by Jonathan Kuttab
On Wednesday, a flotilla of 55 ships carrying humanitarian relief to Gaza was intercepted in international waters off the Greek Islands by armed Israeli naval vessels. The Israelis forcefully boarded 20 ships, kidnapping 175 of their occupants, who come from many countries, and destroyed the equipment of some ships and towed others towards Ashdod.
This confrontation could not provide a more stark contrast between two opposing world views:
On the one side was the fully armed Israeli navy, projecting its military power hundreds of miles (700 miles actually) away from its borders, in full contempt of international law and maritime regulations, as well as the interests and sovereignty of others. It was a declaration to one and all that “might makes right.” As Netanyahu stated recently, Israel is now not only a regional power but a world power. It will set its own rules and do what it wishes because it can. This, it did not do in defense of its own security or the well being of its population, but with the declared purpose of maintaining its cruel siege over Gaza and its people , including its authority to control any food, fuel, medical supplies or any civilian goods from even approaching, much less entering Gaza waters or territories without its express approval. After Israel devastated the ability of Gazans to live any normal lives and began subjecting them to an ongoing genocide, it is actually declaring that those who show any sympathy with Gazans are criminals whom it can arrest, detain, question and imprison anywhere they exist. While the arrestees belong to many countries, including Europe and the United States, Israel counted on the cowardice of their politicians and their unwillingness to challenge Israel's power.
The United States even issued a statement supporting Israeli actions because some of the arrested were under its sanctions and considered “sympathizers of Hamas.” Only President Trump, among the nations of the world, matches the arrogance of Israel and its disdain for international law and norms, and its exceptional claim to do whatever it wants because it has the power, holds the cards, and can force its will upon others.
On the other side were unarmed citizens from multiple countries. Artists, activists, parliamentarians, doctors, and ordinary citizens who want to show concretely their care for the people of Gaza. They do not use force or violence, but they act in a concrete, nonviolent manner. Many think they are naive and unwise to challenge the overwhelmingly powerful forces of Israel (and its ally, the United States) but they choose to act nonetheless out of love, care and dedication. They assert their belief in universal values that apply to all. Their actions are not meant to hurt anyone or cause harm to Israel and its population, yet they are brave enough to confront the horrors of the genocide and to do something about it at great risk to themselves. While their governments dither and vacillate while failing to take any concrete actions, the flotilla participants are willing to stand up and be counted.
In classic terms of the nonviolence movement, they are exposing the failures of their respective governments to protect their citizens or the international rule of law. They are asserting the primacy of international law. They are reminding the world of the ongoing genocidal situation in Gaza. They are deepening the isolation of Israel and reasserting the relevance and vitality of international law and norms that are universally binding on everyone, with no special exception for Israel and the US. They are restoring faith in the relevance of solidarity and collective action against rogue states. They are asserting their own agency in the face of the helplessness of their own governments.
All of us are being called upon to take a position on this issue as well. Do we stand with Empire, and its power to bully others that, in the words of Trump, feels no restraints other than “its own morality” (such as it is) or do we insist on resistance, based on international law, universal human rights, and nonviolent but sacrificial resistance to ongoing injustice and oppression. It is incumbent on all of us to raise our voices and to truly choose whether we support unrestrained power and lawlessness or whether we stand with nonviolent resistance, law, and justice.
Friends of Sabeel North America · PO Box 3192, Greenwood Village, CO 80155, United States. Friends of Sabeel North America · PO Box 3192, Greenwood Village, CO 80155, United States. A Christian voice for Palestine.
This email was sent to bbagh@gmail.com.
This email was sent to bbagh@gmail.com.
Its war in Lebanon, and its continued bombing in Gaza – despite so-called “ceasefires” in place – did not stop Israel from conducting violent raids in the occupied West Bank and conducting “piracy” at sea.
more sad and tragic episodes of the ugly situation over that area, the way it's going in Lebanon, Israel's other front, the remaining and isolated populations of southern Lebanon will need flotillas to nourish them, medicine and humanitarian aid to compensate for the Israeli blocades, destruction and genocide/transfer of the entire remaining population of the southern parts of the country.
more sad and tragic episodes of the ugly situation over that area, the way it's going in Lebanon, Israel's other front, the remaining and isolated populations of southern Lebanon will need flotillas to nourish them, medicine and humanitarian aid to compensate for the Israeli blocades, destruction and genocide/transfer of the entire remaining population of the southern parts of the country.
As always, my profound many thanks to all.
