The political landscape of the Middle East has changed dramatically in the year since the Israeli attack on the Gaza flotilla. The Arab Spring of citizen protests against the dictatorships that had ruled them for decades have brought new governments in Egypt and Tunisia, governments that are more sympathetic to the plight of Palestinians. Citizens in Libya, Syria, Bahrain and Yemen continue to battle against dictatorships in the countries.
The outlook for Palestinians is changing substantially. The interim Egyptian government has increased the numbers of Palestinians who can leave and return to Gaza. Following condemnation of their attack on the Gaza flotilla, the Israel government increased a little the types of food and materials that can enter Gaza, but the volume of goods remains insufficient to support a population of 1.5 million persons. However, Israel has increased drone attacks in Gaza and IDF snipers kill unarmed civilians in the Israeli declared no-go zone in Gaza that prevents farmers and shepherds from using 3,000 feet of their land along the eastern border with Israel. IDF incursions into Gaza have increased.
The boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) of Israeli goods has increased dramatically. Some European companies have stopped working on projects in Israel, particularly the light rail project. Demonstrations and flash mob actions in merchandise stores have greatly increased the awareness of the public about the illegal use of Palestinian resources by Israeli companies.
2011 Gaza Freedom Flotilla faces Massive Israeli Diplomatic Offensive
In three weeks, a second -- and larger -- Gaza flotilla of unarmed, civilian ships will sail to end the naval blockade of Gaza. International citizen activists intend to keep pressing for the end of the naval blockade until Israel complies. However, the Israeli diplomatic offensive in the Mediterranean, Europe, Canada and the United States to stop the flotilla has been strong, culminating with the UN Secretary-General's 27th call for governments in the region to "discourage" the flotilla from sailing.
US State Department Warns US Boat to Gaza and new U.S. Coast Guard Special Notice on the Gaza Maritime Area
On May 23, 2011, a delegation from the U.S. Boat to Gaza, the Audacity of Hope, advised State Department officials that a U.S. flagged ship would be in the June, 2011 Gaza flotilla. State Department officials responded with the Travel Warning from the Bureau of Consular Affairs. The travel warning states "U.S. citizens are advised against traveling to Gaza by any means, including via sea. Previous attempts to enter Gaza by sea have been stopped by Israeli naval vessels and resulted in the injury, death, arrest and deportation of U.S. citizens." The Israeli defense Forces (IDF) strictly controls the crossing points between Israel and the Gaza Strip, and has essentially sealed the border. The security environment within Gaza and along its borders, including its border with Egypt and the seacoast, is dangerous and volatile."
The U.S. government offensive against the flotilla sailing continued with the comment that the U.S. Coast Guard was publishing a new notice about Gaza waters, but they did not yet have a copy.
The next day, on May 25, the U.S. Coast Guard published the "Notice to Mariners" which has interesting language confirming that the blockade is an Israeli blockade, not an international blockade. Members of the sailing community have mentioned that this is the first time they can remember that the Coast Guard has sent out a special email notifying the maritime community of a new maritime notice. Usually one must search the Coast Guard website to find the notices (click here
This is the new notice on the Gaza Maritime Area:
" U.S. Coast Guard Special Notice--Gaza Maritime Area
All U.S. vessels and mariners are advised that Israel is currently enforcing a blockade in the "Gaza Maritime Area." The area is closed to all maritime traffic and the blockade is being enforced by the Israeli Navy. The Gaza Maritime Area is enclosed by the following coordinates:31(degrees) -35.71'N, 34(degrees) -29.46'E
31(degrees) -46.80'N, 34(degrees) -10.01'E
31(degrees) -19.39'N, 34(degrees) -13.11'E
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