...these people aboard the Freedom Flotilla -- the humanitarian convoy that were intercepted by the Israeli forces as it sailed towards Gaza.
But, in my book, they are brave and courageous men and women.
I can only talk about the suffering of the people of Gaza. The best I can do is to attend fund-raising events for them.
But, I haven't volunteered to join any mission to Gaza. I'm not sure I will. Just not brave enough, perhaps.
The last boat of this convoy is the MV Rachel Corrie.
Journalist Shamsul Akmar Musa Kamal of Perdana Global Peace Organisation (PGPO) is aboard the Rachel Corrie together with 10 others -- 5 Malaysians and 5 Irish nationals.
Sometime today, all contact was lost with the Rachel Corrie, due to, we suspect, Israel's jamming of all connection.
We pray for their safe passage and the safety of the passengers.
God speed!
Read THIS, THIS and THIS.
Brave, balls of steel, action and not talk only, is the description I use for these people.
ReplyDeleteYet, can 12 or 6 people really make a difference?
While I applaud their good intentions, Malaysians are far from the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, both physically and culturally. The Arab nations are much closer and it is they who can achieve something. We here in Malaysia seem not to have the means to really do something.
We should be concentrating on matters in our on backyard. Just three days ago I read that a lady had her car broken into at Taman Tun park. Her credit card was exchanged with a fake one and someone withdrew RM23,000 from her bank account. This is just one example of how things have become here in Malaysia, most notably KL and PJ.
I believe that we should clean our back lanes of rubbish before offering to clean other peoples'.
One big question for our Tun Mahathir 's Perdana Peace Foundation or whatever it is that he calls it. If really it was only the interest of the Palestinian civilians that was the concern of this flotilla, why could the Tun not use his prestige and influence in the Muslim world, approached Egypt and encouraged Egypt to open its border link with Gaza at Rafah to send in the stuff? Egypt, after all is providing the blockade at the Rafah crossing. And Egypt is a friendly Muslim Arabic country!!
ReplyDeleteWas the flotilla's aim more about breaking and embarrassing Israel's Mediterranean blockade of Gaza or was it meant as an honest humanitarian effort to send in badly needed civilian needs?
You said, "humanitarian convoy"! Was it really? Then just follow procedure la!! After all the guys with the guns rule! And when they tell you to go to their ports and have the ships and their goods inspected first, just do that. After all in Malaysia, when he go on a candle light vigil, we stand around until the guys with the guns and the batons say "disperse". Then we disperse. If we don't they clobber our heads. And here we are supposed to be living in peace. Over there it is a war zone!!
ReplyDeleteIn any case, how come the organisers of the flotilla did not take the more friendly approach to reach the Gazans? The border crossing at Rafah is accessible from Egypt and Egypt controls that crossing.
You may want to read this for further argument for the Israeli position. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/03/AR2010060304287.html?wpisrc=nl_most
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ReplyDeleteAnon@9:51PM: I live in taman tun dr ismail. about 6 years ago, i did a silly thing, i had my handbag with me when i headed for the park.i usually did not whenever i intended to go for a jog/walk in the park.
ReplyDeletei don't know why, until today, i brought along my handbag -- which i had to leave in my car.
i left it under the seat. when i got back from my jog, my car door was unlocked and i found my handbag gone.
someone had broken into my Rexton.
i had only myself to blame.
i should never have left my handbag in the car.
thefts occur everywhere, not just in malaysia.
i feel sorry for the lady whose credit card was stolen.
anyway, "things have not become" in PJ and KL...
as far as i can remember, thefts have been occurring for a long time...as anywhere else.
sometimes i feel the crime rate has gone down. sometimes i feel otherwise.
i'm sure that's a very familiar feeling.
old fart,
ReplyDeletethank you for your comment.
but really, sir.
surely you know what's going on in Gaza.
you know, of course, that the Free gaza movement and the international peace and humanitarian organizations had to resort to the sea route because Egypt did not allow the convoy to cross on land through the desired route.
i know one thing -- i don't know if i could ever do what these brave people have done and others who will continue to fight to help the people of Gaza.
oh dear old fart. i just don't know what to say to you.
Nuraina,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the theft of your handbag. I take walks sometimes at Taman Tun park and have noticed:
1. There are two or more ladies who collect money at the toilet located at the entrance of the park. I have observed that they look at everyone who comes in. Are they in on it? I think they are Indonesian and it is to their advantage that they can speak a different language from Malays.
2. There are people loitering around the park who do not seen to be exercising. Sometimes they come on motorcycles and just wait around.
3. I have noticed that there are many workers who do clean up. Are they in on it?
4. There are toilets located throughout the park. I have noticed men and women loitering about. They seem to be Indonesian. What are they up to? Spying on those who are exercising? They could be infoming their crime partners via handphone over at the carpark that so and so is far away exercising, so a car break-in could be done.
5. I suspect there is a crime syndicate involved. Yes, crime existed back then but I feel that now it is more organised and widespread. Also, it says a lot about crime frequency and occurances when more and more people you know are a victim of crime.