NEWS RELEASE about Peace/WarDirect Action posted on June 14, 2010 by Zoe Blunt
Open Letter to Stephen Harper from Canadian survivors of the Gaza flotilla attack
Shame on Harper for keeping silent
Bloodshed aboard Mavi Marmara. Photo: (c) IHH
Prime Minister Harper:
We are writing to express our outrage and indignation over our government’s despicable silence on what took place in the Mediterranean Sea on May 31, 2010. We are referring, of course, to the piracy, murder and kidnappings by Israel against the Turkish humanitarian aid ship in general, and the actions against the Canadians on the ship in particular.
In 2006, Israel launched a heinous war on Lebanon that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians. You, Mr. Harper, described Israel’s action as a “measured response”, and this implicit green light and tacit approval from Canada to Israel to continue the rampage of death and destruction killed eight Canadians within a couple of days. Following this, the cold-blooded Israeli murder of a Canadian peacekeeper and three of his colleagues at a UN station in Southern Lebanon resulted in your outrageous and absolutely despicable remark effectively blaming the victims and asking what they were doing there in the first place.
On May 31st and in international waters, Israel attacked an unarmed humanitarian aid ship before the whole world, murdered nine civilians aboard and wounded dozens, and kidnapped the rest and detained them illegally. We were on that ship along with many other internationals. And this time around, what was the response of our government? Once again, Canada did not condemn Israel’s barbaric actions and refused to demand our release, with Peter Kent incredibly stating "Canada doesn't believe a lot of noise is required in this instance."
It would be a gross understatement to say that we are appalled at the muted response of our government in general and with any politician who did not speak out against what took place. Canada and Canadians are loved throughout the world for many reasons, including their willingness to stand for what is right, peacekeeping efforts and compassion for global citizens in suffering. So why is it that the government has participated in an inhumane siege on 1.5 million people that we were trying to break with this flotilla? Hundreds of innocent men, women and children have died in the past few years as a result of this crippling blockade and lack of access to necessary medical care.
Further, why has the government not called Israel out on this piracy and blatant violation of international law? Why didn’t Ottawa summon the Israeli ambassador to express its outrage, or at the very least demand an explanation? Why didn't you rebuke Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu when he was meeting with you since you knew full well that the attack took place in international waters?
Finally, why, at the very least didn’t the Canadian government demand our release and try to protect its citizens? Receiving a visit from embassy representatives falls far short of what we’d expect from our government. Is this the best that Canadians can hope for in the future? In cases such as this, silence equals complicity.
Our government’s action –or rather inaction – is a disgrace. In assisting with the slow genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza and falling silent before Israel’s acts of piracy, murder and abduction, our government has not only tarnished the image of Canada and Canadians throughout the world, but has also shown its weakness and inability to stand up for those oppressed. Shame on us for keeping silent.
Sincerely,
Kevin Neish
Farooq Burney
Rifat Audeh
Kevin Neish, Farooq Burney and Rifat Audeh were the three Canadians aboard the Mavi Marmara ship when it was attacked by the Israeli navy in international waters.
View an hour of raw video posted by Iara Lee at Cultures of Resistance.
Meet Kevin Neish and hear his eyewitness testimony about the Gaza flotilla raid. Friday, June 18, 7 pm at Alice McKay Room, main branch Vancouver Public Library.
The site for the Vancouver local of The Media Co-op has been archived and will no longer be updated. Please visit the main Media Co-op website to learn more about the organization.
Comments
Elected Officials (in)actions are insults to freedom-seekers
Thanks for this letter, and I am very sorry I won't be able to make it on Friday. The inaction of elected officials on this issue illustrate absolute obedience to zionist pressure groups. In the 1980s, Canada took a principled stance against South African Apartheid and came out on the winning side of history. Today, we choose to stand with those who seek to protect bantustans rather than people's basic human rights and right to self-determination. The Canadian government has always been rife with hypocrisy, especially considering that this state is constituted on stolen native territory) but AT LEAST we could have said that we supported and played a role in the movement to isolate White-South Africa and promote the dismantling of apartheid. Shame on Canada and the inane circus of political leaders, all who had an opportunity to voice dissent to the Israeli Prime Minister himself.