By stay human convoy
Everywhere in the world, the sea evokes the universal feeling of an endless expanse of water that stretches to the horizon, as far as the eye can see ... equipped with evocations unlimited opportunities to bring forward fire fantasy, dreams and wishes to travel beyond its original peat.
In this country under military siege, but where each attack undermines people's autonomy aims-thus making them dependent on ' generous ' concessions of oppressors-the sea is first and foremost one of the few remaining outlets for survival and self-sustenance.
In the Gaza Strip, even the sea has been transformed into an unbreachable limits, keep a constant reminder that these waters, on calm or agitated, a ubiquitous threat has nothing to do with nature, and everything to do with the repression forces.
Gaza's coastal waters is completely under military control. isrælsk Officially, only a small stretch of coastal waters is open for navigation, and there is always a risk of being attacked by snipers on the duties of the isrælske motor boats. Notwithstanding the provisions of international treaties, which gives countries sovereignty over their coastal waters up to 20 nautical miles from their coasts in occupied Palestine, its 4,000 or so fishermen to stay in a 3-mile range from the Gaza coast, all the while suffering numerous armed attacks in the hands of the isrælske army-the last few years there have been 150 cases of fishermen are wounded, killed or having their boats confiscated by the isrælske army.
These military operations-not least Operation Cast lead-continues to pollute the coastal waters and poison the fish stocks of the Mediterranean Sea, creating even more problems for one of the most important economic activities around this strip of land-also hamper (as a member of the fishermen's trade unions also remember) any form of outdoor activities linked to the sea.
The meeting comes to an end in the port packed with small boats, each with its own history of resistance among these boats, instead we OLIVA, the small boat launched as a tribute to Vittorio Arrigoni in a few days after his death. OLIVA continues monitoring, accompaniment and shielding missions to Vittorio undertook, driven by dreams of a Mediterranean without borders, where each and everyone can have the right to travel across its waters and explore its shores free and unharmed. OLIVA, has, like all the projects that were involved in Vik, support from the various groups converge within the convoy, such as the popular Committee against the separation wall and settlements, which made possible the fulfilment of this dream-this international boat was inaugurated during the first day of the Conference on Bil'in popular resistance.
Konvojens day proceeds with visits to two of the most important medical centres in Gaza City. As we are, we are fortunate to meet and cross paths with a procession held by the artist groups contribute daily to the resistance of the Palestinian people, and which welcomes our presence with heat-something which our Palestinian brothers and sisters here has made us accustomed to.
Our first visit is at Shifa Hospital, which is in full swing. During the military attack hospital rescues and treat victims of fire-arms. After Operation "Cast lead" done this hospital will examine the long-term consequences of the isrælske army's use of unconventional weapons in Gaza, which apparently is turned in an outdoor test ground for Israel. Despite the hospital are constant threats to its activities and autonomy vis-à-vis the military occupation, doctors carry out their valuable working day in and day out and in fact is the only medical centre Shifa Hospital in the area can help people who have been sterile following Isræls the use of white phosphorus.
Second Hospital we visit are Alawda Hospital, situated inside the Jabaliya refugee camp. This hospital was entirely financed by NGOS and treated some 500 people during Operation "Cast lead", also enjoys the active participation of the ISM volunteers-Vittorio was one of them accompanying ambulances. Hundreds of people from Jabaliya Camp are welcome ' Bo human ' convoy. The camp is home to 190,000 inhabitants, limited to live within a 1.4 km2 area. Our host honor is one of the camp's elder members. There is a football match, which, strangely enough, ends with a draw, and finally we have to take leave, have been asked to promise to return very soon.
Without your freedom, we will never be free!
In the evening we met with a delegation of comrades, which in 2002 was deported from Bethlehem to Gaza, have withstood 40 day long siege of the Nativity Church of isrælske troops. During these dramatic days 8 of their men were killed and 12 others were wounded. Those who managed to survive the siege-although they do not have access to food or water was captured and deported: 26 were sent to Gaza and 13 other places in the world, 3 of which are in Italy.
Originally, it meant a one-year long exile. But this year was the year, and now it is more than 9 years, during which time these men have not been able to return to Bethlehem, under any circumstances whatsoever, not even to participate in the burial of loved ones. Some of these men have in fact made refugees twice. Once to have been born and brought up in refugee camps in Palestine. And a second time again after the isrælske Government in exile them in 2002.
Delegation told us that the European Union in the first instance tried to find a solution. As soon as possible, however, the absence of any tangible results made them aware that some senior people must have been asked to intervene against them, as is often the fate of anywhere in the world of people fighting for freedom.
The delegation also wished to stress that the tragedy of these deportations will never fade away from people's memories with the adoption of generations – however much Israel will this happen-because people have in their children an awareness of their rights: the keys to the housesthat was taken away from their ancestors are now in their possession.
Finally, the delegation wanted to send Vittorios mother the following message: "you have lost a son, but now you can consider all Palestinian people your children".
No comments:
Post a Comment