Chintito

Nationalising the international

Chintito

The pre-dawn attack on humanitarian aid-carrying civilians 31 May by the Israeli military personnel is a test case for global land-grabbers. The act of amorality, barbarism, and cowardice, in grossest violation of international treaties and law, is all about offering the world a brand new 'logic' by the imperialists to control territories not belonging to them. After all, two-thirds of the earth is water and much of the rich aquatic world remains untapped.

A little dog dares to bite an innocent cat only when assured that a big dog is behind him. But today we are not talking about animals because comparing our way of life with theirs is insulting to them. We are learning only gradually that animal behaviour today is in some respects more civilised and honourable than that of the so-called human beings.

Following the murder of unarmed civilians on-board the peaceful and aid-laden 'Free Gaza Movement' flotilla, comprising of about 700 nationals from 50 countries, including UK, Ireland, Algeria, Kuwait, Greece and Turkey, the most dangerous statement was made by one Avital Leibovich, an Israeli military spokeswoman, who boldly admitted that the attack took place in international waters, 65km off the Gaza coast, saying 'This happened in waters outside of Israeli territory, but we have the right to defend ourselves'.

If the Israeli statement is legitimised, which one can hope is around the corner seeing on June 1 the mild UN statement (not a resolution which is harsher), that too after some world leaders heard with deaf ears, opposites debated with rhetoric, the affected demanded to blank walls and the world conscience was compelled to surrender to armed and economic supremacy in a marathon 13-hour session, it will allow the Zionists and modern colonialists to unleash a military operation beyond their own boundary every time they exercise their right to defend themselves.

The attack once again brings to the fore the chicken-and-egg maxim, which is characteristic of any event that involves the state of Israel. The Israeli military released a statement after the world uproar appeared on television channels saying four of their soldiers had been wounded. It also claimed that their troops opened fire after "demonstrators onboard attacked the IDF Naval personnel with live fire and light weaponry including knives and clubs". One angry blogger reacted with 'What the hell were you doing attacking ships carrying civilians in international waters?' Another asked: 'Do you not belong to UN and do you not know your water from that that belongs to the world?'

Perhaps the rewarding outcome of the sad incident, if that is possible, has been the immediate outrage the world expressed and in unison against the Israelies, who appeared lamer with every television interview and with excuses they tried to conjure to wriggle out of the charge of state-sponsored unlawful killing and the deadly assault.

Ban Ki-moon, the UN chief, said he was "shocked by reports of killings and injuries" and called for a full investigation. That was also part of the content of the UN statement.

Turkey, whose flag the ship was flying, has called back its ambassador from Israel and has sought an Israeli apology citing the interception on the convoy as unacceptable.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas declared the attack on the flotilla an attack against humanity. Hamas leader in Gaza Ismail Haniya has dubbed the Israeli action 'barbaric'. Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said that 'the attack clearly shows Israel's aggressive nature and its disrespect to international and humanitarian rules and laws'. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri denounced the attack and called on the international community to end this continued violation of human rights and threat to international peace. Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad viewed the attack as an inhuman Zionist regime action against Gazans. The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani called on all those who preach freedom, justice, and democracy to act to break the Gaza siege so the blood of those free men do not go down the drain.

China as shocked by the Israeli naval attack on the Turkish flotilla carrying humanitarian goods to Gaza which led to severe casualties and condemned it, urging Israel's blockade on Gaza be lifted.

Brazil condemned in vehement terms the Israeli action, given that there was no justification for a military intervention on a peaceful convoy of a strictly humanitarian character.

European Union called for an immediate, sustained, and unconditional opening of the crossing for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza. EU does not accept the continued policy of closure, and regards a military attack against civilian activists as totally unacceptable

But is Israel listening? The world has to make them listen for the sake of the world.

P.S. One of the ships in the Freedom Flotilla aid convoy is named Rachel Corrie, in honour of an American peace activist killed by an Israeli army bulldozer in 2003.

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