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The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil,    but because of the people who don't do anything about it

Occupation magazine - Activism Home page  back Print  Send To friend `Security cannot be built on the corpses of protesters!` Social TV/Gush Shalom June 1, 2010 http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/events/1275385769/ Vivid film of the demo (but in Hebrew) http://www.tv.social.org.il/medini/stv-mashat-demo-tlv-2010-05-31.htm see also text of the June 1 Gush Shalom ad in Haaretz: A CRIME AGAINST ISRAEL http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/events/1275396355 31.5.10 - More than 2000 people, old and young, gathered opposite the Ministry of Defense in Tel-Aviv in a spontaneous demonstration of anger and protest, after soldiers of the `most elite units` of the IDF were sent to attack the Peace Flotilla that was on its way to Gaza. The number of killed and injured from among the peace activists on the boats proved that the aim of the action was to frighten and deter anyone who would undertake to break the blockade in future. The demonstration was remarkable for the wide spectrum of activists who were urged by the sights of the night to take part. Side by side with Gush Shalom activists were members of Peace Now, people from Meretz and Hadash, the Women`s Coalition and anarchists. All called in unison: `Security cannot be built / on the corpses of protesters!` Many of the demonstrators had themselves participated in the past in efforts to get food, medicines and building material into Gaza through the roadblocks, under the slogan `Break the Blockade!` They followed with sympathy the efforts of peace ships from several countries to do this by sea. “Bibi, Barak / the blood of the activists is on your hands!” called one poster. Another said: `The government is leading us all into suicide!`, `They shoot protesters too!` , `IDF / Terrorism in uniform!` and `No to piracy / Yes to peace!` A large force of police and Border Guard officers was deployed to guard the ministry, obviously out of fear that the protesters might try to storm the building. However, there was no violence, except for a few arrests. Some dozens of the protesters came to the Defense Ministry straight from Ashdod, where they had been demonstrating at the gates of the harbor while the attack was still under way. `The blockade imposed on 1.8 million inhabitants of the Gaza Strip, men, woman and children, is inhuman, immoral and illegal, and must be broken!` a Gush Shalom activist told the many media people who covered the demonstration. `There is no doubt that after this flotilla, more will come, and that the dimensions of the action will grow, until the leaders of Israel realize that the blockade is hurting Israel much more than Hamas. [Similar protests took place within hours after the bloody assault of the flotilla in Ashdod, Jerusalem, Haifa and Be`er Sheba-ed] ========================================== A CRIME AGAINST ISRAEL What happened yesterday is a crime. A crime against the State of Israel. A band of foolhardy, irresponsible and power-drunk persons decided on an action that was bound to result in people being killed and injured. No sensible person in Israel or abroad will buy the collection of lies and pretexts with which those responsible are trying to justify themselves. The more so since no one of the victims has been allowed to speak. Not only was this operation immoral, but it is also turning against us the last of our sympathizers in the world and adding strength to those who call for a boycott on Israel. There is only one way to limit the damage: -- TO CALL for the immediate appointment of an international board of inquiry to investigate the event. -- TO LIFT at once the immoral and illegal blockade against the million and a half inhabitants of the Gaza Strip. -- TO IMPLEMENT the proposed prisoner exchange and free Gilad Shalit. Huge damage has been done. We must try to repair it as best as possible. GUSH SHALOM (Large special ad published in Hebrew in Haaretz today, June 1) A.K. Links to the latest articles in this section The burial of ashes - an emotionally loaded day Friday webinar with the Human Rights activists designated as "terrorists" Friday webinar with the Human Rights activists designated as "terrorists"