The world was shocked by Israel’s latest act of barbarism — an act of high-seas piracy that ended in slaughter. Israel’s excuse of “self-defence” is so ludicrous it is hard to believe anyone is expected to take it seriously.
On May 31, Israel raided the six boats of the Freedom Flotilla bringing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian Gaza Strip. The Gaza Strip has been subjected to a siege of growing intensity by Israel since 2006. The flotilla contained people from more than 37 nations.
Commandos that raided the Mavi Marmara passenger boat opened fire, killing at least nine people. Killing civilians is hardly new to Israel: thousands were killed in the July-August 2006 invasion of Lebanon and the December 2008-January 2009 assault on Gaza.
This crime is further evidence that Israel is a rogue state.
Inside Israel, non-Jews are second-class citizens. In the refugee camps, Palestinians live in despair — denied the right to return to the homeland they were driven from in 1948 when Israel was formed.
In the West Bank, Israel steals more and more Palestinian land, building illegal Jewish-only settlements connected with Jewish-only roads. Palestinians are confined to shrinking, geographically separated enclaves, which are often walled. Movement restricted by the Israeli army. Resistance is brutally repressed.
In Gaza, the siege starves 1.5 million people. Israel refuses to allow material needed to rebuild the shattered territory it devastated over December 2008 - January 2009.
The international anger in the aftermath of the latest massacre shows the potential to build a powerful global movement to isolate Israel.
People have been inspired by the bravery of the unarmed activists on the Freedom Flotilla.
Under pressure from mass outrage, a growing number of governments, including Australia and Britain, have now joined voices calling for lifting of the cruel blockade of Gaza.
A powerful international movement could force its end. This would be a victory in the long struggle for Palestinian justice.
But Israel will not listen to words. The Australian government should act — expel Israel’s ambassador and implement economic, sporting and cultural sanctions.
Israel’s Western backers have allowed Israel to commit its crimes with impunity.
More than any other, the government of the United States shares responsibility with Israel for its crimes. Israel is the world’s largest recipient of US military aid.
While outrage spread globally at Israel’s latest atrocity, US President Barack Obama merely expressed his “regret” for the deaths and requested more information. On PBS on June 2, US Vice-President Joe Biden responded to this latest flagrant violation of international law by saying: “I think Israel has an absolute right to deal with its security interest.”
Now, the US is seeking to push the United Nations Security Council to allow Israel to investigate itself over its rampage in international waters. You might as well let a serial killer be his own judge and jury.
The global boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign targeting Israel, which started in 2005, is gaining strength.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur for Palestine, Richard Falk, said on May 31 the global BDS campaign was a“moral and political imperative and needs to be supported and strengthened everywhere”.
In Australia, the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union has become the first national union to join the BDS campaign. On June 3, the South Coast Labour Council in New South Wales also decided to join the campaign, as have the NSW and ACT branches of the Australian Services Union.
This shows the way forward — target Israel in the same way apartheid South Africa was targeted. Such measures have a chance of forcing change, opening a path to justice and peace in the Middle East.