Amber Michel, SC Times, June 24, 2010
In the days since the humanitarian mission to Gaza was besieged by Israeli commandos, I have grown increasingly frustrated with the declaration by Israel that its heavily armed commandos were acting only in self-defense. I’m also angry with my own government’s unwillingness to condemn the attacks.
Despite the bad, albeit predictable, behavior of the United States and Israeli governments, nothing is more offensive than the politically motivated claims that there is indeed no humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
How quickly we forget the death and destruction that washed over Gaza just 18 months ago. More than 1,400 were slaughtered; a devastating 24 percent of those were children.
No humanitarian crisis? Consider the findings of these aid organizations:
United Nations: “Around 70 percent of Gazans live on less than $1 a day, 75 percent rely on food aid and 60 percent have no daily access to water.”
World Health Organization: “Trucks of medical equipment bound for Gazan hospitals have repeatedly been turned away without explanation.”
Red Cross: “Import procedures are keeping even basic medical items … from entering the strip.”
Gaza desperately needs aid and supplies. The Gaza Freedom flotilla was on a peaceful humanitarian mission to deliver those badly needed goods.
Nearly one year ago, I was in a meeting with American citizen Huwaida Arraf, co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement, key organizer of the Gaza Freedom flotilla and passenger on one of the ships raided by Israel.
I could not have imagined that one year later I would hear reports of the massacre of so many innocents on a humanitarian mission. Thankfully, Huwaida was not seriously injured.
There is a humanitarian crisis. We as Americans, through the $3 billion in aid we provide Israel annually, are largely responsible for the suffering of millions in Gaza and the West Bank.
We have the opportunity to declare that as Minnesotans, we will not pay for any more suffering in Gaza and the West Bank. Minnesota owns $19 million in Israeli bonds, purchased with state pension and retirement funds. We can end Minnesota’s support for Israel’s murderous behavior. Be heard, Minnesota. Contact your legislators and tell them, “No Minnesota money for war crimes!”
Amber Michel is the Central MN regional organizer for Minnesota Break the Bonds and founder of Students for a Free Palestine at St. Cloud State University.
First Posted at: http://www.sctimes.com/article/20100624/OPINION/106240023/1006