To all those who care about Palestine and
our collective humanity
“TIME TO HOLD ISRAEL ACCOUNTABLE”
In the days and weeks ahead, we can expect Israel and its apologists to
carry out their usual campaign of blaming everyone but Israel for the crimes
committed against the peace activists on the flotilla to free Gaza. Already
the language of the bully is being employed – terrorists, terror attacks,
lynchings – with a view to painting as black a picture as possible of
honourable men and women who believed they could make a difference in a
world long given to silence on Palestinian suffering. Those of us who know,
can see the absurdity of Israel’s version of events, so obvious is the
attempt to deceive. But those who don’t know much about the issues apart
from the headlines the media chooses to sensationalise, will fall into the
trap of “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” and believe – incredible though
it is - that sticks and knives were indeed a threat to attacking warships,
helicopters and fully-armed commandos and that Gaza is not suffering a
monumental humanitarian crisis.
Instead of imagining how terrifying it must be to find oneself on the high
seas in the dark surrounded by Israel’s military with all communication to
the outside world broken, they will buy into the spin - peace activists
being terrorists, humanitarian cargo as potential weapons and the flotilla
of ships charging full steam into Israeli territory rather than being
welcomed into Gazan waters. The lies grow bigger with each telling. It is
outrageous that the media is so gratuitously willing to give Israel as much
air time and newspaper space as it wants without comparable time for the
compelling narratives of those who were actually attacked on that fateful
night. No doubt Israel hopes that getting its side out first will plant
doubt in people’s minds and that worldwide rage will burn itself out as
other matters grab the headlines.
We cannot let that happen. Not again. But we need your help.
Australians for Palestine is planning to run a newspaper advertisement
campaign in our major newspapers. So many people want to do something,
say something to express their disgust at what Israel has done and we want to
provide the other side in the plainest language possible. It is not just
the killing of 9 international peace activists and the wounding of some 50
others that is so terrible. It is that Israel’s litany of crimes has been
allowed to continue with impunity regardless of whom it attacks - without
doubt the worst of those attacks against generations of Palestinian people
themselves.
People need to know that for the past 62 years, the world has been subjected
to an avalanche of lies and propaganda about the Palestinian narrative which
has distorted, perverted and denied the Palestinians their ancient history
and their very identity. What we are witnessing is ethnic cleansing pure and
simple and every time Israel gets away with another crime, it raises the
ante. When internationals are killed in their courageous quest to help
the Palestinians and our leaders do nothing to hold Israel to account, we
have to know that we will all become hostage to Israel’s delusions of
supremacy and exclusivity, if we do not speak up. This latest brazen act,
so chilling in its perpetration and justification, should be a warning of
what lies ahead, not just for the besieged and occupied Palestinians, but
for all of us.
We are urgently seeking signatures and contributions for the attached
advertisement that we hope to place in as many Australian newspapers as
possible this coming Wednesday 9 June 2010. We think it imperative to get
the message out sooner rather than later. The size of the advertisement will
depend on the contributions received, but we are looking at a quarter page
advertisement in eight newspapers. The cost will be approximately $40,000.
If we cannot cover this amount, we may then have to allocate smaller-sized
advertisements according to readership.
We hope there will be the same overwhelming support we have received in the
past. We know that the Palestinians are in desperate need and some people
may think the money is better spent by sending it to Gaza. Aside from the
enormous problems that Israel’s sanctions have created which has made
transferring money and aid almost impossible, we believe that nothing will
change if we do not raise the consciousness of people everywhere. It is
most important that we keep up the pressure on our government and the media
so that Israel can finally be held to account for its war crimes and crimes
against humanity.
We are, therefore, asking for your association’s endorsement as well as of
individual members. In this way, we hope to get the list of endorsees
growing. We would also appreciate any contribution you are able to make so
that we can get the maximum coverage for this advertisement.
Endorsements should be made through Nasser Mashni,
Co-Convener of Australians for Palestine at gaza@australiansforpalestine.com
For contributions, a donation form is attached and contributions can be made
by direct transfer, cheques or online. Details are as follows and are also
listed on the form.
Bank Transfer
Account Name: Australians for Palestine
Branch: 083-171
Account: 86-641-3885
Cheque
Make out to Australians for Palestine
PO Box 2099 Hawthorn VIC 3122.
Online
Access Paypal by using our website link
http://www.australiansforpalestine.com
We thank you as always for your cooperation and goodwill in our Palestine
campaigns. These are dangerous times, but together we hope to achieve an
an end to Israel’s criminal acts against defenceless people and an end to its
occupation and ethnic cleansing of Palestine.
Names of endorsees and donors will be listed on our website
http://www.australiansforpalestine.com for a period of two weeks, so please
keep the names coming.
Sonja Karkar
Co-Convener
Australians for Palestine
PO Box 2099, Hawthorn 3122
Melbourne – Australia
www.australiansforpalestine.com
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