THE FLOTILLAS OF SUMMER AND THE GUNS OF AUGUST: PHYLLIS CHESLER
The Flotillas of Summer, The Guns of August
Posted By Phyllis Chesler
The signs are ominous, disquieting. In Hanover, Germany, young Muslim children of Lebanese, Palestinian, and Iranian descent, ages ten to fifteen, throw rocks [1] at a Jewish dance troupe, injuring one of the performers and ending the performance. The children use a megaphone to shout anti-Semitic slurs during the attack. In Amsterdam, Holland, a taxi [2] sports this sign: Israel=Terror Country/State. The Dutch taxi also has a picture of an Israeli flag marked by an “x†and dripping blood. Interestingly enough, Dutch law enforcement have begun to dress police officers as religious Jews, or as “decoys [3]†with which to catch anti-Semites in the act. In Washington state, in America, a nine-foot Chabad (remember Mumbai) menorah [4] was knocked over; on its base was spray-painted: “Die Jew.â€
Last month, 663 anti-Zionist humanitarians joined one of nine boats in a flotilla which sailed for Gaza to “break the Israeli blockade.†Nine Turkish terrorists, armed to the teeth, and hidden on board the Mavi Marmara, attacked the Israeli soldiers, who then killed them in self-defense. Anti-Israeli propaganda was heard round the world. Everyone sympathized with the Turkish martyrs. Riots, rallies, and fundraisers on their behalf were held around the world.
Now, new flotillas are reportedly underway to break the Israeli siege of Gaza. Two are reportedly coming from Lebanon [5]; one is an all-female [5] ship. Other flotillas are presumably being launched by Turkey [6]. A Jewish group in Germany [7], “Jewish Voices for a Just Peace,†is sending one boat. “Viva Palestina [8],†a British-based group, is planning to send ten to fifteen boats which will launch by October.
It’s summer; people enjoy being on the water. Still, oddly enough, the United States has just asked Lebanon not to send another flotilla to Hamas-terrorist controlled Gaza.
In New York City, the largest (non-Israeli) international Jewish organization in the world has invited Jews to board boats on the East River [9] (!) in order to symbolically protest the fourth year of Gilad Shalit’s captivity. True, if the Israeli government and Defense Forces have been unable to free him, what can American Jews hope to do?
On the other hand, people of thirty seven countries were willing to board an actual boat in deep, Mediterranean waters, in order to bring food and humanitarian supplies to the tyrants and terrorists of Gaza who hold their own people hostage to their hatred for Israel.
Why can’t the Jews (and our friends) launch a flotilla of humanitarian aid (a peaceful convoy) for Gilad Shalit to sail to Gaza laden with food, medicine, clothing, books, and messages from those who love him?
Hamas has not allowed Shalit even a single visit by the International Red Cross. Why not a visit from civilian Jews and our friends instead?
Article printed from Chesler Chronicles: http://pajamasmedia.com/phyllischesler
URL to article: http://pajamasmedia.com/phyllischesler/2010/06/24/the-flotillas-of-summer-the-guns-of-august/
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