Not a victory, as they didn’t manage to deliver any aid; but not a defeat because Israel’s response makes it more of a pariah than it already was.

Heads will roll! Not Trump’s or Bibi’s, they’ve been off their heads for years and fly into a tantrum whenever they’re crossed. I mean western leaders who have offered lip service at best to supporting the flotilla.

I’m most disappointed with Pedro Sanchez, whose rousing speech was not followed up with action. Spain was the first to send a military support vessel but it soon became clear that the ship’s mission was to rescue survivors not to prevent an attack!

The Italian ships had the same mission, but were at least honest about it. They were recalled by far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who urged the flotilla to “stop now”! She’s out of step with the Italian people, with general strikes taking place and dockers in Genoa fulfilling their pledge to shut down Europe if the flotilla is intercepted.

The Greek navy provided an escort through Greek territorial waters, a minimum requirement under international law, but only Turkey has made any attempt to provide interference for the the flotilla. They had ships in the area for a joint naval exercise with Egypt, if it was deliberately timed to coincide with the arrival of the flotilla it failed – Israel called their bluff!

The Israeli’s demanded that the the flotilla hand over the aid to them so they can distribute it. If anyone believes that…

What can I say about Cur Starmer 🤔 Not a lot as he has nowt to say for himself, he’s he’s sinking from mediocrity into irrelevance! He could not offer any protection for UK citizens as PM, he can’t even to use the G word even though Labour Party Conference has passed a motion declaring what is happening in Gaza is, in fact, a genocide!While Starmer buries his head in the sand…

In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage.

John Steinbeck

There are politicians from several nations aboard, shame on all who won’t support their heroes! There are celebrities like Susan Sarandon putting their lives on the line in solidarity with Palestinians, but everyone on board matters. The Israelis have promised a special punishment for Greta Thunberg.

One boat got within site of the Gaza coast before being intercepted. More would have done with a screen of military ships under instructions to only fire in defence of the flotilla – their presence should act as a deterrent but who can predict what a psychopath will do?

All governments with citizens on board the flotilla must immediately impose sanctions on Israeli while their citizens are held hostage.

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Another flotilla has been launched and intercepted even as activists are starting to arrive home to mixed receptions. Governments seem oblivious to the outrage expressed by people in the street. In Milan police joined protesters, in London the Met pleaded with Palestine Action protesters to stop getting themselves arrested as it “strained resources”. Nevertheless, they arrested 488 activists for holding cardboard signs saying “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” Forces in Edinburgh, Derry, Truro, Totnes and Kendal chose not to arrest protesters at similar actions.

Cur Starmer has shown himself to deserve the epithet I’ve given him by refusing to facilitate the repatriation of British citizens saying “that’s a matter for the Israeli government”. After her ordeal in Israeli detention Sarah Wilkinson now finds herself under house arrest in the UK 😠

I hope Palestinians can receive some respite under Trump’s “peace plan”, Hamas have made it clear that the don’t trust Netenyahu an inch and it’s a great risk trusting Trump to restrain him. I wrote about this “plan” in my last blog so I’ll wait to see what transpires before saying anything more. One thing is certain, we cannot relax our campaigning until Palestine is free, from the river to the sea ✊