When the Knesset yesterday, passed the law approving the death penalty for Palestinians ONLY, they popped champagne bottles in the chamber as they applauded. You read that correctly.
Not your problem?
It’s complicated?
STILL SILENT?
SILENCE IS COMPLICITY.
The Freedom Flotilla surrounded by 20 🇮🇱 vessels, 70 nautical miles off Gaza 🇵🇸 coast.
Piracy 🇮🇱 against 50 boats from 44 countries attacked in international waters
For seeking to stop a genocide
No western media outcry. Silence from western ‘leaders’
Share their bravery.
I write as former Head of Maritime Section of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
and Alternate Head of UK Delegation to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea Prepcom.
1) The flotilla is on the High Seas and not in Israel's 12 mile territorial sea. Israel has no jurisdiction.
2) The Israeli maritime blockade has been in place for 17 years and is an intrinsic part of the long term occupation found illegal in the ICJ advisory opinion
3) It is therefore not a short term measure in time of armed conflict as specified in the San Remo manual
4) In any event the San Remo rules explicitly state that humanitarian supplies may not be blockaded
5) The UN Commission of Inquiry has already determined that Israel is committing genocide. The blockade is plainly a part of the machinery of such genocide.
For reasons 1 to 5 the Israeli attack on the flotilla is plainly illegal.
6) On the High Seas, the law applying on each ship is the law of its flag state. An attack by a state military warship on a vessel on the High Seas is an attack on the flag state of the vessel attacked.
7) Acts of illegal possession of vessels or abduction of crew on the High Seas should be pursued by each flag state as crimes within their domestic jurisdiction, not only in international law.
8) So the Metropolitan Police and DPP have an obligation to investigate and act over the abduction of persons from UK flagged vessels on the High Seas.
This applies to each flag state mutatis mutandi.
I hope you find this helpful.
Last night, we suffered a major setback with the mechanical failure of the Family Boat, one of the lead vessels of our flotilla. Nonetheless, the participants on board remain undeterred and committed to the mission.
Each has been reallocated, bringing … https://t.co/5PKnC5dUFL
I see many people outside of Gaza saying the flotillas are pointless. I'm here to tell you as a journalist from Gaza that all of us here feel a sense of hope from the 50 ships coming.
We are waiting for you and if they stop you, at least you sacrificed and tried for our children
Sending support to all on Family Madeira. My partner Paddy is on this boat and has been speaking so highly of the entire team. This is an unjustified attack on a peaceful humanitarian mission 🇮🇪🇵🇸! Please support and follow @GlobalSumudFlot
⭕️ UPDATE | Press Statement by Global Sumud Flotilla
“The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) confirms that one of the main boats, known as the “Family Boat” – that was carrying GSF Steering Committee members, was struck by a drone in Tunisian waters. The boat is sailing under the Portuguese flag and all six passengers and crew are safe. Fire damage was caused to the main deck and below deck storage. An investigation is currently underway and when more information is available it will be released immediately.
Acts of aggression aimed at intimidating and derailing our mission will not deter us. Our peaceful mission to break the siege on Gaza and stand in solidarity with its people continues with determination and resolve.”
Huge respect to all the activists, artists, lawyers who have joined the Global Sumud Flotilla sailing for Gaza. From Cork to Tunis to Barcelona, they’re risking their safety to break the blockade and deliver hope where governments have failed.
Free Palestine 🇵🇸
@jmills1955@JBMatthews@drmlb It’s one that stays with you long after reading it. I read it twice as there was so much to take in. The book in its entirety is a work of art despite the heart sinking theme.
Just re-read Colum McCann’s Apeirogon having read it originally in 2021. It hit so much harder this time around. The tiny shred of hope for peace that existed within those pages has been blown into a billion pieces since. It’s all so heartbreaking 💔🕊️#ceasefirenow