It’s with a very heavy heart that I write this blog post today.

I’ve been following the stories of 800 brave men and women on a mission of peace delivering aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Last night, Israeli soldiers launched an attack, boarded the vessels and opened fire. At least 15 people have died.

Right now the fate of Freedom Flotilla is uncertain and the internet is a flurry of Israeli PR vs. the truth. I’m still sifting through all the news articles about what’s going on and I’m going to post a list of them as I read along.

Israel attacks Gaza Aid Fleet – Al Jazeera

Amy Goodman interviews Adam Shapiro, a member of the Free Gaza movement. (audio)

Was Twitter censoring discussion about Flotilla? – The Guardian

I’m pretty disgusted at the attempt by Israel to de-legitimize Freedom Flotilla by making groundless accusations of ties w/ Al-Qaeda.

UK response falls short of condemnation – MEMO

Instead of condemning the Israeli forces who boarded the aid ships under the cover of darkness while in international waters, William Hague has the audacity to point the finger of blame on the humanitarian volunteers themselves saying, “We have consistently advised against attempting to access Gaza in this way, because of the risks involved”. Blaming the victims of Israeli actions simply for being the victims is commonplace, but rarely has it been stated so openly by a senior British politician.

Turkey threatens action; Israel on alert

We are no longer defending Israel. We are now defending the siege, which is itself becoming Israel’s Vietnam.

A war tells a people terrible truths about itself. That is why it is so difficult to listen.

We were determined to avoid an honest look at the first Gaza war. Now, in international waters and having opened fire on an international group of humanitarian aid workers and activists, we are fighting and losing the second. For Israel, in the end, this Second Gaza War could be far more costly and painful than the first.

A time line of updates by the Guardian

Visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper but cancelled a scheduled news conference and will forego a gala dinner planned for Monday evening to fly home to Israel. A scheduled visit to Washington has been cancelled.

At least one Canadian activist was believed to be on board one of the ships. CBC TV reported Kevin Neish, of Victoria, was part of the eight-boat flotilla that included three cargo and five passenger vessels.

Have to leave for work now

Please Universe… take care of those who stand against the darkness.

Came across an Iraqi war veteran speaking out about his experience of war.

People are raising their voices.

We just need to listen.

Please take a minute to listen to what he has to say.

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I want to share with you a passage from the book I’m reading in light of what today is.

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My favorite line is “Yet, everywhere, we hear fear advanced as argument for armament.”

I wanted to link a transcript of the passage and while looking for it, i came across this similar one with a nice twist.

The future of the world rests in the hands of America. The future of America rests on the backs of 80,000,000 working men and women and their children. We are facing a grave crisis in our national life. The few who profit from the labor of the masses want to organize the workers into an army which will protect the interests of the capitalists. You are urged to add to the heavy burdens you already bear the burden of a larger army and many additional warships. It is in your power to refuse to carry the artillery and the dread-noughts and to shake off some of the burdens, too, such as limousines, steam yachts and country estates. You do not need to make a great noise about it. With the silence and dignity of creators you can end wars and the system of selfishness and exploitation that causes wars. All you need to do to bring about this stupendous revolution is to straighten up and fold your arms.

I love it.   Straighten up and fold your arms.   Serious, that’s how we need to play it.