparent UN certification system for the Non-Governmental projects in Gaza who will put the cargo to good use. Back in April, the Rebuilding Alliance was invited by the Free Gaza Movement and the Palestinian NGO Network in Gaza to complete a feasibility study for such a system – we continue to ask the UN to give serious attention to this important proposal.
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April 2, 2010: Thanks for making the first phase of our More Than Chocolates for Gaza campaign such a success. We raised over $5000 that will
be used to buy chocolates, school supplies, wheelchairs and more! With the help of our friends at Irish Free Gaza, we’ll send these supplies via boat to two organizations doing great work in Gaza: the Al Basma Club for the Disabled and the Rachel Corrie Sports Initiative.
As of March 31, we’ve stopped accepting donations for this campaign. This, however, does not mark the end of this project. Now the real work begins.
We’re thrilled by the recent news that Irish Free Gaza has recently purchased a cargo boat. In May, the boat will travel from Ireland and dock in Cyprus. There, it will join the other boats of the Free Gaza Flotilla and together they will set sail for Gaza!
This will be the 9th such journey undertaken. Though the first five journeys were successful, the last 3 ships have been prevented by Israeli authorities from reaching Gaza.
Contacting your elected officials is the best way you can ensure this and future journeys will be successful. In the coming days we’ll be posting a “Contact Congress” page that will give you some tips on how to best call your congressional representatives and get their support.
Why Gaza, Why Now?
Doctors without Borders reports that 5,300 people were wounded in the 2009 assault on Gaza. The World Health Organization estimates that 20,000-50,000 will experience long term psychological illness. With the steep increase in the number of persons with disabilities, Al Basma Club for the Disabled (ABCD) has become a treasured oasis, increasing its membership and services as best it can. However, special needs require special resources – and the blockade of Gaza rarely lets these through. The Rachel Corrie Sports Initiative (RCSI) hosts soccer tournaments at the Unity Club Soccer Field in Rafah, Gaza, using sport to heal communities that have been traumatized by violence.
What can I do?
We’ve stopped taking donations and have begun our second phase of this campaign: Contact Congress. Whether you donated or not, you can call your elected representatives to tell them about the Free Gaza Flotilla and why they should care too. We’ll have a handy Contact Congress page up soon that will help you when calling your congressional representatives.
Have some more questions about our campaign? Go to our FAQ to find the answers.
