Steven Fake's Blog, page 6

Will Flotilla 13 Attack Freedom Flotilla 2?

My latest musings on the Gaza flotilla trip are at Focal Points (the Foreign Policy in Focus blog). A teaser:

"We will have to come prepared in the future as if it was a war." – Top Israeli Naval Commander on the response to efforts to break the siege of Gaza

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Letter - Why I'm Taking the Next US Boat to Gaza

Open Media Boston, an excellent cooperatively run news organization committed to producing independent, progressive, local coverage, published my letter to friends and colleagues announcing my participation in the U.S. boat to Gaza. I will be departing the U.S. in one week.

The Sudanese Tea Party?

In the 'stupid reasons to get your head bashed in' category, the Associated Press is reporting that:

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Safe Passage To Gaza?

Just Foreign Policy has initiated a petition to "Tell Hillary to Ensure Safe Passage for US Boat to Gaza." This compliments the change.org petition created by ISM (FreeGaza.org appeared to be the sponsor at the time) that I posted last week (which only has some 1,000 signatures at the moment). Please sign both petitions. With some luck, they will get the attention of the State Department.

BOOK REVIEW: Mamdani's Saviors & Survivors (Take Two)

The March 2011 issue of Z Magazine carries my review of Mahmood Mamdani's Saviors and Survivors: Darfur, Politics, and the War on Terror. I originally wrote the review in the summer of 2009, though only modest tweaks were necessary to update it.

Kevin's review of the book can be found here.

-smf

Fundraising Update

Due to the wonderful generosity of those who have donated, I have, as previously noted, been able to assure my participation in the flotilla. The estimated total budget for the trip is $2,200-$2,500. Currently, I have received a total of: $1,161.00 from 10 donors. A BIG thank you to those who have donated.

Has the Opening of Rafah Ended the Siege of Gaza?

The above question, a pertinent one, was recently posed to me. Might it not obviate the need for the Freedom Flotilla? The short answer is, 'no.' Briefly, the opening of the Rafah crossing on Saturday, May 28th, is certainly a positive sign. From what I've seen thus far, there's still some uncertainty about exactly what the impact will be - namely, as to what kind of restrictions will remain on transporting materials.

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Airfare for Boat to Gaza Action Purchased!

With the help of some very generous donations from friends and family, I was able to purchase the airfare for my trip to Athens yesterday. This takes a great weight off my mind and allows me to finally focus on the real tasks, of political organizing and publicity to ensure that the flotilla action has the maximum domestic impact, secure in the knowledge that I will indeed be able to participate. A heartfelt thank you to all of you who have donated!

One Year Anniversary of the Freedom Flotilla Killings

On May 31st, 2010, Israeli commandos killed 9 passengers aboard the Mavi Marmara, a ship in the 2010 Freedom Flotilla. However, violence repression has not detered the growing international solidarity movement building in many countries. A new Freedom Flotilla will depart in June, including a U.S. boat, pointedly christened in reference to Obama's autobiography. It is doubtless more applicable to the movement to free Gaza than to the President's policies. To mark the tragic anniversary, organizers of the U.S.

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Petition Supporting the Freedom Flotilla 2

FreeGaza.org has created a petition addressed to President Obama to "show the overwhelming public support for an end to siege of Gaza and the rights for Palestinians. We also demand that the American administration apply pressure on Israel to ensure that passengers are not violently attacked and to allow the flotilla to sail to Gaza."

Please take a look and consider signing on!