BY PHYLLIS CHESLER, FRONTPAGEMAG—
The flotilla is coming, the flotilla is coming.
European and North American activists, journalists, and mercenaries have set sail—or are about to do so—on fifteen boats with passengers from twenty-twomainly Western countries to “break the Israeli blockade of Gaza.” Spurred on by the anti-Potemkin Village images of Palestinian Arabs living in wretched refugee hovels, fenced in by an allegedly “apartheid” Israeli wall, oppressed by “Nazi” Israeli soldiers for “racist” reasons (and not because the Palestinian leadership practices both Islamic gender and religious apartheid as well as terrorism)–the Good People are sailing to the rescue.
Bad enough that Israel is surrounded by twenty-two hostile Arab countries plus a genocidally anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli Iran, a country which has positioned soldiers in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria.
Bad enough that the United Nations and the Palestinian leadership are planning to unilaterally declare a Palestinian state on sovereign Israeli land.
Bad enough that the Western mainstream media and university campuses have rendered the most virulent anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism respectable and have intimidated students with endless replays of Gaza on the Hudson, Gaza on the Atlantic and Gaza on the Pacific—now, the flotilla is also coming. They say they plan to “non-violently” “provoke” Israel into a forbidden display of self-defense.
Boats are leaving or have already left from Ireland, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, Greece, Turkey, Canada, as well as the United States. Clearly, these Europeans do not believe that enough Jews died in the European Holocaust and/or do not want to see the descendents of Holocaust survivors continue to flourish in Israel. Perhaps some Europeans believe that their left anti-Israel politics will put them in good stead vis-à-vis the Islamists who are rapidly overwhelming Europe in a way that only Jean Raspail, the author of The Camp of the Saints foresaw and would appreciate.
The boat from the United States has been dubbed “The Audacity of Hope.” (Now where have we heard that title before?) On it are 36 passengers and four crew members, including some members of the Soros-funded Code Pink. Journalists from The Nation, CNN, NPR, CBS, The New York Times, Democracy Now, and the Palestinian News Agency Ma’an are “embedded” within the flotilla. “Embedded”? Isn’t that the word used to describe journalists who accompany troops in active battle?
Forgive me: I take words very seriously.
These self-styled activists and presumed anti-racists are slumming, partying, cruising for cheap thrills and even cheaper publicity. They yearn for cut-rate, no “burn” glory. They are ultimate conformists, careerists, “making their bones,” adding to their activist resumes by sticking it to the Jews. This is meant to prove that they are brave and principled.
In essence, they are engaged in a highly self-destructive form of political theatre: they are concretely manipulating symbols in the same way that Osama bin Laden did on 9/11. In the name of “caring,” these activists are surrendering to the most dangerous totalitarian and misogynist Islamist regime—but in the name of “freedom” and “justice…”
Whatever happened with HR 1003, which would make Jerusalem the capitol of Israel? Good idea, the capitol which is in the “West Bank” I believe. This might also protect the West Bank and Gaza from being given back to the “Palestinian Terrorists”. I e-mailed the article to Emanuel Cleaver. He is the Congressman for MIssouri and a former mayor of Kansas City, Missouri. A street has been named after him, which I find irritating. He is also a Methodist Minister whose church is here in Kansas City.
How do I appeal to his Christian conscience? President Obama has made Emanuel Cleaver the head of Homeland Security. Doesn’t either one of them ever think about the security of Israel being a part of our security? In correspondence that I have previously received from Emanuel Cleaver, he seems to sympathize with the Palestians. I say the victims of these wars, yes, but not the evil leadership. What can I do to reach Emanuel Cleaver’s mind? He is the black Missouri Congressman who got spat upon by a tea party member when the health care bill passed, March, 2010. When I saw Emanueal Cleaver at two public events last year he appeared to be stressed out. Pray for this Methodist Minister that he will finally see the truth. I believe that he is basically a decent person.
I think it’s very clear that after the horrific events that occurred on the 1st flotilla they seem to think they should send a 2nd flotilla, they are obviously doing this for publicity. I would like to invite you to check out Prevent the IHH Flotilla Towards Gaza http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prevent-the-IHH-Flotilla-Towards-Gaza/117646254988615
Thanks for your support.