First came the bragging. Ever since the flotilla incident last summer, Israel-haters have boasted that next time they were going to really show the world what they are made of. With their chests even more puffed-out than usual, they vowed that this summer they were going to send an even bigger flotilla to Gaza. It would be at least 30-ships strong, led by the Mavi Marmara, and it would arrive on the exact anniversary of last May’s confrontation.
Then, it all started to unravel. Amid rumours they were having trouble getting sufficient sign-ups, the organisers postponed the sail until June, ‘because of the Turkish election’. Then a French ship pulled-out of the flotilla. A few days after that, the Mavi Marmara also withdrew. Yup, they’re showing us what they’re made of, all right.
Despite this, there do still seem to be plans for a flotilla of sorts to set sail towards Gaza in the coming weeks. The IDF ran a drill a few days ago in preparation. While I’m glad the IDF is preparing to intercept these vessels of fools, it really saddens me that it has to. The navy should not be forced to waste its time and dignity on combating such a dishonest and self-indulgent exercise as the flotilla.
News of the drill reminded me of the symbolism of the flotilla issue and that of similar ventures, such as the recent border protests: the bigoted children of the world provocatively forcing Israel to be the sole moral adult. It also brought back memories of the reaction to last year’s flotilla, when Israel-haters rushed to judgement before a single fact was known. Even once we were shown harrowing footage of mobs of thugs descending on the IDF and attacking them with iron bars and knives, the verdicts of many did not change. It was the Jews who were guilty, they should have just lain still and allowed themselves to be clubbed to death by the peaceful humanitarians.
That they defended their lives was internationally-condemned. But since when was self-defence a war crime? Since May 1948, when the modern state of Israel was founded, it seems.
I pray that all Israeli naval commandoes return home safe and unharmed from any confrontation that might arise in the coming weeks. This blog is actually sometimes read by one of the guys who got hurt last year. He sent a very kind message to me via a mutual friend. Once again, I send him and the other commandoes my deepest admiration and best wishes.
What a vacuous project the flotilla is. Heaven forbid these ‘human rights’ folk ever pay a moment’s attention to any other country on the planet. To the slaughtered and terrorised of Darfur, the oppressed of China, the suffering Tamils and Chechens, the starving Africans, the oppressed women of the world, the gays being executed in the Middle East and Caribbean, the Arabs being slaughtered on the street by their own governments.
All of these issues are overlooked, mostly because they allow no scope for Jew-bashing. Over and over these bigots ignore the cries of people who are really suffering, in preference of focusing obsessively on the cause of the Palestinians, who they patronisingly use as a tool with which to bash Israel. It is quite true that some who campaign for the Palestinians do so sincerely, with the most noble of motivations. However, their voices are drowned out by the haters and the hateful who forever wish to harm and destroy the Jewish state.
And yet, how impotent their efforts are. This year, Israel celebrated her 63rd birthday and the 44th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. Jewish life is thriving there, including in Judaea and Samaria, where around a quarter of a million residents now live. The month of May saw yet another record set in the number of tourists visiting Israel – a 33 percent increase on the same month in 2009. What a ball visitors have there, it’s a beautiful place. Israeli inventions and innovations are being snapped-up around the world, prompting an economic climate in Israel that is much more healthy than most of the rest of the world’s.
I still think it is vital to defend Israel from the hate and lies the world throws at her, and to take absolutely seriously the many threats she faces. The coming weeks and months could be busy that way, with the flotilla, the declaration plans and other challenges. But I also allow myself a chuckle that, while there are plenty of people who get-up each day determined to harm Israel, they go to bed every night knowing they are failing. I expect it is an emotion they are rather familiar with in their lives.
Warmed by Goyish heart to read this. People get furious because they believe Israel is committing terrible crimes and getting away with it. Education should teach people to ask questions like: who is telling us that Israel is committing crimes? Are they correct? Why are there no successful prosecutions? Thought and question provoking education is rare these days. Israel pays dearly as a consequence.
Well said dear Chas, very well said. But at least we can rejoice in the death of another Jew hater this weekend. Brian Haw the so called ‘peace campaigner’ will now be rotting in hell.
Thank you for a beautifully written defense and promotion of Israel. This should be sent to every newspaper in the world.
Thanks, Annie
Courtesy of the wonderful Israelinurse, the latest assessment of the ships planning to take part:
These would appear to be the boats intending to sail.
Websites, Facebook & Twitter for organisers included where available.
With the cancellation of the Mavi Marmara, there are Turkish and British activists without a ship – not clear yet if they intend to join any of these below.
Canada “Tahrir” + Australia, Belgium, Denmark
Sailing from Athens. Canadians flew to Greece 19/6
http://www.tahrir.ca/content/overview
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=119415598093461
http://twitter.com/#!/CanadaBoatGaza
http://www.belgiumtogaza.com/
USA “Audacity of Hope”
http://ustogaza.org/
http://www.facebook.com/USBOATTOGAZA
http://twitter.com/#!/usboattogaza
Spain
http://www.rumboagaza.org/
http://www.facebook.com/rumboagazaoficial
http://twitter.com/#!/rumboagaza
Italy possibly sailing from Genoa
http://www.freedomflotilla.it/
http://www.facebook.com/people/Freedom-Flotilla-Italia/100001721984360
http://twitter.com/#!/freedomflotita
Sweden/Norway
http://www.shiptogaza.se/
http://www.facebook.com/ShiptoGazaSweden
http://www.shiptogaza.no/
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=144782858899578
Ireland
http://irishshiptogaza.org/
http://twitter.com/#!/IrishShiptoGaza
http://www.ipsc.ie/event/dublin-demonstration-end-the-siege-of-gaza-let-the-flotilla-through-istg
Switzerland/Germany sailing from Hamburg?
http://www.droitpourtous.ch/index.php?language=en&page=15&homepage
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Droit-Pour-Tous/185734054791366
http://twitter.com/#!/rit4l
http://germany-gaza.de/
Greece
http://www.shiptogaza.gr/
http://www.facebook.com/ShiptoGazagr
http://twitter.com/#!/shiptogazagr
France one boat possibly sailing from Marseille, one from Greece next weekend.
http://www.unbateaupourgaza.fr/index.php/La-Campagne
http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2011/06/17/01003-20110617ARTFIG00537-le-bateau-francais-pour-gaza-ne-partira-pas-de-marseille.php
Chas, ahve yoou seen this? Can Stand EWith Us UK ornganise something? Letters and phone calls have been made but the clip is still there.
http://www.lush.co.uk/articles/our-ethical-campaigns/oneworld_100-10285_10.html
How bizarre, while browsing shops I walked past a Lush shop yest at Liv St. Station for the first time in about a year. I adore Lush but somehow I didn’t feel like going into the shop. And now I read this. Soooo glad I didn’t go in and buy anything. Lush, consider yourself boycotted by this toiletries freak!
No more Lush for me or the wife! Idiots.
I’ve written to them to tell them the same:
customercare@lush.co.uk charitypot@lush.co.uk gina@lush.co.uk
Chas, I’ ve just been corresponding with Sophie Pritchard who is supporting this campaign, initiated by War on Want.
.
I’m posting this rather long correspondence here to show you and your readers what a cretin this woman is, but if you want to condense it or anything, well, it’s your blog
MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH LUSH UK: normal email upside down format:
(Tuesday 21 June 2011)
Dear Sophie,
I’m glad you don’t condone violence.
Unfortunately the people you support actively condone and use violence, and by your support of them you enable their violence and finance it firectly.
I agree with you that further discussion betwen us will probably not help. While the cause – Islamic jihad – of the ME conflict is actually quite simple, the ramifications are complex.
You who live in the UK, and in fact every country containing Muslims, will have AMPLE opportunity to ponder and absorb these ramifications, most of which, are in fact, horribly violent.
Regards
Jill.
——————————————————————————–
Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:13:44 +0100
From: sophie.pritchard@lush.co.uk
To:
Subject: Re: RE: Lush Palestine campaign group Friends of Al Aqsa and PSC do not think Hamas are terrorists
Dear Jill,
Thank you for your email. I sent our standard response to you as it explains why we support the OneWorld campaign. I would also like to make clear that we do not condone violence. I have read all your emails and listened to you for some time on the phone and feel I have given you ample opportunity to express how you feel. However, I don’t feel it is a good use of your time or mine to discuss the issue further since it is clear we don’t agree. Thanks for taking the time to let us know your thoughts.
Best wishes,
Sophie
Hello Sophie,
thank you for replying to me.
It may interest you to know that your reply is the exact copy of one which Vicky Jansson, your Customer Care Manager, gave to
Edgar Davidson of http://www.edgar1981.blogspot.com. He has detailed his correspondence on his blog regarding this entire sad affair.
http://edgar1981.blogspot.com/2011/06/response-from-lush-it-gets-worse.html
YOu clearly absorbed nothing from our discussion, and have very obviously not read a single bit of information I sent you.
I would dismiss you as just another clueless type except for several things:
-YOu know perfectly well who War on Want are, as you said to me in our discussion. The fact that they werre investigated by the UK Charities Commission does not seem to worry you at all.
-You have forever tainted your employer’s company with the stench of terrorism and murder, and the faint shadow of the Nazis, who wanted to murder the Jews, and were helped by the Grand Mufti of Palestine, for me, a former customer of the company.
BY so doing, you have shown very clearly that:
:you do not “care” about your brief or your company
:you do not “care” about your customers
:you do not “care” about your or your company’s associations, all of which have been clearly and simply detailed as terrorism supporters/anti Israel bigots.
:you do not “care” about the consequences of your actions in supporting these people, who
emphatically do NOT support “both sides.”
I do not expect you or any other person approached by proPalestinian groups to have followed the “complexities” – otherwise known as Islamic Jihad against Jews and Christians – of the Middle East.
I do, however, expect that when a company professing to support charity is shown that they have inadvertently allowed themselves to
be drawn into supporting terrorist gangsters with their customers’ money, that they take it, their mistake and their company associations seriously.
YOu have not taken it seriously, and expect me to be fobbed off with a cheap form reply. (Or maybe you got an assistant to cut and paste it from a form by V. Jansson).
I sincerely hope you – or rather, your COMPANY – thrills at being a direct supporter of terrorism by a group- Hamas- that is part of the Muslim Brotherhood, that is very active suipporting and facilitating terrorism in the UK, along with a whole bunch of others, every one of which wants to exterminate Jews and dominate convert and kill non-Muslims.
The UK has and will continue to suffer the effects of these jihadis. Indeed, there are many Brits who fled the UK for Australia specifically because of it.
Good luck with that!
I have sent a copy of this email to the CEO of Lush Australia.
Jill
——————————————————————————–
Date: Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:54:41 +0100
From: sophie.pritchard@lush.co.uk
To: j
Subject: Re: FW: Lush Palestine campaign group Friends of Al Aqsa ans PSC do not think Hamas are terrorists
Dear Jill,
Thank you for your emails to Gina, which she has forwarded to me.
The history between Israel and Palestine is long, complicated and often under dispute. However, what is very clear is the level of suffering occurring today, in part due to the construction of the wall which is cutting Palestinian people off from vital health services and has dramatically increased poverty in the area. History does not excuse such suffering. It will take both sides to come to a solution, but what is also clear is that this is not a conflict of two equal sides and thus the onus must be on the dominating force, Israel. The OneWorld project is supported by both Palestinian and Israeli organisations and aims to help create peace for both sides.
Best wishes,
Sophie
Sophie Pritchard
Charitable Giving Manager
Lush
18-20 Market Street
Poole
BH15 1NF
Office tel: 01202 667 830 ext 14
Mobile: 0772 579 0474
http://www.lush.co.uk/charity
Join the Charity Pot Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/charitypot
—— Forwarded Message
From: j
Date: Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:45:10 +0000
To: Gina Walker
Subject: Lush Palestine campaign group Friends of Al Aqsa ans PSC do not think Hamas are terrorists
Hello Gina,
please FWD this to Sophie Pritchard.
The Friends of al Aqsa is a group supporting the Palestine campaign on the Lush website.
Their leader Ismail Patel on Hamas:
“Hamas is no terrorist organisation. The reason they hate Hamas is because they refuse to be subjugated, occupied by the Israeli state, and we salute Hamas for standing up to Israel.”
… the same Friends of Al-Aqsa who have published Azzam Tamimi, a man who supports suicide bombing , and states in the Friends of Al-Aqsa journal:
[T]he weakness of the Arabs and Muslims is only temporary and will sometime in the future be reversed. Evidently, the Muslim world is witnessing a massive awakening that is destined to initiate the transformation from weakness to strength. When the Arabs and Muslims’ gain of strength and confidence coincides with the retreat of the World Order due to the shrinkage of the material and military resources available to it and as a result of the augmentation of domestic crises, the end of the Zionist project will come and the State of Israel will be no more.
Friends of Al-Aqsa are also happy to publish articles referring to ‘Jewish Nazism’, and claiming that ‘Israel simply represents the Nazis of our time’ and ‘the powerful Jewish media … more or less controls the public discourse in many western nations’.
from: http://hurryupharry.org/2010/09/27/ed-miliband-and-friends-of-al-aqsa/
[Sarah Colborne, Palestine Solidarity Campaign] was asked whether she denounced Hamas for their call to kill Jews in their Charter (Article 7 ). She replied: “I will not engage with you.”
…not denouncing a proudly virulently anti-Semitic organisation like Hamas is, apparently, just fine.
If Sarah or Betty Hunter or anyone from the Palestine Campaign wishes, at any stage, to denounce Hamas after reading Article Seven of its Charter then please get in touch and I will publish any response on this blog.
Article Seven states:
…….the Islamic Resistance Movement aspires to the realisation of Allah’s promise, no matter how long that should take. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him salvation, has said:
“The Day of Judgement will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Muslims, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him. Only the Gharkad tree, would not do that because it is one of the trees of the Jews.” (related by al-Bukhari and Muslim).
These are just a couple of examples. Lush in my mind, and now in the minds of many others, is not just regarded as tools of genocidal killers but as wilful assistants to murder.
I hope your Campaign Director will reconsider Lush’s association with these groups and turn the attention of Lush to the many good causes not sponsored by terrorists and their groupies.
kind regards
Jill
Here is an example of a genuinely humanitarian mission: http://elderofziyon.blogspot.com/2011/06/miles-of-smiles-exposes-lies-of.html
And a handy video to show anyone who still talks of ‘peace activists’ on Mavi Marmara last year http://youtu.be/esitLPiqmMs
I’ve just written to Sean Gifford at Lush, telling him that the campaign is unfair and asking him to get in touch so that I/we can put the other side. If anything happens, I’ll let you know.
When you read the nonsense posted on the website, I don’t think I’ll have any luck, but you never know.
cityca:
I have had some extensive dealings with Lush about this. You can read about it here:
http://edgar1981.blogspot.com/2011/06/response-from-lush-it-gets-worse.html
On a more positive note I have had a genuinely positive outcome to complaints Imade to the Press Complaints Commission about the Sun’s recent ill-informed anti-Israel reporting:
http://edgar1981.blogspot.com/2011/06/major-positive-development-regarding.html
I think this represents a rare victory against the kind of ignorant, lazy, anti-Israel media reporting that is so common. If Shanahan follows through on his second offer then potentially one of the biggest anti-Israel fronts in the UK media (and one which only opened up 4 years ago) will be closed off.
Thanks Edgar.
Looks like I’m unlikely to hear back positively any time soon.
I think every one gets the same letter – my husband told them to go and open a shop in the new shopping centre in Gaza and he got the same response!
Yep, I got THE letter that says absolutely nothing at all. It’s like writing to the BBC!
Well I didn’t expect more, so I’m hardly disappointed. Time to start boycotting Lush guys.
cityca,
I spoke to sean gifford too. He seems like a nice guy, but is completely clueless about the state of play in the ME.
NONE of these people have read the Hamas Covenant!!
Sean told me he sort of worked around the office. Whether he was “equivocating” or not, I guess we’ll know soon enough.
Could not find an email for Mark Constantine, the founder of Lush.
As you can see from above – it was an (expected) waste of time. So lets break out the Lush boycott. If you can’t educate them one way, let’s try it the hard way!
I’ve written to them telling them we’ll boycott, and telling them that I’ve an online network to arrange it, and that I’m a columnist on the JC.
Tweet about this, too. Their twitter address is @lushltd
Feh, who needs Lush? Buy Ahava instead!!
And kol ha-kavod for a wonderful article. Again. As usual!
The extremists organizing these hostile provocations against Israel must not be allowed to illegally raise funds for their operations in the U.S. This unprecedented private action will help block their efforts to breach the coastal blockade and smuggle materials to Hamas in Gaza.
Not super relevant, but anyway:
Have you seen this? Possibly worth addressing. It was the most read story on BBC News for a day or two and so far I have not seen the BBC make a correction.
http://www.thejc.com/news/israel-news/50487/no-dog-stoned-death-jerusalem-court
Thanks. Very important correction.
It’s the hungry biased media thats the Mashugina Hunt here.
Contemptible
Not that I would have bothered with Lush, there’s simply no way that I will buy any of their products now and I shall pass this on. And the ‘Palestinians’on the West Bank are living in conditions worse than those in sub-Saharan Africa or South Africans under Apartheid? Tell that to the thousands upon thousands of Darfuri, Eritrean, Etiopian, Kenyan, Ghanaian, Nigerian etc refugees who are in Israel at this moment and those who are clamouring at the borders. Must be awful to walk thousands of miles across the sub-Saharan desert only to have to experience the same ‘Apartheid.’ Why not then go to Gaza, that well of compassion?
Now why isn’t this echoed on the BBC ?
I’m posting this link, to get your attention at this late date, to Elena Bonner and her Freedom Forum speech in Oslo, 2009, who passed away this week.
http://www.jidaily.com/HHw
And another question that has been a thorn for me for a long time. It’s a question for my human rights colleagues. Why doesn’t the fate of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit bother you in the same way as the fate of the Guantanamo prisoners?
You fought for and won the opportunity for the International Committee of the Red Cross, journalists, and lawyers to visit Guantanamo. You know the conditions of the prisoners, their lives, their food. You have met with those prisoners who have suffered torture. The result of your efforts has been a ban on torture and a law to close this prison. President Obama signed it in the first days of his coming to the White House. And although he, just like Bush before him, does not know what to do with the Guantanamo prisoners, we can hope that the new Administration will think up something.
But during the two year Shalit has been held by terrorists, the world human rights community has done nothing for his release. Why? He is a wounded soldier, and should fall under the protection of the Geneva Conventions. The Conventions say clearly that hostage-taking is prohibited, that representatives of the Red Cross should be allowed to see prisoners of war, especially wounded prisoners, and there is much else written in the Geneva Conventions about their rights. The fact that representatives of the Quartet conduct negotiations with the people who are holding Shalit in an unknown location, in unknown conditions, vividly demonstrates their scorn of international rights documents and their total legal nihilism.
She demonstrated the hypocrisy of the “Human Rights” community very nicely.
Extra exquisite, Chas